Business Segments Business Segments - Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	$ 16,548	$ 14,365
Inventory	799,592	676,570
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	42,182	35,266
Other assets	268,384	383,975
Total assets	1,126,706	1,110,176
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	3,009	2,003
Inventory	274,305	248,218
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	3,671	5,331
Other assets	13,707	10,571
Total assets	294,692	266,123
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	8,364	7,107
Inventory	295,883	236,505
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	38,511	29,935
Other assets	19,165	982
Total assets	361,923	274,529
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	5,175	5,255
Inventory	229,404	191,847
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	0	0
Other assets	11,532	11,050
Total assets	246,111	208,152
Corporate, Financial Services and Unallocated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	0	0
Other assets	223,980	361,372
Total assets	$ 223,980	$ 361,372