Business Segments Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments	13
Revenue	$ 1,036,782	$ 761,905	$ 566,424
Operating income (loss):	58,693	28,830	(18,897)
Interest	15,938	16,071	15,005
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	(306)	0	0
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	1,726	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	41,335	12,759	(33,902)
Depreciation and amortization:	8,311	9,742	7,574
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	336,242	281,959	228,191
Operating income (loss):	21,469	11,443	(6,396)
Interest	4,923	5,502	6,154
Depreciation and amortization:	1,063	2,834	1,179
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	324,436	189,714	123,061
Operating income (loss):	23,653	14,530	(5,314)
Interest	6,142	3,742	2,798
Depreciation and amortization:	1,230	968	601
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	347,565	266,976	200,706
Operating income (loss):	27,297	15,130	7,039
Interest	3,491	5,406	5,099
Depreciation and amortization:	995	975	844
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial services revenue	28,539	23,256	14,466
Operating income (loss):	15,798	12,436	6,641
Interest	1,382	1,421	954
Depreciation and amortization:	138	140	282
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Less: Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses	(29,524)	(24,709)	(20,867)
Depreciation and amortization:	$ 4,885	$ 4,825	$ 4,668