Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assumption Duration [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 35,266,000	$ 11,732,000
Increase (decrease) in investments in unconsolidated joint ventures and other similar arrangements	23,600,000
Cash in Transit	18,400,000	6,700,000
Servicing Asset at Fair Value, Period Increase (Decrease)	5,800,000
Real Estate Accumulated Depreciation, Depreciation Expense	2,200,000	4,800,000	3,500,000
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	13,902,000	8,680,000
Financial Services Cash	15,300,000	19,100,000
Aggregate Capacity of Secured Letters of Credit under Credit Facility	20,000,000
Consolidated inventory not owned	1,775,000	19,105,000
Specific Performance Obligation Under Contracts		2,600,000
Obligation for consolidated inventory not owned	1,775,000	19,105,000
Notes receivable	3,200,000	8,800,000
Notes Receivable, Related Parties	2,500,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	9,900,000	9,100,000
Number of loans we retain mortgage servicing rights on	2,080
Advertising Expense	5,800,000	5,400,000	4,900,000
Research and Development Expense	3,600,000	2,400,000	2,500,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	121,322,000	136,737,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	1,120,000	988,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance	110,911,000	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	9,291,000	135,749,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	800,000	600,000	400,000
Outstanding Deposits On Land and Lots	26,800,000
Land purchase deposits	14,365,000	8,727,000
Prepaid Land Acquisition Costs	4,900,000
Outstanding Letters of Credit in Lieu of Cash Deposits under Certain Land Option Contracts	7,531,000
Letters of Credit and Bonds	91,337,000
Outstanding Performance Bonds	62,218,000
Performance letters of credit outstanding	12,585,000
Financial Letters of Credit	13,248,000
Financial Bonds	$ 3,287,000
2014 [Member]
Assumption Duration [Line Items]
Weighted Average Increase of Assumed Costs	0.00%
Weighted Average Sales Price Increase	0.00%
2017 and beyond [Member]
Assumption Duration [Line Items]
Weighted Average Increase of Assumed Costs	2.00%
Weighted Average Sales Price Increase	2.00%
Minimum [Member]
Assumption Duration [Line Items]
Discount Rate Used in Determining Fair Value of land/lots	13.00%
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	25.00%	33.00%
Interest Rate Notes Receivable	2.00%	0.00%
Minimum [Member] | 2015 and 2016 [Member]
Assumption Duration [Line Items]
Weighted Average Increase of Assumed Costs	2.00%
Weighted Average Sales Price Increase	2.00%
Maximum [Member]
Assumption Duration [Line Items]
Discount Rate Used in Determining Fair Value of land/lots	16.00%
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	61.00%	50.00%
Interest Rate Notes Receivable	12.00%	12.00%
Maximum [Member] | 2015 and 2016 [Member]
Assumption Duration [Line Items]
Weighted Average Increase of Assumed Costs	4.00%
Weighted Average Sales Price Increase	4.00%
2018 Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Assumption Duration [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.00%