Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation (Policies)	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Reclassifications See Note N for a discussion of the revisions to the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Variable Interests The Company enters into land and lot option purchase contracts to acquire land or lots for the construction of homes. Under these contracts, the Company will fund a stated deposit in consideration for the right, but not the obligation, to purchase land or lots at a future point in time with predetermined terms. Under the terms of many of the option purchase contracts, the option deposits are not refundable in the event the Company elects to terminate the contract. Option purchase contracts can result in the creation of a variable interest in the entity holding the land parcel under option. There were no variable interest entities reported in the consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 because the Company determined it did not control the activities that most significantly impact the variable interest entity’s economic performance, and it did not have an obligation to absorb losses of or the right to receive benefits from the entity. The maximum exposure to losses related to the Company’s variable interest entities is limited to the amounts of the Company’s related option deposits. At June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the amount of option deposits related to these contracts totaled $44.0 million and $36.9 million, respectively, and are included in homebuilding other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, “Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors,” which clarifies when an in substance repossession or foreclosure of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan has occurred. This guidance helps determine when a creditor should derecognize a loan receivable and recognize real estate property. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2015 and is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2017 and allows for both full retrospective or modified retrospective methods of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, “Transfers and Servicing - Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures,” which changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions to secured borrowing accounting. Also, for repurchase financing arrangements, the amendments require separate accounting for a transfer of a financial asset executed contemporaneously with a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty, which will result in secured borrowing accounting for the repurchase agreement. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2015 and is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, “Compensation - Stock Compensation,” which states that a performance target in a share-based payment that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be accounted for as a performance condition. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016 and is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Disclosure of accounting policy for consolidation to describe the significant judgments and assumptions made in determining whether a variable interest held by the entity requires the variable interest entity to be consolidated and (or) disclose information about its involvement with the variable interest entity; the methodology used by the entity for determining whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity; and the significant factors considered and judgments made in determining that the power to direct the activities that significantly impact the economic performance of the variable interest entity are shared (as defined).

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