Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 West [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 West [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 West [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Mountain [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Mountain [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Mountain [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 East [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 East [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 East [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Homebuilding [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Homebuilding [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Homebuilding [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Mortgage operations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Mortgage operations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Mortgage operations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Other Financial Services [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Financial Services [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Financial Services [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Financial Services [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Financial Services [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 405,773	$ 334,329	$ 268,934	$ 193,987	$ 247,203	$ 211,157	$ 215,459	$ 169,290	$ 516,079	$ 272,800	$ 326,278	$ 355,368	$ 316,189	$ 345,794	$ 284,695	$ 228,034	$ 254,833	$ 1,156,142	$ 817,023	$ 926,905	$ 35,123	$ 17,807	$ 21,839	$ 11,758	$ 8,279	$ 8,634	$ 46,881	$ 26,086	$ 30,473