Segment Information, Nature of Operations, and Certain Concentrations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Mortgage Banking	$ 47,954	$ 61,134	$ 60,381
Revenues	2,659,149	3,041,892	2,743,848
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	1,582,826	1,780,521	1,661,244
Homebuilding North East [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	221,146	287,561	254,654
Homebuilding Mid East [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	549,384	632,377	505,431
Homebuilding South East [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 257,839	$ 280,299	$ 262,138