Segment Information, Nature of Operations, and Certain Concentrations - Profit before Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	$ 661,697	$ 603,212	$ 453,546
Equity-based compensation expense	(43,598)	(54,091)	(63,227)
Corporate interest expense	(21,707)	(23,559)	(23,140)
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	601,102	555,329	427,884
Corporate interest expense	(20,621)	(22,918)	(22,591)
Mortgage Banking [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	60,595	47,883	25,662
Corporate interest expense	(1,086)	(641)	(549)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	579,095	555,699	420,806
Corporate interest expense	(191,146)	(171,860)	(152,736)
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	301,173	322,829	271,965
Corporate interest expense	(119,808)	(107,748)	(96,364)
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	21,947	37,914	33,390
Corporate interest expense	(18,141)	(16,991)	(12,114)
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	121,166	86,336	47,538
Corporate interest expense	(28,307)	(27,263)	(26,300)
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	71,098	57,384	37,525
Corporate interest expense	(23,804)	(19,217)	(17,409)
Operating Segments [Member] | Mortgage Banking [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	63,711	51,236	30,388
Corporate interest expense	(1,086)	(641)	(549)
Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Profit before taxes	82,602	47,513	32,740
Contract land deposit reserve adjustment	10,933	13,805	3,612
Equity-based compensation expense	(43,598)	(54,091)	(63,227)
Corporate capital allocation	189,992	171,170	152,140
Unallocated corporate overhead	(89,376)	(83,124)	(61,108)
Consolidation adjustments and other	35,204	22,622	23,867
Corporate interest expense	(20,553)	(22,869)	(22,544)
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	119,758	107,705	96,328
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	18,132	16,987	12,107
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	28,303	27,263	26,299
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	$ 23,799	$ 19,215	$ 17,406