Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Activities
Net (loss) income	$ (98,390)	$ (64,770)	$ 24,679
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
Loss on extinguishment of debt	38,795
Stock-based compensation expense	15,432	17,510	15,099
Asset impairments	14,901	21,647	30,986
Amortization of deferred marketing costs	10,169	11,184	9,055
Write-offs of land option deposits and pre-acquisition costs	7,044	3,102	2,948
Depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets	6,371	5,759	5,402
Other non-cash items	711	3,438	1,316
Net changes in assets and liabilities
Restricted cash	(247)	56	194
Home sales and other receivables	(4,707)	(2,062)	9,986
Income taxes receivable	16,785	143,096	21,359
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	(13,221)	(2,799)	6,289
Housing completed or under construction	86,363	(117,388)	146,505
Land and land under development	(92,426)	(166,492)	(30,843)
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net	(2,267)	(27,177)	(10,331)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(65,597)	(34,185)	(30,190)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(80,284)	(209,081)	202,454
Investing Activities
Purchases of marketable securities	(506,568)	(934,240)	(389,741)
Maturities of marketable securities	569,551	138,042	116,661
Sales of marketable securities	373,138	159,881	56,042
Other investing	(31,857)	(8,149)	(7,954)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	404,264	(644,466)	(224,992)
Financing Activities
Extinguishment of senior notes	(537,724)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		242,288
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility	114,640	149,270	134,112
Payments on mortgage repurchase facility	(91,372)	(152,951)	(139,870)
Dividend payments	(47,432)	(47,140)	(46,925)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	9,044	53	3,623
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation			1,122
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(552,844)	191,520	(47,938)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(228,864)	(662,027)	(70,476)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year	572,225	1,234,252	1,304,728
End of year	$ 343,361	$ 572,225	$ 1,234,252