Inventory - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Communities homes	Sep. 30, 2011 Communities homes	Sep. 30, 2010 Communities
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of subtantially completed homes not subject to a sales contract	174	334
Total value of substantially completed homes	$ 39,700,000	$ 59,300,000
Owned inventory	1,099,132,000	1,192,380,000
Number of communities impaired	5	19	29
Deposits and non-refundable preacquisition costs incurred	24,923,000	20,097,000
Total remaining purchase price committed under all options	198,498,000	225,230,000
Minimum
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Discount rate	11.20%	12.60%
Maximum
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Discount rate	17.00%	18.20%
CALIFORNIA
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Owned inventory	$ 350,900,000	$ 367,800,000