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, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
Total revenues	$ 133,953,000	$ 103,514,000	$ 147,052,000	$ 90,091,000	$ 108,367,000	$ 94,815,000	$ 93,939,000	$ 79,765,000	$ 474,610,000	$ 376,886,000	$ 275,689,000
Operating income	43,430,000	10,700,000	47,790,000	9,294,000	26,942,000	17,362,000	19,057,000	9,104,000	111,214,000	72,465,000	27,465,000
Net income (loss)	18,538,000	7,433,000	(76,496,000)	(23,170,000)	(821,000)	(50,192,000)	34,992,000	(111,522,000)	(73,695,000)	(127,543,000)	148,470,000
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	18,553,000	7,335,000	(76,554,000)	(23,124,000)	(929,000)	(49,411,000)	34,310,000	(112,258,000)	(73,790,000)	(128,288,000)	147,180,000
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share: (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.19	$ (1.94)	$ (0.59)	$ (0.01)	$ (1.30)	$ 0.91	$ (2.96)	$ (1.87)	$ (3.36)	$ 3.88
Diluted earnings (loss) per share: (in dollars per share)	$ 0.44	$ 0.17	$ (1.94)	$ (0.59)	$ (0.01)	$ (1.30)	$ 0.27	$ (2.96)	$ (1.87)	$ (3.36)	$ 1.17
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	39,454	39,454	39,445	39,441	39,778	37,916	37,907	37,903	39,449	38,127	37,908
Diluted (in shares)	42,529	42,439	39,445	39,441	39,778	37,916	40,251	37,903	39,449	38,127	38,982
Increase in revenue due to the lot bid program that was implemented as The Woodlands					$ 23,300,000