Debt Debt (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount	$ 539,000
Notes payable bank - homebuilding operations	162,300	$ 0
letters of credit outstanding under credit facility	44,300
Aggregate Capacity of Secured Letters of Credit under Credit Facility	1,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding Under Letter of Credit Facilities	300	600
Restricted Cash for Secured Letter of Credit Agreements	300	$ 600
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Liabilities	6,600
Restricted cash collateralizing assumed LOCs	6,600
Second Amendment to Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Sub-limit for letters of credit	125,000
Maximum borrowing availability, subject to obtaining additional commitments	500,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 475,000
Basis Points Spread on Variable Rate - Credit Facility	250
Maximum borrowing availability subject to limit	$ 268,000
2025 Senior Notes [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 250,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.625%
2021 Senior Notes [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 300,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.75%