Note 8 - Capitalization of Interest (Details) - Homebuilding Capitalized Interest (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Homebuilding Capitalized Interest [Abstract]
Total interest incurred (1)	$ 33,526	[1]	$ 35,305	[1]	$ 68,553		$ 70,620
Less: Interest capitalized to inventories owned	(32,782)		(31,876)		(66,983)		(62,868)
Less: Interest capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	(744)		(1,812)		(1,570)		(3,605)
Interest expense			1,617				4,147
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in cost of home sales	30,337		24,465		58,033		43,021
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in cost of land sales	325				514		19
Interest previously capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, included in income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	123		231		292		435
Interest capitalized in ending inventories owned (2)	231,974	[2]	208,354	[2]	231,974	[2]	208,354	[2]
Interest capitalized as a percentage of inventories owned	10.00%		13.00%		10.00%		13.00%
Interest capitalized in ending investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (2)	$ 6,063	[2]	$ 12,281	[2]	$ 6,063	[2]	$ 12,281	[2]	$ 6,900
Interest capitalized as a percentage of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	10.50%		14.40%		10.50%		14.40%

[1] For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, interest incurred included the noncash amortization of $1.0 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of interest related to interest rate swap agreements that were terminated in the 2010 fourth quarter (please see Note 15 "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities"). For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, interest incurred included the noncash amortization of $2.6 million and $5.2 million, respectively, of interest related to the terminated interest rate swap agreements.

[2] During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, in connection with lot purchases from our joint ventures, $2.1 million of capitalized interest was transferred from investments in unconsolidated joint ventures to inventories owned.