Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 score	Dec. 31, 2010 score	Dec. 31, 2009 score	Dec. 31, 2008 score	Dec. 31, 2007 score	Dec. 31, 2006 score
Commitments and Contingencies
Mortgage loan types originated (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Average FICO credit score	726	723	717	711	713	715
Average combined loan-to-value (as a percent)	90.30%	90.80%	91.40%	90.10%	89.10%	88.40%
Company's rent expense
Total rent expense	$ 7,087,000	$ 11,210,000	$ 13,075,000
Income from subleases	(456,000)	(1,431,000)	(1,170,000)
Net rent expense	6,631,000	9,779,000	11,905,000
Future minimum rental commitments under noncancellable leases
2012	4,408,000
2013	4,271,000
2014	4,009,000
2015	3,351,000
2016	2,225,000
Thereafter	2,288,000
Income from subleases	(225,000)
Total lease commitments	20,327,000
Discontinued operations
Company's rent expense
Net rent expense	365,000	306,000	363,000
Mortgage interest rate lock commitments ("IRLCs")
Commitments and Contingencies
Average number of days of interest rate commitment before closing	180
Notional amount	114,600,000	95,000,000
Development bonds
Commitments and Contingencies
Guarantee obligations estimated exposure pertaining to land development and improvements	93,900,000	109,700,000
Performance-related cash deposits and letters of credit
Commitments and Contingencies
Guarantee obligations estimated exposure pertaining to land development and improvements	37,200,000	41,900,000
Prime
Commitments and Contingencies
Mortgage loan types originated (as a percent)	42.20%	34.90%	32.90%	51.80%	72.00%	68.80%
Government (FHA/VA)
Commitments and Contingencies
Mortgage loan types originated (as a percent)	57.80%	65.10%	67.10%	48.20%	20.10%	6.90%
Alt A
Commitments and Contingencies
Mortgage loan types originated (as a percent)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	7.50%	21.80%
Subprime
Commitments and Contingencies
Mortgage loan types originated (as a percent)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.40%	2.50%
Lot option purchase contracts
Commitments and Contingencies
Cash deposits and/or letters of credit	51,900,000	48,700,000
Aggregate purchase price	407,600,000	374,600,000
Purchase commitments, specific performance	$ 1,000,000	$ 834,000