Segment Information, Nature of Operations, and Certain Concentrations - Profit before Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	$ 603,212	$ 453,546	$ 418,696
Equity-based compensation expense	(54,091)	(63,227)	(34,296)
Corporate interest expense	(23,559)	(23,140)	(22,385)
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	555,329	427,884	379,370
Corporate interest expense	(22,918)	(22,591)	(21,840)
Mortgage Banking [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	47,883	25,662	39,326
Corporate interest expense	(641)	(549)	(545)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	555,699	420,806	423,306
Corporate interest expense	(171,860)	(152,736)	(117,100)
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Mid Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	322,829	271,965	276,399
Corporate interest expense	(107,748)	(96,364)	(72,351)
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | North East [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	37,914	33,390	14,294
Corporate interest expense	(16,991)	(12,114)	(9,466)
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Mid East [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	86,336	47,538	55,537
Corporate interest expense	(27,263)	(26,300)	(22,587)
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | South East [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	57,384	37,525	35,001
Corporate interest expense	(19,217)	(17,409)	(12,151)
Operating Segments [Member] | Mortgage Banking [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	51,236	30,388	42,075
Corporate interest expense	(641)	(549)	(545)
Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	47,513	32,740	(4,610)
Contract land deposit reserve adjustment	13,805	3,612	5,313
Equity-based compensation expense	(54,091)	(63,227)	(34,296)
Corporate capital allocation	171,170	152,140	116,458
Unallocated corporate overhead	(83,124)	(61,108)	(72,703)
Consolidation adjustments and other	22,622	23,867	2,361
Corporate interest expense	(22,869)	(22,544)	(21,743)
Reconciling Items [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Mid Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Corporate capital allocation	107,705	96,328	72,272
Reconciling Items [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | North East [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Corporate capital allocation	16,987	12,107	9,461
Reconciling Items [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Mid East [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Corporate capital allocation	27,263	26,299	22,580
Reconciling Items [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | South East [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Corporate capital allocation	$ 19,215	$ 17,406	$ 12,145