Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 314,439	$ 254,555	$ 849,243	$ 634,746
Home construction and land sales expenses	260,324	227,505	712,930	560,564
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	0	5,819	2,229	10,492
Gross profit	54,115	21,231	134,084	63,690
Commissions	13,078	10,776	35,406	27,522
General and administrative expenses	29,612	27,867	84,735	82,380
Depreciation and amortization	2,953	3,743	8,761	9,336
Operating income (loss)	8,472	(21,155)	5,182	(55,548)
Equity in (loss) income of unconsolidated entities	(310)	48	(206)	(25)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	(3,638)	(2,747)
Other expense, net	(14,036)	(16,804)	(45,858)	(53,342)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(5,874)	(37,911)	(44,520)	(111,662)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(432)	145	(1,028)	(36,438)
Loss from continuing operations	(5,442)	(38,056)	(43,492)	(75,224)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(346)	(1,828)	(2,324)	(3,869)
Net loss	$ (5,788)	$ (39,884)	$ (45,816)	$ (79,093)
Weighted average number of shares:
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	24,770	19,810	24,571	16,777
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Loss from Continuing Operations, Per Basic and Diluted Share	$ (0.22)	$ (1.92)	$ (1.77)	$ (4.48)
Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic and Diluted Share	$ (0.01)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.23)
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	$ (0.23)	$ (2.01)	$ (1.86)	$ (4.71)