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Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) | 6 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Cure or refute requests received from investors, percentage | 60.00% |
Actual loss severities percentage | 50.00% |
Accrued liabilities for outstanding community development district obligations | $ 42,300,000 | $ 73,300,000
Repurchase of special assessment bond | 26,600,000 |
Discount on repurchase of special assessment bond | 5,200,000 |
Letters of credit and surety bonds | 1,600,000,000 | 1,700,000,000
Surety bonds related to certain construction obligations of Centex's previous commercial construction business | 817,400,000 |
Value of work remaining to be performed on Centex's former commercial construction projects |  | 85,000,000
Claims currently being managed (greater than 1,000) | 1,000 |
Loss contingency claims reserves | 790,600,000 |
Percentage of self-insurance liability due to incurred but not reported claims | 77.00% |
Total Mortgage Loans Originated Between 2006 and 2007 [Member] |  |
Loans payable | $ 37,800,000,000 |

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- Definition Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of a type of municipal bond typically used to fund a development project. Also called special assessment limited liability bond, special district bond, special purpose bond, special tax bond and community development obligation. Interest owed to lenders is paid by taxes levied on the community benefiting from the particular bond-funded project. For example, if a bond of this sort was issued to pay for sidewalks to be repaved in a certain community, an additional tax would be levied on homeowners in the area benefiting from this project. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13, 16 -Article 9 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 5 -Section 02 -Subsection 20, 22 + Details
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