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           Real Estate and Capitalized Interest (Details 3) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, unless otherwise specified  | 
        3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Jun. 30, 2014 
         | 
        
           Jun. 30, 2013 
         | 
        
           Jun. 30, 2014 
         | 
        
           Jun. 30, 2013 
         | 
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| Summary of capitalized interest | ||||||||||
| Capitalized interest, beginning of period | $ 38,701 | $ 24,198 | $ 32,992 | $ 21,600 | ||||||
| Interest incurred | 14,382 | 12,642 | 28,638 | 25,368 | ||||||
| Interest expense | (1,396) | (4,523) | (4,109) | (9,651) | ||||||
| Interest amortized to cost of home, land closings and impairments | (7,332) | (6,023) | (13,166) | (11,023) | ||||||
| Capitalized interest, end of period | $ 44,355 | [1] | $ 26,294 | [1] | $ 44,355 | [1] | $ 26,294 | [1] | ||
          
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| X | ||||||||||
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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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