Inventory - Inventory Impairments and Lot Option Abandonment Charges, by Reportable Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Land Held for Sale	$ 200	$ 2,100
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	8,307	2,650	12,789
Continuing Operations
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Held for Development	5,421	59	9,487
Land Held for Sale	260	2,129	308
Lot Option Abandonments	2,626	445	2,415
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	8,307	2,633	12,210
Continuing Operations | West
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Held for Development	4,948	46	3,902
Land Held for Sale	0	228	0
Lot Option Abandonments	0	104	301
Continuing Operations | East
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Held for Development	100	13	4,316
Land Held for Sale	232	123	100
Lot Option Abandonments	131	20	1,320
Continuing Operations | Southeast
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Held for Development	0	0	796
Land Held for Sale	28	1,778	208
Lot Option Abandonments	2,495	321	792
Continuing Operations | Unallocated
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Held for Development	373	0	473
Lot Option Abandonments	0	0	2
Discontinued Operations
Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]
Held for Development	0	0	60
Land Held for Sale	0	17	503
Lot Option Abandonments	0	0	16
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	$ 0	$ 17	$ 579