Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 48,504	$ 283,676
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	9,412
Stock-based compensation expense	4,754	8,240
Depreciation and amortization	2,928	2,960
Inventory impairments	850	350
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities	4,293
Loss (gain) on sale of marketable securities	(7,622)
Amortization of discount / premiums on marketable debt securities	501	816
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	28,363	(189,657)
Restricted cash	(839)	(327)
Trade and other receivables	(5,821)	(1,599)
Mortgage loans held-for-sale	34,446	45,613
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(14,084)	(14,033)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	932	(30,516)
Net cash used in operating activities	(173,256)	(225,860)
Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable securities	(409,846)	(369,887)
Maturities of marketable securities	165,089	132,492
Sales of marketable securities	372,301	187,083
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,919)	(1,278)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	125,625	(51,590)
Financing Activities:
Payments on mortgage repurchase facility, net	(31,292)	(37,415)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	248,375	346,938
Repayment of senior notes	(259,118)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net	10,000
Dividend payments	(36,616)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	63	5,118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(68,588)	314,641
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(116,219)	37,191
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	199,338	160,095
End of period	83,119	197,286
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Land and Housing Inventories	(200,408)	(121,165)
Land And Land Under Development [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Land and Housing Inventories	$ (79,465)	$ (210,218)