Note 14 - Senior Notes Payable - Senior Notes Payable (Details) - Homebuilding [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Senior notes payable	$ 3,483,388	$ 3,392,208
8.4% Senior Notes Due May 2017 [Member]
Senior notes payable		235,175
8.375% Senior Notes Due May 2018 [Member]
Senior notes payable	574,784	574,501
1.625% Convertible Senior Notes due May 2018 [Member]
Senior notes payable	222,757	220,236
0.25% Convertible Senior Notes Due June 2019 [Member]
Senior notes payable	258,035	253,777
6.625% Senior Notes due May 2020 [Member]
Senior notes payable	315,430	319,909
8.375% Senior Notes Due January 2021 [Member]
Senior notes payable	396,087	395,246
6.25% Senior Notes Due December 15, 2021 [Member]
Senior notes payable	297,980	297,623
5.375% Senior Notes Due October 2022 [Member]
Senior notes payable	249,331	249,230
5.875% Senior Notes Due November 2024 [Member]
Senior notes payable	426,558	296,982
5.25% Senior Notes due June 2026 [Member]
Senior notes payable	395,323	297,483
5.00% Senior Notes Due 2027 [Member]
Senior notes payable	347,103
1.25% Convertible Senior Notes Due August 2032 [Member]
Senior notes payable		$ 252,046