Note 16 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Homebuilding:
Cash and equivalents	$ 212,393	$ 363,291	$ 346,555	$ 410,522
Restricted cash	39,500
Inventories:
Owned	3,255,204	2,536,102
Not owned	85,153	98,341
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	50,111	66,054
Deferred income taxes, net	276,402	375,400
Total Assets	4,174,420	3,662,105
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	2,497,732	2,193,145
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,676,688	1,468,960
Total Liabilities and Equity	4,174,420	3,662,105
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Homebuilding:
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	(1,821,998)	(1,275,868)
Inventories:
Investments in subsidiaries	(957,933)	(810,340)
Deferred income taxes, net	(7,488)	(3,913)
Total Assets	(2,787,419)	(2,090,121)
Homebuilding:
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	(1,635,194)	(1,269,877)
Secured project debt and other notes payable	(100,813)
Total Liabilities	(1,736,007)	(1,269,877)
Homebuilding [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and equivalents	133,304	175,289
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	1,645,356	1,278,567
Inventories:
Owned	1,059,197	804,099
Not owned	17,360	9,737
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	(1,653)	586
Investments in subsidiaries	957,933	810,340
Deferred income taxes, net	283,890	379,313
Other assets	34,094	38,024
Total Assets	4,129,481	3,495,955
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	13,856	11,685
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	206,731	182,066
Secured project debt and other notes payable	100,813
Senior notes payable	2,131,393	1,833,244
Total Liabilities	2,452,793	2,026,995
Homebuilding [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and equivalents	1,061	494
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	4,379	3,565
Inventories:
Owned	1,234,233	1,012,841
Not owned	28,520	41,734
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	497	422
Other assets	6,855	5,478
Total Assets	1,275,545	1,064,534
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	16,202	13,442
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	868,922	723,082
Total Liabilities	885,124	736,524
Homebuilding [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and equivalents	46,063	179,706
Restricted cash	38,222	21,460
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	191,268	8,167
Inventories:
Owned	961,774	719,162
Not owned	39,273	46,870
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	51,267	65,046
Other assets	1,643	2,475
Total Assets	1,329,510	1,042,886
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	15,027	10,644
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	783,324	578,995
Secured project debt and other notes payable	4,689	6,351
Total Liabilities	803,040	595,990
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and equivalents	180,428	355,489
Restricted cash	38,222	21,460
Trade, intercompany and other receivables	19,005	14,431
Inventories:
Owned	3,255,204	2,536,102
Not owned	85,153	98,341
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	50,111	66,054
Deferred income taxes, net	276,402	375,400
Other assets	42,592	45,977
Total Assets	3,947,117	3,513,254
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	45,085	35,771
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payables	223,783	214,266
Secured project debt and other notes payable	4,689	6,351
Senior notes payable	2,131,393	1,833,244
Total Liabilities	2,404,950	2,089,632
Financial Services [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Inventories:
Other assets	(1,737)	(1,987)
Total Assets	(1,737)	(1,987)
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(15,216)	(11,891)
Mortgage credit facilities	(80,000)
Total Liabilities	(95,216)	(11,891)
Financial Services [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and equivalents	31,965	7,802
Restricted cash	1,295	1,295
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	174,420	122,031
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	14,380	12,220
Inventories:
Other assets	6,980	7,490
Total Assets	229,040	150,838
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	18,585	14,537
Mortgage credit facilities	169,413	100,867
Total Liabilities	187,998	115,404
Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and equivalents	31,965	7,802
Restricted cash	1,295	1,295
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	174,420	122,031
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	14,380	12,220
Inventories:
Other assets	5,243	5,503
Total Assets	227,303	148,851
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	3,369	2,646
Mortgage credit facilities	89,413	100,867
Total Liabilities	92,782	103,513
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Inventories:
Total Assets	(2,789,156)	(2,092,108)
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	(1,831,223)	(1,281,768)
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	(957,933)	(810,340)
Total Liabilities and Equity	(2,789,156)	(2,092,108)
Parent Company [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and equivalents	133,304	175,289	154,722	66,757
Inventories:
Total Assets	4,129,481	3,495,955
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	2,452,793	2,026,995
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,676,688	1,468,960
Total Liabilities and Equity	4,129,481	3,495,955
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and equivalents	1,061	494	114	176
Inventories:
Total Assets	1,275,545	1,064,534
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	885,124	736,524
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	390,421	328,010
Total Liabilities and Equity	1,275,545	1,064,534
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and equivalents	78,028	187,508	191,719	343,589
Inventories:
Total Assets	1,558,550	1,193,724
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	991,038	711,394
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity	567,512	482,330
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 1,558,550	$ 1,193,724