Segment Disclosures - Revenues (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,009,892	$ 769,783	$ 1,780,148	$ 1,370,275
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	594,902	454,504	1,026,770	815,315
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding North East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	82,260	71,201	144,871	123,401
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding Mid East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	213,463	152,021	384,219	258,303
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding South East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	101,585	77,564	187,218	144,466
Operating Segments [Member] | Mortgage Banking [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Mortgage Banking	$ 17,682	$ 14,493	$ 37,070	$ 28,790