Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 6.9 percent senior notes due June 2013	Dec. 31, 2011 6.9 percent senior notes due June 2013	Jul. 31, 2012 Subsequent Events Timberstone Homes item Lot	Jul. 31, 2012 Subsequent Events 6.9 percent senior notes due June 2013
Subsequent Events
Face value of debt instrument redeemed and repurchased								$ 167,200,000
Interest rate stated percentage					6.90%	6.90%		6.90%
Cash paid for redemption and repurchase of senior notes			0	28,222,000				177,200,000
Charges resulting from the redemption	$ 0	$ (857,000)	$ 0	$ (857,000)				$ 9,100,000
LOTS OWNED							945
Number of homes currently sold							141
Number of professionally decorated model homes							19