Business Segments Business Segments (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments	14
Revenue	$ 1,418,395	$ 1,215,180	$ 1,036,782
Operating income (loss):	111,794	82,754	58,693
Interest	17,521	13,365	15,938
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	(498)	(347)	(306)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	7,842	0	1,726
Income before income taxes	86,929	69,736	41,335
Depreciation and amortization:	10,928	8,296	8,311
Total valuation adjustments and write-offs	3,639	3,500	5,805
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	500,873	426,090	336,242
Operating income (loss):	51,436	37,484	21,469
Interest	4,005	3,001	4,923
Depreciation and amortization:	1,614	1,277	1,063
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	514,747	420,901	324,436
Operating income (loss):	47,276	34,341	23,653
Interest	7,244	5,445	6,142
Depreciation and amortization:	2,069	1,584	1,230
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	366,800	338,067	347,565
Operating income (loss):	25,144	27,502	27,297
Interest	4,656	3,480	3,491
Depreciation and amortization:	1,464	970	995
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial services revenue	35,975	30,122	28,539
Operating income (loss):	21,032	15,616	15,798
Interest	1,616	1,439	1,382
Depreciation and amortization:	1,213	201	138
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Less: Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses	(33,094)	(32,189)	(29,524)
Depreciation and amortization:	$ 4,568	$ 4,264	$ 4,885