Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 72,081	$ 56,609	$ 51,763
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Inventory valuation adjustments and abandoned land transaction write-offs	7,681	3,992	3,638
Equity in income of joint venture arrangements	(539)	(640)	(498)
Mortgage loan originations	(1,078,520)	(969,690)	(807,986)
Proceeds from the sale of mortgage loans	1,064,635	939,080	773,189
Fair value adjustment of mortgage loans held for sale	(3,675)	3,591	590
Capitalization of originated mortgage servicing rights	(5,005)	(5,569)	(4,726)
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights	1,069	1,652	1,010
Depreciation	9,630	8,552	6,612
Amortization of debt discount and debt issue costs	3,475	3,402	3,306
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, including transaction costs	0	0	2,883
Payment of original issue discount on redemption of senior notes	0	0	(3,126)
Stock-based compensation expense	6,044	5,315	3,942
Deferred Income Tax Expense	12,437	31,311	32,526
Change in assets and liabilities:
Inventory	(168,622)	(83,775)	(159,011)
Other assets	(186)	(13,643)	(6,296)
Accounts payable	14,021	16,334	9,827
Customer deposits	4,222	2,589	3,458
Accrued compensation	2,338	4,853	1,861
Other liabilities	6,384	30,234	4,673
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(52,530)	34,197	(82,365)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment	(8,799)	(13,106)	(3,659)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired	0	0	(23,950)
Return of capital from joint venture arrangements	3,518	3,207	1,226
Investment in joint venture arrangements	(12,088)	(21,746)	(18,162)
Net proceeds from sale of mortgage servicing rights	7,558	0	3,065
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(9,811)	(31,645)	(41,480)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of senior notes, net of original issue discount	0	0	(226,874)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	250,000	0	300,000
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares	57,500
Proceeds from bank borrowings - homebuilding operations	398,300	351,500	417,300
Repayments of bank borrowings - homebuilding operations	(438,600)	(355,000)	(403,500)
Net proceeds from bank borrowings - financial services operations	15,300	29,247	38,269
Proceeds from (principal repayment of) notes payable-other and community development district bond obligations	4,161	(2,026)	(1,077)
Redemption of preferred shares	(50,420)	0	0
Dividends paid on preferred shares	(3,656)	(4,875)	(4,875)
Debt issue costs	(6,707)	(240)	(5,818)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	11,225	182	1,035
Excess tax deficiency from stock-based payment arrangements	0	0		$ 0
Net cash provided by financing activities	179,603	18,788	114,460
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	117,262	21,340	(9,385)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balance at beginning of period	34,441	13,101	22,486
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balance at end of period	151,703	34,441	13,101	$ 22,486
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest — net of amount capitalized	10,168	6,597	15,173
Income taxes	36,802	2,271	2,308
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS DURING THE PERIOD:
Community development district infrastructure	12,573	(542)	(1,553)
Consolidated inventory not owned	14,017	1,521	5,399
Distribution of single-family lots from joint venture arrangements	16,600	28,130	8,236
Common stock issued for conversion of convertible notes	$ 57,500	$ 0	$ 0