Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Non-refundable Cash Deposits	$ 38,700,000
Capitalized Preacquisition and Other Development and Construction Costs	6,300,000
Remaining Purchase Price of Land Purchase and Option Contracts	382,900,000
Number of Joint Ventures The Company Holds Membership Interest In	21
Number of Active Joint Ventures	7
Number of Inactive Joint Ventures	14
Number of Joint Ventures Having Project Specific Non-recourse Debt to the Company	1
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Non-recourse Debt	30,000,000		30,000,000
Outstanding Joint Venture Surety Bonds	100,000
Joint Venture Surety Bonds Cost to Complete	1
Outstanding Surety Bonds	524,600,000
Surety Bonds Cost to Complete	330,000,000
Mortgage Loans In Process	94,200,000
Mortgage Loans In Process, Interest Rate	3.70%
Loans Receivable Held-for-sale, Net, Not Part of Disposal Group, Mortgage	99,000,000
Mortgage Loans Committed to Sell to Investors	94,500,000
Aggregate Mortgage Loan Repurchase Payments	10,800,000
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, New Mortgage Loans	9,300,000,000
MortgageLoanLossExpenseProvision	0	200,000
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Reserve	2,200,000
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Payments		200,000
Number of Loans Repurchased		3
Insurance and Litigation Accruals	62,300,000		62,800,000
Matures June, 2014 [Member]
Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Non-recourse Debt	$ 30,000,000