Note 4 - Segment Reporting (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Number of Operating Segments	2
Number of Reportable Segments	4
Homebuilding [Member]
Goodwill	$ 970,185,000	$ 933,360,000
Homebuilding [Member] | North [Member]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	6,500,000	1,500,000	$ 0
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	16,000,000	10,100,000	6,500,000
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	12,100,000	6,600,000	4,000,000
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	27,000,000	$ 22,800,000	$ 16,700,000
North, Southeast and Southwest [Member]
Goodwill	300,000,000
West [Member]
Goodwill	$ 100,000,000