Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (149,204)	$ (98,718)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(10,752)	(8,281)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	1,569	1,795
Net cash paid for acquisitions	(113,793)
Other investing activities	(3,878)	(1,405)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(126,854)	(7,891)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	2,063	6,237
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(7,217)	(644)
Principal payments on senior subordinated notes payable		(9,990)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	4,805	(2,381)
Payment of issuance costs in connection with preferred shareholder equity transactions	(347)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	10,835	1,747
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	10,139	(5,031)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(265,919)	(111,640)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	346,555	410,522
Cash and equivalents at end of period	80,636	298,882
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Loan to parent	135,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	135,000
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Loan from subsidiary	(135,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(135,000)
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(131,237)	(112,860)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(305)	(1,717)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures		1,206
Net cash paid for acquisitions	(113,793)
Other investing activities	(669)	(772)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(114,767)	(1,283)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(6,804)
Principal payments on senior subordinated notes payable		(9,990)
Loan from subsidiary	135,000
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	(3,891)	73,000
Payment of issuance costs in connection with preferred shareholder equity transactions	(347)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	10,835	1,747
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	134,793	64,757
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(111,211)	(49,386)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	154,722	66,757
Cash and equivalents at end of period	43,511	17,371
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,671	405
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(43)	(105)
Other investing activities	(1,511)	(263)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,554)	(368)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	117	37
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	114	176
Cash and equivalents at end of period	231	213
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(19,638)	13,737
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(10,404)	(6,459)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	1,569	589
Loan to parent	(135,000)
Other investing activities	(1,698)	(370)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(145,533)	(6,240)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	2,063	6,237
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(413)	(644)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	4,805	(2,381)
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	3,891	(73,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	10,346	(69,788)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(154,825)	(62,291)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	191,719	343,589
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 36,894	$ 281,298