Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Narrative (Details)

v3.5.0.2
ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Narrative (Details)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
state
region
community
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
state
region
community
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Organization and Presentation [Line Items]          
Entity operations in number of regions | region 3   3    
Number of states in regions | state 9   9    
Number of communities in which homes are sold | community 237   237    
Money market funds $ 100   $ 100   $ 20,000
Deposits on real estate under option or contract 91,053   91,053   87,839
Adjustments to warranty reserve balance 0 $ 0 (275) $ 750  
Cash and cash equivalents [Member]          
Organization and Presentation [Line Items]          
Amounts in transit from title companies for home closings 64,900   64,900   74,500
Prepaids, other assets and goodwill [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member]          
Organization and Presentation [Line Items]          
Debt issuance costs         (10,700)
Senior and convertible senior notes, net [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member]          
Organization and Presentation [Line Items]          
Debt issuance costs         $ 10,700
Minimum [Member]          
Organization and Presentation [Line Items]          
Base price per house for sale range 162   $ 162    
Community life cycle range     3 years    
Minimum [Member] | Non-Structural Items [Member]          
Organization and Presentation [Line Items]          
Warranty period following home closings     1 year    
Maximum [Member]          
Organization and Presentation [Line Items]          
Base price per house for sale range $ 1,440   $ 1,440    
Community life cycle range     5 years    
Maximum [Member] | Non-Structural Items [Member]          
Organization and Presentation [Line Items]          
Warranty period following home closings     2 years    
Maximum [Member] | Structural [Member]          
Organization and Presentation [Line Items]          
Warranty period following home closings     10 years