QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (Details) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
Total revenues	$ 108,367,000	$ 94,815,000	$ 93,939,000	$ 79,765,000	$ 85,094,000	$ 86,673,000	$ 50,821,000	$ 53,101,000	$ 376,886,000	$ 275,689,000	$ 142,718,000
Operating income	26,942,000	17,362,000	19,057,000	9,104,000	13,568,000	2,218,000	5,689,000	5,990,000	72,465,000	27,465,000	(511,867,000)
Net income (loss)	9,179,000	(50,192,000)	24,992,000	(111,522,000)	31,940,000	165,024,000	65,993,000	(114,487,000)	(127,543,000)	148,470,000	(69,230,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	(929,000)	(49,411,000)	34,310,000	(112,258,000)	31,427,000	164,295,000	65,973,000	(114,515,000)	(128,288,000)	147,180,000	(69,431,000)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share: (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (1.30)	$ 0.91	$ (2.96)	$ 0.83	$ 4.33	$ 1.74	$ (3.02)	$ (3.36)	$ 3.88	$ (1.84)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share: (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (1.30)	$ 0.27	$ (2.96)	$ 0.80	$ (0.14)	$ 0.22	$ (3.02)	$ (3.36)	$ 1.17	$ (1.84)
Weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding	38,778	37,916	37,907	37,903	38,114	37,912	37,897	37,905
Increase in revenue due to the lot bid program that was implemented as The Woodlands	$ 23,300,000