Note 3 - Business Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Effect of Merger on Common Stock Outstanding [Table Text Block]

	As of October 1, 2015		Split/Exchange Ratio		As Adjusted October 1, 2015
Common Stock - Standard Pacific		277,220,324		5		55,444,065
Common Stock - Ryland		46,856,558		1.0191		47,751,518
Accelerated Vesting of Ryland Equity Awards		234,751		1.0191		239,235
Preferred Stock - Standard Pacific		87,812,786		5		17,562,557
Fractional Shares Paid Out		—				(1,041	)
Total		412,124,419				120,996,334

Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable [Table Text Block]

Number of shares of CalAtlantic common stock issued to Ryland shareholders		47,989,812
Opening price per share of CalAtlantic common stock	$	40.46
Consideration attributable to common stock		1,941,668
Consideration attributable to CalAtlantic equity awards in exchange for Ryland equity awards		30,616
Total purchase price	$	1,972,284

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]

Cash and cash equivalents	$	268,517
Inventories		2,404,765
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		13,821
Deferred income taxes		158,407
Homebuilding other assets		76,857
Financial services assets, excluding cash		144,889
Goodwill		933,360
Total assets		4,000,616
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(496,125	)
Secured project debt and other notes payables		(22,213	)
Senior notes payable		(1,385,375	)
Financial services liabilities		(124,619	)
Total purchase price	$	1,972,284

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Home sale revenues	$	5,280,297	$	4,922,721
Net income	$	321,239	$	387,123
Income per share:
Basic	$	2.65	$	3.19
Diluted	$	2.32	$	2.80

Business Acquisition, Integration, Restructuring and Other Related Costs [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31, 2015
	(Dollars in thousands)
Severance and personnel costs	$	38,970
Professional service, real estate related, and other expenses		13,066
Total	$	52,036