Business Segments Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 330,767	$ 275,195	$ 847,216	$ 700,475
Operating Income (Loss)	24,830	18,649	59,478	39,667
Interest	2,649	3,449	9,549	12,186
Equity in loss (income) of unconsolidated joint ventures	(22)	(278)	(62)	(278)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	(1,726)	0	(1,726)
Income (loss) before income taxes	22,203	13,752	49,991	26,033
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	118,319	82,689	283,472	222,890
Operating Income (Loss)	12,802	5,114	26,771	11,696
Interest	450	1,023	2,211	3,852
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	118,150	96,275	299,472	216,181
Operating Income (Loss)	10,215	8,271	24,741	15,222
Interest	968	1,405	3,927	4,510
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	86,718	89,550	242,357	239,061
Operating Income (Loss)	6,511	8,433	18,888	18,961
Interest	829	659	2,392	2,809
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial services revenue	7,580	6,681	21,915	22,343
Operating Income (Loss)	3,804	3,827	12,204	13,451
Interest	402	362	1,019	1,015
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ (8,502)	$ (6,996)	$ (23,126)	$ (19,663)