Inventories - Summary of Impairment of Inventory (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
Inventories [Line Items]
Asset impairment	$ 4,000	$ 12,700
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member] | West [Member]
Inventories [Line Items]
Asset impairment	484	1,438
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Inventories [Line Items]
Asset impairment	210	449
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member] | Other [Member]
Inventories [Line Items]
Asset impairment	93	93
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member] | Subtotal [Member]
Inventories [Line Items]
Asset impairment	787	1,980
Land And Land Under Development [Member] | West [Member]
Inventories [Line Items]
Asset impairment	1,193	7,112
Land And Land Under Development [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Inventories [Line Items]
Asset impairment	550	1,786
Land And Land Under Development [Member] | East [Member]
Inventories [Line Items]
Asset impairment		285
Land And Land Under Development [Member] | Other [Member]
Inventories [Line Items]
Asset impairment	1,519	1,519
Land And Land Under Development [Member] | Subtotal [Member]
Inventories [Line Items]
Asset impairment	$ 3,262	$ 10,702