Note 3 - Segment Reporting - Segment Financial Information Relating to Homebuilding Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Homebuilding revenues		$ 1,337,699	$ 1,185,683
Homebuilding pretax income		122,287	108,268
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		3,888	1,189
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		1,337,699	1,185,683
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	122,287	108,268
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		3,888	1,189
Homebuilding [Member] | North [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		234,776	186,555
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	18,865	9,570
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		292	306
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		351,103	277,482
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	23,716	21,050
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures			457
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		336,215	343,034
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	30,177	26,926
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		108	567
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		415,605	378,612
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	49,529	50,722
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		$ 3,488	$ (141)

[1] Homebuilding pretax income includes depreciation and amortization expense of $1.0 million, $4.0 million, $2.4 million and $5.3 million, respectively, in the North, Southeast, Southwest and West for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 and $1.2 million, $2.9 million, $2.6 million and $5.3 million, respectively, in the North, Southeast, Southwest and West for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.