Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015 state		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015 segment state		Mar. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of homebuilding segments					3
Number of states in which home building segments operate	15				15
Total revenue	$ 299,359		$ 270,021		$ 565,123		$ 563,191
Total operating income (loss)	6,436		5,617		(3,054)		17,149
Depreciation and amortization	2,781		2,831		5,122		5,738
Capital Expenditures					7,478		6,641
Assets	2,032,253				2,032,253				2,066,220
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating income (loss)	23,394		21,494		31,313		51,119
Depreciation and amortization	2,330		2,218		4,250		4,683
West Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	115,381		121,886		202,846		244,462
Total operating income (loss)	10,599		14,338		17,382		30,100
Depreciation and amortization	1,265		1,304		2,032		2,686
Capital Expenditures					2,659		2,661
Assets	835,345				835,345				756,575
East Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	103,179		83,366		207,992		190,955
Total operating income (loss)	5,744		2,994		13,113		11,229
Depreciation and amortization	526		556		1,194		1,248
Capital Expenditures					2,067		1,546
Assets	466,764				466,764				433,032
Southeast Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	80,799		64,769		154,285		127,774
Total operating income (loss)	7,051		4,162		818		9,790
Depreciation and amortization	539		358		1,024		749
Capital Expenditures					1,899		1,022
Assets	336,106				336,106				299,215
Corporate and unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating income (loss)	(16,958)		(15,877)		(34,367)		(33,970)
Depreciation and amortization	451	[1]	613	[1]	872	[1]	1,055	[1]
Capital Expenditures					853		1,412
Assets	$ 394,038	[2]			$ 394,038	[2]			$ 577,398	[2]

[1] Corporate and unallocated operating loss includes amortization of capitalized interest and expenses related to numerous shared services functions including information technology, treasury, corporate finance, legal, branding and other national marketing costs that benefit all segments, the costs of which are not allocated to the operating segments reported above. Corporate and unallocated depreciation and amortization represents depreciation and amortization related to assets held by corporate functions that benefit all segments.

[2] Primarily consists of cash and cash equivalents, consolidated inventory not owned, deferred taxes, capitalized interest and other items that are not allocated to the segments.