Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 179,917	$ 155,692
Restricted cash	71,604	70,893
Marketable securities, available-for-sale	363,058	388,020
Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	614,579	614,605
Housing inventories
Homes under construction	546,142	459,269
Land under development and improved lots	570,095	573,975
Inventory held-for-sale	7,182	4,684
Consolidated inventory not owned	33,944	39,490
Total housing inventories	1,157,363	1,077,418
Property, plant and equipment	21,139	20,409
Mortgage loans held-for-sale	57,568	107,950
Other	113,924	111,057
Assets of discontinued operations	536	2,480
TOTAL ASSETS	1,965,109	1,933,919
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	117,135	124,797
Accrued and other liabilities	156,807	147,358
Debt	1,133,160	1,134,468
Liabilities of discontinued operations	1,258	1,536
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,408,360	1,408,159
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value: Authorized-10,000 shares Series A Junior Participating Preferred, none outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $1.00 par value: Authorized-199,990,000 shares Issued-45,688,050 shares at March 31, 2013 (45,175,053 shares at December 31, 2012)	45,688	45,175
Retained earnings	494,464	458,669
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(32)	92
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE RYLAND GROUP, INC.	540,120	503,936
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	16,629	21,824
TOTAL EQUITY	556,749	525,760
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 1,965,109	$ 1,933,919