Segment Information, Nature of Operations, and Certain Concentrations - Asset (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated variable interest entity	$ 15,626	$ 20,182	$ 22,371
Cash and cash equivalents	1,139,103	475,566	1,190,731
Deferred taxes	145,618	155,881	184,930
Intangible assets and goodwill	58,146	48,927	48,927
Contract land deposit reserve	(65,039)	(70,333)	(73,517)
Consolidation adjustments and other	52,880	38,481	40,916
Reconciling items sub-total	1,346,334	668,704	1,414,358
Consolidated assets	2,604,842	1,779,485	2,260,061
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	726,335	626,157	492,148
Homebuilding North East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	64,568	55,948	35,827
Homebuilding Mid East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	166,859	94,593	78,246
Homebuilding South East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	85,521	63,263	43,041
Mortgage Banking [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	215,225	270,820	196,441
Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	$ 1,258,508	$ 1,110,781	$ 845,703

Includes homebuilding currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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