Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Home construction and land sales expenses																	$ 1,192,001		$ 1,070,814		$ 888,379
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	5,386		2,010		880		31		404		0		2,025		204		8,307		2,633		12,210
Gross profit	87,813	[1]	68,804	[1]	52,172	[1]	54,670	[1]	80,046	[1]	54,115	[1]	43,885	[1]	36,084	[1]	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)	23,452		15,088		5,617		11,532		22,079		8,472		311		(3,601)		55,689		27,261		(62,058)
Other expense, net																	(49,191)		(58,165)		(69,119)
Benefit from income taxes																	(41,797)		(3,489)		(40,347)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax																	(540)		(1,704)		(9,703)
Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total revenue																	3,864		288		6,029
Home construction and land sales expenses																	4,768		(319)		6,057
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments																	0		17		579
Gross profit																	(904)		590		(607)
Commissions																	0		0		217
General and administrative expenses																	(351)	[2]	2,566	[2]	9,206	[2]
Depreciation and amortization																	0		0		35
Operating income (loss)																	(553)		(1,976)		(10,065)
Other expense, net																	8		77		(38)
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes																	(545)		(1,899)		(10,103)
Benefit from income taxes																	(5)		(195)		(400)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax																	$ (540)		$ (1,704)		$ (9,703)

[1] (a)Gross profit in fiscal 2014 and 2013 includes inventory impairment and option contract abandonments as follows:(In thousands) Fiscal 2014 Fiscal 20131st Quarter $31 $2042nd Quarter 880 2,0253rd Quarter 2,010 —4th Quarter 5,386 404 $8,307 $2,633

[2] General and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 primarily includes expense for the wind-down of our NW Florida operations, legal fees and potential liability related to outstanding litigation and other matters in Denver, Colorado and legal fees and other expenses related to BMC's settlement agreements related to our prior mortgage operations.