Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (258,546)	$ (126,396)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(7,948)	(12,942)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	18,010	2,319
Net cash paid for acqusitions	(33,408)	(113,793)
Other investing activities	(1,984)	(4,734)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(25,330)	(129,150)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(15,567)	1
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(1,399)	(7,289)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes payable		300,000
Principal payments on senior notes payable	(4,971)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(2,387)	(4,045)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	(36,169)	(27,979)
Payment of common stock issuance costs		(350)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	5,786	11,781
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	960
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(53,747)	272,119
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(337,623)	16,573
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	363,291	346,555
Cash and equivalents at end of period	25,668	363,128
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(14,559)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Loan to parent	190,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	190,000
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Loan from subsidiary	(190,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(190,000)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(14,559)
Cash and equivalents at end of period	(14,559)
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	14,398	247,524
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	144	(393)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	227
Net cash paid for acqusitions	(35,685)	(113,793)
Other investing activities	(1,367)	(931)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(36,681)	(115,117)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable		(6,804)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes payable		300,000
Principal payments on senior notes payable	(4,971)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(2,387)	(4,045)
Loan from subsidiary	190,000
Distributions from (contributions to) Corporate and subsidiaries	3,650	(6,891)
Payment of common stock issuance costs		(350)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	5,786	11,781
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	960
Intercompany advances, net	(345,307)	(378,550)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(152,269)	(84,859)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(174,552)	47,548
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	175,289	154,722
Cash and equivalents at end of period	737	202,270
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(174,601)	(180,993)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	2	(49)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	229	100
Other investing activities	(1,108)	(2,824)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(877)	(2,773)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Intercompany advances, net	175,834	184,017
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	175,834	184,017
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	356	251
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	494	114
Cash and equivalents at end of period	850	365
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(83,784)	(192,927)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(8,094)	(12,500)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	17,554	2,219
Net cash paid for acqusitions	2,277
Loan to parent	(190,000)
Other investing activities	491	(979)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(177,772)	(11,260)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(15,567)	1
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(1,399)	(485)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	(36,169)	(27,979)
Distributions from (contributions to) Corporate and subsidiaries	(3,650)	6,891
Intercompany advances, net	169,473	194,533
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	112,688	172,961
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(148,868)	(31,226)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	187,508	191,719
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 38,640	$ 160,493