Segment Disclosures - Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	$ 2,531,167	$ 2,604,842
Consolidated variable interest entity	10,209	15,626
Contract land deposit reserve	(61,186)	(65,039)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	1,536,511	1,258,508
Operating Segments [Member] \| Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	906,532	726,335
Operating Segments [Member] \| Homebuilding North East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	86,039	64,568
Operating Segments [Member] \| Homebuilding Mid East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	219,485	166,859
Operating Segments [Member] \| Homebuilding South East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	116,916	85,521
Operating Segments [Member] \| Mortgage Banking [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	207,539	215,225
Reconciling Items Sub-Total [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated variable interest entity	10,209	15,626
Cash and cash equivalents	773,289	1,139,103
Deferred taxes	150,930	145,618
Intangible assets and goodwill	57,221	58,146
Contract land deposit reserve	(61,186)	(65,039)
Reconciling items sub-total	994,656	1,346,334
Reconciling Items Sub-Total [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidation adjustments and other	$ 64,193	$ 52,880

- Definition

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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