Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
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)
Payment of debt issuance costs		(4,575)
Principal payments on senior subordinated notes payable	(9,990)
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
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(112,860)	(228,051)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(1,717)	(5,251)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	1,206
Other investing activities	(772)	(860)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,283)	(6,111)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Payment of debt issuance costs		(4,575)
Principal payments on senior subordinated notes payable	(9,990)
Payment of common stock issuance costs		(324)
Distributions from (contributions to) Corporate and subsidiaries	73,000
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,747	410
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	64,757	(4,489)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(49,386)	(238,651)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	66,757	260,869
Cash and equivalents at end of period	17,371	22,218
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	405	401
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(105)	(97)
Other investing activities	(263)	(57)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(368)	(154)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable		(218)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(218)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	37	29
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	176	217
Cash and equivalents at end of period	213	246
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	13,737	(4,463)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(6,459)	(3,472)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	589	49
Other investing activities	(370)	164
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(6,240)	(3,259)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	6,237	(5,576)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(644)	(305)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	(2,381)	4,529
Distributions from (contributions to) Corporate and subsidiaries	(73,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(69,788)	(1,352)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(62,291)	(9,074)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	343,589	470,285
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 281,298	$ 461,211