Variable Interest Entities and Joint Ventures (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Variable Interest Entities and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Total risk related to lot options

	December 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
Contract land deposits	$	202,263		$	174,303
Loss reserve on contract land deposits		(70,333	)		(73,517	)
Contract land deposits, net		131,930			100,786
Contingent obligations in the form of letters of credit		3,228			6,610
Contingent specific performance obligations (1)		8,526			1,944
Total risk of loss	$	143,684		$	109,340

(1) At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company was committed to purchase 92 and 43 finished lots under specific performance obligations, respectively.

The condensed balance sheet of the consolidated JV

	December 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
Cash	$	462	$	358
Restricted cash		503		501
Other assets		125		126
Land under development		19,092		21,386
Total assets	$	20,182	$	22,371
Debt	$	4,983	$	7,592
Accrued expenses		108		59
Equity		15,091		14,720
Total liabilities and equity	$	20,182	$	22,371