Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Total Assets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 2,358,438	$ 2,595,449
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	893,970	760,450
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	516,971	418,796
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	343,718	297,627
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Corporate Subsegment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	465,368	951,809
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	2,220,027	2,428,682
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Mortgage Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	94,265	99,065
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Other Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	44,146	67,702
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	138,411	166,767
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	2,220,027	2,428,682
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 138,411	$ 166,767