Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 263,797	$ 343,361
Inventories:
Deferred tax asset, net of valuation allowance of $263,562 and $281,178 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
Prepaid expenses and other assets	47,616	50,423
Total Assets	1,908,423	1,858,725
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accrued liabilities	106,457	119,188
Senior notes, net	744,654	744,108
Total Liabilities	1,001,861	990,089
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 48,651,558 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and 48,017,108 and 47,957,196 issued and outstanding, respectively, at December 31, 2011	487	480
Additional paid-in-capital	892,461	863,128
Retained earnings	9,909	12,927
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3,705	(7,240)
Treasury stock, at cost; no shares at September 30, 2012 and 59,912 at December 31, 2011		(659)
Total Stockholders' Equity	906,562	868,636
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	1,908,423	1,858,725
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	235,273	316,418
Marketable securities	503,805	485,434
Restricted cash	2,084	667
Trade and other receivables	35,768	21,593
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction	504,016	300,714
Land and land under development	393,170	505,338
Total inventories	897,186	806,052
Property and equipment, net	33,789	36,277
Deferred tax asset, net of valuation allowance of $263,562 and $281,178 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
Prepaid expenses and other assets	47,616	50,423
Total Assets	1,755,521	1,716,864
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	49,636	25,645
Accrued liabilities	106,457	119,188
Senior notes, net	744,654	744,108
Total Liabilities	900,747	888,941
Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	28,524	26,943
Marketable securities	32,915	34,509
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	86,648	78,335
Inventories:
Prepaid expenses and other assets	4,815	2,074
Total Assets	152,902	141,861
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	54,226	52,446
Mortgage repurchase facility	46,888	48,702
Total Liabilities	$ 101,114	$ 101,148