Note 4 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Segment Financial Information Relating to Homebuilding Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Homebuilding revenues:
Homebuilding revenues	$ 3,496,411	$ 2,411,178	$ 1,914,609
Homebuilding pretax income:
Homebuilding pretax income	325,550	340,121	246,269
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding revenues:
Homebuilding revenues	3,496,411	2,411,178	1,914,609
Homebuilding pretax income:
Homebuilding pretax income	325,550	$ 340,121	$ 246,269
North [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding revenues:
Homebuilding revenues	262,988
Homebuilding pretax income:
Homebuilding pretax income	5,556
Southeast [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding revenues:
Homebuilding revenues	988,773	$ 672,776	$ 496,070
Homebuilding pretax income:
Homebuilding pretax income	69,726	66,232	38,672
Southwest [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding revenues:
Homebuilding revenues	889,496	495,008	339,852
Homebuilding pretax income:
Homebuilding pretax income	70,851	48,958	33,119
West [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding revenues:
Homebuilding revenues	1,355,154	1,243,394	1,078,687
Homebuilding pretax income:
Homebuilding pretax income	$ 179,417	$ 224,931	$ 174,478