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Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012 Region State Communities | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Entity operations in number of regions | 3 |  |  |
Number of states in regions | 7 |  |  |
Number of communities to which homes are sold | 158 |  |  |
Amounts in transit from title companies for home closings | $ 30,400,000 |  | $ 13,100,000 |
Money market funds invested in short term government securities | 300,000 |  |  |
Aggregate capacity of secured letters of credit | 50,000,000 |  |  |
Restricted cash | 38,938,000 |  | 12,146,000 |
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | 14,351,000 | [1] | 15,208,000 |
Deferred costs representing debt issuance costs, net | 11,700,000 |  | 5,000,000 |
Accumulated amortization of debt issuance costs | 8,500,000 |  | 5,900,000 |
Advertising cost | 5,500,000 |  | 6,300,000 | 7,700,000
Contribution to the 401(K) Retirement Plan | 1,000,000 |  | 738,000 | 553,000
Warranty period following home closings | 10 years |  |  |
Adjustment to warranty reserve balance | 0 |  | (2,594,000) |
Minimum [Member] |  |  |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Base price per house for sale range | 107,000 |  |  |
Investment Maturity Period | 3 months |  |  |
Community life cycle range | 3 years |  |  |
Discount rate used in impairment analysis | 14.00% |  |  |
Property and equipment useful life | 3 years |  |  |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Base price per house for sale range | $ 752,000 |  |  |
Investment Maturity Period | 18 months |  |  |
Community life cycle range | 5 years |  |  |
Discount rate used in impairment analysis | 16.00% |  |  |
Property and equipment useful life | 7 years |  |  |
[1] | Amount is reflected in our consolidated balance sheet in the line item “Deposits on real estate under option or contract” as of December 31, 2012.

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