Segment Disclosures - Revenues (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total consolidated revenues	$ 1,102,054	$ 1,009,892	$ 1,913,364	$ 1,780,148
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	657,825	594,902	1,122,855	1,026,770
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding North East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	92,438	82,260	171,230	144,871
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding Mid East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	221,088	213,463	371,736	384,219
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding South East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	112,729	101,585	217,446	187,218
Operating Segments [Member] | Mortgage Banking [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Mortgage Banking	$ 17,974	$ 17,682	$ 30,097	$ 37,070