Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (117,563)	$ (58,461)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(2,787)	(2,552)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	14,808	1,320
Other investing activities	(1,735)	(369)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	10,286	(1,601)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(5,238)	(662)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(890)	(7,093)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	(48,370)	1,117
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	3,596	6,458
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(50,902)	(180)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(158,179)	(60,242)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	363,291	346,555
Cash and equivalents at end of period	205,112	286,313
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Loan to parent	35,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	35,000
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Loan from subsidiary	(35,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(35,000)
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(36,848)	24,751
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	146	(232)
Other investing activities	(284)	(343)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(138)	(575)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable		(6,804)
Loan from subsidiary	35,000
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	(4,400)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	3,596	6,458
Intercompany advances, net	(138,450)	(60,509)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(104,254)	(60,855)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(141,240)	(36,679)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	175,289	154,722
Cash and equivalents at end of period	34,049	118,043
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(88,166)	(44,388)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures		(26)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	229
Other investing activities	(387)	(192)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(158)	(218)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Intercompany advances, net	88,516	44,641
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	88,516	44,641
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	192	35
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	494	114
Cash and equivalents at end of period	686	149
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	7,451	(38,824)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(2,933)	(2,294)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	14,579	1,320
Loan to parent	(35,000)
Other investing activities	(1,064)	166
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(24,418)	(808)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(5,238)	(662)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(890)	(289)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	(48,370)	1,117
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	4,400
Intercompany advances, net	49,934	15,868
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(164)	16,034
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(17,131)	(23,598)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	187,508	191,719
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 170,377	$ 168,121