William Lyon Homes (WLH) 10-Q 13 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Aug. 12, 2014	Aug. 12, 2014
		Common stock, Class A	Common stock, Class B
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'	'
Trading Symbol	'WLH	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'WILLIAM LYON HOMES	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001095996	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	27,414,186	3,813,884

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$102,781	$171,672
Restricted cash	504	854
Receivables	21,859	20,839
Real estate inventories	'	'
Owned	931,186	671,790
Not owned	0	12,960
Deferred loan costs, net	12,075	9,575
Goodwill	14,209	14,209
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $8,726 as of June 30, 2014 and $7,611 as of December 31, 2013	1,651	2,766
Deferred income taxes, net valuation allowance of $3,195 as of June 30, 2014 and $3,959 as of December 31, 2013	91,853	95,580
Other assets, net	13,778	10,166
Total assets	1,189,896	1,010,411
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable	31,043	17,099
Accrued expenses	70,056	60,203
Liabilities from inventories not owned	0	12,960
Notes payable	35,906	38,060
Senior Notes	580,732	431,295
Liabilities	717,737	559,617
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	312,479	311,863
Retained earnings	136,984	116,002
Total William Lyon Homes stockholdersb equity	449,781	428,179
Noncontrolling interests	22,378	22,615
Total equity	472,159	450,794
Total liabilities and equity	1,189,896	1,010,411
Common stock, Class A	'	'
Equity:	'	'
Common stock	280	276
Common stock, Class B	'	'
Equity:	'	'
Common stock	38	38
5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Senior Notes	150,000	0
8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Senior Notes	$430,732	$431,295

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Intangibles, accumulated amortization	$8,726	$7,611
Valuation allowance	$3,195	$3,959
Preferred stock, par value (in USD per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, Class A	'	'
Common stock, par value (in USD per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	28,013,340	27,622,283
Common stock, shares outstanding	27,414,186	27,216,813
Common stock, Class B	'	'
Common stock, par value (in USD per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	3,813,884	3,813,884
Common stock, shares outstanding	3,813,884	3,813,884
5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019	'	'
Stated interest rate	5.75%	5.75%
8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020	'	'
Stated interest rate	8.50%	8.50%

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating revenue	'	'	'	'
Home sales	$168,157	$120,648	$308,456	$197,082
Lots, land and other sales	1,711	3,248	1,711	3,248
Construction services	9,941	7,542	19,593	11,961
Operating revenue	179,809	131,438	329,760	212,291
Operating costs	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales b homes	-128,306	-96,647	-234,518	-159,975
Cost of sales b lots, land and other	-1,320	-2,838	-1,320	-2,838
Construction services	-8,405	-5,299	-16,473	-9,337
Sales and marketing	-8,924	-6,135	-15,482	-10,803
General and administrative	-11,019	-9,292	-23,155	-17,816
Amortization of intangible assets	-502	-360	-1,120	-982
Other	-729	-566	-1,291	-1,051
Operating costs	-159,205	-121,137	-293,359	-202,802
Operating income	20,604	10,301	36,401	9,489
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	0	-1,267	0	-2,551
Other income, net	354	56	473	143
Income before reorganization items	20,958	9,090	36,874	7,081
Reorganization items, net	0	0	0	-464
Income before provision for income taxes	20,958	9,090	36,874	6,617
Provision for income taxes	-6,206	-10	-10,780	-10
Net income	14,752	9,080	26,094	6,607
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2,467	-1,686	-5,112	-1,761
Net income attributable to William Lyon Homes	12,285	7,394	20,982	4,846
Preferred stock dividends	0	-544	0	-1,528
Net income available to common stockholders	$12,285	$6,850	$20,982	$3,318
Income per common share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in USD per share)	$0.39	$0.31	$0.67	$0.18
Diluted (in USD per share)	$0.38	$0.29	$0.64	$0.17
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	31,224,252	22,103,841	31,159,422	18,297,264
Diluted (in shares)	32,750,108	23,309,419	32,669,560	19,159,912

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (USD $)		Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Non-Controlling Interests [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		$450,794	$314	$311,863	$116,002	$22,615
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		'	31,436,000	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]		'	'	'	'	'
Net income		26,094	'	'	20,982	5,112
Cash contributions by members of consolidated entities		8,742	'	'	'	8,742
Cash distributions to members of consolidated entities		-14,091	'	'	'	-14,091
Offering costs related to secondary sale of common stock		-105	'	-105	'	'
Excercise of stock options		285	1	284	'	'
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		'	140,000	'	'	'
Shares remitted to Company	[1]	-1,414	'	-1,414	'	'
Shares remitted to Company (in shares)	[1]	'	-85,000	'	'	'
Stock based compensation		1,854	3	1,851	'	'
Stock based compensation (in shares)		'	336,000	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2014		$472,159	$318	$312,479	$136,984	$22,378
Ending Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2014		'	31,827,000	'	'	'
[1]	Represents shares remitted to the Company by employees to satisfy personal income tax liabilities resulting from share based compensation plans.

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating activities	'	'
Net income	$26,094	$6,607
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	2,683	1,627
Provision for deferred income taxes	3,727	0
Stock based compensation expense	1,854	1,327
Loss on sale of property and equipment	0	4
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Restricted cash	350	0
Receivables	-1,020	-14,582
Real estate inventories b owned	-257,546	-68,905
Real estate inventories b not owned	12,960	7,868
Other assets	-2,479	1,945
Accounts payable	13,944	2,878
Accrued expenses	9,852	2,404
Liabilities from real estate inventories not owned	-12,960	-7,868
Net cash used in operating activities	-202,541	-66,695
Investing activities	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-1,640	-1,536
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,640	-1,536
Financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from borrowings on notes payable	34,153	41,260
Principal payments on notes payable	-38,720	-19,115
Proceeds from issuance of 5 3/4% senior notes	150,000	0
Payment of deferred loan costs	-3,560	-370
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	285	179,438
Shares remitted to Company for employee tax witholding	-1,414	0
Offering costs related to secondary sale of common stock	-105	-15,517
Payment of preferred stock dividends	0	-2,550
Noncontrolling interests contributions	8,742	34,848
Noncontrolling interests distributions	-14,091	-14,421
Net cash provided by financing activities	135,290	203,573
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-68,891	135,342
Cash and cash equivalents b beginning of period	171,672	71,075
Cash and cash equivalents b end of period	102,781	206,417
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Conversion of convertible preferred stock to common stock	0	70,386
Issuance of note payable related to land acquisition	$2,413	$16,238

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
	Operations
	William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation (“Parent” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), is primarily engaged in designing, constructing, marketing and selling single-family detached and attached homes in California, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado (under the Village Homes brand).
	Initial Public Offering
	On May 21, 2013, Parent completed its initial public offering of 10,005,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, which consisted of 7,177,500 shares sold by Parent and 2,827,500 shares sold by the selling stockholder. The 10,005,000 shares in the offering were sold at a price to the public of $25.00 per share. Parent raised total net proceeds for the Company of approximately $163.7 million in the offering, after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholder.
	Parent's authorized capital stock consists of 190,000,000 shares, 150,000,000 of which are designated as Class A Common Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share, 30,000,000 of which are designated as Class B Common Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share and 10,000,000 of which are designated as preferred stock with a par value of $0.01 per share.
	Basis of Presentation
	The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and revenues and expenses for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant accounting policies using estimates include real estate inventories and cost of sales, impairment of real estate inventories, warranty reserves, loss contingencies, sales and profit recognition, accounting for variable interest entities, and valuation of deferred tax assets. The current economic environment increases the uncertainty inherent in these estimates and assumptions.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries and joint ventures, and certain joint ventures and other entities which have been determined to be variable interest entities ("VIEs") in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary (see Note 2). The accounting policies of the joint ventures are substantially the same as those of the Company. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared from our books and records without audit and include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present a fair statement of results for the interim periods presented. Readers of this quarterly report should refer to our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013, which are included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as certain disclosures that would substantially duplicate those contained in the audited financial statements have not been included in this report.
	Real Estate Inventories
	Real estate inventories are carried at cost net of impairment losses, if any. Real estate inventories consist primarily of land deposits, land and land under development, homes completed and under construction, and model homes. All direct and indirect land costs, offsite and onsite improvements and applicable interest and other carrying charges are capitalized to real estate projects during periods when the project is under development. Land, offsite costs and all other common costs are allocated to land parcels benefited based upon relative fair values before construction. Onsite construction costs and related carrying charges (principally interest and property taxes) are allocated to the individual homes within a phase based upon the relative sales value of the homes. The Company relieves its real estate inventories through cost of sales for the estimated cost of homes sold. Selling expenses and other marketing costs are expensed in the period incurred.
	A provision for warranty costs relating to the Company’s limited warranty plans is included in cost of sales and accrued expenses at the time the sale of a home is recorded. The Company generally reserves approximately one to one and one quarter percent of the sales price of its homes against the possibility of future charges relating to its one-year limited warranty and similar potential claims. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include the number of homes under warranty, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and cost per claim. The Company assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liability and adjusts the amounts as necessary. Changes in the Company’s warranty liability for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, are as follows (in thousands):
		Six			Six
		Months			Months
		Ended			Ended
		June 30,			June 30,
		2014			2013
	Warranty liability, beginning of period	$	14,935		$	14,317
	Warranty provision during period	3,333			1,732
	Warranty payments during period	(3,449		)	(2,569		)
	Warranty charges related to pre-existing warranties during period	360			226
	Warranty charges related to construction services projects	652			144
	Warranty liability, end of period	$	15,831		$	13,850
	Interest incurred under the Company’s debt obligations, as more fully discussed in Note 5, is capitalized to qualifying real estate projects under development. Any additional interest charges related to real estate projects not under development are expensed in the period incurred. Interest activity for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		Three			Three			Six		Six
		Months			Months			Months		Months
		Ended			Ended			Ended		Ended
		June 30,			June 30,			June 30,		June 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Interest incurred	$	11,919		$	7,849		$	21,314	$	15,000
	Less: Interest capitalized	11,919			6,582			21,314		12,449
	Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	$	—		$	1,267		$	—	$	2,551
	Cash paid for interest	$	19,051		$	14,350		$	19,671	$	14,350
	Construction Services
	The Company accounts for construction management agreements using the Percentage of Completion Method in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 605 Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”). Under ASC 605, the Company records revenues and expenses as a contracted project progresses, and based on the percentage of costs incurred to date compared to the total estimated costs of the contract.
	The Company entered into construction management agreements to build, sell and market homes in certain communities. For such services, the Company will receive fees (generally 3 to 5 percent of the sales price, as defined) and may, under certain circumstances, receive additional compensation if certain financial thresholds are achieved.
	Financial Instruments
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are primarily cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, receivables, and deposits. The Company typically places its cash and cash equivalents in investment grade short-term instruments. Deposits, included in other assets, are due from municipalities or utility companies and are generally collected from such entities through fees assessed to other developers. The Company is an issuer of, or subject to, financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business which exposes it to credit risks. These financial instruments include letters of credit and obligations in connection with assessment district bonds. These off-balance sheet financial instruments are described in more detail in Note 11.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered cash equivalents. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance exceeds federally insurable limits as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Company monitors the cash balances in its operating accounts and adjusts the cash balances between accounts based on operational needs; however, these cash balances could be negatively impacted if the underlying financial institutions fail or are subject to other adverse conditions in the financial markets. To date, the Company has experienced no loss or lack of access to cash in its operating accounts.
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash consists of deposits made by the Company to a bank account as collateral for the use of letters of credit to guarantee the Company’s financial obligations under certain other contractual arrangements in the normal course of business.
	Deferred Loan Costs
	Deferred loan costs represent debt issuance costs and are primarily amortized to interest incurred using the straight line method which approximates the effective interest method.
	Goodwill
	In accordance with the provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles, Goodwill and Other, goodwill amounts are not amortized, but rather are analyzed for impairment at the reporting segment level. Goodwill is analyzed on an annual basis, or when indicators of impairment exist. We have determined that we have five reporting segments, as discussed in Note 3, and we perform an annual goodwill impairment analysis during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year.
	Intangible Assets
	Recorded intangible assets primarily relate to construction management contracts, homes in backlog, and joint venture management fee contracts recorded in conjunction with FASB Topic 852, Reorganizations ("ASC 852"). Such assets were valued based on expected cash flows related to home closings, and the asset is amortized on a per unit basis, as homes under the contracts close.
	Income (loss) per common share
	The Company computes income (loss) per common share in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260, Earnings per Share, which requires income (loss) per common share for each class of stock to be calculated using the two-class method. The two-class method is an allocation of income (loss) between the holders of common stock and a company’s participating security holders.
	Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing income or loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. For purposes of determining diluted income (loss) per common share, basic income (loss) per common share is further adjusted to include the effect of potential dilutive common shares.
	Income Taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC 740, Income Taxes, using an asset and liability approach. Deferred income taxes reflect the net effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards measured by applying currently enacted tax laws. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce net deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement criteria for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be considered “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. In addition, the Company has elected to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the income tax provision.

Variable_Interest_Entities_and

Variable Interest Entities and Noncontrolling Interests (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Variable Interest Entities and Noncontrolling Interests	'
	Variable Interest Entities and Noncontrolling Interests
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company formed one joint venture for the purpose of land development and homebuilding activities which we have determined to be a VIE. The Company, as the managing member, has the power to direct the activities of the VIE since it manages the daily operations and has exposure to the risks and rewards of the VIE, which is based on the division of income and loss per the joint venture agreement. Therefore, the Company is the primary beneficiary of the joint venture, and the VIE was consolidated as of June 30, 2014. The Company is also party to an additional three joint ventures that were formed in prior periods, for which the Company has also determined that it is the primary beneficiary, and thus has also included them in its consolidated results as of June 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013.
	As of June 30, 2014, the assets of the consolidated VIEs totaled $73.5 million, of which $6.7 million was cash and $63.7 million was real estate inventories. The liabilities of the consolidated VIEs totaled $35.5 million, primarily comprised of notes payable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
	As of December 31, 2013, the assets of the consolidated VIEs totaled $66.4 million, of which $4.7 million was cash and $56.8 million was real estate inventories. The liabilities of the consolidated VIEs totaled $27.1 million, primarily comprised of notes payable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

Segment_Information_Notes

Segment Information (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The Company operates one principal homebuilding business. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”), the Company has determined that each of its operating divisions is an operating segment.
	Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer have been identified as the chief operating decision makers. The Company’s chief operating decision makers direct the allocation of resources to operating segments based on the profitability and cash flows of each respective segment.
	The Company’s homebuilding operations design, construct and sell a wide range of homes designed to meet the specific needs in each of its markets. In accordance with the aggregation criteria defined by ASC 280, the Company’s homebuilding operating segments have been grouped into five reportable segments: Southern California, consisting of an operating division with operations in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties; Northern California, consisting of an operating division with operations in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, and Santa Clara counties; Arizona, consisting of operations in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area; Nevada, consisting of operations in the Las Vegas, Nevada metropolitan area; and Colorado, consisting of operations in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area, Fort Collins, and Granby, Colorado markets.
	Corporate develops and implements strategic initiatives and supports the Company’s operating divisions by centralizing key administrative functions such as finance and treasury, information technology, risk management and litigation and human resources.
	Segment financial information relating to the Company’s operations was as follows (in thousands):
		Three			Three			Six			Six
		Months			Months			Months			Months
		Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
		June 30,			June 30,			June 30,			June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Operating revenue:
	Southern California	$	115,942		$	44,304		$	203,321		$	55,550
	Northern California	19,875			14,988			46,751			28,325
	Arizona	16,431			33,549			29,709			55,178
	Nevada	18,392			17,740			35,541			32,501
	Colorado	9,169			20,857			14,438			40,737
	Total operating revenue	$	179,809		$	131,438		$	329,760		$	212,291
		Three			Three			Six			Six
		Months			Months			Months			Months
		Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
		June 30,			June 30,			June 30,			June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
	Southern California	$	20,924		$	6,100		$	37,022		$	5,426
	Northern California	2,269			2,904			6,809			4,034
	Arizona	2,321			3,723			3,672			4,808
	Nevada	1,673			1,457			3,029			2,526
	Colorado	(453		)	722			(1,112		)	1,445
	Corporate	(5,776		)	(5,816		)	(12,546		)	(11,622		)
	Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	$	20,958		$	9,090		$	36,874		$	6,617
		30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Homebuilding assets:
	Southern California	$	355,760		$	275,975
	Northern California	210,681			143,693
	Arizona	170,878			157,892
	Nevada	127,906			85,695
	Colorado	105,021			60,233
	Corporate (1)	219,650			286,923
	Total homebuilding assets	$	1,189,896		$	1,010,411
	-1	Comprised primarily of cash and cash equivalents, deferred income taxes, receivables, deferred loan costs, and other assets.

Real_Estate_Inventories_Notes

Real Estate Inventories (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Real Estate Inventories	'
	Real Estate Inventories
	Real estate inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		Successor
		30-Jun-14		31-Dec-13
	Real estate inventories owned:
	Land deposits	$	41,252	$	46,632
	Land and land under development	637,477		458,437
	Homes completed and under construction	212,064		144,736
	Model homes	40,393		21,985
	Total	$	931,186	$	671,790
	Real estate inventories not owned: (1)
	Other land options contracts — land banking arrangement	$	—	$	12,960
	-1	Represents the consolidation of a land banking arrangement, net of deposits. The final lots attributable to this amount were purchased in April 2014.

Senior_Notes_and_Secured_Indeb

Senior Notes and Secured Indebtedness (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Senior Notes and Secured Indebtedness	'
	Note 5—Senior Notes and Secured Indebtedness
		Successor
		30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Notes payable:
	Construction notes payable	$	29,878		$	24,198
	Seller financing	6,028			13,862
	Revolving lines of credit	—			—
	Total notes payable	$	35,906		$	38,060
	Senior notes:
	5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019	$	150,000		$	—
	8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020	430,732			431,295
	Total senior notes	$	580,732		$	431,295
	Total notes payable and senior notes	$	616,638		$	469,355
	As of June 30, 2014, the maturities of the Notes payable, 5 3/4% Senior Notes, and 8 1/2% Senior Notes are as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending December 31,
	2014	$	486
	2015	5,542
	2016	29,878
	2017	—
	2018	—
	Thereafter	575,000
		$	610,906
	Maturities above exclude premium of $5,732 as of June 30, 2014.
	Senior Notes
	5 3/4% Senior Notes Due 2019
	On March 31, 2014, William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“California Lyon”) completed its private placement with registration rights of 5.75% Senior Notes due 2019 (the "5.75% Notes"), in an aggregate principal amount of $150 million. The 5.75% Notes were issued at 100% of their aggregate principal amount.
	As of June 30, 2014, the outstanding amount of the notes was $150 million. The notes bear interest at a rate of 5.75% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on April 15 and October 15, and mature on April 15, 2019. The 5.75% Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several unsecured basis by Parent and certain of its existing and future direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. The 5.75% Notes and the related guarantees are California Lyon’s and the guarantors’ unsecured senior obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of California Lyon’s and the guarantors’ existing and future unsecured senior debt, including California Lyon’s $425 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.5% Senior Notes due 2020, as described below. The 5.75% Notes rank senior in right of payment to all of California Lyon’s and the guarantors’ future subordinated debt. The 5.75% Notes and the guarantees are and will be effectively junior to California Lyon’s and the guarantors’ existing and future secured debt to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such debt.
	On or after April 15, 2016, California Lyon may redeem all or a portion of the 5.75% Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the period beginning on each of the dates indicated below:
	Year	Percentage
	15-Apr-16	104.313	%
	15-Oct-16	102.875	%
	15-Apr-17	101.438	%
	April 15, 2018 and thereafter	100	%
	Prior to April 15, 2016, the 5.75% notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a “make-whole” premium, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the redemption date.
	In addition, any time prior to April 15, 2016, California Lyon may, at its option on one or more occasions, redeem the 5.75% Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5.75% Notes issued prior to such date at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 105.75%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with an amount equal to the net cash proceeds from one or more equity offerings by Parent.
	The indenture governing the 5.75% Notes contains covenants that limit the ability of Parent, California Lyon, and their restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur or guarantee certain additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends, distributions, or repurchase equity or make payments in respect of subordinated indebtedness; (iii) make certain investments; (iv) sell assets; (v) incur liens; (vi) enter into agreements restricting the ability of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or transfer assets; (vii) enter into transactions with affiliates; (viii) create unrestricted subsidiaries; and (viii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications as described in the Indenture. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants as of June 30, 2014.
	8 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2020
	On November 8, 2012, California Lyon completed its offering of 8 1/2% Senior Notes due 2020, (the "initial 8.5% notes"), in an aggregate principal amount of $325 million. The initial 8.5% Notes were issued at 100% of their aggregate principal amount.
	On October 24, 2013, California Lyon completed the sale of an additional $100.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 8.5% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “additional 8.5 % Notes”, and together with the initial 8.5% notes, the "8.5% Notes" ) at an issue price of 106.5% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued interest from and including May 15, 2013, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $104.6 million.
	As of both June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the outstanding principal amount of the 8.5% Notes was $431 million. The 8.5% Notes bear interest at a rate of 8.5% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15, and mature on November 15, 2020. The 8.5% Notes are are unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several unsecured basis by Parent and by certain of its existing and future subsidiaries. The 8.5% Notes are California Lyon's and the guarantors' senior unsecured obligations. The 8.5% Notes and the guarantees rank senior to all of California Lyon’s and the guarantors’ existing and future subordinated debt, and rank equally in right of payment with all of California Lyon's and the guarantors' existing and future unsecured senior debt, including the 5.75% Notes. The 8.5% Notes and the guarantees are and will be effectively junior to any of California Lyon’s and the guarantors’ existing and future secured debt.
	The indenture governing the 8.5% Notes contains covenants that limit the ability of Parent, California Lyon and their restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur or guarantee certain additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions or repurchase stock; (iii) make certain investments; (iv) sell assets; (v) incur liens; (vi) enter into agreements restricting the ability of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or transfer assets; (vii) enter into transactions with affiliates; (viii) create unrestricted subsidiaries; and (viii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications as described in the Indenture. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants as of June 30, 2014.
	Notes Payable
	Revolving Lines of Credit
	On August 7, 2013, California Lyon and Parent entered into a credit agreement providing for a revolving credit facility of up to $100 million (the “Revolver”). The Revolver will mature on August 5, 2016, unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms of the Revolver. The Revolver contains an uncommitted accordion feature under which its aggregate principal amount can be increased to up to $125 million under certain circumstances, as well as a sublimit of $50 million for letters of credit. The Revolver contains various covenants, including financial covenants relating to tangible net worth, leverage, liquidity and interest coverage, as well as a limitation on investments in joint ventures and non-guarantor subsidiaries. The total amount available under the Revolver is subject to a borrowing base calculation.
	The Revolver contains customary events of default, subject to cure periods in certain circumstances, that would result in the termination of the commitment and permit the lenders to accelerate payment on outstanding borrowings and require cash collateralization of letters of credit, including: nonpayment of principal, interest and fees or other amounts; violation of covenants; inaccuracy of representations and warranties; cross default to certain other indebtedness; unpaid judgments; and certain bankruptcy and other insolvency events. If a change in control of the Company occurs, the lenders may terminate the commitment and require that California Lyon repay outstanding borrowings under the Revolver and cash collateralize letters of credit. Interest rates on borrowings generally will be based on either LIBOR or a base rate, plus the applicable spread. The commitment fee on the unused portion of the Facility currently accrues at an annual rate of 0.50%.
	Borrowings under the Revolver, the availability of which is subject to a borrowing base formula, are required to be guaranteed by Parent and certain of Parent’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, are secured by a pledge of all equity interests held by such guarantors, and may be used for general corporate purposes. As of June 30, 2014, the Revolver was undrawn, the Company had issued a letter of credit for $4.0 million, reducing the amount available under the Revolver. On July 3, 2014, the Revolver was amended in conjunction with a transaction occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date (see Note 12 - Subsequent Events for further information regarding this transaction). The amendment increased the maximum leverage ratio from 60% to 75% for one year following such transaction. The amendment also established a minimum borrowing base availability of $50.0 million.
	Construction Notes Payable
	Certain of the Company's consolidated joint ventures have entered into construction notes payable agreements. The issuance date, total availability under each facility outstanding, maturity date and interest rate are listed in the table below as of June 30, 2014:
	Issuance Date		Facility Size			Outstanding			Maturity		Current Rate
	March, 2014		$	26		$	3.7		October, 2016		3.15	%	-1
	December, 2013		18.6			10.9			January, 2016		4.25	%	-1
	June, 2013		28			15.3			June, 2016		4	%	-2
			$	72.6		$	29.9
	(1) Loan bears interest at the Company's option of either LIBOR +3.0% or the prime rate +1.0%.
	(2) Loan bears interest at the prime rate +0.5%, with a rate floor of 4.0% .
	Seller Financing
	At June 30, 2014, the Company had $6.0 million of notes payable outstanding related to two land acquisitions for which seller financing was provided. The first note had a balance of $4.7 million as of June 30, 2014, bears interest at 7% per annum, is secured by the underlying land, and matures in May 2015. The second land acquisition consists of two separate notes, the first having a balance of $0.5 million as of June 30, 2014 and maturing in October 2014, and the second having a balance of $0.9 million as of June 30, 2014 and maturing in January 2015. Both notes bear interest at 4% per annum.
	GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	The following consolidating financial information includes:
	(1) Consolidating balance sheets as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013; consolidating statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013; and consolidating statements of cash flows for the six month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, of (a) William Lyon Homes, as the parent, or “Delaware Lyon”, (b) William Lyon Homes, Inc., as the subsidiary issuer, or “California Lyon”, (c) the guarantor subsidiaries, (d) the non-guarantor subsidiaries and (e) William Lyon Homes, Inc. on a consolidated basis; and
	(2) Elimination entries necessary to consolidate Delaware Lyon, with William Lyon Homes, Inc. and its guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries.
	Delaware Lyon owns 100% of all of its guarantor subsidiaries and all guarantees are full and unconditional, joint and several. As a result, in accordance with Rule 3-10 (d) of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC, no separate financial statements are required for these subsidiaries as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited)
As of June 30, 2014
(in thousands)
	Unconsolidated
	Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	95,644		$	61			$	7,076		$	—		$	102,781
Restricted cash	—			504			—				—			—			504
Receivables	—			17,294			1,355				3,210			—			21,859
Real estate inventories
Owned	—			851,061			3,336				76,789			—			931,186
Deferred loan costs, net	—			12,075			—				—			—			12,075
Goodwill	—			14,209			—				—			—			14,209
Intangibles, net	—			1,651			—				—			—			1,651
Deferred income taxes, net	—			91,853			—				—			—			91,853
Other assets, net	—			11,564			1,892				322			—			13,778
Investments in subsidiaries	449,781			(35,403		)	—				—			(414,378		)	—
Intercompany receivables	—			—			229,665				—			(229,665		)	—
Total assets	$	449,781		$	1,060,452		$	236,309			$	87,397		$	(644,043	)	$	1,189,896
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	—		$	20,571		$	5,282			$	5,190		$	—		$	31,043
Accrued expenses	—			68,931			1,028				97			—			70,056
Notes payable	—			4,660			1,368				29,878			—			35,906
5 3/4% Senior Notes	—			150,000			—				—			—			150,000
8  1/2% Senior Notes	—			430,732			—				—			—			430,732
Intercompany payables	—			164,408			—				65,257			(229,665		)	—
Total liabilities	—			839,302			7,678				100,422			(229,665		)	717,737
Equity
William Lyon Homes stockholders’ equity	449,781			221,150			228,631				(35,403		)	(414,378		)	449,781
Noncontrolling interests	—			—							22,378			—			22,378
Total liabilities and equity	$	449,781		$	1,060,452		$	236,309			$	87,397		$	(644,043	)	$	1,189,896
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
As of December 31, 2013
(in thousands)
	Unconsolidated
	Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	166,516		$	28			$	5,128		$	—		$	171,672
Restricted cash	—			854			—				—			—			854
Receivables	—			15,742			72				5,025			—			20,839
Real estate inventories
Owned	—			608,965			3,761				59,064			—			671,790
Not owned	—			12,960			—				—			—			12,960
Deferred loan costs, net	—			9,575			—				—			—			9,575
Goodwill	—			14,209			—				—			—			14,209
Intangibles, net	—			2,766			—				—			—			2,766
Deferred income taxes, net	—			95,580			—				—			—			95,580
Other assets, net	—			9,100			723				343			—			10,166
Investments in subsidiaries	428,179			9,975			—				—			(438,154		)	—
Intercompany receivables	—			—			225,056				(15		)	(225,041		)	—
Total assets	$	428,179		$	946,242		$	229,640			$	69,545		$	(663,195	)	$	1,010,411
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	—		$	12,489		$	1,959			$	2,651		$	—		$	17,099
Accrued expenses	—			59,376			744				83			—			60,203
Liabilities from inventories not owned	—			12,960			—				—			—			12,960
Notes payable	—			12,281			1,762				24,017			—			38,060
8 1/2% Senior Notes	—			431,295			—				—			—			431,295
Intercompany payables	—			214,837			—				10,204			(225,041		)	—
Total liabilities	—			743,238			4,465				36,955			(225,041		)	559,617
Equity
William Lyon Homes stockholders’ equity	428,179			203,004			225,175				9,975			(438,154		)	428,179
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			—				22,615			—			22,615
Total liabilities and equity	$	428,179		$	946,242		$	229,640			$	69,545		$	(663,195	)	$	1,010,411
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
(in thousands)
	Unconsolidated
	Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
Operating revenue
Sales	$	—		$	136,300		$	23,889			$	9,679		$	—		$	169,868
Construction services	—			9,941			—				—			—			9,941
Management fees	—			685			—				—			(685		)	—
	—			146,926			23,889				9,679			(685		)	179,809
Operating costs
Cost of sales	—			(103,732		)	(19,466		)		(7,113		)	685			(129,626		)
Construction services	—			(8,405		)	—				—			—			(8,405		)
Sales and marketing	—			(6,743		)	(1,620		)		(561		)	—			(8,924		)
General and administrative	—			(10,220		)	(797		)		(2		)	—			(11,019		)
Amortization of intangible assets	—			(502		)	—				—			—			(502		)
Other	—			(929		)	19				181			—			(729		)
	—			(130,531		)	(21,864		)		(7,495		)	685			(159,205		)
Income from subsidiaries	12,285			1,949			—				—			(14,234		)	—
Operating income	12,285			18,344			2,025				2,184			(14,234		)	20,604
Other income (expense), net	—			606			(8		)		(244		)	—			354
Income before provision for income taxes	12,285			18,950			2,017				1,940			(14,234		)	20,958
Provision for income taxes	—			(6,206		)	—				—			—			(6,206		)
Net income	12,285			12,744			2,017				1,940			(14,234		)	14,752
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—				(2,467		)	—			(2,467		)
Net income (loss) attributable to William Lyon Homes	12,285			12,744			2,017				(527		)	(14,234		)	12,285
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	12,285		$	12,744		$	2,017			$	(527	)	$	(14,234	)	$	12,285
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
(in thousands)
	Unconsolidated
	Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
Operating revenue
Sales	$	—		$	62,880		$	51,158			$	9,858		$	—		$	123,896
Construction services	—			7,542			—				—			—			7,542
Management fees	—			271			—				—			(271		)	—
	—			70,693			51,158				9,858			(271		)	131,438
Operating costs
Cost of sales	—			(50,161		)	(42,719		)		(6,876		)	271			(99,485		)
Construction services	—			(5,299		)	—				—			—			(5,299		)
Sales and marketing	—			(3,373		)	(2,480		)		(282		)	—			(6,135		)
General and administrative	—			(8,867		)	(412		)		(13		)	—			(9,292		)
Amortization of intangible assets	—			(360		)	—				—						(360		)
Other	—			(566		)	—				—			—			(566		)
	—			(68,626		)	(45,611		)		(7,171		)	271			(121,137		)
Income from subsidiaries	7,394			5,453			—				—			(12,847		)	—
Operating income	7,394			7,520			5,547				2,687			(12,847		)	10,301
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	—			(1,220		)	(47		)		—			—			(1,267		)
Other income (expense), net	—			391			(10		)		(325		)	—			56
Income before reorganization items and provision for income taxes	7,394			6,691			5,490				2,362			(12,847		)	9,090
Provision for income taxes	—			(10		)	—				—			—			(10		)
Net (loss) income	7,394			6,681			5,490				2,362			(12,847		)	9,080
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—						—				(1,686		)	—			(1,686		)
Net (loss) income attributable to William Lyon Homes	7,394			6,681			5,490				676			(12,847		)	7,394
Preferred stock dividends	(544		)	—			—				—			—			(544		)
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	$	6,850		$	6,681		$	5,490			$	676		$	(12,847	)	$	6,850
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
(in thousands)
	Unconsolidated
	Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
Operating revenue
Sales	$	—		$	242,899		$	42,437			$	24,831		$	—		$	310,167
Construction services	—			19,593			—				—			—			19,593
Management fees	—			1,140			—				—			(1,140		)	—
	—			263,632			42,437				24,831			(1,140		)	329,760
Operating costs
Cost of sales	—			(184,161		)	(34,523		)		(18,294		)	1,140			(235,838		)
Construction services	—			(16,473		)	—				—			—			(16,473		)
Sales and marketing	—			(11,432		)	(2,815		)		(1,235		)	—			(15,482		)
General and administrative	—			(21,498		)	(1,655		)		(2		)	—			(23,155		)
Amortization of intangible assets	—			(1,120		)	—				—						(1,120		)
Other	—			(1,899		)	18				590			—			(1,291		)
	—			(236,583		)	(38,975		)		(18,941		)	1,140			(293,359		)
Income from subsidiaries	20,982			4,964			—				—			(25,946		)	—
Operating income	20,982			32,013			3,462				5,890			(25,946		)	36,401
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	—			—			—				—			—			—
Other income (expense), net	—			875			(11		)		(391		)	—			473
Income before provision for income taxes	20,982			32,888			3,451				5,499			(25,946		)	36,874
Provision for income taxes	—			(10,780		)	—				—			—			(10,780		)
Net income	20,982			22,108			3,451				5,499			(25,946		)	26,094
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—						—				(5,112		)	—			(5,112		)
Net income attributable to William Lyon Homes	20,982			22,108			3,451				387			(25,946		)	20,982
Net income available to common stockholders	$	20,982		$	22,108		$	3,451			$	387		$	(25,946	)	$	20,982
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
(in thousands)
	Unconsolidated
	Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
Operating revenue
Sales	$	—		$	97,805		$	92,667			$	9,858		$	—		$	200,330
Construction services	—			11,961			—				—			—			11,961
Management fees	—			271			—				—			(271		)	—
	—			110,037			92,667				9,858			(271		)	212,291
Operating costs																	—
Cost of sales	—			(78,355		)	(77,933		)		(6,796		)	271			(162,813		)
Construction services	—			(9,337		)	—				—			—			(9,337		)
Sales and marketing	—			(5,732		)	(4,561		)		(510		)	—			(10,803		)
General and administrative	—			(16,699		)	(1,098		)		(19		)	—			(17,816		)
Amortization of intangible assets	—			(982		)	—				—						(982		)
Other	—			(1,050		)	(1		)		—			—			(1,051		)
	—			(112,155		)	(83,593		)		(7,325		)	271			(202,802		)
Income from subsidiaries	4,846			7,667			—				—			(12,513		)	—
Operating income	4,846			5,549			9,074				2,533			(12,513		)	9,489
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	—			(2,425		)	(126		)		—			—			(2,551		)
Other income (expense), net	—			764			(13		)		(608		)	—			143
Income before reorganization items and provision for income taxes	4,846			3,888			8,935				1,925			(12,513		)	7,081
Reorganization items, net	—			(464		)	—				—			—			(464		)
Income before provision for income taxes	4,846			3,424			8,935				1,925			(12,513		)	6,617
Provision for income taxes	—			(10		)	—				—			—			(10		)
Net income	4,846			3,414			8,935				1,925			(12,513		)	6,607
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—				(1,761		)	—			(1,761		)
Net income attributable to William Lyon Homes	4,846			3,414			8,935				164			(12,513		)	4,846
Preferred stock dividends	(1,528		)	—			—				—			—			(1,528		)
Net income available to common stockholders	$	3,318		$	3,414		$	8,935			$	164		$	(12,513	)	$	3,318
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
(in thousands)
	Unconsolidated
	Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
Operating activities
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$	(619	)	$	(199,766	)	$	5,062			$	(7,837	)	$	619		$	(202,541	)
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	—			(1,609		)	(31		)		—			—			(1,640		)
Investments in subsidiaries	—			50,342			—				—			(50,342		)	—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	—			48,733			(31		)		—			(50,342		)	(1,640		)
Financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings on notes payable	—			394			(394		)		34,153			—			34,153
Principal payments on notes payable	—			(10,428		)	—				(28,292		)	—			(38,720		)
Proceeds from issuance of 5 3/4% notes	—			150,000			—				—			—			150,000
Payment of deferred loan costs	—			(3,560		)	—				—			—			(3,560		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	—			285			—				—			—			285
Shares remitted to Company for employee tax witholding	—			(1,414		)	—				—			—			(1,414		)
Offering costs related to secondary sale of common stock	—			(105		)	—				—			—			(105		)
Noncontrolling interests contributions	—			—			—				8,742			—			8,742
Noncontrolling interests distributions	—			—			—				(14,091		)	—			(14,091		)
Advances to affiliates	—			—			5				(45,765		)	45,760			—
Intercompany receivables/payables	619			(55,011		)	(4,609		)		55,038			3,963			—
Net cash provided by (used in)financing activities	619			80,161			(4,998		)		9,785			49,723			135,290
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(70,872		)	33				1,948			—			(68,891		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	—			166,516			28				5,128			—			171,672
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	95,644		$	61			$	7,076		$	—		$	102,781
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
(in thousands)
	Unconsolidated
	Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
Operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities	$	—		$	(28,146	)	$	6,674			$	(45,223	)	$	—		$	(66,695	)
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	—			(1,522		)	(22		)		8			—			(1,536		)
Investments in subsidiaries	—			(252		)	—				—			252			—
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	—			(1,774		)	(22		)		8			252			(1,536		)
Financing activities
Proceeds on borrowings on notes payable	—			16,764			1,762				22,734			—			41,260
Principal payments on notes payable	—			(12,976		)	—				(6,139		)	—			(19,115		)
Payment of deferred loan costs	—			(370		)	—				—			—			(370		)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	—			179,438			—				—			—			179,438
Offering costs related to issuance of common stock	—			(15,517		)	—				—			—			(15,517		)
Payment of preferred stock dividends	—			(2,550		)	—				—			—			(2,550		)
Noncontrolling interests contributions	—			—			—				34,848			—			34,848
Noncontrolling interests distributions	—			—			—				(14,421		)	—			(14,421		)
Intercompany receivables/payables	—			(163		)	12,258				951			(13,046		)	—
Advances to affiliates	—			—			(20,550		)		7,756			12,794			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	—			164,626			(6,530		)		45,729			(252		)	203,573
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	—			134,706			122				514			—			135,342
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	—			69,376			65				1,634			—			71,075
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	204,082		$	187			$	2,148		$	—		$	206,417

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (“ASC 820”), the Company is required to disclose the estimated fair value of financial instruments. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company used the following assumptions to estimate the fair value of each type of financial instrument for which it is practicable to estimate:
	•	Notes Payable—The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value of the notes payable because market rates are unchanged and/or the outstanding balance at quarter end is expected to be repaid within one year.
	•	5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019 —The 5 3/4% Senior Notes are traded over the counter and their fair values were based upon quotes from industry sources.
	•	8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020 —The 8 1/2% Senior Notes are traded over the counter and their fair values were based upon quotes from industry sources.
	The following table excludes cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, receivables and accounts payable, which had fair values approximating their carrying amounts due to the short maturities and liquidity of these instruments. The estimated fair values of financial instruments are as follows (in thousands):
		Successor
		30-Jun-14					31-Dec-13
		Carrying			Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Amount			Value		Amount		Value
	Financial liabilities:
	Notes payable	$	35,906		$	35,906	$	38,060	$	38,060
	5 3/4% Senior Notes due 2019	$	150,000		$	153,750	$	—	$	—
	8 1/2% Senior Notes due 2020	$	430,732		$	475,490	$	431,295	$	466,877
	ASC 820 establishes a framework for measuring fair value, expands disclosures regarding fair value measurements and defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 requires the Company to maximize the use of observable market inputs, minimize the use of unobservable market inputs and disclose in the form of an outlined hierarchy the details of such fair value measurements. The Company used Level 3 to measure the fair value of its Notes Payable, and Level 2 to measure the fair value of its 5 3/4% Notes and 81 /2 % Notes. The ASC 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to a fair value measurement are considered to be observable or unobservable in a marketplace. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:
	•	Level 1—quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
	•	Level 2—quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and
	•	Level 3—valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.
	The following table represents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance for the Company’s Level 3 fair value measurements:
		Notes
		Payable
		(in thousands)
	Fair value at December 31, 2013	$	38,060
	Repayments of principal (1)	(38,720		)
	Borrowings of principal (2)	36,566
	Increase in value during the period	—
	Fair value at June 30, 2014	$	35,906
	-1	Represents the actual amount of principal repaid
	-2	Represents the actual amount of principal borrowed

Related_Party_Transactions_Not

Related Party Transactions (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	On September 3, 2009, Presley CMR, Inc., a California corporation (“Presley CMR”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of California Lyon, entered into an Aircraft Purchase and Sale Agreement (“PSA”) with an affiliate of General William Lyon to sell an aircraft (the “Aircraft”). The PSA provided for an aggregate purchase price for the Aircraft of $8.3 million, (which value was the appraised fair market value of the Aircraft), which consisted of: (i) cash in the amount of $2.1 million to be paid at closing and (ii) a promissory note from the affiliate in the amount of $6.2 million. The note is secured by the Aircraft. As part of the Company’s fresh start accounting, the note was adjusted to its fair value of $5.2 million. The discount on the fresh start adjustment is amortized over the remaining life of the note. The note requires semiannual interest payments to California Lyon of approximately $0.1 million. The note is due in September 2016.
	For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company incurred charges of $0.2 million related to rent on its corporate office, from a trust of which William H. Lyon is the sole beneficiary. The lease expired in March 2013 and the Company relocated its corporate office upon expiration of the lease. The Company has entered into a lease for the new location with an unrelated third party.

Income_Taxes_Notes

Income Taxes (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Since inception, the Company has operated solely within the United States.
	The Company’s effective income tax rate was 29.6% and 29.2% , and 0.1% and 0.2% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The significant drivers of the effective tax rate are allocation of income to noncontrolling interests, related party loss recapture, domestic production activities deduction, and release of valuation allowance.
	Management assesses its deferred tax assets quarterly to determine whether all or any portion of the asset is more likely than not unrealizable under ASC 740. The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any portion of the asset that management concludes is more likely than not to be unrealizable. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. The Company's assessment considers all evidence, both positive and negative, including the nature, frequency and severity of any current and cumulative losses, taxable income in carry back years, the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, tax planning strategies, and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. At June 30, 2014 the Company’s valuation allowance was $3.2 million due to projected excess realized built-in-losses and state net operating losses which may expire unused. In the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized a $95.6 million income tax benefit that resulted from the reversal of all but $4.0 million of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance.
	At June 30, 2014, the Company had no remaining federal net operating loss carryforwards and $80.6 million remaining state net operating loss carryforwards. State net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2014. In addition, as of June 30, 2014, the Company had unused federal and state built-in losses of $69.5 million and $37.0 million, respectively. The 5 year testing period for built-in losses expires in 2017 and the unused built-in loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2033. The Company had AMT credit carryovers of $1.4 million at June 30, 2014, which have an indefinite life.
	Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”) which is now codified as FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement criterion for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be considered more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of the provision for income taxes. The Company has no unrecognized tax benefits.
	The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax examination for calendar tax years ended 2010 through 2013 and forward. The Company is subject to various state income tax examinations for calendar tax years ended 2009 through 2013 and forward. The Company does not have any tax examinations currently in progress.

Income_Per_Common_Share_Notes

Income Per Common Share (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Income Per Common Share	'
	Income Per Common Share
	Basic and diluted income per common share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were calculated as follows (in thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts):
		Three		Three		Six		Six
		Months		Months		Months		Months
		Ended		Ended		Ended		Ended
		June 30,		June 30,		June 30,		June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding	31,224,252		22,103,841		31,159,422		18,297,264
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options, unvested common shares, and warrants	1,525,856		1,205,578		1,510,138		862,648
	Diluted average shares outstanding	32,750,108		23,309,419		32,669,560		19,159,912
	Net income available to common stockholders	$	12,285	$	6,850	$	20,982	$	3,318
	Basic income per common share	$	0.39	$	0.31	$	0.67	$	0.18
	Dilutive income per common share	$	0.38	$	0.29	$	0.64	$	0.17

Stock_Based_Compensation_Notes

Stock Based Compensation (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Based Compensation	'
	Note 10—Stock Based Compensation
	We account for share-based awards in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, which requires the fair value of stock-based compensation awards to be amortized as an expense over the vesting period. Stock-based compensation awards are valued at the fair value on the date of grant. Compensation expense for awards with performance based conditions is recognized over the vesting period once achievement of the performance condition is deemed probable.
	During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company granted 925 and 48,562 shares of restricted stock, respectively, and zero and 287,739 shares of performance based restricted stock.
	Performance-Based Restricted Stock Awards
	With respect to all but one of the performance based restricted stock awards granted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the actual number of such shares of restricted stock that will be earned (the “Earned Shares”) is subject to the Company’s achievement of a pre-established performance target as of the end of the 2014 fiscal year. The remaining grant does not contain a pre-established performance target, but the Earned Shares for such award will be determined by the exercise of the discretion of the Compensation Committee of Parent’s Board of Directors following the end of the 2014 fiscal year. For each of the aforementioned awards, one-third of the Earned Shares will vest on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date, subject to each grantee’s continued service through each vesting date. Based on the assessment as of June 30, 2014, management determined that the currently available data was not sufficient to support the performance targets are  probable of being achieved, and as such no compensation expense has been recognized for these awards to date.
	Additional Restricted Stock Awards
	With respect to the restricted stock awards granted to certain other employees during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, representing 925 and 26,134 shares of restricted stock, respectively, 50% of the shares of restricted stock underlying such awards will vest on each of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date, subject to each grantee’s continued service through each vesting date. With respect to the restricted stock awards granted to certain non-employee directors of Parent during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, representing zero and 22,428 shares of restricted stock, the awards vest in equal quarterly installments on each of June 1, 2014, September 1, 2014, December 1, 2014 and March 1, 2015, subject to each grantee’s continued service on the board through each vesting date.
	Stock based compensation expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $0.9 million and $1.9 million, and $1.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company’s commitments and contingent liabilities include the usual obligations incurred by real estate developers in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, these matters will not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits related to its normal business activities. We believe that the accruals we have recorded for probable and reasonably estimable losses with respect to these proceedings are adequate and that, as of June 30, 2014, it was not reasonably possible that an additional material loss had been incurred in an amount in excess of the estimated amounts already recognized on our condensed consolidated financial statements. The outcome of any of these proceedings, including the defense and other litigation-related costs and expenses we may incur, however, is inherently uncertain and could differ significantly from the estimate reflected in a related accrual, if made. Therefore, it is possible that the ultimate outcome of any proceeding, if in excess of a related accrual or if no accrual had been made, could be material to our consolidated financial statements.
	We have non-cancelable operating leases primarily associated with our office facilities. Rent expense under cancelable and non-cancelable operating leases totaled $0.7 million and $1.4 million, and $0.4 million and $0.9 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the respective periods. The table below shows the future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases at June 30, 2014 (in thousands).
	Year Ending December 31
	2014	$	1,423
	2015	1,564
	2016	1,004
	2017	908
	2018	888
	Thereafter	2,831
	Total	$	8,618
	As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $0.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in deposits as collateral for outstanding surety bonds to guarantee the Company’s financial obligations under certain contractual arrangements in the normal course of business. The standby letters of credit were secured by cash as reflected as restricted cash on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
	The Company also had outstanding performance and surety bonds of $91.5 million at June 30, 2014, related principally to its obligations for site improvements at various projects. The Company does not believe that draws upon these bonds, if any, will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. As of June 30, 2014, the Company had $130.4 million of project commitments relating to the construction of projects.
	See Note 5 for additional information relating to the Company’s guarantee arrangements.
	In addition to the land bank agreement discussed below, the Company has entered into various purchase option agreements with third parties to acquire land. As of June 30, 2014, the Company has made non-refundable deposits of $41.0 million. The Company is under no obligation to purchase the land, but would forfeit remaining deposits if the land were not purchased. The total remaining purchase price under the option agreements is $317.7 million as of June 30, 2014.
	Land Banking Arrangements
	The Company enters into purchase agreements with various land sellers. As a method of acquiring land in staged takedowns, thereby minimizing the use of funds from the Company’s available cash or other corporate financing sources and limiting the Company’s risk, the Company transfers the Company’s right in such purchase agreements to entities owned by third parties (“land banking arrangements”). These entities use equity contributions and/or incur debt to finance the acquisition and development of the land. The entities grant the Company an option to acquire lots in staged takedowns. In consideration for this option, the Company makes a non-refundable deposit of 15% to 25% of the total purchase price. The Company is under no obligation to purchase the balance of the lots, but would forfeit any existing deposits and could be subject to penalties if the lots were not purchased. The Company does not have legal title to these entities or their assets and has not guaranteed their liabilities. These land banking arrangements help the Company manage the financial and market risk associated with land holdings.
	The Company participated in one land banking arrangement, which was not a VIE in accordance with ASC 810, but which is consolidated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 470, Debt (“ASC 470”). The remaining lots under the above land banking agreement were purchased by the Company during April 2014. No further obligations remain under the agreement. Under the provisions of ASC 470, the Company has determined it is economically compelled, based on certain factors, to purchase the land in the land banking arrangement. The Company has recorded the remaining purchase price of the land of $13.0 million, as of December 31, 2013, which is included in real estate inventories not owned and liabilities from inventories not owned in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, and represented the remaining net cash to be paid on the remaining land takedowns.
	Summary information with respect to the Company’s land banking arrangements is as follows as of the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
		31-Dec-13
	Total number of land banking projects	1
	Total number of lots	610
	Total purchase price	$	161,465
	Balance of lots still under option and not purchased:
	Number of lots	65
	Purchase price	$	12,960
	Forfeited deposits if lots are not purchased	$	9,210

Subsequent_Events_Notes

Subsequent Events (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	Acquisition of Polygon Northwest Homes
	On August 12, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of the residential homebuilding business of PNW Home Builders, L.L.C. (“PNW Parent”) pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) dated June 22, 2014 among California Lyon, PNW Parent, PNW Home Builders North, L.L.C., PNW Home Builders South, L.L.C. and Crescent Ventures, L.L.C. Prior to such completion, California Lyon assigned its interests in the Purchase Agreement to Polygon WLH LLC, a newly formed Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of California Lyon (“Polygon WLH”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Polygon WLH acquired, for cash, all of the membership interests of the underlying limited liability companies and certain service companies and other assets that comprised the residential homebuilding operations of PNW Parent and which conducted business as Polygon Northwest Company (“Polygon”), for an aggregate cash purchase price of $520.0 million, plus an additional approximately $28.0 million at closing pursuant to working capital adjustments reflecting, among other adjustments, additional homebuilding inventory for lots owned and controlled and a reduction in assumed liabilities including accounts payable, in each case as compared to estimates made at the time of execution of the Purchase Agreement, and which cash purchase price remains subject to final working capital adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement (the “Acquisition”). The acquired entities now operate as two new divisions of the Company under the Polygon name, one in Washington, with a core market of Seattle, and the other in Oregon, with a core market of Portland. Through the Acquisition, the Company added over 4,600 owned or controlled lots to its land portfolio in two attractive Western U.S. markets. As of the acquisition date, Polygon’s homebuilding operations had 12 active selling communities in Washington and Oregon.
	The Company financed the Acquisition with a combination of proceeds from its issuance of $300 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.00% senior notes due 2022, cash on hand including approximately $100 million of aggregate proceeds from several separate land banking arrangements with respect to land parcels located in California, Washington and Oregon, each of which is entitled but undeveloped, and including parcels acquired in the Acquisition, and $120 million of borrowings under a new one-year senior unsecured loan facility.
	7.00% Senior Notes due 2022
	On August 11, 2014, WLH PNW Finance Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of California Lyon (“Escrow Issuer”), completed its private placement with registration rights of 7.00% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Notes”), in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million. The 2022 Notes were issued at 100% of their aggregate principal amount. On August 12, 2014, in connection with the consummation of the Acquisition, Escrow Issuer merged with and into California Lyon (the “Escrow Merger”), and California Lyon assumed the obligations of the Escrow Issuer under the 2022 Notes and the related indenture by operation of law. Following the Escrow Merger, California Lyon is the obligor under the 2022 Notes, and the 2022 Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company and certain of its existing and future wholly owned subsidiaries, including Polygon WLH and the entities acquired through the Acquisition. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2022 Notes was used to fund a portion of the purchase price for the Acquisition.
	Senior Unsecured Facility
	On August 12, 2014, the Company entered into a senior unsecured loan facility (the “Senior Unsecured Loan Facility”), pursuant to which the Company borrowed $120 million in order to pay a portion of the purchase price for the Acquisition (the “Senior Unsecured Loan”). The Senior Unsecured Loan will bear interest at an annual rate equal to a Eurodollar rate (subject to a minimum “floor” of 1.00%), plus an initial margin, which margin will increase by 0.50% every three months after August 12, 2014 that the Senior Unsecured Loan remains outstanding, subject to an interest rate cap. The Senior Unsecured Facility will initially mature on the one-year anniversary of August 12, 2014, and may be prepaid in whole or in part prior to maturity without penalty. Any Senior Unsecured Loan that has not been previously repaid in full on or prior to the initial maturity date will be automatically converted into a senior term loan facility, which could be exchanged at the option of the lenders thereunder in whole or in part for senior exchange notes. The obligations of California Lyon under the Senior Unsecured Facility are guaranteed by the same entities that are guarantors under the existing Revolving Credit Facility, and the Senior Unsecured Facility ranks pari passu with California Lyon’s existing and future unsecured indebtedness.
	Amendment to Revolving Credit Facility
	On July 3, 2014, California Lyon and the lenders party thereto entered into an amendment to our $100.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), which amendment, among other changes, incorporated a minimum borrowing base availability of $50.0 million and increased the maximum leverage ratio from 60% to 75% for the first four quarters following the Acquisition.
	No other events have occurred subsequent to June 30, 2014, that has required recognition or disclosure in the Company’s financial statements.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign1

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Operations	'
	Operations
	William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation (“Parent” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), is primarily engaged in designing, constructing, marketing and selling single-family detached and attached homes in California, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado (under the Village Homes brand).
Initial Public Offering	'
	Initial Public Offering
	On May 21, 2013, Parent completed its initial public offering of 10,005,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, which consisted of 7,177,500 shares sold by Parent and 2,827,500 shares sold by the selling stockholder. The 10,005,000 shares in the offering were sold at a price to the public of $25.00 per share. Parent raised total net proceeds for the Company of approximately $163.7 million in the offering, after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholder.
	Parent's authorized capital stock consists of 190,000,000 shares, 150,000,000 of which are designated as Class A Common Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share, 30,000,000 of which are designated as Class B Common Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share and 10,000,000 of which are designated as preferred stock with a par value of $0.01 per share.
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and revenues and expenses for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant accounting policies using estimates include real estate inventories and cost of sales, impairment of real estate inventories, warranty reserves, loss contingencies, sales and profit recognition, accounting for variable interest entities, and valuation of deferred tax assets. The current economic environment increases the uncertainty inherent in these estimates and assumptions.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries and joint ventures, and certain joint ventures and other entities which have been determined to be variable interest entities ("VIEs") in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary (see Note 2). The accounting policies of the joint ventures are substantially the same as those of the Company. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared from our books and records without audit and include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present a fair statement of results for the interim periods presented. Readers of this quarterly report should refer to our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013, which are included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as certain disclosures that would substantially duplicate those contained in the audited financial statements have not been included in this report.
Real Estate Inventories	'
	Real Estate Inventories
	Real estate inventories are carried at cost net of impairment losses, if any. Real estate inventories consist primarily of land deposits, land and land under development, homes completed and under construction, and model homes. All direct and indirect land costs, offsite and onsite improvements and applicable interest and other carrying charges are capitalized to real estate projects during periods when the project is under development. Land, offsite costs and all other common costs are allocated to land parcels benefited based upon relative fair values before construction. Onsite construction costs and related carrying charges (principally interest and property taxes) are allocated to the individual homes within a phase based upon the relative sales value of the homes. The Company relieves its real estate inventories through cost of sales for the estimated cost of homes sold. Selling expenses and other marketing costs are expensed in the period incurred.
	A provision for warranty costs relating to the Company’s limited warranty plans is included in cost of sales and accrued expenses at the time the sale of a home is recorded. The Company generally reserves approximately one to one and one quarter percent of the sales price of its homes against the possibility of future charges relating to its one-year limited warranty and similar potential claims. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include the number of homes under warranty, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and cost per claim. The Company assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liability and adjusts the amounts as necessary.
Construction Services	'
	Construction Services
	The Company accounts for construction management agreements using the Percentage of Completion Method in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 605 Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”). Under ASC 605, the Company records revenues and expenses as a contracted project progresses, and based on the percentage of costs incurred to date compared to the total estimated costs of the contract.
	The Company entered into construction management agreements to build, sell and market homes in certain communities. For such services, the Company will receive fees (generally 3 to 5 percent of the sales price, as defined) and may, under certain circumstances, receive additional compensation if certain financial thresholds are achieved.
Financial Instruments	'
	Financial Instruments
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are primarily cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, receivables, and deposits. The Company typically places its cash and cash equivalents in investment grade short-term instruments. Deposits, included in other assets, are due from municipalities or utility companies and are generally collected from such entities through fees assessed to other developers. The Company is an issuer of, or subject to, financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business which exposes it to credit risks. These financial instruments include letters of credit and obligations in connection with assessment district bonds. These off-balance sheet financial instruments are described in more detail in Note 11.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered cash equivalents. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance exceeds federally insurable limits as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Company monitors the cash balances in its operating accounts and adjusts the cash balances between accounts based on operational needs; however, these cash balances could be negatively impacted if the underlying financial institutions fail or are subject to other adverse conditions in the financial markets. To date, the Company has experienced no loss or lack of access to cash in its operating accounts.
Restricted Cash	'
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash consists of deposits made by the Company to a bank account as collateral for the use of letters of credit to guarantee the Company’s financial obligations under certain other contractual arrangements in the normal course of business.
Deferred Loan Costs	'
	Deferred Loan Costs
	Deferred loan costs represent debt issuance costs and are primarily amortized to interest incurred using the straight line method which approximates the effective interest method.
Goodwill	'
	Goodwill
	In accordance with the provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles, Goodwill and Other, goodwill amounts are not amortized, but rather are analyzed for impairment at the reporting segment level. Goodwill is analyzed on an annual basis, or when indicators of impairment exist. We have determined that we have five reporting segments, as discussed in Note 3, and we perform an annual goodwill impairment analysis during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year.
Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible Assets
	Recorded intangible assets primarily relate to construction management contracts, homes in backlog, and joint venture management fee contracts recorded in conjunction with FASB Topic 852, Reorganizations ("ASC 852"). Such assets were valued based on expected cash flows related to home closings, and the asset is amortized on a per unit basis, as homes under the contracts close.
Income (loss) per common share	'
	Income (loss) per common share
	The Company computes income (loss) per common share in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260, Earnings per Share, which requires income (loss) per common share for each class of stock to be calculated using the two-class method. The two-class method is an allocation of income (loss) between the holders of common stock and a company’s participating security holders.
	Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing income or loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. For purposes of determining diluted income (loss) per common share, basic income (loss) per common share is further adjusted to include the effect of potential dilutive common shares.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC 740, Income Taxes, using an asset and liability approach. Deferred income taxes reflect the net effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards measured by applying currently enacted tax laws. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce net deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement criteria for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be considered “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. In addition, the Company has elected to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the income tax provision.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign2

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Changes in Warranty Liability	'
	Changes in the Company’s warranty liability for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, are as follows (in thousands):
		Six			Six
		Months			Months
		Ended			Ended
		June 30,			June 30,
		2014			2013
	Warranty liability, beginning of period	$	14,935		$	14,317
	Warranty provision during period	3,333			1,732
	Warranty payments during period	(3,449		)	(2,569		)
	Warranty charges related to pre-existing warranties during period	360			226
	Warranty charges related to construction services projects	652			144
	Warranty liability, end of period	$	15,831		$	13,850
Schedule of Interest Incurred under Company's Debt Obligations	'
	Interest activity for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		Three			Three			Six		Six
		Months			Months			Months		Months
		Ended			Ended			Ended		Ended
		June 30,			June 30,			June 30,		June 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Interest incurred	$	11,919		$	7,849		$	21,314	$	15,000
	Less: Interest capitalized	11,919			6,582			21,314		12,449
	Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	$	—		$	1,267		$	—	$	2,551
	Cash paid for interest	$	19,051		$	14,350		$	19,671	$	14,350

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Financial Information Relating to Operations	'
	Segment financial information relating to the Company’s operations was as follows (in thousands):
		Three			Three			Six			Six
		Months			Months			Months			Months
		Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
		June 30,			June 30,			June 30,			June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Operating revenue:
	Southern California	$	115,942		$	44,304		$	203,321		$	55,550
	Northern California	19,875			14,988			46,751			28,325
	Arizona	16,431			33,549			29,709			55,178
	Nevada	18,392			17,740			35,541			32,501
	Colorado	9,169			20,857			14,438			40,737
	Total operating revenue	$	179,809		$	131,438		$	329,760		$	212,291
		Three			Three			Six			Six
		Months			Months			Months			Months
		Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended
		June 30,			June 30,			June 30,			June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
	Southern California	$	20,924		$	6,100		$	37,022		$	5,426
	Northern California	2,269			2,904			6,809			4,034
	Arizona	2,321			3,723			3,672			4,808
	Nevada	1,673			1,457			3,029			2,526
	Colorado	(453		)	722			(1,112		)	1,445
	Corporate	(5,776		)	(5,816		)	(12,546		)	(11,622		)
	Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	$	20,958		$	9,090		$	36,874		$	6,617
Segment Schedule of Homebuilding Assets	'
		30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Homebuilding assets:
	Southern California	$	355,760		$	275,975
	Northern California	210,681			143,693
	Arizona	170,878			157,892
	Nevada	127,906			85,695
	Colorado	105,021			60,233
	Corporate (1)	219,650			286,923
	Total homebuilding assets	$	1,189,896		$	1,010,411
	-1	Comprised primarily of cash and cash equivalents, deferred income taxes, receivables, deferred loan costs, and other assets.

Real_Estate_Inventories_Tables

Real Estate Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Real Estate Inventories	'
	Real estate inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		Successor
		30-Jun-14		31-Dec-13
	Real estate inventories owned:
	Land deposits	$	41,252	$	46,632
	Land and land under development	637,477		458,437
	Homes completed and under construction	212,064		144,736
	Model homes	40,393		21,985
	Total	$	931,186	$	671,790
	Real estate inventories not owned: (1)
	Other land options contracts — land banking arrangement	$	—	$	12,960
	-1	Represents the consolidation of a land banking arrangement, net of deposits. The final lots attributable to this amount were purchased in April 2014.

Senior_Notes_and_Secured_Indeb1

Senior Notes and Secured Indebtedness (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Details of Notes Payable and Senior Notes	'
		Successor
		30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Notes payable:
	Construction notes payable	$	29,878		$	24,198
	Seller financing	6,028			13,862
	Revolving lines of credit	—			—
	Total notes payable	$	35,906		$	38,060
	Senior notes:
	5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019	$	150,000		$	—
	8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020	430,732			431,295
	Total senior notes	$	580,732		$	431,295
	Total notes payable and senior notes	$	616,638		$	469,355
Maturities of Notes Payable and Senior Notes	'
	Certain of the Company's consolidated joint ventures have entered into construction notes payable agreements. The issuance date, total availability under each facility outstanding, maturity date and interest rate are listed in the table below as of June 30, 2014:
	Issuance Date		Facility Size			Outstanding			Maturity		Current Rate
	March, 2014		$	26		$	3.7		October, 2016		3.15	%	-1
	December, 2013		18.6			10.9			January, 2016		4.25	%	-1
	June, 2013		28			15.3			June, 2016		4	%	-2
			$	72.6		$	29.9
	(1) Loan bears interest at the Company's option of either LIBOR +3.0% or the prime rate +1.0%.
	(2) Loan bears interest at the prime rate +0.5%, with a rate floor of 4.0% .
	As of June 30, 2014, the maturities of the Notes payable, 5 3/4% Senior Notes, and 8 1/2% Senior Notes are as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending December 31,
	2014	$	486
	2015	5,542
	2016	29,878
	2017	—
	2018	—
	Thereafter	575,000
		$	610,906
Summary of Senior Notes Redemption Prices Percentage	'
	On or after April 15, 2016, California Lyon may redeem all or a portion of the 5.75% Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the period beginning on each of the dates indicated below:
	Year	Percentage
	15-Apr-16	104.313	%
	15-Oct-16	102.875	%
	15-Apr-17	101.438	%
	April 15, 2018 and thereafter	100	%
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	(Unaudited)
	As of June 30, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Unconsolidated
		Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
		Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	95,644		$	61			$	7,076		$	—		$	102,781
	Restricted cash	—			504			—				—			—			504
	Receivables	—			17,294			1,355				3,210			—			21,859
	Real estate inventories
	Owned	—			851,061			3,336				76,789			—			931,186
	Deferred loan costs, net	—			12,075			—				—			—			12,075
	Goodwill	—			14,209			—				—			—			14,209
	Intangibles, net	—			1,651			—				—			—			1,651
	Deferred income taxes, net	—			91,853			—				—			—			91,853
	Other assets, net	—			11,564			1,892				322			—			13,778
	Investments in subsidiaries	449,781			(35,403		)	—				—			(414,378		)	—
	Intercompany receivables	—			—			229,665				—			(229,665		)	—
	Total assets	$	449,781		$	1,060,452		$	236,309			$	87,397		$	(644,043	)	$	1,189,896
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	20,571		$	5,282			$	5,190		$	—		$	31,043
	Accrued expenses	—			68,931			1,028				97			—			70,056
	Notes payable	—			4,660			1,368				29,878			—			35,906
	5 3/4% Senior Notes	—			150,000			—				—			—			150,000
	8  1/2% Senior Notes	—			430,732			—				—			—			430,732
	Intercompany payables	—			164,408			—				65,257			(229,665		)	—
	Total liabilities	—			839,302			7,678				100,422			(229,665		)	717,737
	Equity
	William Lyon Homes stockholders’ equity	449,781			221,150			228,631				(35,403		)	(414,378		)	449,781
	Noncontrolling interests	—			—							22,378			—			22,378
	Total liabilities and equity	$	449,781		$	1,060,452		$	236,309			$	87,397		$	(644,043	)	$	1,189,896
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Unconsolidated
		Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
		Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	166,516		$	28			$	5,128		$	—		$	171,672
	Restricted cash	—			854			—				—			—			854
	Receivables	—			15,742			72				5,025			—			20,839
	Real estate inventories
	Owned	—			608,965			3,761				59,064			—			671,790
	Not owned	—			12,960			—				—			—			12,960
	Deferred loan costs, net	—			9,575			—				—			—			9,575
	Goodwill	—			14,209			—				—			—			14,209
	Intangibles, net	—			2,766			—				—			—			2,766
	Deferred income taxes, net	—			95,580			—				—			—			95,580
	Other assets, net	—			9,100			723				343			—			10,166
	Investments in subsidiaries	428,179			9,975			—				—			(438,154		)	—
	Intercompany receivables	—			—			225,056				(15		)	(225,041		)	—
	Total assets	$	428,179		$	946,242		$	229,640			$	69,545		$	(663,195	)	$	1,010,411
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	12,489		$	1,959			$	2,651		$	—		$	17,099
	Accrued expenses	—			59,376			744				83			—			60,203
	Liabilities from inventories not owned	—			12,960			—				—			—			12,960
	Notes payable	—			12,281			1,762				24,017			—			38,060
	8 1/2% Senior Notes	—			431,295			—				—			—			431,295
	Intercompany payables	—			214,837			—				10,204			(225,041		)	—
	Total liabilities	—			743,238			4,465				36,955			(225,041		)	559,617
	Equity
William Lyon Homes stockholders’ equity	428,179			203,004			225,175				9,975			(438,154		)	428,179
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			—				22,615			—			22,615
Total liabilities and equity	$	428,179		$	946,242		$	229,640			$	69,545		$	(663,195	)	$	1,010,411
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Unconsolidated
		Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
		Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
	Operating revenue
	Sales	$	—		$	136,300		$	23,889			$	9,679		$	—		$	169,868
	Construction services	—			9,941			—				—			—			9,941
	Management fees	—			685			—				—			(685		)	—
		—			146,926			23,889				9,679			(685		)	179,809
	Operating costs
	Cost of sales	—			(103,732		)	(19,466		)		(7,113		)	685			(129,626		)
	Construction services	—			(8,405		)	—				—			—			(8,405		)
	Sales and marketing	—			(6,743		)	(1,620		)		(561		)	—			(8,924		)
	General and administrative	—			(10,220		)	(797		)		(2		)	—			(11,019		)
	Amortization of intangible assets	—			(502		)	—				—			—			(502		)
	Other	—			(929		)	19				181			—			(729		)
		—			(130,531		)	(21,864		)		(7,495		)	685			(159,205		)
	Income from subsidiaries	12,285			1,949			—				—			(14,234		)	—
	Operating income	12,285			18,344			2,025				2,184			(14,234		)	20,604
	Other income (expense), net	—			606			(8		)		(244		)	—			354
	Income before provision for income taxes	12,285			18,950			2,017				1,940			(14,234		)	20,958
	Provision for income taxes	—			(6,206		)	—				—			—			(6,206		)
	Net income	12,285			12,744			2,017				1,940			(14,234		)	14,752
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—				(2,467		)	—			(2,467		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to William Lyon Homes	12,285			12,744			2,017				(527		)	(14,234		)	12,285
	Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	12,285		$	12,744		$	2,017			$	(527	)	$	(14,234	)	$	12,285
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Unconsolidated
		Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
		Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
	Operating revenue
	Sales	$	—		$	62,880		$	51,158			$	9,858		$	—		$	123,896
	Construction services	—			7,542			—				—			—			7,542
	Management fees	—			271			—				—			(271		)	—
		—			70,693			51,158				9,858			(271		)	131,438
	Operating costs
	Cost of sales	—			(50,161		)	(42,719		)		(6,876		)	271			(99,485		)
	Construction services	—			(5,299		)	—				—			—			(5,299		)
	Sales and marketing	—			(3,373		)	(2,480		)		(282		)	—			(6,135		)
	General and administrative	—			(8,867		)	(412		)		(13		)	—			(9,292		)
	Amortization of intangible assets	—			(360		)	—				—						(360		)
	Other	—			(566		)	—				—			—			(566		)
		—			(68,626		)	(45,611		)		(7,171		)	271			(121,137		)
	Income from subsidiaries	7,394			5,453			—				—			(12,847		)	—
	Operating income	7,394			7,520			5,547				2,687			(12,847		)	10,301
	Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	—			(1,220		)	(47		)		—			—			(1,267		)
	Other income (expense), net	—			391			(10		)		(325		)	—			56
	Income before reorganization items and provision for income taxes	7,394			6,691			5,490				2,362			(12,847		)	9,090
	Provision for income taxes	—			(10		)	—				—			—			(10		)
	Net (loss) income	7,394			6,681			5,490				2,362			(12,847		)	9,080
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—						—				(1,686		)	—			(1,686		)
	Net (loss) income attributable to William Lyon Homes	7,394			6,681			5,490				676			(12,847		)	7,394
	Preferred stock dividends	(544		)	—			—				—			—			(544		)
	Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	$	6,850		$	6,681		$	5,490			$	676		$	(12,847	)	$	6,850
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	(Unaudited)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
(in thousands)
	Unconsolidated
	Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
Operating revenue
Sales	$	—		$	242,899		$	42,437			$	24,831		$	—		$	310,167
Construction services	—			19,593			—				—			—			19,593
Management fees	—			1,140			—				—			(1,140		)	—
	—			263,632			42,437				24,831			(1,140		)	329,760
Operating costs
Cost of sales	—			(184,161		)	(34,523		)		(18,294		)	1,140			(235,838		)
Construction services	—			(16,473		)	—				—			—			(16,473		)
Sales and marketing	—			(11,432		)	(2,815		)		(1,235		)	—			(15,482		)
General and administrative	—			(21,498		)	(1,655		)		(2		)	—			(23,155		)
Amortization of intangible assets	—			(1,120		)	—				—						(1,120		)
Other	—			(1,899		)	18				590			—			(1,291		)
	—			(236,583		)	(38,975		)		(18,941		)	1,140			(293,359		)
Income from subsidiaries	20,982			4,964			—				—			(25,946		)	—
Operating income	20,982			32,013			3,462				5,890			(25,946		)	36,401
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	—			—			—				—			—			—
Other income (expense), net	—			875			(11		)		(391		)	—			473
Income before provision for income taxes	20,982			32,888			3,451				5,499			(25,946		)	36,874
Provision for income taxes	—			(10,780		)	—				—			—			(10,780		)
Net income	20,982			22,108			3,451				5,499			(25,946		)	26,094
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—						—				(5,112		)	—			(5,112		)
Net income attributable to William Lyon Homes	20,982			22,108			3,451				387			(25,946		)	20,982
Net income available to common stockholders	$	20,982		$	22,108		$	3,451			$	387		$	(25,946	)	$	20,982
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
(in thousands)
	Unconsolidated
	Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
Operating revenue
Sales	$	—		$	97,805		$	92,667			$	9,858		$	—		$	200,330
Construction services	—			11,961			—				—			—			11,961
Management fees	—			271			—				—			(271		)	—
	—			110,037			92,667				9,858			(271		)	212,291
Operating costs																	—
Cost of sales	—			(78,355		)	(77,933		)		(6,796		)	271			(162,813		)
Construction services	—			(9,337		)	—				—			—			(9,337		)
Sales and marketing	—			(5,732		)	(4,561		)		(510		)	—			(10,803		)
General and administrative	—			(16,699		)	(1,098		)		(19		)	—			(17,816		)
Amortization of intangible assets	—			(982		)	—				—						(982		)
Other	—			(1,050		)	(1		)		—			—			(1,051		)
	—			(112,155		)	(83,593		)		(7,325		)	271			(202,802		)
Income from subsidiaries	4,846			7,667			—				—			(12,513		)	—
Operating income	4,846			5,549			9,074				2,533			(12,513		)	9,489
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	—			(2,425		)	(126		)		—			—			(2,551		)
Other income (expense), net	—			764			(13		)		(608		)	—			143
Income before reorganization items and provision for income taxes	4,846			3,888			8,935				1,925			(12,513		)	7,081
Reorganization items, net	—			(464		)	—				—			—			(464		)
Income before provision for income taxes	4,846			3,424			8,935				1,925			(12,513		)	6,617
Provision for income taxes	—			(10		)	—				—			—			(10		)
Net income	4,846			3,414			8,935				1,925			(12,513		)	6,607
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—				(1,761		)	—			(1,761		)
Net income attributable to William Lyon Homes	4,846			3,414			8,935				164			(12,513		)	4,846
Preferred stock dividends	(1,528		)	—			—				—			—			(1,528		)
Net income available to common stockholders	$	3,318		$	3,414		$	8,935			$	164		$	(12,513	)	$	3,318
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	(Unaudited)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Unconsolidated
		Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
		Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
	Operating activities
	Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$	(619	)	$	(199,766	)	$	5,062			$	(7,837	)	$	619		$	(202,541	)
	Investing activities
	Purchases of property and equipment	—			(1,609		)	(31		)		—			—			(1,640		)
	Investments in subsidiaries	—			50,342			—				—			(50,342		)	—
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	—			48,733			(31		)		—			(50,342		)	(1,640		)
	Financing activities
	Proceeds from borrowings on notes payable	—			394			(394		)		34,153			—			34,153
	Principal payments on notes payable	—			(10,428		)	—				(28,292		)	—			(38,720		)
	Proceeds from issuance of 5 3/4% notes	—			150,000			—				—			—			150,000
	Payment of deferred loan costs	—			(3,560		)	—				—			—			(3,560		)
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options	—			285			—				—			—			285
	Shares remitted to Company for employee tax witholding	—			(1,414		)	—				—			—			(1,414		)
	Offering costs related to secondary sale of common stock	—			(105		)	—				—			—			(105		)
	Noncontrolling interests contributions	—			—			—				8,742			—			8,742
	Noncontrolling interests distributions	—			—			—				(14,091		)	—			(14,091		)
	Advances to affiliates	—			—			5				(45,765		)	45,760			—
	Intercompany receivables/payables	619			(55,011		)	(4,609		)		55,038			3,963			—
	Net cash provided by (used in)financing activities	619			80,161			(4,998		)		9,785			49,723			135,290
	Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(70,872		)	33				1,948			—			(68,891		)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	—			166,516			28				5,128			—			171,672
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	95,644		$	61			$	7,076		$	—		$	102,781
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	(Unaudited)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Unconsolidated
		Delaware			California			Guarantor				Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
		Lyon			Lyon			Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries			Entries			Company
	Operating activities
	Net cash used in operating activities	$	—		$	(28,146	)	$	6,674			$	(45,223	)	$	—		$	(66,695	)
	Investing activities
	Purchases of property and equipment	—			(1,522		)	(22		)		8			—			(1,536		)
	Investments in subsidiaries	—			(252		)	—				—			252			—
	Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	—			(1,774		)	(22		)		8			252			(1,536		)
	Financing activities
	Proceeds on borrowings on notes payable	—			16,764			1,762				22,734			—			41,260
	Principal payments on notes payable	—			(12,976		)	—				(6,139		)	—			(19,115		)
	Payment of deferred loan costs	—			(370		)	—				—			—			(370		)
	Proceeds from issuance of common stock	—			179,438			—				—			—			179,438
	Offering costs related to issuance of common stock	—			(15,517		)	—				—			—			(15,517		)
	Payment of preferred stock dividends	—			(2,550		)	—				—			—			(2,550		)
	Noncontrolling interests contributions	—			—			—				34,848			—			34,848
	Noncontrolling interests distributions	—			—			—				(14,421		)	—			(14,421		)
	Intercompany receivables/payables	—			(163		)	12,258				951			(13,046		)	—
	Advances to affiliates	—			—			(20,550		)		7,756			12,794			—
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	—			164,626			(6,530		)		45,729			(252		)	203,573
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	—			134,706			122				514			—			135,342
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	—			69,376			65				1,634			—			71,075
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	204,082		$	187			$	2,148		$	—		$	206,417

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments	'
	The estimated fair values of financial instruments are as follows (in thousands):
		Successor
		30-Jun-14					31-Dec-13
		Carrying			Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Amount			Value		Amount		Value
	Financial liabilities:
	Notes payable	$	35,906		$	35,906	$	38,060	$	38,060
	5 3/4% Senior Notes due 2019	$	150,000		$	153,750	$	—	$	—
	8 1/2% Senior Notes due 2020	$	430,732		$	475,490	$	431,295	$	466,877
Fair Value of Debt	'
	The following table represents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance for the Company’s Level 3 fair value measurements:
		Notes
		Payable
		(in thousands)
	Fair value at December 31, 2013	$	38,060
	Repayments of principal (1)	(38,720		)
	Borrowings of principal (2)	36,566
	Increase in value during the period	—
	Fair value at June 30, 2014	$	35,906
	-1	Represents the actual amount of principal repaid
	-2	Represents the actual amount of principal borrowed

Income_Per_Common_Share_Tables

Income Per Common Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Common Share	'
	Basic and diluted income per common share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were calculated as follows (in thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts):
		Three		Three		Six		Six
		Months		Months		Months		Months
		Ended		Ended		Ended		Ended
		June 30,		June 30,		June 30,		June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding	31,224,252		22,103,841		31,159,422		18,297,264
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options, unvested common shares, and warrants	1,525,856		1,205,578		1,510,138		862,648
	Diluted average shares outstanding	32,750,108		23,309,419		32,669,560		19,159,912
	Net income available to common stockholders	$	12,285	$	6,850	$	20,982	$	3,318
	Basic income per common share	$	0.39	$	0.31	$	0.67	$	0.18
	Dilutive income per common share	$	0.38	$	0.29	$	0.64	$	0.17

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Future Minimum Payments under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases	'
	The table below shows the future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases at June 30, 2014 (in thousands).
	Year Ending December 31
	2014	$	1,423
	2015	1,564
	2016	1,004
	2017	908
	2018	888
	Thereafter	2,831
	Total	$	8,618
Summary of Company's Consolidated Land Banking Arrangement	'
	Summary information with respect to the Company’s land banking arrangements is as follows as of the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
		31-Dec-13
	Total number of land banking projects	1
	Total number of lots	610
	Total purchase price	$	161,465
	Balance of lots still under option and not purchased:
	Number of lots	65
	Purchase price	$	12,960
	Forfeited deposits if lots are not purchased	$	9,210

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign3

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Changes in Warranty Liability (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'
Warranty liability, beginning of period	$14,935	$14,317
Warranty provision during period	3,333	1,732
Warranty payments during period	-3,449	-2,569
Warranty charges related to pre-existing warranties during period	360	226
Warranty charges related to construction services projects	652	144
Warranty liability, end of period	$15,831	$13,850

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign4

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Interest Incurred under Company's Debt Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest incurred	$11,919	$7,849	$21,314	$15,000
Less: Interest capitalized	11,919	6,582	21,314	12,449
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	0	1,267	0	2,551
Cash paid for interest	$19,051	$14,350	$19,671	$14,350

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign5

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	21-May-13	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock, Net of Issuance Costs	$163.70	'	'
Capital stock, shares authorized (in shares)	'	190,000,000	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	'	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in USD per share)	'	$0.01	$0.01
Real estate warranty period	'	'1 year	'
Common stock, Class A	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common stock issued during period (in shares)	10,005,000	'	'
Common stock, IPO price (in USD per share)	$25	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	'	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, par value (in USD per share)	'	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, Class B	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	'	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, par value (in USD per share)	'	$0.01	$0.01
Parent Company | Common stock, Class A	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common stock issued during period (in shares)	7,177,500	'	'
Selling Stockholders | Common stock, Class A	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common stock issued during period (in shares)	2,827,500	'	'
Minimum	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of service revenue	'	3.00%	'
Percentage of home sale price reserved	'	1.00%	'
Maximum	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of service revenue	'	5.00%	'
Percentage of home sale price reserved	'	1.25%	'

Variable_Interest_Entities_and1

Variable Interest Entities and Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Joint_Ventures	Joint_Ventures
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Joint Ventures	1	'
Number of Joint Ventures Formed in Prior Periods	'	3
Consolidated variable interest entities, assets	$73.50	$66.40
Consolidated variable interest entities, liabilities	35.5	27.1
Real Estate	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'
Consolidated variable interest entities, assets	63.7	56.8
Cash	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'
Consolidated variable interest entities, assets	$6.70	$4.70

Segment_Information_Segment_Fi

Segment Information - Segment Financial Information Relating to Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating revenue:	'	'	'	'
Total operating revenues	$179,809	$131,438	$329,760	$212,291
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	20,958	9,090	36,874	6,617
Reportable Geographical Components | Southern California	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue:	'	'	'	'
Total operating revenues	115,942	44,304	203,321	55,550
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	20,924	6,100	37,022	5,426
Reportable Geographical Components | Northern California	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue:	'	'	'	'
Total operating revenues	19,875	14,988	46,751	28,325
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	2,269	2,904	6,809	4,034
Reportable Geographical Components | Arizona	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue:	'	'	'	'
Total operating revenues	16,431	33,549	29,709	55,178
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	2,321	3,723	3,672	4,808
Reportable Geographical Components | Nevada	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue:	'	'	'	'
Total operating revenues	18,392	17,740	35,541	32,501
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	1,673	1,457	3,029	2,526
Reportable Geographical Components | Colorado	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue:	'	'	'	'
Total operating revenues	9,169	20,857	14,438	40,737
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	-453	722	-1,112	1,445
Reportable Geographical Components | Corporate	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	($5,776)	($5,816)	($12,546)	($11,622)

Segment_Information_Consists_o

Segment Information - Consists of Write-Off of Land Option Deposits and Pre-acquisition Costs (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Homebuilding assets:	'		'
Total homebuilding assets	$1,189,896		$1,010,411
Southern California | Reportable Geographical Components	'		'
Homebuilding assets:	'		'
Total homebuilding assets	355,760		275,975
Northern California | Reportable Geographical Components	'		'
Homebuilding assets:	'		'
Total homebuilding assets	210,681		143,693
Arizona | Reportable Geographical Components	'		'
Homebuilding assets:	'		'
Total homebuilding assets	170,878		157,892
Nevada | Reportable Geographical Components	'		'
Homebuilding assets:	'		'
Total homebuilding assets	127,906		85,695
Colorado | Reportable Geographical Components	'		'
Homebuilding assets:	'		'
Total homebuilding assets	105,021		60,233
Corporate | Reportable Geographical Components	'		'
Homebuilding assets:	'		'
Total homebuilding assets	$219,650	[1]	$286,923	[1]
[1]	Comprised primarily of cash and cash equivalents, deferred income taxes, receivables, deferred loan costs, and other assets.

Segment_Information_Narrative_

Segment Information Narrative (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of operating segments	1
Number of reportable segments	5

Real_Estate_Inventories_Summar

Real Estate Inventories - Summary of Real Estate Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Real estate inventories owned:	'		'
Total	$931,186		$671,790
Real estate inventories not owned:	'		'
Other land options contracts b land banking arrangement	0		12,960
Successor	'		'
Real estate inventories owned:	'		'
Land deposits	41,252		46,632
Land and land under development	637,477		458,437
Homes completed and under construction	212,064		144,736
Model homes	40,393		21,985
Total	931,186		671,790
Real estate inventories not owned:	'		'
Other land options contracts b land banking arrangement	$0	[1]	$12,960	[1]
[1]	Represents the consolidation of a land banking arrangement, net of deposits. The final lots attributable to this amount were purchased in April 2014.

Senior_Notes_and_Secured_Indeb2

Senior Notes and Secured Indebtedness - Details of Notes Payable and Senior Notes (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Notes payable:	'	'
Facility Size	$35,906	$38,060
Senior notes:	'	'
Outstanding amount	580,732	431,295
Total notes payable and senior notes	616,638	469,355
5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019	'	'
Senior notes:	'	'
Outstanding amount	150,000	0
8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020	'	'
Senior notes:	'	'
Outstanding amount	430,732	431,295
Construction Loan Payable	'	'
Notes payable:	'	'
Facility Size	29,878	24,198
Seller Financing	'	'
Notes payable:	'	'
Facility Size	6,028	13,862
Revolving Credit Facility	'	'
Notes payable:	'	'
Facility Size	$0	$0

Senior_Notes_and_Secured_Indeb3

Senior Notes and Secured Indebtedness - Maturities of Notes Payable and 5 3/4% and 8 1/2% Senior Notes (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total notes payable and senior notes	$616,638	$469,355
Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2014	486	'
2015	5,542	'
2016	29,878	'
2017	0	'
2018	0	'
Thereafter	575,000	'
Total notes payable and senior notes	610,906	'
Premium amount excluded from future debt maturities disclosure	$5,732	'

Senior_Notes_and_Secured_Indeb4

Senior Notes and Secured Indebtedness - Summary of Senior Notes Redemption Prices Percentage (Details) (Senior Notes, 5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Senior Notes | 5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
15-Apr-16	104.31%
15-Oct-16	102.88%
15-Apr-17	101.44%
April 15, 2018 and thereafter	100.00%

Senior_Notes_and_Secrued_Indeb

Senior Notes and Secrued Indebtedness - Maturities of Construction Notes Payable (Details) (USD $)

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

March 2014 Construction Notes Payable

March 2014 Construction Notes Payable

June 2013 Construction Notes Payable

Construction Loans

Construction Loans

Construction Loans

Construction Loans

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

Prime Rate

March 2014 Construction Notes Payable

December 2013 Construction Notes Payable

June 2013 Construction Notes Payable

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Facility Size

$35,906,000

$38,060,000

'

'

'

$72,600,000

$26,000,000

$18,600,000

$28,000,000

Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

$29,900,000

$3,700,000

$10,900,000

$15,300,000

Current Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.15%

[1]

4.25%

[1]

4.00%

[2]

Basis spread on variable rate

'

'

3.00%

1.00%

0.50%

'

'

'

'

Minimum stated interest rate

'

'

'

'

4.00%

'

'

'

'

[1]

Loan bears interest at the Company's option of either LIBOR +3.0% or the prime rate +1.0%.

[2]

Loan bears interest at the prime rate +0.5%, with a rate floor of 4.0% .

Senior_Notes_and_Secured_Indeb5

Senior Notes and Secured Indebtedness - Senior Notes - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Sep. 03, 2009

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Oct. 24, 2013

Nov. 08, 2012

Jun. 30, 2014

Oct. 24, 2013

Nov. 08, 2012

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019

5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019

8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020

8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

California Lyon

California Lyon

Minimum

Maximum

5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019

5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019

5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019

8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020

8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020

8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020

8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020

8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020

5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019

5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019

5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stated interest rate

'

'

'

5.75%

5.75%

8.50%

8.50%

'

5.75%

5.75%

'

'

8.50%

'

8.50%

'

'

'

'

Principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$150,000,000

'

'

$425,000,000

$100,000,000

$325,000,000

'

'

'

'

Percentage of principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

106.50%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding amount

'

580,732,000

431,295,000

150,000,000

0

430,732,000

431,295,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

'

'

'

Maturity date

30-Sep-16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Apr-19

'

'

'

15-Nov-20

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption notice period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'30 days

'60 days

Redemption percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

Redemption percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35.00%

'

'

Redemption percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

105.75%

'

'

Net proceeds from issuance of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$104,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior_Notes_and_Secured_Indeb6

Senior Notes and Secured Indebtedness - Notes Payable - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 03, 2009

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 07, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Aug. 07, 2013

Aug. 07, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jul. 03, 2014

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Line of Credit

Seller Financing

Seller Financing

Seller Financing

Seller Financing

Seller Financing

Subsequent Event

Revolving Credit Facility Agreement

Revolving Credit Facility Agreement

Revolving Credit Facility Agreement

Revolving Credit Facility Agreement

Notes Payable One

Notes Payable One

Notes Payable Two

Revolving Credit Facility

Seller Financing Notes Payable Maturing May 2015

Seller Financing Notes Payable, Notes Maturing October 2014

Seller Financing Notes Payable Maturing January 2015

Revolving Credit Facility Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000,000

$50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity date

30-Sep-16

'

'

5-Aug-16

'

'

'

'

'

31-May-15

'

'

'

Additional capacity under accordion feature

'

'

'

'

'

125,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitment fee percentage

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding letter of credit

'

'

'

'

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

60.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75.00%

Minimum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

Facility Size

'

$35,906,000

$38,060,000

'

'

'

'

$6,028,000

$13,862,000

$4,700,000

$500,000

$900,000

'

Stated interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.00%

'

7.00%

'

'

'

Senior_Notes_and_Secured_Indeb7

Senior Notes and Secured Indebtedness - Additional Information (Details) (Delaware Lyon)	Jun. 30, 2014
Delaware Lyon	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Ownership percentage	100.00%

Senior_Notes_and_Secured_Indeb8

Senior Notes and Secured Indebtedness - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$102,781	$171,672	$206,417	$71,075
Restricted cash	504	854	'	'
Receivables	21,859	20,839	'	'
Real estate inventories	'	'	'	'
Owned	931,186	671,790	'	'
Not owned	0	12,960	'	'
Deferred loan costs	12,075	9,575	'	'
Goodwill	14,209	14,209	'	'
Intangibles, net	1,651	2,766	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	91,853	95,580	'	'
Other assets	13,778	10,166	'	'
Total assets	1,189,896	1,010,411	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	31,043	17,099	'	'
Accrued expenses	70,056	60,203	'	'
Liabilities from inventories not owned	0	12,960	'	'
Facility Size	35,906	38,060	'	'
Senior Notes	580,732	431,295	'	'
Liabilities	717,737	559,617	'	'
Equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
William Lyon Homes stockholders' equity (deficit)	449,781	428,179	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	22,378	22,615	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	1,189,896	1,010,411	'	'
Delaware Lyon	'	'	'	'
Real estate inventories	'	'	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	449,781	428,179	'	'
Total assets	449,781	428,179	'	'
Equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
William Lyon Homes stockholders' equity (deficit)	449,781	428,179	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	449,781	428,179	'	'
California Lyon	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	95,644	166,516	204,082	69,376
Restricted cash	504	854	'	'
Receivables	17,294	15,742	'	'
Real estate inventories	'	'	'	'
Owned	851,061	608,965	'	'
Not owned	'	12,960	'	'
Deferred loan costs	12,075	9,575	'	'
Goodwill	14,209	14,209	'	'
Intangibles, net	1,651	2,766	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	91,853	95,580	'	'
Other assets	11,564	9,100	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	-35,403	9,975	'	'
Intercompany receivables	0	0	'	'
Total assets	1,060,452	946,242	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	20,571	12,489	'	'
Accrued expenses	68,931	59,376	'	'
Liabilities from inventories not owned	'	12,960	'	'
Facility Size	4,660	12,281	'	'
Intercompany payables	164,408	214,837	'	'
Liabilities	839,302	743,238	'	'
Equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
William Lyon Homes stockholders' equity (deficit)	221,150	203,004	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	1,060,452	946,242	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	61	28	187	65
Receivables	1,355	72	'	'
Real estate inventories	'	'	'	'
Owned	3,336	3,761	'	'
Other assets	1,892	723	'	'
Intercompany receivables	229,665	225,056	'	'
Total assets	236,309	229,640	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	5,282	1,959	'	'
Accrued expenses	1,028	744	'	'
Facility Size	1,368	1,762	'	'
Intercompany payables	0	'	'	'
Liabilities	7,678	4,465	'	'
Equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
William Lyon Homes stockholders' equity (deficit)	228,631	225,175	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	236,309	229,640	'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	7,076	5,128	2,148	1,634
Receivables	3,210	5,025	'	'
Real estate inventories	'	'	'	'
Owned	76,789	59,064	'	'
Other assets	322	343	'	'
Intercompany receivables	0	-15	'	'
Total assets	87,397	69,545	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	5,190	2,651	'	'
Accrued expenses	97	83	'	'
Facility Size	29,878	24,017	'	'
Intercompany payables	65,257	10,204	'	'
Liabilities	100,422	36,955	'	'
Equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
William Lyon Homes stockholders' equity (deficit)	-35,403	9,975	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	22,378	22,615	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	87,397	69,545	'	'
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	'	0	0
Real estate inventories	'	'	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	-414,378	-438,154	'	'
Intercompany receivables	-229,665	-225,041	'	'
Total assets	-644,043	-663,195	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Intercompany payables	-229,665	-225,041	'	'
Liabilities	-229,665	-225,041	'	'
Equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
William Lyon Homes stockholders' equity (deficit)	-414,378	-438,154	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	-644,043	-663,195	'	'
5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019	'	'	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	150,000	0	'	'
5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019 | California Lyon	'	'	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	150,000	'	'	'
8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020	'	'	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	430,732	431,295	'	'
8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020 | California Lyon	'	'	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	$430,732	'	'	'

Senior_Notes_and_Secured_Indeb9

Senior Notes and Secured Indebtedness - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating revenue:	'	'	'	'
Sales	$169,868	$123,896	$310,167	$200,330
Construction services	9,941	7,542	19,593	11,961
Operating revenue	179,809	131,438	329,760	212,291
Operating costs	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales	-129,626	-99,485	-235,838	-162,813
Construction services	-8,405	-5,299	-16,473	-9,337
Sales and marketing	-8,924	-6,135	-15,482	-10,803
General and administrative	-11,019	-9,292	-23,155	-17,816
Amortization of intangible assets	-502	-360	-1,120	-982
Other	-729	-566	-1,291	-1,051
Operating costs	-159,205	-121,137	-293,359	-202,802
Operating income	20,604	10,301	36,401	9,489
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	0	-1,267	0	-2,551
Other income (expense), net	354	56	473	143
Income before reorganization items	20,958	9,090	36,874	7,081
Reorganization items, net	0	0	0	-464
Income before provision for income taxes	20,958	9,090	36,874	6,617
Provision for income taxes	-6,206	-10	-10,780	-10
Net income	14,752	9,080	26,094	6,607
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2,467	-1,686	-5,112	-1,761
Net income attributable to William Lyon Homes	12,285	7,394	20,982	4,846
Preferred stock dividends	0	-544	0	-1,528
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	12,285	6,850	20,982	3,318
Delaware Lyon	'	'	'	'
Operating costs	'	'	'	'
Income from subsidiaries	12,285	7,394	20,982	4,846
Operating income	12,285	7,394	20,982	4,846
Income before reorganization items	'	7,394	'	4,846
Income before provision for income taxes	12,285	'	20,982	4,846
Net income	12,285	7,394	20,982	4,846
Net income attributable to William Lyon Homes	12,285	7,394	20,982	4,846
Preferred stock dividends	'	-544	'	-1,528
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	12,285	6,850	20,982	3,318
California Lyon	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue:	'	'	'	'
Sales	136,300	62,880	242,899	97,805
Construction services	9,941	7,542	19,593	11,961
Management fees	685	271	1,140	271
Operating revenue	146,926	70,693	263,632	110,037
Operating costs	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales	-103,732	-50,161	-184,161	-78,355
Construction services	-8,405	-5,299	-16,473	-9,337
Sales and marketing	-6,743	-3,373	-11,432	-5,732
General and administrative	-10,220	-8,867	-21,498	-16,699
Amortization of intangible assets	-502	-360	-1,120	-982
Other	-929	-566	-1,899	-1,050
Operating costs	-130,531	-68,626	-236,583	-112,155
Income from subsidiaries	1,949	5,453	4,964	7,667
Operating income	18,344	7,520	32,013	5,549
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	'	-1,220	'	-2,425
Other income (expense), net	606	391	875	764
Income before reorganization items	'	6,691	'	3,888
Reorganization items, net	'	'	'	-464
Income before provision for income taxes	18,950	'	32,888	3,424
Provision for income taxes	-6,206	-10	-10,780	-10
Net income	12,744	6,681	22,108	3,414
Net income attributable to William Lyon Homes	12,744	6,681	22,108	3,414
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	12,744	6,681	22,108	3,414
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue:	'	'	'	'
Sales	23,889	51,158	42,437	92,667
Operating revenue	23,889	51,158	42,437	92,667
Operating costs	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales	-19,466	-42,719	-34,523	-77,933
Sales and marketing	-1,620	-2,480	-2,815	-4,561
General and administrative	-797	-412	-1,655	-1,098
Other	19	0	18	-1
Operating costs	-21,864	-45,611	-38,975	-83,593
Operating income	2,025	5,547	3,462	9,074
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	'	-47	'	-126
Other income (expense), net	-8	-10	-11	-13
Income before reorganization items	'	5,490	'	8,935
Income before provision for income taxes	2,017	'	3,451	8,935
Net income	2,017	5,490	3,451	8,935
Net income attributable to William Lyon Homes	2,017	5,490	3,451	8,935
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	2,017	5,490	3,451	8,935
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue:	'	'	'	'
Sales	9,679	9,858	24,831	9,858
Operating revenue	9,679	9,858	24,831	9,858
Operating costs	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales	-7,113	-6,876	-18,294	-6,796
Sales and marketing	-561	-282	-1,235	-510
General and administrative	-2	-13	-2	-19
Other	181	0	590	0
Operating costs	-7,495	-7,171	-18,941	-7,325
Operating income	2,184	2,687	5,890	2,533
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	'	0	'	0
Other income (expense), net	-244	-325	-391	-608
Income before reorganization items	'	2,362	'	1,925
Income before provision for income taxes	1,940	'	5,499	1,925
Net income	1,940	2,362	5,499	1,925
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2,467	-1,686	-5,112	-1,761
Net income attributable to William Lyon Homes	-527	676	387	164
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	-527	676	387	164
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue:	'	'	'	'
Management fees	-685	-271	-1,140	-271
Operating revenue	-685	-271	-1,140	-271
Operating costs	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales	685	271	1,140	271
Operating costs	685	271	1,140	271
Income from subsidiaries	-14,234	-12,847	-25,946	-12,513
Operating income	-14,234	-12,847	-25,946	-12,513
Income before reorganization items	'	-12,847	'	-12,513
Income before provision for income taxes	-14,234	'	-25,946	-12,513
Net income	-14,234	-12,847	-25,946	-12,513
Net income attributable to William Lyon Homes	-14,234	-12,847	-25,946	-12,513
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	($14,234)	($12,847)	($25,946)	($12,513)

Recovered_Sheet1

Senior Notes and Secured Indebtedness - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating activities	'	'
Net cash used in operating activities	($202,541)	($66,695)
Investing activities	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-1,640	-1,536
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,640	-1,536
Financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from borrowings on notes payable	34,153	41,260
Principal payments on notes payable	-38,720	-19,115
Proceeds from issuance of 5 3/4% senior notes	150,000	0
Payment of deferred loan costs	-3,560	-370
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	285	179,438
Shares remitted to Company for employee tax witholding	-1,414	0
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	-105	-15,517
Payment of preferred stock dividends	0	-2,550
Noncontrolling interests contributions	8,742	34,848
Noncontrolling interests distributions	-14,091	-14,421
Intercompany receivables/payables	0	0
Advances to affiliates	0	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	135,290	203,573
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-68,891	135,342
Cash and cash equivalents b beginning of period	171,672	71,075
Cash and cash equivalents b end of period	102,781	206,417
Delaware Lyon	'	'
Operating activities	'	'
Net cash used in operating activities	-619	'
Financing activities	'	'
Intercompany receivables/payables	619	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	619	'
California Lyon	'	'
Operating activities	'	'
Net cash used in operating activities	-199,766	-28,146
Investing activities	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-1,609	-1,522
Investments in subsidiaries	50,342	-252
Net cash used in investing activities	48,733	-1,774
Financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from borrowings on notes payable	394	16,764
Principal payments on notes payable	-10,428	-12,976
Proceeds from issuance of 5 3/4% senior notes	150,000	'
Payment of deferred loan costs	-3,560	-370
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	285	179,438
Shares remitted to Company for employee tax witholding	-1,414	'
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	-105	-15,517
Payment of preferred stock dividends	'	-2,550
Noncontrolling interests distributions	0	'
Intercompany receivables/payables	-55,011	-163
Net cash provided by financing activities	80,161	164,626
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-70,872	134,706
Cash and cash equivalents b beginning of period	166,516	69,376
Cash and cash equivalents b end of period	95,644	204,082
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Operating activities	'	'
Net cash used in operating activities	5,062	6,674
Investing activities	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-31	-22
Net cash used in investing activities	-31	-22
Financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from borrowings on notes payable	-394	1,762
Intercompany receivables/payables	-4,609	12,258
Advances to affiliates	5	-20,550
Net cash provided by financing activities	-4,998	-6,530
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	33	122
Cash and cash equivalents b beginning of period	28	65
Cash and cash equivalents b end of period	61	187
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Operating activities	'	'
Net cash used in operating activities	-7,837	-45,223
Investing activities	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	0	8
Net cash used in investing activities	0	8
Financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from borrowings on notes payable	34,153	22,734
Principal payments on notes payable	-28,292	-6,139
Noncontrolling interests contributions	8,742	34,848
Noncontrolling interests distributions	-14,091	-14,421
Intercompany receivables/payables	55,038	951
Advances to affiliates	-45,765	7,756
Net cash provided by financing activities	9,785	45,729
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	1,948	514
Cash and cash equivalents b beginning of period	5,128	1,634
Cash and cash equivalents b end of period	7,076	2,148
Eliminations	'	'
Operating activities	'	'
Net cash used in operating activities	619	'
Investing activities	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	-50,342	252
Net cash used in investing activities	-50,342	252
Financing activities	'	'
Intercompany receivables/payables	3,963	-13,046
Advances to affiliates	45,760	12,794
Net cash provided by financing activities	49,723	-252
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents b beginning of period	'	0
Cash and cash equivalents b end of period	$0	$0

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial liabilities:	'	'
Facility Size	$35,906	$38,060
Notes payable, Fair Value	35,906	38,060
Senior Notes	580,732	431,295
5 3/4% Senior Notes due April 15, 2019	'	'
Financial liabilities:	'	'
Stated interest rate	5.75%	5.75%
Senior Notes	150,000	0
Senior Notes, Fair Value	153,750	0
8 1/2% Senior Notes due November 15, 2020	'	'
Financial liabilities:	'	'
Stated interest rate	8.50%	8.50%
Senior Notes	430,732	431,295
Senior Notes, Fair Value	$475,490	$466,877

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Debt (Details) (Note Payable, USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Note Payable	'
Fair Value Measurements Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'
Fair value at December 31, 2013	$38,060
Repayments of principal	-38,720	[1]
Borrowings of principal	36,566	[2]
Increase in value during the period	0
Fair value at June 30, 2014	$35,906
[1]	Represents the actual amount of principal repaid
[2]	Represents the actual amount of principal borrowed

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 03, 2009	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Aggregate purchase price of aircraft	$8.30	'	'
Cash paid on sale of aircraft	2.1	'	'
Promissory note from the affiliate	6.2	'	'
Adjusted fair value	5.2	'	'
Semiannual interest payments received	0.1	'	'
Maturity date	30-Sep-16	'	'
Charges related to the rent expense	'	'	$0.20
Current lease expiry date	'	31-Mar-13	'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate	29.60%	'	0.10%	29.20%	0.20%
Valuation allowance	$3,195,000	$3,959,000	'	$3,195,000	'
Income tax benefit resulting from deferred tax asset valuation reversal	'	95,600,000	'	'	'
Testing Period	'	'	'	'5 years	'
AMT credit carryovers	1,400,000	'	'	1,400,000	'
Federal	'	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Unused built-in losses	69,500,000	'	'	69,500,000	'
State	'	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating loss carry forwards	80,600,000	'	'	80,600,000	'
Unused built-in losses	$37,000,000	'	'	$37,000,000	'

Income_Per_Common_Share_Basic_

Income Per Common Share - Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding	31,224,252	22,103,841	31,159,422	18,297,264
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'
Stock options, unvested common shares, and warrants	1,525,856	1,205,578	1,510,138	862,648
Diluted average shares outstanding	32,750,108	23,309,419	32,669,560	19,159,912
Net income available to common stockholders	$12,285	$6,850	$20,982	$3,318
Basic income per common share (in USD per share)	$0.39	$0.31	$0.67	$0.18
Dilutive income per common share (in USD per share)	$0.38	$0.29	$0.64	$0.17

Stock_Based_Compensation_Addit

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation expense	$900	$1,000	$1,854	$1,327
Performance Based Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Issuance of stock, shares	0	'	287,739	'
Stock awards, vesting percentage	'	'	33.33%	'
Restricted stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Issuance of stock, shares	925	'	48,562	'
Restricted stock [Member] | Other Employee [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Issuance of stock, shares	925	'	26,134	'
Stock awards, vesting percentage	'	'	50.00%	'
Restricted stock [Member] | Non Employee Director [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Issuance of stock, shares	0	'	22,428	'
Stock awards, vesting percentage	'	'	25.00%	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Rent expense under cancelable and non-cancelable operating leases	$700,000	$400,000	$1,400,000	$900,000	'
Collateral for outstanding irrevocable	500,000	'	500,000	'	900,000
Outstanding performance and surety bonds	91,500,000	'	91,500,000	'	'
Non-refundable deposits	41,000,000	'	41,000,000	'	'
Remaining purchase price of land	317,700,000	'	317,700,000	'	'
Total purchase price	'	'	'	'	161,465,000
Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Non-refundable deposit	15.00%	'	15.00%	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Non-refundable deposit	25.00%	'	25.00%	'	'
Balance Of Lots Still Under Option And Not Purchased [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total purchase price	'	'	'	'	12,960,000
Project Construction Commitment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Other Commitment	$130,400,000	'	$130,400,000	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Payments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$1,423
2015	1,564
2016	1,004
2017	908
2018	888
Thereafter	2,831
Total	$8,618

Commitments_and_Contingencies_4

Commitments and Contingencies - Summary of Company's Consolidated Land Banking Arrangements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	lot
	Project
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'
Total number of land banking projects	1
Total number of lots	610
Total purchase price	$161,465
Balance Of Lots Still Under Option And Not Purchased [Member]	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'
Total number of lots	65
Total purchase price	12,960
Forfeited deposits if lots are not purchased	$9,210

Subsequent_Events_Acquisition_

Subsequent Events - Acquisition (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 03, 2009

Jun. 30, 2014

Aug. 12, 2014

Aug. 07, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Aug. 07, 2013

Jul. 03, 2014

Aug. 11, 2014

Aug. 11, 2014

Aug. 12, 2014

Aug. 12, 2014

Aug. 12, 2014

Aug. 12, 2014

segment

Subsequent Event

Revolving Credit Facility Agreement

Revolving Credit Facility Agreement

Revolving Credit Facility Agreement

Revolving Credit Facility Agreement

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Eurodollar

Eurodollar

PNW Home Builders

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

7.00% Senior Notes due 2022

7.00% Senior Notes due 2022

Senior Unsecured Loan Facility

Senior Unsecured Loan Facility

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

lot

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Senior Unsecured Loan Facility

Senior Unsecured Loan Facility

division

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments to acquire business

'

'

$520,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Working capital adjustments

'

'

28,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of operating segments as a result of acquired business

'

1

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of lots acquired

'

'

4,600

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of active selling communities

'

'

12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

Stated interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.00%

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from land banking arrangements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Short-term borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

120,000,000

'

'

Percentage of principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Variable rate basis

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Eurodollar rate

Minimum stated interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

Interest rate marginal increase

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

Maturity date

30-Sep-16

'

'

5-Aug-16

'

'

'

'

'

12-Aug-14

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

$50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

60.00%

'

75.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'