Note 13 - Senior Notes Payable (Details) - Senior Notes Payable (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 13 - Senior Notes Payable (Details) - Senior Notes Payable [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 2,132,229	$ 2,131,393
Homebuilding [Member] | 7% Senior Notes [Member]
Note 13 - Senior Notes Payable (Details) - Senior Notes Payable [Line Items]
Senior Notes	29,789	29,789
Homebuilding [Member] | 10¾% Senior Notes [Member]
Note 13 - Senior Notes Payable (Details) - Senior Notes Payable [Line Items]
Senior Notes	273,655	272,684
Homebuilding [Member] | 8⅜% Senior Notes [Member]
Note 13 - Senior Notes Payable (Details) - Senior Notes Payable [Line Items]
Senior Notes	578,066	578,278
Homebuilding [Member] | 8⅜% Senior Notes [Member]
Note 13 - Senior Notes Payable (Details) - Senior Notes Payable [Line Items]
Senior Notes	397,719	397,642
Homebuilding [Member] | 6¼% Senior Notes [Member]
Note 13 - Senior Notes Payable (Details) - Senior Notes Payable [Line Items]
Senior Notes	300,000	300,000
Homebuilding [Member] | 5⅞% Senior Notes [Member]
Note 13 - Senior Notes Payable (Details) - Senior Notes Payable [Line Items]
Senior Notes	300,000	300,000
Homebuilding [Member] | 1¼% Convertible Senior Notes Due August 2032 [Member]
Note 13 - Senior Notes Payable (Details) - Senior Notes Payable [Line Items]
Senior Notes	253,000	253,000
Homebuilding [Member]
Note 13 - Senior Notes Payable (Details) - Senior Notes Payable [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 2,132,229	$ 2,131,393