Note 20 - Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Homebuilding revenues	$ 1,337,699	$ 1,185,683
Cost of sales	(1,062,855)	(938,495)
Gross margin	274,844	247,188
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(156,276)	(136,701)
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,888	1,189
Equity income of subsidiaries
Interest income (expense), net
Other income (expense)	(169)	(3,408)
Homebuilding pretax income	122,287	108,268
Financial services pretax income	7,581	6,936
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	129,868	115,204
Provision for income taxes	(47,248)	(42,543)
Net income	82,620	72,661
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Homebuilding revenues
Cost of sales
Gross margin
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures
Equity income of subsidiaries	(57,597)	(54,167)
Interest income (expense), net
Other income (expense)
Homebuilding pretax income	(57,597)	(54,167)
Financial services pretax income
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	(57,597)	(54,167)
Provision for income taxes
Net income	(57,597)	(54,167)
Parent Company [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Homebuilding revenues	577,268	461,738
Cost of sales	(471,297)	(372,841)
Gross margin	105,971	88,897
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(64,708)	(55,051)
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	674	689
Equity income of subsidiaries	57,597	54,167
Interest income (expense), net	874	1,337
Other income (expense)	(1,987)	(3,615)
Homebuilding pretax income	98,421	86,424
Financial services pretax income
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	98,421	86,424
Provision for income taxes	(15,801)	(13,763)
Net income	82,620	72,661
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Homebuilding revenues	540,524	534,454
Cost of sales	(431,552)	(430,002)
Gross margin	108,972	104,452
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(73,391)	(67,846)
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	133	144
Equity income of subsidiaries
Interest income (expense), net	(680)	(965)
Other income (expense)	(28)	189
Homebuilding pretax income	35,006	35,974
Financial services pretax income
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	35,006	35,974
Provision for income taxes	(16,723)	(17,474)
Net income	18,283	18,500
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Homebuilding revenues	219,907	189,491
Cost of sales	(160,006)	(135,652)
Gross margin	59,901	53,839
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(18,177)	(13,804)
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,081	356
Equity income of subsidiaries
Interest income (expense), net	(194)	(372)
Other income (expense)	1,846	18
Homebuilding pretax income	46,457	40,037
Financial services pretax income	7,581	6,936
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	54,038	46,973
Provision for income taxes	(14,724)	(11,306)
Net income	$ 39,314	$ 35,667