Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Detail) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (58,461)	$ (42,118)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(2,552)	(2,867)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	1,320	989
Other investing activities	(369)	(468)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,601)	(2,346)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(662)	3,574
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(7,093)	(466)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	1,117	2,721
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	6,458	778
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(180)	6,607
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(60,242)	(37,857)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	346,555	410,522
Cash and equivalents at end of period	286,313	372,665
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(35,758)	(58,808)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(232)	(878)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures		750
Other investing activities	(343)	(391)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(575)	(519)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(6,804)
Distributions from (contributions to) Corporate and subsidiaries		18,000
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	6,458	778
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(346)	18,778
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(36,679)	(40,549)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	154,722	66,757
Cash and equivalents at end of period	118,043	26,208
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	253	183
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(26)	(54)
Other investing activities	(192)	(130)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(218)	(184)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	35	(1)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	114	176
Cash and equivalents at end of period	149	175
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(22,956)	16,507
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(2,294)	(1,935)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	1,320	239
Other investing activities	166	53
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(808)	(1,643)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(662)	3,574
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(289)	(466)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	1,117	2,721
Distributions from (contributions to) Corporate and subsidiaries		(18,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	166	(12,171)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(23,598)	2,693
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	191,719	343,589
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 168,121	$ 346,282