Note 3 - Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Pretax Operating Income From Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Pretax income	$ 89,680	$ 38,052	$ 177,934	$ 92,783
Homebuilding Segment [Member]
Pretax income	80,169	27,675	145,683	67,737
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Pretax income	41,484	(7,306)	20,262	(29,381)
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Reportable Segment, West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Pretax income	17,746	18,392	54,335	43,830
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Reportable Segment, Mountain [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Pretax income	18,326	18,856	61,097	49,688
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Reportable Segment, East [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Pretax income	2,613	(2,267)	9,989	3,600
Financial Services Segment [Member]
Pretax income	9,511	10,377	32,251	25,046
Financial Services Segment [Member] | Mortgage Operations [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Pretax income	5,857	6,723	21,093	16,491
Financial Services Segment [Member] | Other Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Pretax income	$ 3,654	$ 3,654	$ 11,158	$ 8,555