Note 4 - Inventories (Detail) - Inventories Owned (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Land and land under development, by segments	$ 1,444,161	$ 1,036,829
Homes completed and under construction, by segments	427,196	339,849
Model homes. by segments	100,061	100,561
Total inventories owned, by segments	1,971,418	1,477,239
Homebuilding: California [Member]
Land and land under development, by segments	778,419	614,668
Homes completed and under construction, by segments	240,236	205,515
Model homes. by segments	67,504	70,117
Total inventories owned, by segments	1,086,159	890,300
Homebuilding: Southwest [Member]
Land and land under development, by segments	352,705	221,481
Homes completed and under construction, by segments	93,265	67,200
Model homes. by segments	15,231	14,005
Total inventories owned, by segments	461,201	302,686
Homebuilding: Southeast [Member]
Land and land under development, by segments	313,037	200,680
Homes completed and under construction, by segments	93,695	67,134
Model homes. by segments	17,326	16,439
Total inventories owned, by segments	$ 424,058	$ 284,253