Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Segment Information
Number of states in which the entity operates	15		15
Number of homebuilding markets in which the entity operates	19		19
Number of reportable segments	6		6
Number of geographical segments	4		4
REVENUES
Homebuilding revenues	$ 217,906	$ 362,337	$ 386,491	$ 604,217
Financial services revenue	7,317	10,936	13,661	19,824
TOTAL	225,223	373,273	400,152	624,041
EARNINGS/(LOSS) BEFORE TAXES
Total	(10,713)	(21,763)	(32,647)	(36,060)
Segment total
REVENUES
TOTAL	225,223	373,273	400,152	624,041
EARNINGS/(LOSS) BEFORE TAXES
Total	(10,713)	(21,763)	(32,647)	(36,060)
Homebuilding \| North
REVENUES
Homebuilding revenues	75,092	116,648	130,535	193,390
EARNINGS/(LOSS) BEFORE TAXES
Total	(4,668)	(1,504)	(10,096)	(4,172)
Homebuilding \| Southeast
REVENUES
Homebuilding revenues	51,775	103,229	98,773	169,082
EARNINGS/(LOSS) BEFORE TAXES
Total	(4,749)	1,316	(13,783)	(4,580)
Homebuilding \| Texas
REVENUES
Homebuilding revenues	76,049	99,241	126,731	162,398
EARNINGS/(LOSS) BEFORE TAXES
Total	2,976	4,248	(236)	3,386
Homebuilding \| West
REVENUES
Homebuilding revenues	14,990	43,219	30,452	79,347
EARNINGS/(LOSS) BEFORE TAXES
Total	(1,856)	164	(3,646)	156
Financial Services
REVENUES
Financial services revenue	7,317	10,936	13,661	19,824
EARNINGS/(LOSS) BEFORE TAXES
Total	2,064	(634)	3,273	(162)
Corporate and unallocated
EARNINGS/(LOSS) BEFORE TAXES
Total	$ (4,480)	$ (25,353)	$ (8,159)	$ (30,688)

The aggregate revenue related to the financial services business segment. The entity's financial services segment provides mortgage-related products and services, as well as title, escrow and insurance services, to its homebuyers.

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- Definition

The number of geographic segments which are included in one of the entity's reportable segments.

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- Definition

The aggregate revenue associated with homes and land/lot sales that closed during the period, net of sales incentives.

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The number of home building markets the entity operates in as of the balance sheet date.

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The number of reportable segments of the entity.

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This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 10

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The number of states the entity operates in as of the balance sheet date.

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Aggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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