Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenue
Home sales revenue	$ 805,164	$ 921,022	$ 837,054
Land sales revenue	11,859	5,883	30,730
Other revenue	27,145	31,750	30,519
Total revenue	844,168	958,655	898,303
Costs and expenses
Home cost of sales	686,661	745,085	686,854
Land cost of sales	10,796	5,366	25,038
Asset impairments	14,901	21,647	30,986
Marketing expenses	38,791	41,322	36,371
Commission expenses	28,947	34,255	31,002
General and administrative expenses	137,314	166,993	162,485
Other operating expenses	5,209	3,162	6,661
Total operating costs and expenses	922,619	1,017,830	979,397
Loss from operations	(78,451)	(59,175)	(81,094)
Other income (expense)
Interest income and other	30,904	27,197	12,341
Interest expense	(21,130)	(38,623)	(38,582)
Extinguishment of senior notes	(38,795)
Loss before income taxes	(107,472)	(70,601)	(107,335)
Benefit from income taxes, net	9,082	5,831	132,014
Net (loss) income	$ (98,390)	$ (64,770)	$ 24,679
(Loss) earnings per share
Basic	$ (2.12)	$ (1.40)	$ 0.52
Diluted	$ (2.12)	$ (1.40)	$ 0.52
Dividends declared per share	$ 1.00	$ 1.00	$ 1.00