Note 3 - Segment Reporting - Segment Financial Information Relating to Homebuilding Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Homebuilding revenues		$ 1,515,843	$ 1,670,958	$ 4,474,656	$ 4,435,003
Homebuilding pretax income		138,894	200,939	408,813	480,678
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		5,426	1,231	9,760	2,643
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		1,515,843	1,670,958	4,474,656	4,435,003
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	138,894	200,939	408,813	480,678
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		5,426	1,231	9,760	2,643
Homebuilding [Member] | North [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		282,591	283,060	848,438	710,889
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	25,895	25,627	74,492	53,177
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		78	113	525	486
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		427,244	400,720	1,207,616	1,065,038
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	30,094	31,303	85,695	84,125
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures					437
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		356,952	389,160	1,099,803	1,165,797
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	31,648	39,312	100,757	113,145
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		252	44	515	869
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Homebuilding revenues		449,056	598,018	1,318,799	1,493,279
Homebuilding pretax income	[1]	51,257	104,697	147,869	230,231
Homebuilding income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures		$ 5,096	$ 1,074	$ 8,720	$ 851

[1] Homebuilding pretax income includes depreciation and amortization expense of $2.0 million, $4.5 million, $2.3 million and $5.3 million, respectively, in the North, Southeast, Southwest and West for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 and $1.7 million, $4.2 million, $2.8 million and $7.1 million, respectively, in the North, Southeast, Southwest and West for the quarter ended September 30, 2016. Homebuilding pretax income includes depreciation and amortization expense of $5.6 million, $12.2 million, $7.8 million and $16.1 million, respectively, in the North, Southeast, Southwest and West for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and $4.5 million, $11.2 million, $8.6 million and $18.9 million, respectively, in the North, Southeast, Southwest and West for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.