Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 354,671	$ 314,439	$ 917,862	$ 849,243
Home construction and land sales expenses	283,857	260,324	739,295	712,930
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	2,010	0	2,921	2,229
Gross profit	68,804	54,115	175,646	134,084
Commissions	14,322	13,078	37,239	35,406
General and administrative expenses	35,994	29,612	97,032	84,735
Depreciation and amortization	3,400	2,953	9,138	8,761
Operating income	15,088	8,472	32,237	5,182
Equity in (loss) income of unconsolidated entities	(81)	(310)	221	(206)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(19,764)	0	(19,917)	(3,638)
Other expense, net	(10,205)	(14,036)	(39,689)	(45,858)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(14,962)	(5,874)	(27,148)	(44,520)
Benefit from income taxes	(1,769)	(432)	(1,783)	(1,028)
Loss from continuing operations	(13,193)	(5,442)	(25,365)	(43,492)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	838	(346)	(99)	(2,324)
Net loss	$ (12,355)	$ (5,788)	$ (25,464)	$ (45,816)
Weighted average number of shares:
Basic and Diluted (shares)	26,421	24,770	25,582	24,571
Basic and Diluted (loss) income per share:
Continuing operations (in US dollars per share)	$ (0.50)	$ (0.22)	$ (0.99)	$ (1.77)
Discontinuing operations (in US dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.09)
Total (in US dollars per share)	$ (0.47)	$ (0.23)	$ (1.00)	$ (1.86)