Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Interest Capitalized - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest Capitalized [Abstract]
Total interest incurred (1)	[1]	$ 171,509	$ 153,695	$ 140,865
Less: Interest capitalized to inventories owned		(169,233)	(151,962)	(137,990)
Less: Interest capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		(2,276)	(1,733)	(2,875)
Interest expense		0	0	0
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in home cost of home sales		131,611	119,422	120,714
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in land cost of land sales		7,770	3,690	1,064
Interest previously capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, included in income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		0	30	441
Interest capitalized in ending inventories owned (2)	[2]	$ 305,459	$ 275,607	$ 240,734
Interest capitalized as a percentage of inventories owned		5.00%	8.50%	9.50%
Interest capitalized in ending investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (2)	[2]	$ 2,941	$ 665	$ 4,985
Interest capitalized as a percentage of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		2.20%	1.30%	7.50%

[1] For the year ended December 31, 2013, interest incurred included the noncash amortization of $3.6 million of interest related to the Term Loan B swap that wasunwound in the 2010 fourth quarter (please see Note 2.u. "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities").

[2] During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, in connection with lot purchases from our joint ventures, $0, $6.0 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of capitalized interest was transferred from investments in unconsolidated joint ventures to inventories owned. In addition, during the yearended December 31, 2013, approximately $0.8 million of capitalized interest was included in other income (expense) in connection with the abandonment of a project.