Segment Disclosures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Revenues:
Mortgage Banking	$ 14,493	$ 13,218	$ 28,790	$ 24,978
Total consolidated revenues	769,783	695,881	1,370,275	1,210,385
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	454,504	404,253	815,315	717,193
Homebuilding North East [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	71,201	67,715	123,401	106,908
Homebuilding Mid East [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	152,021	143,381	258,303	241,533
Homebuilding South East [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 77,564	$ 67,314	$ 144,466	$ 119,773