Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 188,715	[1]	$ 531,421	[1]	$ (16,417)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
(Income) loss from unconsolidated joint ventures	(949)		2,090		(207)
Cash distributions of income from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,375		3,910		20
Depreciation and amortization	3,576		2,480		3,255
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	17		37		179
Amortization of stock-based compensation	9,015		7,151		11,239
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	84,214		(454,000)
Inventory impairment charges and deposit write-offs			133		15,334
Changes in cash and equivalents due to:
Trade and other receivables	(3,244)		801		(5,358)
Mortgage loans held for sale	(2,543)		(46,339)		(43,661)
Inventories - owned	(415,312)		(315,639)		(282,447)
Inventories - not owned	(43,319)		(31,551)		(19,727)
Other assets	965		2,618		6,212
Accounts payable	13,325		4,617		1,113
Accrued liabilities	7,949		9,155		7,852
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(154,216)		(283,116)		(322,613)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(24,328)		(57,458)		(14,689)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	4,763		14,530		8,593
Net cash paid for acquisitions	(116,262)		(60,752)
Other investing activities	(8,030)		(1,525)		(2,217)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(143,857)		(105,205)		(8,313)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	6,565		3,347		(1,559)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(8,334)		(866)		(1,207)
Principal payments on senior subordinated notes payable			(49,603)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes payable	300,000		253,000
Payment of debt issuance costs	(5,316)		(11,761)		(4,575)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	8,708		45,351		16,464
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock			75,849
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	13,536		13,039		1,278
Net cash provided by (used in) by financing activities	314,809		324,354		10,077
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	16,736		(63,967)		(320,849)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	346,555		410,522		731,371
Cash and equivalents at end of year	363,291		346,555		410,522
Homebuilding restricted cash at end of year	21,460		26,900		31,372
Financial services restricted cash at end of year	1,295		2,420		1,295
Cash and equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	386,046		375,875		443,189
Common Stock [Member]
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Issuance costs			(4,002)
Preferred Stock [Member]
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Issuance costs	(350)
Warrant [Member]
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Issuance costs					$ (324)

[1] Per share amounts do not add across due to rounding differences in quarterly amounts and due to the impact of differences between the quarterly and annual weighted average share calculations.