CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 1,463,767	$ 1,287,577	$ 1,005,677
Home construction and land sales expenses	1,192,001	1,070,814	888,379
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	8,307	2,633	12,210
Gross profit	263,459	214,130	105,088
Commissions	58,028	52,922	43,585
General and administrative expenses	136,463	121,163	110,051
Depreciation and amortization	13,279	12,784	13,510
Operating income (loss)	55,689	27,261	(62,058)
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated entities	6,545	(113)	304
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(19,917)	(4,636)	(45,097)
Other expense, net	(49,191)	(58,165)	(69,119)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(6,874)	(35,653)	(175,970)
Benefit from income taxes	(41,797)	(3,489)	(40,347)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	34,923	(32,164)	(135,623)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(540)	(1,704)	(9,703)
Net income (loss)	34,383	(33,868)	(145,326)
Weighted average number of shares:
Basic	25,795	24,651	18,474
Diluted	31,795	24,651	18,474
Income (loss) per share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ 1.35	$ (1.30)	$ (7.34)
Basic loss per share from discontinued operations	$ (0.02)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.53)
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ 1.33	$ (1.37)	$ (7.87)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ 1.10	$ (1.30)	$ (7.34)
Diluted loss per share from discontinued operations	$ (0.02)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.53)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 1.08	$ (1.37)	$ (7.87)
Unrealized loss related to available-for-sale securities	(1,276)	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 33,107	$ (33,868)	$ (145,326)