Interest Activity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Interest Activity [Abstract]
Corporate	$ 62,136	$ 72,076	$ 57,941
Financial Services and Other	442	466	451
Total interest incurred	62,578	72,542	58,392
Interest capitalized, beginning of year	38,446	28,339	39,239
Interest capitalized during the year	41,448	33,919	19,810
Previously capitalized interest included in home cost of sales	(21,152)	(23,812)	(30,710)
Interest capitalized, end of year	$ 58,742	$ 38,446	$ 28,339