Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 742,405	$ 991,152	$ 961,885
Home construction and land sales expenses	661,851	857,957	851,884
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments	32,459	49,566	93,605
Gross profit	48,095	83,629	16,396
Commissions	32,711	43,279	39,514
General and administrative expenses	137,376	141,115	181,841
Depreciation and amortization	10,253	12,669	18,289
Goodwill impairment			16,143
Operating loss	(132,245)	(113,434)	(239,391)
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures	560	(8,807)	(12,112)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(2,909)	43,901	144,503
Other expense, net	(62,224)	(69,585)	(74,781)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(196,818)	(147,925)	(181,781)
Provision (benefit) from income taxes	3,366	(118,355)	(8,350)
Loss from continuing operations	(200,184)	(29,570)	(173,431)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(4,675)	(4,479)	(15,952)
Net loss	$ (204,859)	$ (34,049)	$ (189,383)
Weighted average number of shares:
Basic and diluted	73,985	59,801	38,688
Basic and diluted loss per share:
Continuing operations	$ (2.71)	$ (0.49)	$ (4.48)
Discontinued operations	$ (0.06)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.42)
Total	$ (2.77)	$ (0.57)	$ (4.90)
Cash dividends per share