Note 8 - Capitalization of Interest (Detail) - Homebuilding Capitalized Interest (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
Total interest incurred (1)	$ 35,305	[1]	$ 35,353	[1]	$ 70,620	[1]	$ 70,207	[1]
Less: Interest capitalized to inventories owned	(31,876)		(26,186)		(62,868)		(48,896)
Less: Interest capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	(1,812)		(1,723)		(3,605)		(3,352)
Interest expense	1,617		7,444		4,147		17,959
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in cost of home sales	24,465		16,108		43,021		27,088
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in cost of land sales			38		19		38
Interest previously capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, included in loss from unconsolidated joint ventures	231		121		435		258
Interest capitalized in ending inventories owned	208,354		169,705		208,354		169,705
Interest capitalized as a percentage of inventories owned	13.00%		12.30%		13.00%		12.30%
Interest capitalized in ending investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 12,281		$ 7,571		$ 12,281		$ 7,571		$ 9,100
Interest capitalized as a percentage of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	14.40%		9.20%		14.40%		9.20%

[1] For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, interest incurred included the noncash amortization of $2.6 million and $5.2 million, respectively, of interest related to the Term Loan B swap that was unwound in the 2010 fourth quarter (please see Note 15 "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities"). For the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, interest incurred included the noncash amortization of $2.6 million and $5.1 million, respectively, of interest related to the Term Loan B swap.