Note 8 - Capitalization of Interest (Details) - Homebuilding Capitalized Interest (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
Homebuilding Capitalized Interest [Abstract]
Total interest incurred	$ 41,803		$ 38,786
Less: Interest capitalized to inventories owned	(41,401)		(38,213)
Less: Interest capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	(402)		(573)
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in cost of home sales	22,395		24,368
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in cost of land sales	243		615
Interest previously capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, included in income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures			30
Interest capitalized in ending inventories owned (1)	294,370	[1]	257,981	[1]
Interest capitalized as a percentage of inventories owned	8.50%		9.40%
Interest capitalized in ending investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (1)	$ 1,067	[1]	$ 1,511	[1]	$ 700
Interest capitalized as a percentage of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	2.10%		3.00%

[1] During the three months ended March 31, 2014, in connection with lot purchases from our joint ventures, $4.0 million of capitalized interest was transferred from investments in unconsolidated joint ventures to inventories owned.