Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in the entity's loan loss and related legal reserves
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 11,472,000	$ 10,484,000	$ 10,141,000
Provision for losses	5,634,000	1,580,000	1,156,000
Settlements made	(15,709,000)	(592,000)	(813,000)
Balance at the end of the period	1,397,000	11,472,000	10,484,000
Increase in legal reserve related to the pending settlement of Ryland Mortgage Company's lawsuit with Countrywide	5,800,000
Product warranty
Number of years of product warranty for workmanship and materials	1 year
Number of years of product warranty for mechanical systems	2 years
Number of years of product warranty for structural systems	10 years
Product liability reserves
Balance at the beginning of the period	23,139,000	18,188,000	20,648,000
Warranties issued	11,583,000	9,052,000	3,899,000
Changes in liability for accruals related to pre-existing warranties	1,299,000	1,891,000	1,866,000
Settlements made	(10,465,000)	(5,992,000)	(8,225,000)
Balance at the end of the period	25,556,000	23,139,000	18,188,000
Insurance reserves | RHIC
Changes in entity's subcontractor insurance reserves
Balance at the beginning of period	13,857,000	14,813,000	18,209,000
Insurance expense provisions or adjustments	3,200,000	1,445,000	(1,369,000)
Loss expenses paid	(4,536,000)	(2,401,000)	(2,027,000)
Balance at the end of period	12,521,000	13,857,000	14,813,000
Legal reserves
Changes in entity's legal reserves
Legal reserves	5,700,000	17,200,000
Reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued	$ 1,000,000