Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity:
Decrease in obligations related to land not owned under option agreements	$ 0	$ 0	$ (2,916)
Non-cash land acquisitions	14,651	8,265	12,904
Non-cash capital expenditure	0	0	674
Supplemental disclosure of cash activity:
Interest payments	100,125	131,730	117,177
Income tax payments	1,616	1,420	942
Tax refunds received	351	201	0
Cash and cash equivalents	292,147	228,871	251,583
Restricted cash	12,462	14,405	38,901
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	304,609	$ 243,276	290,484	$ 387,095
Non-cash seller financing	6,300		7,800
Lot takedown costs	$ 8,400		$ 5,100