Note 8 - Capitalization of Interest (Details) - Homebuilding Capitalized Interest (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Homebuilding Capitalized Interest [Abstract]
Total interest incurred (1)	$ 34,766	[1]	$ 36,112	[1]	$ 103,319	[1]	$ 106,732	[1]
Less: Interest capitalized to inventories owned	(34,118)		(32,604)		(101,101)		(95,472)
Less: Interest capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	(648)		(1,839)		(2,218)		(5,444)
Interest expense			1,669				5,816
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in cost of home sales	30,303		27,071		88,336		70,092
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in cost of land sales	19		7		533		26
Interest previously capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, included in income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	117		208		409		643
Interest capitalized in ending inventories owned (2)	236,334	[2]	221,377	[2]	236,334	[2]	221,377	[2]
Interest capitalized as a percentage of inventories owned	9.80%		12.10%		9.80%		12.10%
Interest capitalized in ending investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (2)	$ 6,030	[2]	$ 6,415	[2]	$ 6,030	[2]	$ 6,415	[2]	$ 6,900
Interest capitalized as a percentage of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	10.30%		12.20%		10.30%		12.20%

[1] For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, interest incurred included the noncash amortization of $0 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 nine months ended September 30, 2012, interest incurred included the noncash amortization of $2.6 million and $7.8 million, respectively, of interest related to the terminated interest rate swap agreements.

[2] During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, in connection with lot purchases from our joint ventures, $0.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively, of capitalized interest was transferred from investments in unconsolidated joint ventures to inventories owned. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, in connection with lot purchases from our joint ventures, $7.5 million of capitalized interest was transferred from investments in unconsolidated joint ventures to inventories owned.