Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	$ 363,128	$ 346,555	$ 479,456	$ 410,522
Restricted cash	29,300
Total Assets	3,530,196	3,113,074
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	2,130,170	1,857,258
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,400,026	1,255,816
Total Liabilities and Equity	3,530,196	3,113,074
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	(1,224,192)	(859,025)
Investments in subsidiaries	(768,092)	(717,205)
Deferred income taxes, net	(3,097)	148
Total Assets	(1,995,381)	(1,576,082)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	(1,218,202)	(839,534)
Total Liabilities	(1,218,202)	(839,534)
Homebuilding [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	202,270	154,722
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	1,227,039	845,549
Inventories - owned	752,675	759,553
Inventories - not owned	6,488	4,495
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	328	1,649
Investments in subsidiaries	768,092	717,205
Deferred income taxes, net	409,009	455,224
Other assets	41,570	37,817
Total Assets	3,407,471	2,976,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	13,048	8,038
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	161,880	175,054
Secured project debt and other notes payable		6,804
Senior notes payable	1,832,517	1,530,502
Total Liabilities	2,007,445	1,720,398
Homebuilding [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	365	114
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	6,641	4,219
Inventories - owned	971,366	766,188
Inventories - not owned	40,810	36,991
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	467	622
Other assets	4,763	3,267
Total Assets	1,024,412	811,401
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	9,997	10,537
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	706,739	519,139
Total Liabilities	716,736	529,676
Homebuilding [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	143,364	185,072
Restricted cash	27,524	26,900
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	9,698	19,981
Inventories - owned	686,608	445,677
Inventories - not owned	56,436	29,809
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	57,535	50,172
Other assets	2,479	834
Total Assets	983,644	758,445
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	6,256	3,871
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	546,061	343,485
Secured project debt and other notes payable	5,105	4,712
Total Liabilities	557,422	352,068
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	345,999	339,908
Restricted cash	27,524	26,900
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	19,186	10,724
Inventories - owned	2,410,649	1,971,418
Inventories - not owned	103,734	71,295
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	58,330	52,443
Deferred income taxes, net	405,912	455,372
Other assets	48,812	41,918
Total Assets	3,420,146	2,969,978
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	29,301	22,446
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	196,478	198,144
Secured project debt and other notes payable	5,105	11,516
Senior notes payable	1,832,517	1,530,502
Total Liabilities	2,063,401	1,762,608
Financial Services [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Other assets	(1,950)	(2,692)
Total Assets	(1,950)	(2,692)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(11,037)	(8,535)
Mortgage credit facilities		(13,500)
Total Liabilities	(11,037)	(22,035)
Financial Services [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	17,129	6,647
Restricted cash	1,795	2,420
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	75,211	119,549
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	10,989	9,923
Other assets	6,876	7,249
Total Assets	112,000	145,788
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	13,626	11,026
Mortgage credit facilities	64,180	105,659
Total Liabilities	77,806	116,685
Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	17,129	6,647
Restricted cash	1,795	2,420
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	75,211	119,549
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	10,989	9,923
Other assets	4,926	4,557
Total Assets	110,050	143,096
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	2,589	2,491
Mortgage credit facilities	64,180	92,159
Total Liabilities	66,769	94,650
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Total Assets	(1,997,331)	(1,578,774)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	(1,229,239)	(861,569)
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	(768,092)	(717,205)
Total Liabilities and Equity	(1,997,331)	(1,578,774)
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	202,270	154,722	306,627	66,757
Total Assets	3,407,471	2,976,214
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	2,007,445	1,720,398
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,400,026	1,255,816
Total Liabilities and Equity	3,407,471	2,976,214
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	365	114	173	176
Total Assets	1,024,412	811,401
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	716,736	529,676
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	307,676	281,725
Total Liabilities and Equity	1,024,412	811,401
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	160,493	191,719	172,656	343,589
Total Assets	1,095,644	904,233
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities	635,228	468,753
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	460,416	435,480
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 1,095,644	$ 904,233