Segment Reporting - Total Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 2,496,542	$ 1,945,441
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	2,333,650	1,759,445
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | West [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	610,824	459,807
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	359,538	332,939
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | East [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	307,005	274,199
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	1,056,283	692,500
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	2,333,650	1,759,445
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Mortgage operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	98,589	122,941
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Other Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	64,303	63,055
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 162,892	$ 185,996