Note 8 - Capitalization of Interest - Interest Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Homebuilding interest incurred	$ 13,187	$ 13,265	$ 39,511	$ 39,821
Less: Interest capitalized	(13,187)	(13,265)	(39,511)	(39,821)
Homebuilding interest expensed
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	77,150	78,857	77,541	79,231
Plus: Interest capitalized during period	13,187	13,265	39,511	39,821
Less: Previously capitalized interest included in home and land cost of sales	(15,922)	(12,878)	(42,637)	(39,808)
Interest capitalized, end of period	$ 74,415	$ 79,244	$ 74,415	$ 79,244

Amount of interest capitalized during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Allowance for Funds Used during Construction
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6504829

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

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Total interest costs incurred during the period and either capitalized or charged against earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

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Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense for debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of interest costs that were capitalized to properties under development during the land development and construction period of a project, and which are included in inventory.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

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Amount of interest cost charged to cost of sales that had been previously capitalized to inventory.

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- Definition

The amount of interest capitalized to an operative builder's inventory during the period.

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