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BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) state region community | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |  |
Entity operations in number of regions | region | 3 |  |
Number of states in regions | state | 9 |  |
Number of communities in which homes are sold | community | 243 |  |
Money market funds | $ 100 | $ 20,000 |
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | 85,556 | 87,839 |
Depreciation expense | 14,300 | 12,700 | $ 10,400
Debt issuance costs related to credit facility, net | 2,700 | 2,900 |
Accumulated amortization of debt issuance costs | 5,600 | 4,400 |
Advertising expense | 15,000 | 14,800 | 11,800
Contribution to the 401(K) Retirement Plan | 2,700 | 2,400 | $ 1,900
Increase (decrease) to warranty reserve balance | (1,012) | 1,119 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] |  |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |  |
Amounts in transit from title companies for home closings | 75,300 | 74,500 |
Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |  |
Base price per house for sale range | $ 162 |  |
Community life cycle range | 3 years |  |
Property and equipment useful life | 3 years |  |
Minimum [Member] | Non-Structural Items [Member] |  |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |  |
Warranty period following home closings | 1 year |  |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |  |
Base price per house for sale range | $ 1,440 |  |
Community life cycle range | 5 years |  |
Property and equipment useful life | 7 years |  |
Maximum [Member] | Non-Structural Items [Member] |  |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |  |
Warranty period following home closings | 2 years |  |
Maximum [Member] | Structural [Member] |  |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |  |
Warranty period following home closings | 10 years |  |
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member] | Prepaids, other assets and goodwill [Member] |  |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |  |
Debt issuance costs, net | $ (8,200) | (10,700) |
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member] | Senior and convertible senior notes, net [Member] |  |  |
Organization and Presentation [Line Items] |  |  |
Debt issuance costs, net | $ 8,200 | $ 10,700 |

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