Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	$ 298,882	$ 410,522	$ 483,675	$ 731,371
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	85,465	81,807
Total Assets	2,242,321	2,200,383
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	1,585,697	1,576,629
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	656,624	623,754
Total Liabilities and Equity	2,242,321	2,200,383
Homebuilding [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	17,371	66,757
Trade and other receivables	571,475	485,835
Inventories - Owned	693,965	647,577
Inventories - Not owned	44,489	6,123
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	23,475	24,082
Investments in subsidiaries	698,281	766,496
Deferred income taxes, net	3,212	5,178
Other assets	31,065	32,496
Total Assets	2,083,333	2,034,544
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	5,674	6,911
Accrued liabilities	106,287	82,462
Senior notes payable	1,276,258	1,275,093
Senior subordinated notes payable	38,490	46,324
Total Liabilities	1,426,709	1,410,790
Homebuilding [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	213	176
Trade and other receivables	5,226	5,435
Inventories - Owned	665,486	623,945
Inventories - Not owned	39,717	51,684
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	2,326	2,340
Other assets	3,130	2,965
Total Assets	716,098	686,545
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	8,650	9,887
Accrued liabilities	433,219	406,111
Total Liabilities	441,869	415,998
Homebuilding [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	274,523	339,852
Restricted cash	25,135	31,372
Trade and other receivables	24,366	23,898
Inventories - Owned	245,687	205,717
Inventories - Not owned	2,228	2,033
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	59,664	55,385
Other assets	630	232
Total Assets	632,233	658,489
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	2,052	1,031
Accrued liabilities	226,525	181,082
Secured project debt and other notes payable	4,934	3,531
Total Liabilities	233,511	185,644
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Trade and other receivables	(582,080)	(503,643)
Investments in subsidiaries	(698,281)	(766,496)
Deferred income taxes, net	148	148
Total Assets	(1,280,213)	(1,269,991)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accrued liabilities	(562,644)	(483,765)
Total Liabilities	(562,644)	(483,765)
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	292,107	406,785
Restricted cash	25,135	31,372
Trade and other receivables	18,987	11,525
Inventories - Owned	1,605,138	1,477,239
Inventories - Not owned	86,434	59,840
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	85,465	81,807
Deferred income taxes, net	3,360	5,326
Other assets	34,825	35,693
Total Assets	2,151,451	2,109,587
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	16,376	17,829
Accrued liabilities	203,387	185,890
Secured project debt and other notes payable	4,934	3,531
Senior notes payable	1,276,258	1,275,093
Senior subordinated notes payable	38,490	46,324
Total Liabilities	1,539,445	1,528,667
Financial Services [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	6,775	3,737
Restricted cash	1,295	1,295
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	70,091	73,811
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	9,522	10,115
Other assets	6,329	4,901
Total Assets	94,012	93,859
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	8,255	5,947
Mortgage credit facilities	60,427	64,808
Total Liabilities	68,682	70,755
Financial Services [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Other assets	(3,142)	(3,063)
Total Assets	(3,142)	(3,063)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(6,430)	(4,793)
Mortgage credit facilities	(16,000)	(18,000)
Total Liabilities	(22,430)	(22,793)
Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	6,775	3,737
Restricted cash	1,295	1,295
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	70,091	73,811
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	9,522	10,115
Other assets	3,187	1,838
Total Assets	90,870	90,796
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	1,825	1,154
Mortgage credit facilities	44,427	46,808
Total Liabilities	46,252	47,962
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	17,371	66,757	22,218	260,869
Total Assets	2,083,333	2,034,544
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	1,426,709	1,410,790
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	656,624	623,754
Total Liabilities and Equity	2,083,333	2,034,544
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	213	176	246	217
Total Assets	716,098	686,545
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	441,869	415,998
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	274,229	270,547
Total Liabilities and Equity	716,098	686,545
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	281,298	343,589	461,211	470,285
Total Assets	726,245	752,348
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	302,193	256,399
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	424,052	495,949
Total Liabilities and Equity	726,245	752,348
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Total Assets	(1,283,355)	(1,273,054)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	(585,074)	(506,558)
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	(698,281)	(766,496)
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ (1,283,355)	$ (1,273,054)