Note 8 - Capitalization of Interest (Details) - Homebuilding Capitalized Interest - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
Homebuilding Capitalized Interest [Abstract]
Total interest incurred		$ 41,857		$ 37,641		$ 83,660		$ 76,427
Less: Interest capitalized to inventories owned		(41,508)		(37,228)		(82,909)		(75,441)
Less: Interest capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		(349)		(413)		(751)		(986)
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in cost of home sales		35,051		29,812		57,446		54,180
Interest previously capitalized to inventories owned, included in cost of land sales		1,512		4		1,755		619
Interest previously capitalized to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, included in income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures								30
Interest capitalized in ending inventories owned (1)	[1]	$ 299,315		$ 265,393		$ 299,315		$ 265,393
Interest capitalized as a percentage of inventories owned		8.30%		9.10%		8.30%		9.10%
Interest capitalized in ending investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (1)		$ 1,416	[1]	$ 1,924	[1]	$ 1,416	[1]	$ 1,924	[1]	$ 700
Interest capitalized as a percentage of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		2.30%		3.80%		2.30%		3.80%

[1] During the six months ended June 30, 2014, in connection with lot purchases from our joint ventures, $4.0 million of capitalized interest was transferred from investments in unconsolidated joint ventures to inventories owned.