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Average FICO credit score of entity's homebuyers for loans originated during the period.

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- Definition

This element represents the average number of days before the closing of loan for which it would lock in the interest rate.

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

This element represents cash deposits and/or letters of credit provided to the selling party in accordance with the terms of a land purchase contract.

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Name:	ryl_CashDepositsAndOrLettersOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	ryl
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- Definition

Accrual as of the balance sheet date for the estimate of the legal liability.

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- Definition

This represents the reserve provision, at the balance sheet date, to cover repurchase and indemnity claims made by third party loan investors and purchases related to representations and warranties made at the time of loan sale.

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Reflects reductions to the provision due to cash paid to loan investors and purchasers during the period to settle repurchase and indemnity claims.

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- Definition

Represents average combined loan-to-value ratio for mortgage loans originated by the entity during the period. Loan to value is an equation that mortgage lenders use to assess their risk in lending a borrower money to purchase property. The loan to value equation is essentially a ratio of the amount of money being borrowed to the value or purchase price of the property, whichever is less.

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- Definition

The composition of mortgage loan types originated by the entity.

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reflects the amount charged against earnings during the period as net additions to the provision for repurchase and indemnity claims to adjust the provision to the current estimate.

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate purchase price of lots expected to be purchased in accordance with executed lot option purchase contracts containing provisions that require the parties to the option contract to perform all of the obligations under the contract.

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- Definition

This element represents the aggregate purchase price of lots expected to be purchased in accordance with executed lot option purchase contracts.

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- Definition

Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions.

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-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
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-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
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- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of interest rate derivatives, which relates to the currency amount specified in the interest rate derivative instruments.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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- Definition

Cash payments for losses (the actual damage) and related adjustment expenses (the expense incurred related to claims other than the actual loss, for example, legal fees) made by an insurance company to settle claims, during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Paragraph 27
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3536-108585

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Alternate concept name for the aggregate amount of policy reserves (provided for future obligations including unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses) and policy benefits (liability for future policy benefits) as of the balance sheet date; grouped amount of all the liabilities associated with the company's insurance policies.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 7
-Section 03
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph a

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2007	Dec. 31, 2006
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	729		723	717	711	713	715
Average combined loan-to-value (as a percent)	90.40%		90.80%	91.40%	90.10%	89.10%	88.40%
Changes in the entity's loan loss reserves
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 8,934,000	$ 17,875,000	$ 17,875,000
Provision for losses	(18,000)	7,200,000
Settlements made	(140,000)	(10,117,000)
Balance at the end of the period	8,776,000	14,958,000	8,934,000	17,875,000
Lot option purchase contracts
Commitments and Contingencies
Cash deposits and/or letters of credit	47,100,000		48,700,000
Aggregate purchase price	410,100,000		374,600,000
Purchase commitments, specific performance	520,000		834,000
Prime
Commitments and Contingencies
Mortgage loan types originated (as a percent)	40.50%		34.90%	32.90%	51.80%	72.00%	68.80%
Government (FHA/VA)
Commitments and Contingencies
Mortgage loan types originated (as a percent)	59.50%		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%
Insurance reserves \| RHIC
Changes in entity's insurance reserves
Balance at the beginning of period	21,141,000	25,069,000	25,069,000
Loss expenses paid	(967,000)	(358,000)
Balance at the end of period	20,174,000	24,711,000
Legal reserves
Changes in entity's legal reserves
Legal reserves	9,400,000		8,100,000
Development or performance bonds
Commitments and Contingencies
Guarantee obligations estimated exposure pertaining to land development and improvements	102,600,000		109,700,000
Cash deposits and letters of credit
Commitments and Contingencies
Guarantee obligations estimated exposure pertaining to land development and improvements	43,200,000		41,900,000
Mortgage interest rate lock commitments ("IRLCs")
Commitments and Contingencies
Average number of days of interest rate commitment before closing (in days)	180
Notional amount	$ 130,500,000		$ 95,000,000