Business Segments Business Segments - Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	$ 13,355	$ 8,727
Inventory	662,981	548,090
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	34,088	11,732
Other assets	372,643	262,751
Total assets	1,083,067	831,300
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	2,141	1,462
Inventory	241,233	196,554
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	5,200	5,121
Other assets	7,699	4,421
Total assets	256,273	207,558
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	7,737	4,612
Inventory	212,665	157,302
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	28,888	6,611
Other assets	14,186	8,436
Total assets	263,476	176,961
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	3,477	2,653
Inventory	209,083	194,234
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	0	0
Other assets	9,146	7,759
Total assets	221,706	204,646
Corporate, Financial Services and Unallocated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	0	0
Other assets	341,612	242,135
Total assets	$ 341,612	$ 242,135