Segment Reporting - Total Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 1,945,441	$ 1,858,725
West [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	459,807	346,442
Mountain [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	332,939	262,787
East [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	274,199	255,074
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	692,500	852,561
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	1,759,445	1,716,864
Mortgage operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	122,941	80,097
Other Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	63,055	61,764
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 185,996	$ 141,861