Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 293,170	$ 246,902
Home construction and land sales expenses	238,469	210,614
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	31	204
Gross profit	54,670	36,084
Commissions	11,821	10,642
General and administrative expenses	28,410	26,328
Depreciation and amortization	2,907	2,715
Operating income (loss)	11,532	(3,601)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	319	36
Other expense, net	(15,757)	(15,627)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(3,906)	(19,192)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	42	(253)
Loss from continuing operations	(3,948)	(18,939)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,190)	(1,449)
Net loss	$ (5,138)	$ (20,388)
Weighted average number of shares:
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	25,009	24,294
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Loss from Continuing Operations, Per Basic and Diluted Share	$ (0.16)	$ (0.78)
Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic and Diluted Share	$ (0.05)	$ (0.06)
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	$ (0.21)	$ (0.84)