Business Segments Business Segments - Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	$ 31,705	$ 28,532
Inventory	1,790,826	1,740,975
Investment in joint venture arrangements	40,306	37,885
Other assets	336,126	298,202
Total assets	2,198,963	2,105,594
Northern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	4,407	3,655
Inventory	821,291	783,972
Investment in joint venture arrangements	1,688	1,672
Other assets	26,571	21,564
Total assets	853,957	810,863
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	27,298	24,877
Inventory	969,535	957,003
Investment in joint venture arrangements	38,618	36,213
Other assets	52,959	52,662
Total assets	1,088,410	1,070,755
Corporate, Financial Services and Unallocated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deposits on real estate under option or contract	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Investment in joint venture arrangements	0	0
Other assets	256,596	223,976
Total assets	$ 256,596	$ 223,976