Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 270,021	$ 287,902	$ 563,191	$ 534,804
Home construction and land sales expenses	216,969	241,992	455,438	452,606
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	880	2,025	911	2,229
Gross profit	52,172	43,885	106,842	79,969
Commissions	11,096	11,686	22,917	22,328
General and administrative expenses	32,628	28,795	61,038	55,123
Depreciation and amortization	2,831	3,093	5,738	5,808
Operating income (loss)	5,617	311	17,149	(3,290)
Equity in (loss) income of unconsolidated entities	(17)	68	302	104
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(153)	(3,638)	(153)	(3,638)
Other expense, net	(13,727)	(16,195)	(29,484)	(31,822)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(8,280)	(19,454)	(12,186)	(38,646)
Benefit from income taxes	(56)	(343)	(14)	(596)
Loss from continuing operations	(8,224)	(19,111)	(12,172)	(38,050)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	253	(529)	(937)	(1,978)
Net loss	$ (7,971)	$ (19,640)	$ (13,109)	$ (40,028)
Weighted average number of shares:
Weighted average number of shares - basic and diluted (in shares)	25,320	24,654	25,163	24,472
Basic and Diluted (loss) income per share:
Basic and Diluted loss per share - Continuing operations (in US dollars per share)	$ (0.32)	$ (0.78)	$ (0.48)	$ (1.55)
Basic and Diluted loss per share - Discontinuing operations (in US dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ (0.02)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.09)
Basic and Diluted loss per share (in US dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.80)	$ (0.52)	$ (1.64)