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           Real Estate and Capitalized Interest (Details 3) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, unless otherwise specified  | 
        3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Sep. 30, 2013 
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           Sep. 30, 2012 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2013 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2012 
         | 
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| Summary of capitalized interest | ||||||||||
| Capitalized interest, beginning of period | $ 26,294 | $ 17,836 | $ 21,600 | $ 14,810 | ||||||
| Interest incurred | 12,508 | 11,654 | 37,876 | 33,819 | ||||||
| Interest expense | (3,462) | (5,009) | (13,113) | (18,718) | ||||||
| Interest amortized to cost of home, land closings and impairments | (6,342) | (4,296) | (17,365) | (9,726) | ||||||
| Capitalized interest, end of period | $ 28,998 | [1] | $ 20,185 | [1] | $ 28,998 | [1] | $ 20,185 | [1] | ||
          
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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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