Valuation Adjustments and Write-offs Valuation Adjustments and Write-offs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Impairment of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 0	$ 390	$ 1,029
Total impairments and write-offs of option deposits and pre-acquisition costs	5,805	3,758	22,967
Impairment of operating communities:
Impairment of operating communities:	481	285	9,934
Impairment of future communities:
Impairment of future communities:	3,531	2,732	10,440
Impairment of land held for sale:
Impairment of land held for sale:	1,793	95	590
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:	0	256	974
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures:
Impairment of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	0	390	1,029
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of operating communities:
Impairment of operating communities:	481	285	5,493
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of future communities:
Impairment of future communities:	3,531	2,732	6,985
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of land held for sale:
Impairment of land held for sale:	1,793	95	0
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:	0	36	441
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures:
Impairment of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	0	390	979
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of operating communities:
Impairment of operating communities:	0	0	2,608
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of future communities:
Impairment of future communities:	0	0	3,455
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of land held for sale:
Impairment of land held for sale:	0	0	590
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:	0	110	89
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures:
Impairment of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	0	0	50
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of operating communities:
Impairment of operating communities:	0	0	1,833
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of future communities:
Impairment of future communities:	0	0	0
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of land held for sale:
Impairment of land held for sale:	0	0	0
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:	0	110	444
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures:
Impairment of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0