Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (143,512)	$ (149,204)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(5,677)	(10,752)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	14,808	1,569
Net cash paid for acqusitions	(33,408)	(113,793)
Other investing activities	(1,487)	(3,878)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(25,764)	(126,854)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(9,925)	2,063
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(1,061)	(7,217)
Principal payments on senior notes payable	(4,971)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	(34,288)	4,805
Payment of issuance costs in connection with preferred shareholder equity transactions		(347)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	3,769	10,835
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(46,476)	10,139
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(215,752)	(265,919)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	363,291	346,555
Cash and equivalents at end of period	147,539	80,636
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Loan to parent	85,000	135,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	85,000	135,000
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Loan from subsidiary	(85,000)	(135,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(85,000)	(135,000)
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	40,140	144,336
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	144	(305)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	120
Net cash paid for acqusitions	(35,685)	(113,793)
Other investing activities	(618)	(669)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(36,039)	(114,767)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable		(6,804)
Principal payments on senior notes payable	(4,971)
Loan from subsidiary	85,000	135,000
Distributions from (contributions to) Corporate and subsidiaries	4,600	(3,891)
Payment of issuance costs in connection with preferred shareholder equity transactions		(347)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	3,769	10,835
Intercompany advances, net	(241,539)	(275,573)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(153,141)	(140,780)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(149,040)	(111,211)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	175,289	154,722
Cash and equivalents at end of period	26,249	43,511
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(136,481)	(126,976)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	2	(43)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	229
Other investing activities	(855)	(1,511)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(624)	(1,554)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Intercompany advances, net	137,403	128,647
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	137,403	128,647
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	298	117
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	494	114
Cash and equivalents at end of period	792	231
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(47,171)	(166,564)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(5,823)	(10,404)
Distributions from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	14,459	1,569
Net cash paid for acqusitions	2,277
Loan to parent	(85,000)	(135,000)
Other investing activities	(14)	(1,698)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(74,101)	(145,533)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(9,925)	2,063
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(1,061)	(413)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	(34,288)	4,805
Distributions from (contributions to) Corporate and subsidiaries	(4,600)	3,891
Intercompany advances, net	104,136	146,926
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	54,262	157,272
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(67,010)	(154,825)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	187,508	191,719
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 120,498	$ 36,894