Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 172,829	$ 321,848	$ 407,497	$ 722,407
Home construction and land sales expenses	152,124	280,058	358,413	619,521
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	6,870	4,973	25,331	23,303
Gross profit	13,835	36,817	23,753	79,583
Selling, general and administrative expenses	46,414	52,850	125,208	140,874
Depreciation and amortization	2,660	3,353	6,627	9,258
Operating loss	(35,239)	(19,386)	(108,082)	(70,549)
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures	63	(10)	372	(8,819)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	95	(9,045)	(2,909)	43,901
Other expense, net	(17,085)	(16,373)	(46,616)	(53,939)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(52,166)	(44,814)	(157,235)	(89,406)
Provision (benefit) from income taxes	3,589	(21,430)	570	(116,955)
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(55,755)	(23,384)	(157,805)	27,549
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(3,365)	(4,432)	(3,878)	(2,068)
Net (loss) income	$ (59,120)	$ (27,816)	$ (161,683)	$ 25,481
Weighted average number of shares:
Basic	73,982	68,310	73,930	55,079
Diluted	73,982	68,310	73,930	65,276
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations	$ (0.75)	$ (0.34)	$ (2.14)	$ 0.50
Basic loss per share from discontinued operations	$ (0.05)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.04)
Basic (loss) earnings per share	$ (0.80)	$ (0.41)	$ (2.19)	$ 0.46
Diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations	$ (0.75)	$ (0.34)	$ (2.14)	$ 0.44
Diluted loss per share from discontinued operations	$ (0.05)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.03)
Diluted (loss) earnings per share	$ (0.80)	$ (0.41)	$ (2.19)	$ 0.41