| 
           Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details 1) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, unless otherwise specified  | 
        
           Mar. 31, 2014 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013 
         | 
      
|---|---|---|
| Sureties: | ||
| Outstanding | $ 216,686 | $ 191,829 | 
| Estimated work remaining to complete | 88,737 | 86,202 | 
| Letters of Credit ("LOCs"): | ||
| Total LOCs | 35,598 | 42,068 | 
| 
           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 | 216,599 | 191,742 | 
| Estimated work remaining to complete | 88,650 | 86,115 | 
| 
           Letter of Credit in lieu of deposit for contracted lots [Member] [Domain] 
         | 
        ||
| Letters of Credit ("LOCs"): | ||
| Total LOCs | 1,685 | 1,685 | 
| 
           LOCs for land development [Member] 
         | 
        ||
| Letters of Credit ("LOCs"): | ||
| Total LOCs | 29,413 | 35,883 | 
| 
           LOCs for general corporate operations [Member] 
         | 
        ||
| Letters of Credit ("LOCs"): | ||
| Total LOCs | $ 4,500 | $ 4,500 |