Business Segments Business Segments - Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	$ 28,532	$ 33,662
Inventory	1,740,975	1,640,798
Investment in joint venture arrangements	37,885	35,870
Other Combined Assets	298,202	311,251
TOTAL ASSETS	2,105,594	2,021,581
Northern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	3,655	5,725
Inventory	783,972	696,057
Investment in joint venture arrangements	1,672	1,562
Other Combined Assets	21,564	19,524
TOTAL ASSETS	810,863	722,868
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	24,877	27,937
Inventory	957,003	944,741
Investment in joint venture arrangements	36,213	34,308
Other Combined Assets	52,662	43,086
TOTAL ASSETS	1,070,755	1,050,072
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	223,976	248,641
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 223,976	$ 248,641