Note 3 - Total Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
West	$ 1,041,898	$ 991,393
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Mountain [Member]
West	539,308	536,831
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | East [Member]
West	331,421	324,457
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Corporate Subsegment [Member]
West	331,748	393,712
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
West	2,244,375	2,246,393
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Mortgage Operations [Member]
West	92,941	123,176
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Other Financial Services [Member]
West	48,490	46,330
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
West	141,431	169,506
Homebuilding [Member]
West	2,244,375	2,246,393
Financial Services [Member]
West	141,431	169,506
West	$ 2,385,806	$ 2,415,899