Note 3 - Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Pretax Operating Income From Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Income before income taxes		$ 76,616	$ 51,894	$ 127,148	$ 88,254
Homebuilding Segment [Member]
Income before income taxes		62,337	40,163	102,798	65,514
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Income before income taxes	[1]	(15,366)	(10,246)	(26,838)	(21,222)
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Reportable Segment, West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Income before income taxes		37,708	21,134	62,081	36,589
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Reportable Segment, Mountain [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Income before income taxes		35,854	24,541	60,039	42,771
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Reportable Segment, East [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Income before income taxes		4,141	4,734	7,516	7,376
Financial Services Segment [Member]
Income before income taxes		14,279	11,731	24,350	22,740
Financial Services Segment [Member] | Mortgage Operations [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Income before income taxes		9,040	7,670	16,560	15,236
Financial Services Segment [Member] | Other Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Income before income taxes		$ 5,239	$ 4,061	$ 7,790	$ 7,504

[1] The pretax gain for the year ended December 31, 2017 was driven by $53.6 million in realized gains due to the sales of investments.