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Inventory and Land Held for Sale (Land Held for Sale) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Inventory and Land Held for Sale
Land held for sale, gross	$ 177,065	$ 124,919
Net realizable value reserves	(48,906)	(53,864)
Land held for sale, net	$ 128,159	$ 71,055

X

- Definition

Gross value of land held for sale.

+ Details

Name:	phm_LandHeldForSaleGross
Namespace Prefix:	phm
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Net realizable value reserves on land held for sale.

+ Details

Name:	phm_LandHeldForSaleNRVReserves
Namespace Prefix:	phm
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Represents properties which were acquired directly or through foreclosure for which a committed plan to sell exists and an active program to market such properties has been initiated.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryRealEstateHeldForSale
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant