Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 215,865	[1]	$ 188,715	[1]	$ 531,421
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
(Income) loss from unconsolidated joint ventures	668		(949)		2,090
Cash distributions of income from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,875		3,375		3,910
Depreciation and amortization	4,928		3,576		2,480
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	11		17		37
Amortization of stock-based compensation	8,469		9,015		7,151
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	(13,404)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	98,998		84,214		(454,000)
Deposit write-offs					133
Changes in cash and equivalents due to:
Trade and other receivables	(4,777)		(3,244)		801
Mortgage loans held for sale	(52,838)		(2,543)		(46,339)
Inventories - owned	(642,008)		(415,312)		(315,639)
Inventories - not owned	(33,027)		(43,319)		(31,551)
Other assets	9,306		965		2,618
Accounts payable	9,314		13,325		4,617
Accrued liabilities	34,223		7,949		9,155
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(362,397)		(154,216)		(283,116)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(10,506)		(24,328)		(57,458)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	18,010		4,763		14,530
Net cash paid for acquisitions	(33,770)		(116,262)		(60,752)
Other investing activities	(4,754)		(8,030)		(1,525)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(31,020)		(143,857)		(105,205)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(16,762)		6,565		3,347
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(1,458)		(8,334)		(866)
Principal payments on senior notes payable	(4,971)
Principal payments on senior subordinated notes payable					(49,603)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes payable	300,000		300,000		253,000
Payment of debt issuance costs	(6,230)		(5,316)		(11,761)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	(11,454)		8,708		45,351
Repurchases of common stock	(36,781)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock					75,849
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	6,771		13,536		13,039
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	13,404
Net cash provided by (used in) by financing activities	242,519		314,809		324,354
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(150,898)		16,736		(63,967)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	363,291		346,555		410,522
Cash and equivalents at end of year	212,393		363,291		346,555
Homebuilding restricted cash at end of year	38,222		21,460		26,900
Financial services restricted cash at end of year	1,295		1,295		2,420
Cash and equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	251,910		386,046		375,875
Common Stock [Member]
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Issuance costs					(4,002)
Preferred Stock [Member]
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Issuance costs			$ (350)

[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.