Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	$ 286,313	$ 346,555	$ 372,665	$ 410,522
Restricted cash	30,000
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	53,024	52,443
Total Assets	3,125,699	3,113,074
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	1,838,492	1,857,258
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,287,207	1,255,816
Total Liabilities and Equity	3,125,699	3,113,074
Homebuilding [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	118,043	154,722
Trade and other receivables	909,407	845,549
Inventories - Owned	754,827	759,553
Inventories - Not owned	6,045	4,495
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	1,140	1,649
Investments in subsidiaries	722,789	717,205
Deferred income taxes, net	441,196	455,224
Other assets	35,189	37,817
Total Assets	2,988,636	2,976,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	8,147	8,038
Accrued liabilities	162,135	175,054
Secured project debt and other notes payable		6,804
Senior notes payable	1,531,147	1,530,502
Total Liabilities	1,701,429	1,720,398
Homebuilding [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	149	114
Trade and other receivables	6,636	4,219
Inventories - Owned	811,917	766,188
Inventories - Not owned	35,251	36,991
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	707	622
Other assets	2,963	3,267
Total Assets	857,623	811,401
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	8,463	10,537
Accrued liabilities	564,283	519,139
Total Liabilities	572,746	529,676
Homebuilding [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	162,275	185,072
Restricted cash	27,562	26,900
Trade and other receivables	19,430	19,981
Inventories - Owned	482,958	445,677
Inventories - Not owned	30,723	29,809
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	51,177	50,172
Other assets	1,170	834
Total Assets	775,295	758,445
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	4,258	3,871
Accrued liabilities	360,136	343,485
Secured project debt and other notes payable	4,423	4,712
Total Liabilities	368,817	352,068
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Trade and other receivables	(915,833)	(859,025)
Investments in subsidiaries	(722,789)	(717,205)
Deferred income taxes, net	148	148
Total Assets	(1,638,474)	(1,576,082)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accrued liabilities	(899,842)	(839,534)
Total Liabilities	(899,842)	(839,534)
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	280,467	339,908
Restricted cash	27,562	26,900
Trade and other receivables	19,640	10,724
Inventories - Owned	2,049,702	1,971,418
Inventories - Not owned	72,019	71,295
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	53,024	52,443
Deferred income taxes, net	441,344	455,372
Other assets	39,322	41,918
Total Assets	2,983,080	2,969,978
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	20,868	22,446
Accrued liabilities	186,712	198,144
Secured project debt and other notes payable	4,423	11,516
Senior notes payable	1,531,147	1,530,502
Total Liabilities	1,743,150	1,762,608
Financial Services [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	5,846	6,647
Restricted cash	2,420	2,420
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	119,246	119,549
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	9,716	9,923
Other assets	8,083	7,249
Total Assets	145,311	145,788
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	10,601	11,026
Mortgage credit facilities	103,276	105,659
Total Liabilities	113,877	116,685
Financial Services [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Other assets	(2,692)	(2,692)
Total Assets	(2,692)	(2,692)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(8,535)	(8,535)
Mortgage credit facilities	(10,000)	(13,500)
Total Liabilities	(18,535)	(22,035)
Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	5,846	6,647
Restricted cash	2,420	2,420
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	119,246	119,549
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	9,716	9,923
Other assets	5,391	4,557
Total Assets	142,619	143,096
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	2,066	2,491
Mortgage credit facilities	93,276	92,159
Total Liabilities	95,342	94,650
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	118,043	154,722	26,208	66,757
Total Assets	2,988,636	2,976,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	1,701,429	1,720,398
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,287,207	1,255,816
Total Liabilities and Equity	2,988,636	2,976,214
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	149	114	175	176
Total Assets	857,623	811,401
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	572,746	529,676
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	284,877	281,725
Total Liabilities and Equity	857,623	811,401
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	168,121	191,719	346,282	343,589
Total Assets	920,606	904,233
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	482,694	468,753
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	437,912	435,480
Total Liabilities and Equity	920,606	904,233
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Total Assets	(1,641,166)	(1,578,774)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	(918,377)	(861,569)
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	(722,789)	(717,205)
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ (1,641,166)	$ (1,578,774)