Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - Reclassifications out of AOCI (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities			$ (4,293)
Income before income taxes	23,924	34,909	76,590	95,507
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	(8,466)	1,342	(28,086)	188,169
Net income	15,458	36,251	48,504	283,676
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Homebuilding interest and other income	1,167	(311)	7,528	560
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities	(4,293)		(4,293)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Financial services interest and other income	99	(4)	94	118
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	(3,027)	(315)	3,329	678
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	1,165	121	(1,282)	121
Net income	(1,862)	(194)	2,047	799
Homebuilding [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Homebuilding interest and other income	5,926	6,853	24,088	23,602
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities	(4,293)		(4,293)
Income before income taxes	17,962	26,663	58,964	71,299
Financial Services [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Financial services interest and other income	906	885	2,395	2,680
Income before income taxes	$ 5,962	$ 8,246	$ 17,626	$ 24,208