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This element represents the number of active homebuilding joint ventures of the entity as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The number of lots that are controlled by the entity through its joint ventures under real estate option agreements as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the homebuilding interest capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

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

-Publisher SEC

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-Number 210

-Section 03

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-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755396&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 11

-Article 7

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- Definition

The carrying amount of investments in unconsolidated real estate and other joint ventures not separately presented. This includes direct and indirect investments.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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Investments in Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Investments in Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015 item	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments in Joint Ventures
Number of active homebuilding joint ventures	5ryl_NumberOfHomebuildingJointVentures
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 12,900,000		$ 12,600,000
Homebuilding interest capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	858,000		837,000
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 216,000	$ 102,000
Joint ventures \| Segment total
Lots
JV Lots Optioned	617		623
North \| Joint ventures
Lots
JV Lots Optioned	155		155
Texas \| Joint ventures
Lots
JV Lots Optioned	236		242
West \| Joint ventures
Lots
JV Lots Optioned	226		226