Note 21 - Results of Quarterly Operations (Unaudited) (Restated for Stock Dividends) - Results of Quarterly Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Total revenue	$ 736,329	$ 595,420	$ 587,334	$ 407,761	$ 578,911	$ 468,487	$ 473,128	$ 388,510	$ 2,326,844	$ 1,909,036	$ 1,694,584
Home sales revenue	715,816	575,722	571,195	394,420	554,432	454,740	461,708	377,009
Asset impairments	$ (3,873)	$ (4,700)	$ (1,600)		$ (5,292)	$ (4,351)		$ (350)
Gross margin from home sales (including impairments)	16.10%	15.50%	16.40%	16.30%	16.10%	16.40%	16.60%	15.40%
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 67,919	$ 61,904	$ 64,440	$ 56,277	$ 63,560	$ 57,444	$ 54,781	$ 50,532
Income before income taxes	58,998	38,052	40,458	14,273	32,558	23,658	31,882	13,326	151,781	101,424	100,475
Net income	$ 40,376	$ 26,359	$ 26,913	$ 9,563	$ 22,595	$ 14,778	$ 19,998	$ 8,420	$ 103,211	$ 65,791	$ 63,143
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.78	$ 0.51	$ 0.52	$ 0.19	$ 0.44	$ 0.29	$ 0.39	$ 0.16	$ 2.01	$ 1.28	$ 1.23
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.78	$ 0.51	$ 0.52	$ 0.19	$ 0.44	$ 0.29	$ 0.39	$ 0.16	$ 2	$ 1.28	$ 1.23