Business Segments Business Segments (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments	15
Revenue	$ 1,691,327	$ 1,418,395	$ 1,215,180
Operating income (loss):	108,743	111,794	82,754
Interest	17,598	17,521	13,365
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	(640)	(498)	(347)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	7,842	0
Income before income taxes	91,785	86,929	69,736
Depreciation and amortization:	13,606	10,928	8,296
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Period Increase (Decrease)	19,409	0	0
Total valuation adjustments and write-offs	3,992	3,600	3,457
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	637,894	500,873	426,090
Operating income (loss):	70,446	51,436	37,484
Interest	3,754	4,005	3,001
Depreciation and amortization:	1,752	1,614	1,277
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	602,273	514,747	420,901
Operating income (loss):	20,398	47,276	34,341
Interest	8,039	7,244	5,445
Depreciation and amortization:	2,525	2,069	1,584
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	409,149	366,800	338,067
Operating income (loss):	33,450	25,144	27,502
Interest	3,693	4,656	3,480
Depreciation and amortization:	1,645	1,464	970
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial services revenue	42,011	35,975	30,122
Operating income (loss):	23,262	21,032	15,616
Interest	2,112	1,616	1,439
Depreciation and amortization:	1,948	1,213	201
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Less: Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses	(38,813)	(33,094)	(32,189)
Depreciation and amortization:	$ 5,736	$ 4,568	$ 4,264