Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Variable interest entities and unconsolidated joint ventures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in investments in unconsolidated joint ventures and other similar arrangements	$ (7,497)
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	27,769us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments	35,266us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Distribution of single-family lots from unconsolidated LLC's	25,689	4,800	0
Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates	$ 20,415	$ 29,509	$ 1,817
Minimum [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	25.00%
Maximum [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	61.00%

Distribution of single-family lots from unconsolidated LLC's

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- Definition

Increase (decrease) in investments in unconsolidated joint ventures and other similar arrangements

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

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- Definition

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755396&loc=d3e33749-111570

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- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of or advances to an entity that is related to it but not strictly controlled (for example, an unconsolidated subsidiary, affiliate, and joint venture or equity method investment) or the acquisition of an additional interest in a subsidiary (controlled entity).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

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