Note 16 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash and equivalents	$ 346,555	$ 410,522	$ 731,371	$ 595,559
Restricted cash	29,300
Inventories Owned	1,971,418	1,477,239
Inventories Not owned	71,295	59,840
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	52,443	81,807
Deferred income taxes, net	455,372	5,326
Total Assets	3,113,074	2,200,383
Total Liabilities	1,857,258	1,576,629
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,255,816	623,754
Total Liabilities and Equity	3,113,074	2,200,383
Homebuilding [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Cash and equivalents	154,722	66,757
Trade and other receivables	845,245	485,835
Inventories Owned	759,553	647,577
Inventories Not owned	4,495	6,123
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	1,649	24,082
Investments in subsidiaries	717,509	766,496
Deferred income taxes, net	455,224	5,178
Other assets	37,817	32,496
Total Assets	2,976,214	2,034,544
Accounts payable	8,038	6,911
Accrued liabilities	175,054	82,462
Secured project debt and other notes payable	6,804
Senior notes payable	1,530,502	1,275,093
Senior subordinated notes payable		46,324
Total Liabilities	1,720,398	1,410,790
Homebuilding [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash and equivalents	114	176
Trade and other receivables	4,219	5,435
Inventories Owned	766,188	623,945
Inventories Not owned	36,991	51,684
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	622	2,340
Other assets	3,267	2,965
Total Assets	811,401	686,545
Accounts payable	10,537	9,887
Accrued liabilities	518,835	406,111
Total Liabilities	529,372	415,998
Homebuilding [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash and equivalents	185,072	339,852
Restricted cash	26,900	31,372
Trade and other receivables	19,981	23,898
Inventories Owned	445,677	205,717
Inventories Not owned	29,809	2,033
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	50,172	55,385
Other assets	834	232
Total Assets	758,445	658,489
Accounts payable	3,871	1,031
Accrued liabilities	343,485	181,082
Secured project debt and other notes payable	4,712	3,531
Total Liabilities	352,068	185,644
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Trade and other receivables	(858,721)	(503,643)
Investments in subsidiaries	(717,509)	(766,496)
Deferred income taxes, net	148	148
Total Assets	(1,576,082)	(1,269,991)
Accrued liabilities	(839,230)	(483,765)
Total Liabilities	(839,230)	(483,765)
Homebuilding [Member]
Cash and equivalents	339,908	406,785
Restricted cash	26,900	31,372
Trade and other receivables	10,724	11,525
Inventories Owned	1,971,418	1,477,239
Inventories Not owned	71,295	59,840
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	52,443	81,807
Deferred income taxes, net	455,372	5,326
Other assets	41,918	35,693
Total Assets	2,969,978	2,109,587
Accounts payable	22,446	17,829
Accrued liabilities	198,144	185,890
Secured project debt and other notes payable	11,516	3,531
Senior notes payable	1,530,502	1,275,093
Senior subordinated notes payable		46,324
Total Liabilities	1,762,608	1,528,667
Financial Services [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash and equivalents	6,647	3,737
Restricted cash	2,420	1,295
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	119,549	74,195
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	9,923	10,115
Other assets	7,249	4,517
Total Assets	145,788	93,859
Total Liabilities	116,685	70,755
Accounts payable and other liabilities	11,026	5,947
Mortgage credit facilities	105,659	64,808
Financial Services [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Other assets	(2,692)	(3,063)
Total Assets	(2,692)	(3,063)
Total Liabilities	(22,035)	(22,793)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(8,535)	(4,793)
Mortgage credit facilities	(13,500)	(18,000)
Financial Services [Member]
Cash and equivalents	6,647	3,737
Restricted cash	2,420	1,295
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	119,549	74,195
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	9,923	10,115
Other assets	4,557	1,454
Total Assets	143,096	90,796
Total Liabilities	94,650	47,962
Accounts payable and other liabilities	2,491	1,154
Mortgage credit facilities	92,159	46,808
Parent Company [Member]
Cash and equivalents	154,722	66,757	260,869	183,135
Total Assets	2,976,214	2,034,544
Total Liabilities	1,720,398	1,410,790
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,255,816	623,754
Total Liabilities and Equity	2,976,214	2,034,544
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash and equivalents	114	176	217	402
Total Assets	811,401	686,545
Total Liabilities	529,372	415,998
Total Stockholders' Equity	282,029	270,547
Total Liabilities and Equity	811,401	686,545
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash and equivalents	191,719	343,589	470,285	412,022
Total Assets	904,233	752,348
Total Liabilities	468,753	256,399
Total Stockholders' Equity	435,480	495,949
Total Liabilities and Equity	904,233	752,348
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Total Assets	(1,578,774)	(1,273,054)
Total Liabilities	(861,265)	(506,558)
Total Stockholders' Equity	(717,509)	(766,496)
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ (1,578,774)	$ (1,273,054)