Business Segments Business Segments - Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Segments [Abstract]
Other assets	$ 61,135	$ 62,926
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	32,556	29,856
Inventory	1,382,018	1,186,078
Investment in joint venture arrangements	20,525	28,016
Other Combined Assets	429,672	304,561
TOTAL ASSETS	1,864,771	1,548,511
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	4,933	3,989
Inventory	500,671	399,814
Investment in joint venture arrangements	4,410	10,155
Other Combined Assets	13,573	25,747
TOTAL ASSETS	523,587	439,705
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	20,719	22,607
Inventory	636,019	484,038
Investment in joint venture arrangements	9,677	10,630
Other Combined Assets	38,784	35,622
TOTAL ASSETS	705,199	552,897
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	6,904	3,260
Inventory	245,328	302,226
Investment in joint venture arrangements	6,438	7,231
Other Combined Assets	13,311	13,912
TOTAL ASSETS	271,981	326,629
Corporate, Financial Services and Unallocated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Investment in joint venture arrangements	0	0
Other Combined Assets	364,004	229,280
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 364,004	$ 229,280