Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (126,396)	$ (171,136)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(12,942)	(53,078)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	2,319	11,940
Net cash paid for acquisitions	(113,793)	(60,752)
Other investing activities	(4,734)	(1,705)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(129,150)	(103,595)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	1	5,034
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(7,289)	(782)
Principal payments on senior subordinated notes payable		(9,990)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes payable	300,000	253,000
Payments of debt issuance costs	(4,045)	(8,081)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	(27,979)	24,227
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock		75,849
Payments of common stock		(3,913)
Payment of common stock issuance costs	(350)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	11,781	8,321
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	272,119	343,665
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	16,573	68,934
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	346,555	410,522
Cash and equivalents at end of period	363,128	479,456
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(25,600)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures		25,600
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		25,600
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	247,524	80,893
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(393)	(2,525)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures		1,205
Net cash paid for acquisitions	(113,793)
Other investing activities	(931)	(1,170)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(115,117)	(2,490)
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)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes payable	300,000	253,000
Payments of debt issuance costs	(4,045)	(8,081)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock		75,849
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	(6,891)	73,000
Payments of common stock		(3,913)
Payment of common stock issuance costs	(350)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	11,781	8,321
Intercompany advances, net	(378,550)	(226,719)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(84,859)	161,467
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	47,548	239,870
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	154,722	66,757
Cash and equivalents at end of period	202,270	306,627
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(180,993)	(82,699)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(49)	(144)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	100
Other investing activities	(2,824)	(402)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(2,773)	(546)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Intercompany advances, net	184,017	83,242
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	184,017	83,242
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	251	(3)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	114	176
Cash and equivalents at end of period	365	173
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(192,927)	(143,730)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(12,500)	(76,009)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	2,219	10,735
Net cash paid for acquisitions		(60,752)
Other investing activities	(979)	(133)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(11,260)	(126,159)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	1	5,034
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(485)	(782)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	(27,979)	24,227
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	6,891	(73,000)
Intercompany advances, net	194,533	143,477
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	172,961	98,956
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(31,226)	(170,933)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	191,719	343,589
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 160,493	$ 172,656