Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 119,961	$ 97,028
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,822	4,948
Excess income tax benefit from equity-based compensation	(5,687)	(21,272)
Equity-based compensation expense	50,136	47,966
Contract land deposit (recoveries) impairments	(243)	6,796
Gain on sale of loans	(33,351)	(25,887)
Mortgage loans closed	(1,423,299)	(1,273,909)
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans	1,579,863	1,290,126
Principal payments on mortgage loans held for sale	1,894	3,327
Distribution of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,080	1,995
Net change in assets and liabilities:
Increase in inventory	(162,507)	(148,415)
Increase in contract land deposits	(41,231)	(33,580)
(Increase) decrease in receivables	(3,265)	91
Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and customer deposits	98,598	40,998
Other, net	(11,321)	5,207
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	178,450	(4,581)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	(1,000)	(61,600)
Distribution of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures	5,746	9,505
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(10,367)	(8,674)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	353	401
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,268)	(60,368)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock	(220,128)	(666,628)
Net repayments under note payable and credit lines	(660)	(90,423)
Repayments under non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	(5,646)	(6,145)
Borrowings under non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	1,528	4,238
Excess income tax benefit from equity-based compensation	5,687	21,272
Proceeds from issuance of 3.95% senior notes due 2022	598,962
Debt issuance costs for 3.95% senior notes due 2022	(4,024)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	48,853	106,007
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	424,572	(631,679)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	597,754	(696,628)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	480,794	1,193,750
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	1,078,548	497,122
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid during the period, net of interest capitalized	705	1,579
Income taxes paid during the period, net of refunds	$ 36,054	$ 22,733