Business Segments Business Segments - Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	$ 14,365	$ 8,727
Inventory	676,570	548,090
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	35,266	11,732
Other Combined Assets	383,975	262,751
TOTAL ASSETS	1,110,176	831,300
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	2,003	1,462
Inventory	248,218	196,554
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	5,331	5,121
Other Combined Assets	10,571	4,421
TOTAL ASSETS	266,123	207,558
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	7,107	4,612
Inventory	236,505	157,302
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	29,935	6,611
Other Combined Assets	982	8,436
TOTAL ASSETS	274,529	176,961
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	5,255	2,653
Inventory	191,847	194,234
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	0	0
Other Combined Assets	11,050	7,759
TOTAL ASSETS	208,152	204,646
Corporate, Financial Services and Unallocated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	0	0
Other Combined Assets	361,372	242,135
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 361,372	$ 242,135