Note 20 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (94,071)	$ (117,563)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(7,639)	(2,787)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	5,732	14,808
Other investing activities	(5,977)	(1,735)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(7,884)	10,286
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(1,019)	(5,238)
Borrowings from revolving credit facility	27,700
Principal payments on revolving credit facility	(12,700)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(311)	(890)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	2,124	(48,370)
Repurchase of common stock	(22,073)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	(3,930)	3,596
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	3,369
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(6,840)	(50,902)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(108,795)	(158,179)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	212,393	363,291
Cash and equivalents at end of period	103,598	205,112
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Loan to parent and subsidiaries	(10,000)	35,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(10,000)	35,000
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Loan from subsidiary	(70,000)	(35,000)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	80,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	10,000	(35,000)
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(26,142)	(36,848)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures		146
Other investing activities	(1,080)	(284)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,080)	(138)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Borrowings from revolving credit facility	27,700
Principal payments on revolving credit facility	(12,700)
Loan from subsidiary	70,000	35,000
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	9,973	(4,400)
Repurchase of common stock	(22,073)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	(3,930)	3,596
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	3,369
Intercompany advances, net	(131,144)	(138,450)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(58,805)	(104,254)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(86,027)	(141,240)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	133,304	175,289
Cash and equivalents at end of period	47,277	34,049
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(61,490)	(88,166)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures		229
Other investing activities	(697)	(387)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(697)	(158)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Intercompany advances, net	61,909	88,516
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	61,909	88,516
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(278)	192
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	1,061	494
Cash and equivalents at end of period	783	686
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(6,439)	7,451
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(7,639)	(2,933)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	5,732	14,579
Loan to parent and subsidiaries	10,000	(35,000)
Other investing activities	(4,200)	(1,064)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	3,893	(24,418)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(1,019)	(5,238)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(311)	(890)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	(77,876)	(48,370)
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	(9,973)	4,400
Intercompany advances, net	69,235	49,934
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(19,944)	(164)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(22,490)	(17,131)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	78,028	187,508
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 55,538	$ 170,377