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           Real Estate and Capitalized Interest (Details 3) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, unless otherwise specified  | 
        12 Months Ended | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Dec. 31, 2013 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011 
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| Summary of capitalized interest | ||||||||
| Capitalized interest, beginning of year | $ 21,600 | [1] | $ 14,810 | [1] | $ 11,679 | |||
| Interest incurred | 51,152 | 46,135 | 43,393 | |||||
| Interest expense | (15,092) | (24,244) | (30,399) | |||||
| Interest amortized to cost of home and land closings | (24,668) | (15,101) | (9,863) | |||||
| Capitalized interest, end of year (1) | $ 32,992 | [1] | $ 21,600 | [1] | $ 14,810 | [1] | ||
          
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of interest costs that were capitalized to properties under development during the land development and construction period of a project, and which are included in inventory. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The amount of interest costs that had been capitalized to inventory which were charged to cost of sales during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The amount of interest capitalized to an operative builder's inventory during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details 
          
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