Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 home state	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of states with active operations	16
Threshold Number of Homes Below a Minimum Threshold of Profitability	10
Measurement threshold of likelihood of being realized (percent)	50.00%
Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Income tax liabilities	$ 5,576,000	$ 20,170,000
Accrued warranty expenses	16,084,000	11,663,000	15,477,000	17,916,000
Accrued interest	34,645,000	33,372,000
Accrued and deferred compensation	24,270,000	25,579,000
Customer deposits	11,977,000	11,408,000
Other	49,964,000	43,431,000
Total	142,516,000	145,623,000
Advertising costs	$ 17,800,000	$ 14,200,000	$ 13,500,000
Minimum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Time to develop, sell, construct and close all houses in typical community	3 years
Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Estimated future warranty costs as a percentage or revenue (percent)	0.10%
Maximum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Time to develop, sell, construct and close all houses in typical community	5 years
Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Estimated future warranty costs as a percentage or revenue (percent)	2.10%
Buildings | Minimum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	25 years
Buildings | Maximum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	30 years
Information systems | Maximum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	5 years
Furniture, Fixtures, Computer and Office Equipment | Minimum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Furniture, Fixtures, Computer and Office Equipment | Maximum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	7 years
SSARs and Stock Options
Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (shares)	0.7
Equity Unit Purchase Agreements
Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (shares)	5.2