Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial Instruments (Details 2) (Mortgage interest rate lock commitments ("IRLCs"), USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Mortgage interest rate lock commitments ("IRLCs")
Fair value assets reconciliation of changes
Fair value at the beginning of the period	$ 3,359	$ 1,496
Additions	5,134	4,146
Gain realized on conversion to loans	(3,910)	(2,631)
Change in valuation of items held	(679)	(287)
Fair value at the end of the period	3,904	2,724
Increase (decrease) in fair value of the pipeline of IRLCs	545	1,200
Offsetting gains (losses) from instruments used to hedge IRLCs	$ 520	$ 207

This element represents the total gains on IRLCs that were converted to originated loans during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	ryl_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisGainLossOnIRLCsConvertedToOriginatedLoans
Namespace Prefix:	ryl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the fair value of IRLCs added during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ryl_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisIRLCsAdditions
Namespace Prefix:	ryl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase or decrease in the fair value of IRLCs held during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ryl_FairValueOfIRLCPipelineIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	ryl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase or decrease in the fair value of IRLCs held during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ryl_FairValueOfIRLCsIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	ryl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of net gains and losses recognized in income during the period on derivative instruments used to hedge the locked loan pipeline (IRLCs).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ryl_HedgingInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet
Namespace Prefix:	ryl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 157

-Paragraph 32

-Subparagraph c

-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.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant