Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Nonrefundable Cash Deposits	$ 76,900,000
Capitalized Preacquisition and Other Development and Construction Costs	31,900,000
Remaining Purchase Price of Land Purchase and Option Contracts	$ 1,058,300,000
Number of Joint Ventures the Company Holds Membership Interest In	27
Number of Active Joint Ventures	13
Number of Inactive Joint Ventures	14
Number of Joint Ventures Having Project Specific Non-recourse Debt to the Company	2
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Non-recourse Debt	$ 30,200,000
Outstanding Joint Venture Surety Bonds	0
Outstanding Surety Bonds	947,500,000
Surety Bonds Cost to Complete	500,300,000
Mortgage Loans in Process	$ 338,600,000
Mortgage Loans in Process, Interest Rate	3.60%
Loans Receivable Held-for-sale, Net, Not Part of Disposal Group, Mortgage	$ 154,800,000
Mortgage Loans Committed to Sell to Investors	23,400,000
Gain (Loss) on Mortgage Loan Related to Indemnification and Repurchase Allowance	100,000	$ 100,000
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Payments	0	$ 100,000
Insurance and Litigation Accruals	232,800,000		$ 233,500,000
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Reserve	3,700,000		$ 3,700,000
Mortgage Loans in Process [Member]
Mortgage Loans Expected to be Originated on a Non-presold Basis	$ 315,200,000