Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	$ 80,636	$ 346,555	$ 298,882	$ 410,522
Restricted cash	27,300
Total Assets	3,204,413	3,113,074
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	1,866,945	1,857,258
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,337,468	1,255,816
Total Liabilities and Equity	3,204,413	3,113,074
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	(1,256,378)	(859,025)
Investments in subsidiaries	(742,671)	(717,205)
Deferred income taxes, net	148	148
Total Assets	(1,998,901)	(1,576,082)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	(1,115,056)	(839,534)
Secured project debt and other notes payable	(135,331)
Total Liabilities	(1,250,387)	(839,534)
Homebuilding [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	43,511	154,722
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	1,127,189	845,549
Inventories - owned	796,168	759,553
Inventories - not owned	3,537	4,495
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	75	1,649
Investments in subsidiaries	742,671	717,205
Deferred income taxes, net	432,669	455,224
Other assets	39,805	37,817
Total Assets	3,185,625	2,976,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	9,992	8,038
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	171,005	175,054
Secured project debt and other notes payable	135,331	6,804
Senior notes payable	1,531,829	1,530,502
Total Liabilities	1,848,157	1,720,398
Homebuilding [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	231	114
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	13,871	4,219
Inventories - owned	895,154	766,188
Inventories - not owned	38,825	36,991
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	672	622
Other assets	4,213	3,267
Total Assets	952,966	811,401
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	5,828	10,537
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	651,873	519,139
Total Liabilities	657,701	529,676
Homebuilding [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	21,385	185,072
Restricted cash	25,462	26,900
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	145,690	19,981
Inventories - owned	634,168	445,677
Inventories - not owned	37,772	29,809
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	56,739	50,172
Other assets	2,801	834
Total Assets	924,017	758,445
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	6,246	3,871
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	500,523	343,485
Secured project debt and other notes payable	5,192	4,712
Total Liabilities	511,961	352,068
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	65,127	339,908
Restricted cash	25,462	26,900
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	30,372	10,724
Inventories - owned	2,325,490	1,971,418
Inventories - not owned	80,134	71,295
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	57,486	52,443
Deferred income taxes, net	432,817	455,372
Other assets	46,819	41,918
Total Assets	3,063,707	2,969,978
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	22,066	22,446
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	208,345	198,144
Secured project debt and other notes payable	5,192	11,516
Senior notes payable	1,531,829	1,530,502
Total Liabilities	1,767,432	1,762,608
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		(13,500)
Total Liabilities	(8,535)	(22,035)
Financial Services [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	15,509	6,647
Restricted cash	1,795	2,420
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	107,580	119,549
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	11,264	9,923
Other assets	7,250	7,249
Total Assets	143,398	145,788
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	11,084	11,026
Mortgage credit facilities	96,964	105,659
Total Liabilities	108,048	116,685
Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	15,509	6,647
Restricted cash	1,795	2,420
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	107,580	119,549
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	11,264	9,923
Other assets	4,558	4,557
Total Assets	140,706	143,096
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	2,549	2,491
Mortgage credit facilities	96,964	92,159
Total Liabilities	99,513	94,650
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Total Assets	(2,001,593)	(1,578,774)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	(1,258,922)	(861,569)
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	(742,671)	(717,205)
Total Liabilities and Equity	(2,001,593)	(1,578,774)
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	43,511	154,722	17,371	66,757
Total Assets	3,185,625	2,976,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	1,848,157	1,720,398
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,337,468	1,255,816
Total Liabilities and Equity	3,185,625	2,976,214
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	231	114	213	176
Total Assets	952,966	811,401
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	657,701	529,676
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	295,265	281,725
Total Liabilities and Equity	952,966	811,401
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	36,894	191,719	281,298	343,589
Total Assets	1,067,415	904,233
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	620,009	468,753
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	447,406	435,480
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 1,067,415	$ 904,233