Note 4 - Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Pretax Operating Income From Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income before income taxes		$ 112,246	$ 62,806	$ 74,331	$ 55,606	$ 69,286	$ 67,420	$ 76,616	$ 50,532	$ 304,989	$ 263,854	$ 229,732
Homebuilding Segment [Member]
Income before income taxes										244,762	217,494	185,939
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Reportable Segment, West [Member]
Income before income taxes										163,069	128,829	79,719
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Reportable Segment, Mountain [Member]
Income before income taxes										136,313	134,710	86,428
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Reportable Segment, East [Member]
Income before income taxes										9,857	12,611	14,418
Homebuilding Segment [Member] | Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Income before income taxes	[1]									(64,477)	(58,656)	5,374
Financial Services Segment [Member]
Income before income taxes										60,227	46,360	43,793
Financial Services Segment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Mortgage Operations [Member]
Income before income taxes										29,312	31,920	28,628
Financial Services Segment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Other Financial Services [Member]
Income before income taxes										$ 30,915	$ 14,440	$ 15,165

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