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Inventory And Land Held For Sale (Land Held For Sale) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
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Inventory Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Land held for sale, gross | $ 175,256 | $ 190,099
Net realizable value reserves | (45,733) | (54,792)
Land held for sale, net | $ 129,523 | $ 135,307

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- Definition Gross value of land held for sale. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | phm_LandHeldForSaleGross
Namespace Prefix: | phm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Net realizable value reserves on land held for sale. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | phm_LandHeldForSaleNRVReserves
Namespace Prefix: | phm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InventoryDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- 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. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InventoryRealEstateHeldForSale
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant