Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$ 1,786,464	$ 1,561,273	$ 1,254,989	$ 1,093,999	$ 1,624,959	$ 1,547,742	$ 1,240,060	$ 1,125,883	$ 5,696,725	$ 5,538,644	$ 4,659,110
Cost of revenues	1,374,951	1,198,908	959,524	833,614	1,249,868	1,230,070	1,011,528	923,488	4,366,997	4,414,954	3,928,331
Income before income taxes	254,118	214,051	58,573	108,435	225,511	163,594	21,971	68,037	635,177	479,113	157,991
Financial Services:
Revenues	36,093	33,452	31,198	24,895	30,380	34,336	39,362	36,873	125,638	140,951	160,888
Income (loss) before income taxes	13,002	10,877	9,108	21,594	6,909	11,128	16,359	14,313	54,581	48,709
Consolidated results:
Total revenues	1,822,557	1,594,725	1,286,187	1,118,894	1,655,339	1,582,078	1,279,422	1,162,756	5,822,363	5,679,595	4,819,998
Income before income taxes	267,120	224,928	67,681	130,029	232,420	174,722	38,330	82,350	689,758	527,822	183,554
Income tax expense (benefit)	50,025	84,383	25,801	55,210	12,367	(2,107,162)	1,913	588	215,420	(2,092,294)	(22,591)
Net income	$ 217,095	$ 140,545	$ 41,880	$ 74,819	$ 220,053	$ 2,281,884	$ 36,417	$ 81,762	$ 474,338	$ 2,620,116	$ 206,145
Net income per share:
Basic (usd per share)	$ 0.58	$ 0.37	$ 0.11	$ 0.19	$ 0.58	$ 5.92	$ 0.09	$ 0.21	$ 1.27	$ 6.79	$ 0.54
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.58	$ 0.37	$ 0.11	$ 0.19	$ 0.57	$ 5.87	$ 0.09	$ 0.21	$ 1.26	$ 6.72	$ 0.54
Number of shares used in calculation:
Basic shares outstanding	369,533	373,531	376,072	383,991	379,879	382,883	385,389	384,228	370,377	383,077	381,562
Effect of dilutive securities (shares)	3,734	3,761	3,592	3,815	3,845	3,220	5,791	6,093	3,725	3,789	3,002
Diluted shares outstanding (shares)	373,267	377,292	379,664	387,806	383,724	386,103	391,180	390,321	374,102	386,866	384,564