Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 878,539	$ 797,197	$ 537,521
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	20,818	20,168	22,667
Equity-based compensation expense	78,532	75,701	44,562
Contract land deposit (recoveries) impairments, net	(680)	11,760	1,238
Gain on sale of loans, net	(128,642)	(122,755)	(99,132)
Deferred tax (benefit) expense	(4,070)	914	61,290
Mortgage loans closed	(5,169,422)	(4,828,615)	(4,077,372)
Mortgage loans sold and principal payments on mortgage loans held for sale	5,260,600	4,845,999	4,182,220
Distribution of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,476	4,596	4,788
Net change in assets and liabilities:
Increase in inventory	(94,178)	(6,911)	(154,099)
(Increase) decrease in contract land deposits	(16,994)	(30,863)	8,177
Decrease (increase) in receivables	2,754	(1,008)	(348)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses	33,926	(30,713)	10,789
(Decrease) increase in customer deposits	(6,360)	(11,787)	27,797
Other, net	8,236	(557)	256
Net cash provided by operating activities	866,535	723,126	570,354
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	(702)	(284)	(3,800)
Distribution of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures	8,247	10,515	8,029
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(22,699)	(19,665)	(20,269)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	1,870	1,257	847
Net cash used in investing activities	(13,284)	(8,177)	(15,193)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock	(698,417)	(846,134)	(422,166)
Distributions to partner in consolidated variable interest entity	0	(234)	0
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	274,028	174,110	140,525
Net cash used in financing activities	(424,695)	(672,258)	(281,641)
Net increase in cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents	428,556	42,691	273,520
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid during the year, net of interest capitalized	24,453	24,178	23,251
Income taxes paid during the year, net of refunds	153,915	181,166	260,232
Finance Lease, Principal Payments	(306)	0	0
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	$ 1,160,804	$ 732,248	$ 689,557