Inventory - Inventory Impairments and Lot Option Abandonment Charges, by Reportable Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)	$ 9,547	$ 29,581	$ 48,917
Land Held for Sale	800	400
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	12,789	35,365	51,839
Continuing Operations
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)	9,487	29,305	47,673
Land Held for Sale	308	311	1,061
Lot option abandonments	2,415	2,843	832
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	12,210	32,459	49,566
Continuing Operations | West
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)	3,902	20,150	18,056
Land Held for Sale	0	(51)	1,061
Lot option abandonments	301	405	783
Continuing Operations | East
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)	4,316	1,611	18,703
Land Held for Sale	100	193	0
Lot option abandonments	1,320	2,048	35
Continuing Operations | Southeast
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)	796	5,182	7,510
Land Held for Sale	208	169	0
Lot option abandonments	792	390	14
Continuing Operations | Unallocated
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)	473	2,362	3,404
Lot option abandonments	2	0	0
Discontinued Operations
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)	60	276	1,244
Land Held for Sale	503	78	1,003
Lot option abandonments	16	2,552	26
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	$ 579	$ 2,906	$ 2,273