Note 3 - Total Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Assets	$ 1,066,722	$ 991,393
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Assets	559,287	536,831
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | East [Member]
Assets	317,013	324,457
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Corporate Subsegment [Member]
Assets	335,792	393,712
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Assets	2,278,814	2,246,393
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Mortgage Operations [Member]
Assets	131,572	123,176
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Other Financial Services [Member]
Assets	51,014	46,330
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Assets	182,586	169,506
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets	2,278,814	2,246,393
Financial Services [Member]
Assets	182,586	169,506
Assets	$ 2,461,400	$ 2,415,899