Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 531,421	[1]	$ (16,417)	[1]	$ (11,724)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
(Income) loss from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,090		(207)		(1,166)
Cash distributions of income from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,910		20
Depreciation and amortization	2,480		3,255		3,002
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment	37		179		(37)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt					30,028
Amortization of stock-based compensation	7,151		11,239		11,848
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements					(27)
Deferred income tax benefit	(454,000)
Inventory impairment charges and deposit write-offs	133		15,334		1,918
Changes in cash and equivalents due to:
Trade and other receivables	801		(5,358)		6,541
Mortgage loans held for sale	(46,339)		(43,661)		12,165
Inventories - owned	(315,639)		(282,447)		(148,706)
Inventories - not owned	(31,551)		(19,727)		(27,861)
Other assets	2,618		6,212		111,496
Accounts payable	4,617		1,113		(6,592)
Accrued liabilities	9,155		7,852		(61,843)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(283,116)		(322,613)		(80,958)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(57,458)		(14,689)		(39,513)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	14,530		8,593		7,640
Net cash paid for acquisitions	(60,752)
Other investing activities	(1,525)		(2,217)		(1,582)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(105,205)		(8,313)		(33,455)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	3,347		(1,559)		(12,843)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(866)		(1,207)		(83,562)
Principal payments on senior and senior subordinated notes payable	(49,603)				(792,389)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior and convertible senior notes payable	253,000				977,804
Payment of debt issuance costs	(11,761)		(4,575)		(17,215)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	45,351		16,464		(10,651)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements					27
Payment of issuance costs in connection with exercise of Warrant for common stock			(324)
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock	71,847				186,443
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	13,039		1,278		2,611
Net cash provided by (used in) by financing activities	324,354		10,077		250,225
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(63,967)		(320,849)		135,812
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	410,522		731,371		595,559
Cash and equivalents at end of year	346,555		410,522		731,371
Homebuilding restricted cash at end of year	26,900		31,372		28,238
Financial services restricted cash at end of year	2,420		1,295		2,870
Cash and equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	$ 375,875		$ 443,189		$ 762,479

[1] Some amounts do not add across due to rounding differences in quarterly amounts and due to the impact of differences between the quarterly and annual weighted average share calculations.