Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 segment state		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of homebuilding segments	3
Number of states in which home building segments operate	16
Revenue	$ 293,170		$ 246,902
Total 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)
Depreciation and amortization	2,907		2,715
Capital Expenditures	3,200		1,772
Assets	1,932,833				1,986,789
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating income (loss)	29,625		16,876
Depreciation and amortization	2,465		2,023
West Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	122,576		110,126
Total operating income (loss)	15,762		8,358
Depreciation and amortization	1,382		1,022
Capital Expenditures	1,102		815
Assets	691,337				680,346
East Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	107,589		96,539
Total operating income (loss)	8,235		6,188
Depreciation and amortization	692		683
Capital Expenditures	1,367		231
Assets	384,620				369,937
Southeast Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	63,005		40,237
Total operating income (loss)	5,628		2,330
Depreciation and amortization	391		318
Capital Expenditures	446		24
Assets	256,317				228,814
Corporate and unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating income (loss)	(18,093)	[1]	(20,477)	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	442	[1]	692	[1]
Capital Expenditures	285		702
Assets	$ 600,559	[2]			$ 707,692	[2]

[1] 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.

[2] 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.