| 
           Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details 1) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, unless otherwise specified  | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2013 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012 
         | 
      
|---|---|---|
| Sureties: | ||
| Outstanding | $ 165,939 | $ 87,392 | 
| Estimated work remaining to complete | 85,915 | 39,023 | 
| Letters of Credit ("LOCs"): | ||
| Total LOCs | 40,474 | 37,466 | 
| 
           Sureties related to joint ventures [Member] 
         | 
        ||
| Sureties: | ||
| Outstanding | 87 | 87 | 
| Estimated work remaining to complete | 87 | 87 | 
| 
           Sureties related to owned projects and lots under contract [Member] 
         | 
        ||
| Sureties: | ||
| Outstanding | 165,852 | 87,305 | 
| Estimated work remaining to complete | 85,828 | 38,936 | 
| 
           Letter of Credit in lieu of deposit for contracted lots [Member] [Domain] 
         | 
        ||
| Letters of Credit ("LOCs"): | ||
| Total LOCs | 1,685 | 0 | 
| 
           LOCs for land development [Member] 
         | 
        ||
| Letters of Credit ("LOCs"): | ||
| Total LOCs | 34,289 | 32,475 | 
| 
           LOCs for general corporate operations [Member] 
         | 
        ||
| Letters of Credit ("LOCs"): | ||
| Total LOCs | $ 4,500 | $ 4,991 |