Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Detail) - Segment Financial Information Relating to Homebuilding Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		54 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012
Homebuilding revenues:
Homebuilding revenues	$ 274,872	$ 204,345	$ 498,574	$ 348,044
Homebuilding pretax income (loss):
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)	11,878	(10,491)	19,159	(23,845)
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures:
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	(1,146)	(379)	(2,668)	(636)
Inventory impairments:
Inventory impairments		5,959		5,959
Restructuring charges:
Restructuring charges				561	48,700
Homebuilding: California [Member]
Homebuilding revenues:
Homebuilding revenues	147,087	113,737	262,457	192,647
Homebuilding pretax income (loss):
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)	8,583	(413)	16,715	(2,534)
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures:
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	(1,099)	(366)	(2,592)	(605)
Inventory impairments:
Inventory impairments		3,837		3,837
Restructuring charges:
Restructuring charges				424
Homebuilding: Southwest [Member]
Homebuilding revenues:
Homebuilding revenues	64,115	47,153	120,234	82,932
Homebuilding pretax income (loss):
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)	1,947	(3,647)	2,980	(7,534)
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures:
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	(8)	(8)	(13)	(16)
Inventory impairments:
Inventory impairments		2,122		2,122
Restructuring charges:
Restructuring charges				47
Homebuilding: Southeast [Member]
Homebuilding revenues:
Homebuilding revenues	63,670	43,455	115,883	72,465
Homebuilding pretax income (loss):
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)	652	(2,385)	(75)	(6,104)
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures:
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	(39)	(5)	(63)	(15)
Homebuilding: Corporate [Member]
Homebuilding pretax income (loss):
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)	696	(4,046)	(461)	(7,673)
Restructuring charges:
Restructuring charges				$ 90