Segment Disclosures (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Corporate capital allocation charge
Corporate capital allocation	$ 19,182	$ 16,239	$ 52,502	$ 48,672
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]
Corporate capital allocation charge
Corporate capital allocation	13,117	11,078	36,053	32,742
Homebuilding North East [Member]
Corporate capital allocation charge
Corporate capital allocation	1,423	1,476	4,152	4,698
Homebuilding Mid East [Member]
Corporate capital allocation charge
Corporate capital allocation	3,149	2,350	8,193	7,087
Homebuilding South East [Member]
Corporate capital allocation charge
Corporate capital allocation	$ 1,493	$ 1,335	$ 4,104	$ 4,145