Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 63,143us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 314,385us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 62,699us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Losses from early extinguishments of debt	18,153
Stock-based compensation expense	5,978us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	9,652us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	16,225us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Depreciation and amortization	3,928us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	3,864us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	4,766us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Inventory impairments	1,760us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate	919us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate	1,105us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities	4,293
Net loss on sale of marketable securities	(7,310)
Amortization of discount / premiums on marketable debt securities	566	219	596
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	34,226us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	(187,171)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(26)	(391)
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	(621)	(336)	(1,192)
Trade and other receivables	(6,638)	4,186	(6,223)
Mortgage loans held-for-sale	4,186	27,375	(41,618)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(11,873)	(13,562)	4,388
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(16,013)	(19,408)	47,275
Net cash used in operating activities	(163,647)	(269,549)	(108,819)
Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable securities	(428,709)	(404,965)	(478,701)
Maturities of marketable securities	167,339	159,592	108,250
Sales of marketable securities	687,692	216,756	349,938
Purchases of property and equipment	(3,242)	(1,785)	(1,268)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	423,080	(30,402)	(21,781)
Financing Activities:
Advances (payments) on mortgage repurchase facility, net	(2,252)	(13,253)	27,625
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	248,375	346,938
Repayment of senior notes	(517,650)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
Advances on revolving credit facility, net	15,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit
Dividend payments	(48,820)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends		(96,915)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	26	391
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	375	5,118	16,624
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(304,946)	339,194	(52,666)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(45,513)	39,243	(183,266)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	199,338	160,095	343,361
End of period	153,825	199,338	160,095
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member]
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Land and Housing Inventories	(96,936)	(124,211)	(212,154)
Land And Land Under Development [Member]
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Land and Housing Inventories	$ (160,463)	$ (285,070)	$ 15,314

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