Note 18 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (271,361)	$ (362,397)	$ (154,216)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(91,453)	(10,506)	(24,328)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	19,582	18,010	4,763
Net cash paid for acquisitions		(33,770)	(116,262)
Cash acquired in connection with merger	268,517
Other investing activities	(11,972)	(4,754)	(8,030)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	184,674	(31,020)	(143,857)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	652	(16,762)	6,565
Borrowing from revolving credit facility	852,700
Principal payments on revolving credit facility	(852,700)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(2,532)	(1,458)	(8,334)
Principal payments on senior notes payable	(29,789)	(4,971)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes payable		300,000	300,000
Payment of debt issuance costs	(1,016)	(6,230)	(5,316)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	110,469	(11,454)	8,708
Repurchases of common stock	(22,073)	(36,781)
Common stock dividend payments	(4,851)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,000	6,771	13,536
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	9,250	13,404
Other financing activities	(222)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	60,888	242,519	314,809
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(25,799)	(150,898)	16,736
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	212,393	363,291	346,555
Cash and equivalents at end of year	186,594	212,393	363,291
Preferred Stock [Member]
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Payment of issuance costs in connection with preferred shareholder equity transactions			(350)
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(17,201)	(56,158)	163,640
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures			(534)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	641	227
Cash acquired in connection with merger	20,345
Other investing activities	9	(1,571)	(1,946)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	20,995	(1,344)	(2,480)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Borrowing from revolving credit facility	852,700
Principal payments on revolving credit facility	(852,700)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(1,893)		(6,804)
Loan from subsidiary	46,000	100,000
Principal payments on senior notes payable	(29,789)	(4,971)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes payable		300,000	300,000
Payment of debt issuance costs	(1,016)	(6,230)	(5,316)
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	13,873	8,350	(11,691)
Repurchases of common stock	(22,073)	(36,781)
Common stock dividend payments	(4,851)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,000	6,771	13,536
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	9,250	13,404
Intercompany advances, net	(141,212)	(365,026)	(429,968)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(130,711)	15,517	(140,593)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(126,917)	(41,985)	20,567
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	133,304	175,289	154,722
Cash and equivalents at end of year	6,387	133,304	175,289
Parent Company [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Payment of issuance costs in connection with preferred shareholder equity transactions			(350)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(107,470)	(118,941)	(172,687)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures			(50)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	75	228	244
Net cash paid for acquisitions		(36,047)	(27,113)
Cash acquired in connection with merger	238,034
Other investing activities	(4,310)	(1,351)	(3,768)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	233,799	(37,170)	(30,687)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	(31,719)
Other financing activities	(95)
Intercompany advances, net	17,276	156,678	203,754
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(14,538)	156,678	203,754
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	111,791	567	380
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	1,061	494	114
Cash and equivalents at end of year	112,852	1,061	494
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(146,690)	(187,298)	(145,169)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(91,453)	(10,506)	(23,744)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	18,866	17,555	4,519
Net cash paid for acquisitions		2,277	(89,149)
Cash acquired in connection with merger	10,138
Loan to parent and subsidiaries	34,000	(180,000)
Other investing activities	(7,671)	(1,832)	(2,316)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(36,120)	(172,506)	(110,690)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	652	(16,762)	6,565
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(639)	(1,458)	(1,530)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	30,469	68,546	8,708
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	17,846	(8,350)	11,691
Other financing activities	(127)
Intercompany advances, net	123,936	208,348	226,214
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	172,137	250,324	251,648
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(10,673)	(109,480)	(4,211)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	78,028	187,508	191,719
Cash and equivalents at end of year	67,355	78,028	$ 187,508
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Loan to parent and subsidiaries	(34,000)	180,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(34,000)	180,000
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Loan from subsidiary	(46,000)	(100,000)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	80,000	(80,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	$ 34,000	$ (180,000)