Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Mortgage banking fees	$ 16,241	$ 10,496	$ 45,031	$ 35,474
Income before taxes	84,133	68,942	179,046	157,131
Income tax expense	(31,133)	(25,533)	(59,085)	(60,103)
Net income	53,000	43,409	119,961	97,028
Basic earnings per share	$ 10.60	$ 8.19	$ 23.76	$ 17.22
Diluted earnings per share	$ 10.33	$ 7.98	$ 23.22	$ 16.75
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	4,999	5,301	5,049	5,634
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	5,132	5,437	5,167	5,792
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues	854,396	696,980	2,195,881	1,882,387
Other income	599	842	2,045	3,662
Cost of sales	(702,436)	(572,382)	(1,819,243)	(1,548,903)
Selling, general and administrative	(76,553)	(60,462)	(222,483)	(195,695)
Operating income	76,006	64,978	156,200	141,451
Interest expense	(1,351)	(293)	(1,579)	(802)
Income before taxes	74,655	64,685	154,621	140,649
Mortgage Banking [Member]
Mortgage banking fees	16,241	10,496	45,031	35,474
Interest income	1,025	1,589	3,505	3,789
Other income	161	151	373	311
General and administrative	(7,789)	(7,796)	(24,029)	(22,371)
Interest expense	(160)	(183)	(455)	(721)
Income before taxes	$ 9,478	$ 4,257	$ 24,425	$ 16,482