Note 3 - Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Pretax Operating Income From Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Pretax income	$ 36,360	$ 14,273
Homebuilding Segment [Member]
Pretax income	25,351	8,656
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Pretax income	(10,976)	(12,493)
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Reportable Segment, West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Pretax income	15,455	9,698
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Reportable Segment, Mountain [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Pretax income	18,230	10,084
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Reportable Segment, East [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Pretax income	2,642	1,367
Financial Services Segment [Member]
Pretax income	11,009	5,617
Financial Services Segment [Member] | Mortgage Operations [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Pretax income	7,566	3,323
Financial Services Segment [Member] | Other Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Pretax income	$ 3,443	$ 2,294