Note 16 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (283,116)	$ (322,613)	$ (80,958)
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(57,458)	(14,689)	(39,513)
Distributions 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)
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 subordinated notes payable	(49,603)		(792,389)
Proceeds from the issuance of 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)
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock	71,847		186,443
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements			27
Payment of issuance costs in connection with exercise of Warrant for common stock		(324)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	13,039	1,278	2,611
Net cash provided by (used in) 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
Parent Company [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(248,495)	(287,465)	(206,309)
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(2,630)	(4,265)	(3,260)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	1,392	751	4
Other investing activities	(1,429)	(1,512)	(705)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(2,667)	(5,026)	(3,961)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable			(89,052)
Principal payments on senior subordinated notes payable	(49,603)		(792,389)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes payable	253,000		977,804
Payment of debt issuance costs	(11,761)	(4,575)	(17,215)
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock	71,847		186,443
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements			27
Distributions from (contributions to) Corporate and subsidiaries	62,605	102,000	19,775
Payment of issuance costs in connection with exercise of Warrant for common stock		(324)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	13,039	1,278	2,611
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	339,127	98,379	288,004
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	87,965	(194,112)	77,734
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	66,757	260,869	183,135
Cash and equivalents at end of year	154,722	66,757	260,869
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(794)	636	18,334
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(180)	(216)	(132)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	1,500		(1)
Other investing activities	(588)	(188)	(362)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	732	(404)	(495)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable		(273)	(18,024)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(273)	(18,024)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(62)	(41)	(185)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	176	217	402
Cash and equivalents at end of year	114	176	217
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(8,227)	(35,784)	107,017
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(80,248)	(10,208)	(36,121)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	11,638	7,842	7,637
Net cash paid for acquisitions	(60,752)
Other investing activities	492	(517)	(515)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(128,870)	(2,883)	(28,999)
Change in restricted cash	3,347	(1,559)	(12,843)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(866)	(934)	23,514
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	45,351	16,464	(10,651)
Distributions from (contributions to) Corporate and subsidiaries	(62,605)	(102,000)	(19,775)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(14,773)	(88,029)	(19,755)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(151,870)	(126,696)	58,263
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	343,589	470,285	412,022
Cash and equivalents at end of year	191,719	343,589	470,285
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(25,600)
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	25,600
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$ 25,600