Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Detail) - Interest Capitalized (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Total interest incurred (1)	$ 141,827	[1]	$ 140,905	[1]	$ 110,358	[1]
Less: Interest capitalized to inventories owned	(129,136)		(109,002)		(66,665)
Less: Interest capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	(6,295)		(6,735)		(3,519)
Interest expense	6,396		25,168		40,174
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in home cost of home sales	100,683		69,421		59,750
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in land cost of land sales	3,219		215		815
Interest previously capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, included in income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	843		876		609
Interest capitalized in ending inventories owned (2)	221,402	[2]	188,526	[2]	147,935	[2]
Interest capitalized as a percentage of inventories owned	11.20%		12.80%		12.50%
Interest capitalized in ending investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (2)	$ 6,921	[2]	$ 9,111	[2]	$ 4,477	[2]
Interest capitalized as a percentage of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	13.20%		11.10%		6.10%

[1] For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, interest incurred included the noncash amortization of $10.4 million, $10.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of interest related to the Term Loan B swap that was unwound in the 2010 fourth quarter (please see Note 2.t. "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities").

[2] During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, in connection with lot purchases from our joint ventures, $7.6 million, $1.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of capitalized interest was transferred from investments in unconsolidated joint ventures to inventories owned.