Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Number of Reportable Segments	4
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	$ 523,000
Realized Investment Gains (Losses)	695,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	208,127,000	$ 186,594,000	$ 212,393,000	$ 363,291,000
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate	1,600,000	1,600,000
Capitalized Interest Transferred from Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures to Inventories Owned	2,700,000	0	6,000,000
Insurance and Litigation Accruals	233,500,000	209,200,000
Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Increase (Decrease) for Preexisting Warranties	0	0	$ 0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0
December 31, 2015 [Member] | Reclassification from Self-Insurance Liability to Other Assets [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	83,900,000
Homebuilding [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	191,086,000	151,076,000
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	28,321,000	35,990,000
Financial Services [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	17,041,000	35,518,000
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	21,710,000	$ 22,914,000
Cash From Home Closings in Escrow [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	150,300,000
Held in Cash Collateral Accounts [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	28,300,000
Held in Cash Collateral Accounts [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	17,700,000
Financial Service Subsidiary Mortgage Credit Facilities [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	3,000,000
Funds Held in Trust for Third Parties [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 1,000,000