Note 4 - Segment Reporting - Segment Financial Information Relating to Homebuilding Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Homebuilding [Member] | North [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		$ 283,060		$ 710,889
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	25,627		53,177
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		400,720	$ 211,759	1,065,038	$ 556,330
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	31,303	19,379	84,125	44,909
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		389,160	155,595	1,165,797	461,304
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	39,312	16,552	113,145	49,817
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		598,018	284,836	1,493,279	804,466
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	104,697	39,516	230,231	114,713
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		1,670,958	652,190	4,435,003	1,822,100
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	200,939	75,447	480,678	209,439
Homebuilding revenues		1,670,958	652,190	4,435,003	1,822,100
Homebuilding pretax income		$ 200,939	$ 75,447	$ 480,678	$ 209,439

[1] Homebuilding pretax income includes depreciation and amortization expense of $1.7 million, $ 4.2 million, $ 2.8 million and $7.1 million, respectively, in the North, Southeast, Southwest and West for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 and $4.5 million, $11.2 million, $8.6 million and $18.9 million, respectively, in the North, Southeast, Southwest and West for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.