Segment Information, Nature of Operations, and Certain Concentrations - Revenues (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Mortgage Banking	$ 63,406	$ 47,954	$ 61,134
Total consolidated revenues	3,184,650	2,659,149	3,041,892
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	1,877,905	1,582,826	1,780,521
Homebuilding North East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	278,715	221,146	287,561
Homebuilding Mid East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	630,367	549,384	632,377
Homebuilding South East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 334,257	$ 257,839	$ 280,299

The noninterest income derived from mortgage banking activities (fees and commissions), excluding fees earned from servicing third-party assets.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 13

-Article 9

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13 (d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

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- Definition

Revenue related to the sale of homes and home building activities including design, development, general contracting, and renovation services for residential buildings, including single-family houses, multifamily housing, townhouses, apartments, and modular housing.

+ References

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- Definition

Aggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

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