Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Housing Completed or Under Construction [Member]
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Housing completed or under construction	$ (229,739)	$ (89,841)
Land and Land Under Development [Member]
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Housing completed or under construction	141,131	(25,805)
Net income	62,835	43,196
Stock-based compensation expense	6,636	6,589
Depreciation and amortization	3,702	3,084
Inventory impairments	6,300	4,701
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities	1,045	2,176
Loss (gain) on sale of marketable securities	(911)	126
Amortization of discount / premiums on marketable debt securities, net		100
Deferred income tax expense	11,357	24,782
Restricted cash	(871)	(1,984)
Trade and other receivables	(21,679)	(575)
Mortgage loans held-for-sale	(2,319)	19,759
Other assets	(4,573)	(8,072)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	18,183	(4,722)
Net cash used in operating activities	(8,903)	(26,486)
Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable securities	(28,272)	(46,886)
Maturities of marketable securities		1,510
Sales of marketable securities	56,873	94,910
Purchases of property and equipment	(3,865)	(830)
Net cash provided by investing activities	24,736	48,704
Financing Activities:
Advances (payments) on mortgage repurchase facility, net	3,400	(17,067)
Advances on revolving credit facility
Dividend payments	(36,763)	(36,646)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		665
Net cash used in financing activities	(33,363)	(53,048)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(17,530)	(30,830)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	180,988	153,825
End of period	$ 163,458	$ 122,995