Note 3 - Segment Reporting - Total Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Reportable Segment, West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	$ 1,083,419	$ 991,393
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Reportable Segment, Mountain [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	588,976	536,831
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Reportable Segment, East [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	285,528	324,457
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Assets	332,483	393,712
Homebuilding Segment [Member]
Assets	2,290,406	2,246,393
Financial Services Segment [Member] | Mortgage Operations [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	129,545	123,176
Financial Services Segment [Member] | Other Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	54,319	46,330
Financial Services Segment [Member]
Assets	183,864	169,506
Assets	$ 2,474,270	$ 2,415,899