Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 segment state		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of homebuilding segments	3
Number of states in which home building segments operate	16
Revenue	$ 246,902		$ 188,548
Operating income/(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)
Depreciation and amortization	2,715		2,403
Capital Expenditures	1,772		8,636
Assets	1,921,524				1,982,218
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)	16,876		862
Depreciation and amortization	2,023		1,743
West Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	110,126		70,777
Operating income/(loss)	8,358		(591)
Depreciation and amortization	1,022		780
Capital Expenditures	815		675
Assets	625,347				618,805
East Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	96,539		81,818
Operating income/(loss)	6,188		806
Depreciation and amortization	683		505
Capital Expenditures	231		815
Assets	315,499				320,404
Southeast Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	40,237		35,568
Operating income/(loss)	2,330		785
Depreciation and amortization	318		339
Capital Expenditures	24		626
Assets	186,652				160,868
Pre-Owned Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	0		385
Operating income/(loss)	0		(138)
Depreciation and amortization	0		119
Capital Expenditures	0	[1]	6,375	[1]
Corporate and unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)	(20,477)	[2]	(17,561)	[2]
Depreciation and amortization	692	[2]	660	[2]
Capital Expenditures	702		145
Assets	$ 794,026	[3]			$ 882,141	[3]

[1] Capital expenditures represent the purchase of previously owned homes during the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

[2] Corporate and unallocated includes amortization of capitalized interest and numerous shared services functions that benefit all segments, the costs of which are not allocated to the operating segments reported above including information technology, national sourcing and purchasing, treasury, corporate finance, legal, branding and other national marketing costs.

[3] Primarily consists of cash and cash equivalents, consolidated inventory not owned, deferred taxes, capitalized interest and other items that are not allocated to the segments.