Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 246,902	$ 188,548
Home construction and land sales expenses	210,614	162,776
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	204	3,503
Gross profit	36,084	22,269
Commissions	10,642	8,371
General and administrative expenses	26,328	28,194
Depreciation and amortization	2,715	2,403
Operating loss	(3,601)	(16,699)
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated entities	36	(77)
Other expense, net	(15,627)	(18,273)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(19,192)	(35,049)
Benefit from income taxes	(253)	(35,747)
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(18,939)	698
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,449)	41
Net (loss) income	$ (20,388)	$ 739
Weighted average number of shares:
Basic (shares)	24,294	14,833
Diluted (shares)	24,294	17,421
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations (US$ per share)	$ (0.78)	$ 0.05
Basic (loss) earnings per share from discontinued operations (US$ per share)	$ (0.06)	$ 0.00
Basic (loss) earnings per share (US$ per share)	$ (0.84)	$ 0.05
Diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations (US$ per share)	$ (0.78)	$ 0.04
Diluted (loss) earnings per share from discontinued operations (US$ per share)	$ (0.06)	$ 0.00
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (US$ per share)	$ (0.84)	$ 0.04