Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (111,197)	$ (143,512)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(20,778)	(5,677)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	8,760	14,808
Net cash paid for acquisitions		(33,408)
Other investing activities	(12,022)	(1,487)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(24,040)	(25,764)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(1,242)	(9,925)
Borrowings from revolving credit facility	158,900
Principal payments on revolving credit facility	(128,900)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(497)	(1,061)
Principal payments on senior notes payable		(4,971)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	928	(34,288)
Repurchase of common stock	(22,073)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	(2,322)	3,769
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	6,363
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	11,157	(46,476)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(124,080)	(215,752)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	212,393	363,291
Cash and equivalents at end of period	212,393	363,291	$ 88,313	$ 147,539
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Loan to parent and subsidiaries	(5,000)	85,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(5,000)	85,000
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Loan from subsidiary	(75,000)	(85,000)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	80,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	5,000	(85,000)
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(39,876)	40,140
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures		144
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures		120
Net cash paid for acquisitions		(35,685)
Other investing activities	(1,670)	(618)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,670)	(36,039)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Borrowings from revolving credit facility	158,900
Principal payments on revolving credit facility	(128,900)
Principal payments on senior notes payable		(4,971)
Loan from subsidiary	75,000	85,000
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	7,973	4,600
Repurchase of common stock	(22,073)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	(2,322)	3,769
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	6,363
Intercompany advances, net	(157,917)	(241,539)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(62,976)	(153,141)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(104,522)	(149,040)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	133,304	175,289
Cash and equivalents at end of period	133,304	175,289	28,782	26,249
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(21,756)	(136,481)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures		2
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures		229
Other investing activities	(1,278)	(855)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,278)	(624)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	(12,144)
Intercompany advances, net	54,743	137,403
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	42,599	137,403
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	19,565	298
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	1,061	494
Cash and equivalents at end of period	1,061	494	20,626	792
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(49,565)	(47,171)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	(20,778)	(5,823)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures	8,760	14,459
Net cash paid for acquisitions		2,277
Loan to parent and subsidiaries	5,000	(85,000)
Other investing activities	(9,074)	(14)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(16,092)	(74,101)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Change in restricted cash	(1,242)	(9,925)
Principal payments on secured project debt and other notes payable	(497)	(1,061)
Net proceeds from (payments on) mortgage credit facilities	(79,072)	(34,288)
(Contributions to) distributions from Corporate and subsidiaries	4,171	(4,600)
Intercompany advances, net	103,174	104,136
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	26,534	54,262
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	(39,123)	(67,010)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	78,028	187,508
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 78,028	$ 187,508	$ 38,905	$ 120,498