Note 19 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Mortgage Loans in Process [Member]
Mortgage Loans Expected to be Originated on a Non-presold Basis	$ 238,500,000
Nonrefundable Cash Deposits	67,800,000
Capitalized Preacquisition and Other Development and Construction Costs	11,800,000
Outstanding Joint Venture Surety Bonds	0
Remaining Purchase Price of Land Purchase and Option Contracts	$ 790,600,000
Number of Joint Ventures the Company Holds Membership Interest In	27
Mortgage Loan Loss Expense Provision	$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Number of Active Joint Ventures	13
Number of Inactive Joint Ventures	14
Number of Joint Ventures Having Project Specific Non-recourse Debt to the Company	2
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Non-recourse Debt	$ 30,683,000		$ 33,704,000
Outstanding Surety Bonds	841,300,000
Surety Bonds Cost to Complete	390,200,000
Mortgage Loans in Process	$ 266,600,000
Mortgage Loans in Process, Interest Rate	3.50%
Loans Receivable Held-for-sale, Net, Not Part of Disposal Group, Mortgage	$ 168,600,000
Mortgage Loans Committed to Sell to Investors	28,100,000
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Reserve	3,500,000
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Payments	300,000	$ 100,000
Insurance and Litigation Accruals	$ 130,500,000		$ 125,300,000