Investments in Unconsolidated Entities - Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Beazer's investment in unconsolidated entities	$ 42,029	$ 42,078
Total equity of unconsolidated entity	443,526	383,482
Total outstanding borrowings of unconsolidated entities	64,281	64,912
Beazer's estimate of its maximum exposure to our repayment guarantees	$ 0	$ 696

Amount of equity, including noncontrolling interest, reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 26

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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