Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 287,902	$ 191,643	$ 534,804	$ 380,191
Home construction and land sales expenses	241,992	170,283	452,606	333,059
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	2,025	1,170	2,229	4,673
Gross profit	43,885	20,190	79,969	42,459
Commissions	11,686	8,375	22,328	16,746
General and administrative expenses	28,795	26,319	55,123	54,513
Depreciation and amortization	3,093	3,190	5,808	5,593
Operating income (loss)	311	(17,694)	(3,290)	(34,393)
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated entities	68	4	104	(73)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(3,638)	(2,747)	(3,638)	(2,747)
Other expense, net	(16,195)	(18,265)	(31,822)	(36,538)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(19,454)	(38,702)	(38,646)	(73,751)
Benefit from income taxes	(343)	(836)	(596)	(36,583)
Loss from continuing operations	(19,111)	(37,866)	(38,050)	(37,168)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(529)	(2,082)	(1,978)	(2,041)
Net loss	$ (19,640)	$ (39,948)	$ (40,028)	$ (39,209)
Weighted average number of shares:
Basic (shares)	24,654	15,711	24,472	15,269
Diluted (shares)	24,654	15,711	24,472	15,269
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic loss per share from continuing operations	$ (0.78)	$ (2.41)	$ (1.55)	$ (2.43)
Basic loss per share from discontinued operations	$ (0.02)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.14)
Basic loss per share	$ (0.80)	$ (2.54)	$ (1.64)	$ (2.57)
Diluted loss per share from continuing operations	$ (0.78)	$ (2.41)	$ (1.55)	$ (2.43)
Diluted loss per share from discontinued operations	$ (0.02)	$ (0.13)	$ 0	$ (0.14)
Diluted loss per share	$ (0.80)	$ (2.54)	$ (1.64)	$ (2.57)