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           Real Estate and Capitalized Interest (Details 3) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, unless otherwise specified  | 
        3 Months Ended | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Mar. 31, 2014 
         | 
        
           Mar. 31, 2013 
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| Summary of capitalized interest | ||||||
| Capitalized interest, beginning of period | $ 32,992 | $ 21,600 | ||||
| Interest incurred | 14,256 | 12,726 | ||||
| Interest expense | (2,713) | (5,128) | ||||
| Interest amortized to cost of home, land closings and impairments | (5,834) | (5,000) | ||||
| Capitalized interest, end of period | $ 38,701 | [1] | $ 24,198 | [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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