Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income taxes Our effective tax rate is affected by a number of factors, the most significant of which are the valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets and changes in our unrecognized tax benefits. Due to the effects of these factors, our effective tax rates in 2013 and 2012 are not correlated to the amount of our income or loss before income taxes. Other assets include income taxes receivable of $26.3 million and $31.9 million at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which related primarily to state carryback claims and amended income tax returns. We evaluate our deferred tax assets to determine if a valuation allowance is required. At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had net deferred tax assets of $2.4 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively. The ultimate realization of these deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient taxable income during future periods. Changes in existing tax laws could also affect actual tax results and the valuation of deferred tax assets over time. Based on our evaluation, we fully reserved the net deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of realizing such deferred tax assets. The accounting for deferred taxes is based upon an estimate of future results. Differences between the estimated and actual results could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position. We analyze all available positive and negative evidence in determining the continuing need for a valuation allowance. This evaluation considers, among other factors, historical operating results, forecasts of future profitability, and the duration of statutory carryforward periods. One of the primary pieces of negative evidence we consider is the significant losses we have incurred in recent years, including being in a significant three-year cumulative pre-tax loss position at March 31, 2013. Other negative evidence includes a U.S. macroeconomic environment that continues to face challenges and uncertainty regarding the timing of a broad, sustainable recovery in the homebuilding industry. However, we have had four consecutive quarters with income before income taxes and have seen increases in new orders, backlog, and home sale gross margin. If current business trends continue, including continued improvements in the homebuilding industry, and we continue to be profitable, we believe that there could be sufficient positive evidence to support reducing a large portion of the valuation allowance during the second half of 2013. As a result of our merger with Centex in August 2009, our ability to use certain of Centex’s pre-ownership change NOL carryforwards and built-in losses or deductions is limited by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our Section 382 limitation is approximately $67.4 million per year for NOLs, losses realized on built-in loss assets that are sold within 60 months of the ownership change (i.e. before August 2014), and certain deductions. We do not believe that the Section 382 limitation will prevent the Company from using Centex’s pre-ownership change NOL carryforwards and built-in losses or deductions. At March 31, 2013, we had $167.7 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits and $31.7 million of accrued interest and penalties. We are currently under examination by the IRS and various state taxing jurisdictions and anticipate finalizing certain of the examinations within the next twelve months. The final outcome of these examinations is not yet determinable. It is reasonably possible, within the next twelve months, that unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by up to $22.2 million, excluding interest and penalties, primarily due to expirations of certain statutes of limitations and potential settlements. The statute of limitations for our major tax jurisdictions remains open for examination for tax years 2003 to 2013.

Income taxes

Our effective tax rate is affected by a number of factors, the most significant of which are the valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets and changes in our unrecognized tax benefits. Due to the effects of these factors, our effective tax rates in 2013 and 2012 are not correlated to the amount of our income or loss before income taxes.

Other assets include income taxes receivable of $26.3 million and $31.9 million at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which related primarily to state carryback claims and amended income tax returns.

We evaluate our deferred tax assets to determine if a valuation allowance is required. At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had net deferred tax assets of $2.4 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively. The ultimate realization of these deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient taxable income during future periods. Changes in existing tax laws could also affect actual tax results and the valuation of deferred tax assets over time. Based on our evaluation, we fully reserved the net deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of realizing such deferred tax assets. The accounting for deferred taxes is based upon an estimate of future results. Differences between the estimated and actual results could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position.

We analyze all available positive and negative evidence in determining the continuing need for a valuation allowance. This evaluation considers, among other factors, historical operating results, forecasts of future profitability, and the duration of statutory carryforward periods. One of the primary pieces of negative evidence we consider is the significant losses we have incurred in recent years, including being in a significant three-year cumulative pre-tax loss position at March 31, 2013. Other negative evidence includes a U.S. macroeconomic environment that continues to face challenges and uncertainty regarding the timing of a broad, sustainable recovery in the homebuilding industry. However, we have had four consecutive quarters with income before income taxes and have seen increases in new orders, backlog, and home sale gross margin. If current business trends continue, including continued improvements in the homebuilding industry, and we continue to be profitable, we believe that there could be sufficient positive evidence to support reducing a large portion of the valuation allowance during the second half of 2013.

As a result of our merger with Centex in August 2009, our ability to use certain of Centex’s pre-ownership change NOL carryforwards and built-in losses or deductions is limited by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our Section 382 limitation is approximately $67.4 million per year for NOLs, losses realized on built-in loss assets that are sold within 60 months of the ownership change (i.e. before August 2014), and certain deductions. We do not believe that the Section 382 limitation will prevent the Company from using Centex’s pre-ownership change NOL carryforwards and built-in losses or deductions.

At March 31, 2013, we had $167.7 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits and $31.7 million of accrued interest and penalties. We are currently under examination by the IRS and various state taxing jurisdictions and anticipate finalizing certain of the examinations within the next twelve months. The final outcome of these examinations is not yet determinable. It is reasonably possible, within the next twelve months, that unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by up to $22.2 million, excluding interest and penalties, primarily due to expirations of certain statutes of limitations and potential settlements. The statute of limitations for our major tax jurisdictions remains open for examination for tax years 2003 to 2013.