Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual)

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Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Region
State
Communities
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Organization and Presentation [Line Items]      
Entity operations in number of regions 3    
Number of states in regions 7    
Number of communities to which homes are sold 158    
Amounts in transit from title companies for home closings $ 30,400,000 $ 13,100,000  
Money market funds invested in short term government securities 300,000    
Aggregate capacity of secured letters of credit 50,000,000    
Restricted cash 38,938,000 12,146,000  
Deposits on real estate under option or contract 14,351,000 [1] 15,208,000  
Deferred costs representing debt issuance costs, net 11,700,000 5,000,000  
Accumulated amortization of debt issuance costs 8,500,000 5,900,000  
Advertising cost 5,500,000 6,300,000 7,700,000
Contribution to the 401(K) Retirement Plan 1,000,000 738,000 553,000
Warranty period following home closings 10 years    
Adjustment to warranty reserve balance 0 (2,594,000)  
Minimum [Member]
      
Organization and Presentation [Line Items]      
Base price per house for sale range 107,000    
Investment Maturity Period 3 months    
Community life cycle range 3 years    
Discount rate used in impairment analysis 14.00%    
Property and equipment useful life 3 years    
Maximum [Member]
      
Organization and Presentation [Line Items]      
Base price per house for sale range $ 752,000    
Investment Maturity Period 18 months    
Community life cycle range 5 years    
Discount rate used in impairment analysis 16.00%    
Property and equipment useful life 7 years    
[1] Amount is reflected in our consolidated balance sheet in the line item “Deposits on real estate under option or contract” as of December 31, 2012.