Information On Business Segments ((Loss) Income Before Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	$ (107,472)	$ (70,601)	$ (107,335)
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	(22,688)	7,919	(11,022)
West [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	(16,889)	9,909	19,144
Mountain [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	1,397	1,059	(15,686)
East [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	(3,579)	91	(9,789)
Other Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	(3,617)	(3,140)	(4,691)
Financial Services And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	3,156	10,299	5,953
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	$ (87,940)	$ (88,819)	$ (102,266)