Inventory - Inventory Impairments and Lot Option Abandonment Charges, by Reportable Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)		$ 9,547	$ 29,581
Land Held for Sale	2,100	800
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	2,650	12,789	35,365
Continuing Operations
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)	59	9,487	29,305
Land Held for Sale	2,129	308	311
Impairment Charges, Lot Option Abandonment	445	2,415	2,843
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	2,633	12,210	32,459
Continuing Operations | West
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)	46	3,902	20,150
Land Held for Sale	228	0	(51)
Impairment Charges, Lot Option Abandonment	104	301	405
Continuing Operations | East
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)	13	4,316	1,611
Land Held for Sale	123	100	193
Impairment Charges, Lot Option Abandonment	20	1,320	2,048
Continuing Operations | Southeast
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)	0	796	5,182
Land Held for Sale	1,778	208	169
Impairment Charges, Lot Option Abandonment	321	792	390
Continuing Operations | Unallocated
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)	0	473	2,362
Impairment Charges, Lot Option Abandonment	0	2	0
Discontinued Operations
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)	0	60	276
Land Held for Sale	17	503	78
Impairment Charges, Lot Option Abandonment	0	16	2,552
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	$ 17	$ 579	$ 2,906