Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Segment Financial Information Relating to Homebuilding Assets and Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Homebuilding assets:
Assets, by segments	$ 4,319,892	$ 4,174,420
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding assets:
Assets, by segments	4,168,421	3,947,117
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding assets:
Assets, by segments	381,056	517,701
CALIFORNIA | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding assets:
Assets, by segments	1,683,306	1,542,584
Southwest [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding assets:
Assets, by segments	881,554	826,489
Southeast [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding assets:
Assets, by segments	$ 1,222,505	$ 1,060,343