Business Segments Business Segments - Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	$ 21,638	$ 14,365
Inventory	872,326	676,570
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	40,769	35,266
Other assets	258,421	383,975
Total assets	1,193,154	1,110,176
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	4,671	2,003
Inventory	310,559	248,218
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	2,980	5,331
Other assets	10,806	10,571
Total assets	329,016	266,123
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	12,332	7,107
Inventory	315,169	236,505
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	37,789	29,935
Other assets	23,995	982
Total assets	389,285	274,529
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	4,635	5,255
Inventory	246,598	191,847
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	0	0
Other assets	11,069	11,050
Total assets	262,302	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	212,551	361,372
Total assets	$ 212,551	$ 361,372