Note 3 - Segment Reporting - Segment Financial Information Relating to Homebuilding Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Homebuilding revenues		$ 1,621,114	$ 1,578,362	$ 2,958,813	$ 2,764,045
Homebuilding pretax income		147,632	171,471	269,919	279,739
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		446	223	4,334	1,412
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		1,621,114	1,578,362	2,958,813	2,764,045
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	147,632	171,471	269,919	279,739
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		446	223	4,334	1,412
Homebuilding [Member] | North [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		331,071	241,274	565,847	427,829
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	29,732	17,980	48,597	27,550
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		155	67	447	374
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		429,269	386,836	780,372	664,318
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	31,885	31,772	55,601	52,822
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures			(19)		437
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		406,636	433,603	742,851	776,637
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	38,932	46,907	69,109	73,833
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		154	257	263	824
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		454,138	516,649	869,743	895,261
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	47,083	74,812	96,612	125,534
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		$ 137	$ (82)	$ 3,624	$ (223)

[1] Homebuilding pretax income includes depreciation and amortization expense of $2.2 million, $4.2 million, $3.0 million and $5.5 million, respectively, in the North, Southeast, Southwest and West for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 and $1.5 million, $4.2 million, $3.2 million and $6.5 million, respectively, in the North, Southeast, Southwest and West for the quarter ended June 30, 2016. Homebuilding pretax income includes depreciation and amortization expense of $3.6 million, $7.7 million, $5.5 million and $10.8 million, respectively, in the North, Southeast, Southwest and West for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and $2.7 million, $7.0 million, $5.9 million and $11.8 million, respectively, in the North, Southeast, Southwest and West for the six months ended June 30, 2016.