Total Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 1,855,914	$ 1,858,725
West [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	363,759	346,442
Mountain [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	299,793	262,787
East [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	234,495	223,606
Other Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	30,545	31,468
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	797,554	852,561
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 1,726,146	$ 1,716,864