Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 22,786	$ (25,316)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Loss from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,668	636
Cash distributions of income from unconsolidated joint ventures	160	20
Depreciation and amortization	1,209	1,902
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	3
Amortization of stock-based compensation	2,959	5,459
Inventory impairment charges and deposit write-offs	133	5,959
Changes in cash and equivalents due to:
Trade and other receivables	(7,462)	(11,493)
Mortgage loans held for sale	4,103	(4,770)
Inventories - owned	(115,187)	(194,058)
Inventories - not owned	(3,499)	(12,800)
Other assets	(77)	2,028
Accounts payable	(1,453)	(138)
Accrued liabilities	(5,061)	458
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(98,718)	(232,113)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(8,281)	(8,820)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	1,795	49
Other investing activities	(1,405)	(753)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(7,891)	(9,524)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	6,237	(5,576)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(644)	(523)
Principal payments on senior subordinated notes payable	(9,990)
Payment of debt issuance costs		(4,575)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	(2,381)	4,529
Payment of common stock issuance costs		(324)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,747	410
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(5,031)	(6,059)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(111,640)	(247,696)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	410,522	731,371
Cash and equivalents at end of period	298,882	483,675
Homebuilding restricted cash at end of period	25,135	33,814
Financial services restricted cash at end of period	1,295	2,870
Cash and equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$ 325,312	$ 520,359

Name:	spf_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToNetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	spf_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Includes Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents consisting of the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element.