Segment Disclosures (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Corporate capital allocation charge
Corporate capital allocation	$ 17,897	$ 17,953	$ 33,320	$ 32,433
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]
Corporate capital allocation charge
Corporate capital allocation	12,105	11,869	22,936	21,664
Homebuilding North East [Member]
Corporate capital allocation charge
Corporate capital allocation	1,566	1,672	2,729	3,222
Homebuilding Mid East [Member]
Corporate capital allocation charge
Corporate capital allocation	2,840	2,661	5,044	4,737
Homebuilding South East [Member]
Corporate capital allocation charge
Corporate capital allocation	$ 1,386	$ 1,751	$ 2,611	$ 2,810