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Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details Textual) (USD $) | 6 Months Ended |
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Jun. 30, 2012 Region State Cummunities | Dec. 31, 2011
Organization and Basis of Presentation (Textual) [Abstract] |  |
Entity operations in number of regions | 3 |
Number of states in regions | 7 |
Number of communities to which homes are sold | 151 |
Maximum maturity period to classify liquid investments as cash equivalents | 3 months |
Money market funds invested in short term government securities | $ 760,000 |
Amounts in transit from title companies for home closings | 46,800,000 | 13,100,000
Restricted cash | 19,108,000 | 12,146,000
Aggregate capacity of secured letters of credit | 40,000,000 |
Unrecognized gains or losses other than temporary impairments | 0 |
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | 14,759,000 | 15,208,000
Warranty period following home closings | up to ten years |
Maximum [Member] |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |
Base price per house for sale range | 708,000 |
Investment maturity period | 18 months |
Community life cycle range | 5 years |
Discount rate used in impairment analysis | 16.00% |
Minimum [Member] |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |
Base price per house for sale range | $ 105,000 |
Investment maturity period | 3 months |
Community life cycle range | 3 years |
Discount rate used in impairment analysis | 14.00% |
Equity Method Land Ventures [Member] |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |
Number of active joint ventures | 2 |
Mortgage And Title Business Joint Ventures [Member] |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |
Number of active joint ventures | 6 |

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