Segment Disclosures - Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated variable interest entity	$ 11,436	$ 15,626
Cash and cash equivalents	1,082,792	1,139,103
Deferred taxes	146,737	145,618
Intangible assets and goodwill	57,746	58,146
Contract land deposit reserve	(64,031)	(65,039)
Consolidation adjustments and other	64,472	52,880
Reconciling items sub-total	1,299,152	1,346,334
Consolidated assets	2,665,055	2,604,842
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	857,935	726,335
Homebuilding North East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	76,842	64,568
Homebuilding Mid East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	188,454	166,859
Homebuilding South East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	95,454	85,521
Mortgage Banking [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	147,218	215,225
Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	$ 1,365,903	$ 1,258,508

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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