Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 151,423	$ 13,347	$ (33,877)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Inventory valuation adjustments and abandoned land transaction write-offs	5,805	3,368	21,938
Impairment of investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	0	390	1,029
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	(306)	0	0
Bargain purchase gain	0	(1,219)	0
Mortgage loan originations	(627,509)	(520,708)	(376,132)
Proceeds from the sale of mortgage loans	614,726	505,368	365,234
Fair value adjustment of mortgage loans held for sale	2,094	1,494	(3,065)
Depreciation	4,973	7,158	5,114
Amortization of intangibles, debt discount and debt issue costs	3,338	2,584	2,460
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	1,726	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	2,344	1,734	1,866
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Income Taxes	15,547	5,076	(12,950)
Deferred tax asset valuation (benefit) expense	(126,458)	(5,076)	12,950
Change in assets and liabilities:
Cash held in escrow	(37)	(125)	3,155
Inventory	(156,708)	(73,874)	(33,014)
Other assets	(10,219)	(8,460)	1,291
Accounts payable	22,536	5,358	11,503
Customer deposits	1,023	5,867	1,118
Accrued compensation	9,753	6,421	(123)
Other liabilities	11,975	4,302	(2,458)
Net cash used in operating activities	(73,974)	(46,995)	(33,961)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Change in restricted cash	(5,185)	32,779	(2,566)
Purchase of property and equipment	(2,382)	(933)	(1,352)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired	0	(4,707)	4,654
Return of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,522	0	0
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	(29,509)	(1,817)	(752)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(35,554)	25,322	(9,324)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of senior notes, including transaction costs	0	(41,443)	0
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes	0	29,700	0
Proceeds (repayments) from bank borrowings - net	12,072	15,351	20,409
Proceeds from note payable-other and CDD bond obligations	(3,315)	5,304	(52)
Dividends paid on preferred shares	(3,656)	0	0
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares	54,617	42,085	0
Redemption of preferred shares	(50,352)	0	0
Debt issue costs	(5,501)	(5,881)	(220)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	2,640	4,762	1,500
Excess tax deficiency from stock-based payment arrangements	0	0	233
Net cash provided by financing activities	92,755	107,378	21,870
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(16,773)	85,705	(21,415)
Cash and cash equivalents balance at beginning of period	145,498	59,793	81,208
Cash and cash equivalents balance at end of period	128,725	145,498	59,793
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest — net of amount capitalized	11,834	13,083	12,756
Income taxes	765	281	(372)
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS DURING THE PERIOD:
Community development district infrastructure	(1,504)	(1,349)	(1,129)
Consolidated inventory not owned	(17,330)	16,161	2,476
Distribution of single-family lots from unconsolidated joint ventures	4,800	0	0
Contingent consideration related to acquisition	0	0	329
2017 Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior subordinated notes	0	57,500	0
2018 Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior subordinated notes	$ 86,250	$ 0	$ 0