Fair Value Measurements Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
LIABILITIES:
Convertible senior subordinated notes due 2017	$ 57,500	$ 57,500
Convertible senior subordinated notes due 2018	86,250	0
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
ASSETS:
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	178,730	154,178
Mortgage loans held for sale	51,491	71,121
Split dollar life insurance policies	725	710
Notes receivable	4,299	8,787
Commitments to extend real estate loans (assets)	0	1
Best Efforts Contracts for Committed IRLCs and Mortgage Loans Held for Sale - Fair Value Disclosures (Assets)	14	0
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities	3,291	253
LIABILITIES:
Note payable - banks	50,442	67,957
Notes payable - other	9,429	11,105
Convertible senior subordinated notes due 2017	57,500	57,500
Convertible senior subordinated notes due 2018	86,250	0
Senior notes due 2018	227,870	227,670
Commitments to extend real estate loans (Liabilities)	735	0
Best efforts contracts for committed IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale	0	3
Off-Balance Sheet Letters of Credit	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
ASSETS:
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	178,730	154,178
Mortgage loans held for sale	51,491	71,121
Split dollar life insurance policies	708	678
Notes receivable	3,843	7,460
Commitments to extend real estate loans (assets)	0	1
Best Efforts Contracts for Committed IRLCs and Mortgage Loans Held for Sale - Fair Value Disclosures (Assets)	14	0
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities	3,291	253
LIABILITIES:
Note payable - banks	50,442	67,957
Notes payable - other	9,476	11,148
Convertible senior subordinated notes due 2017	69,144	74,175
Convertible senior subordinated notes due 2018	88,191	0
Senior notes due 2018	248,400	250,700
Commitments to extend real estate loans (Liabilities)	735	0
Best efforts contracts for committed IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale	0	3
Off-Balance Sheet Letters of Credit	$ 394	$ 493