Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (16,417)	$ (11,724)	$ (13,217)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes			(569)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
(Income) loss from unconsolidated joint ventures	(207)	(1,166)	4,598
Cash distributions of income from unconsolidated joint ventures	20		3,465
Depreciation and amortization	3,255	3,002	3,516
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment	179	(37)	2,611
(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt		30,028	6,931
Amortization of stock-based compensation	11,239	11,848	12,864
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		(27)	(297)
Deferred income taxes, net of valuation allowance			(96,562)
Inventory impairment charges and deposit write-offs	15,334	1,918	62,940
Changes in cash and equivalents due to:
Trade and other receivables	(5,358)	6,541	8,440
Mortgage loans held for sale	(43,661)	12,165	24,718
Inventories - owned	(282,447)	(148,706)	326,062
Inventories - not owned	(19,727)	(27,861)	(2,805)
Other assets	6,212	111,496	118,265
Accounts payable	1,113	(6,592)	(18,554)
Accrued liabilities	7,852	(61,843)	(22,576)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(322,613)	(80,958)	419,830
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(14,689)	(39,513)	(28,600)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	8,593	7,640	3,524
Other investing activities	(2,217)	(1,582)	(2,225)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(8,313)	(33,455)	(27,301)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(1,559)	(12,843)	(9,748)
Payments on revolving credit facility			(47,500)
Net proceeds from (principal payments on) secured project debt and other notes payable	(1,207)	(83,562)	(125,984)
Principal payments on senior and senior subordinated notes payable		(792,389)	(466,689)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes payable		977,804	257,592
Payment of debt issuance costs	(4,575)	(17,215)	(8,764)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	16,464	(10,651)	(22,660)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		27	297
Payment of issuance costs in connection with exercise of Warrant for common stock	(324)
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock		186,443
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,278	2,611	641
Net cash provided by (used in) by financing activities	10,077	250,225	(422,815)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(320,849)	135,812	(30,286)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	731,371	595,559	625,845
Cash and equivalents at end of period	410,522	731,371	595,559
Homebuilding restricted cash at end of year	31,372	28,238	15,070
Financial services restricted cash at end of year	1,295	2,870	3,195
Cash and equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	$ 443,189	$ 762,479	$ 613,824