Forestar (FOR) 8-K20 Nov 132012 FY Other EventsFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 11, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'8-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-12	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2012	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Trading Symbol	'FOR	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'FORESTAR GROUP INC.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001406587	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	34,621,448	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$318

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEET

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$10,361	$18,283
Real estate	517,150	565,367
Oil and natural gas properties and equipment, net of accumulated depletion of $4,657 in 2012 and $155 in 2011	158,427	4,561
Investment in unconsolidated ventures	41,546	64,223
Timber	12,293	14,240
Receivables, net	33,623	23,281
Prepaid expenses	6,455	2,931
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $5,721 in 2012 and $5,164 in 2011	4,859	5,178
Deferred tax asset, net	54,748	72,942
Goodwill and other intangible assets	63,868	5,451
Other assets	15,104	18,400
TOTAL ASSETS	918,434	794,857
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable	25,800	5,044
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	5,667	1,421
Accrued property taxes	4,231	4,986
Accrued interest	1,168	1,086
Income taxes payable	587	8,501
Other accrued expenses	15,168	7,716
Other liabilities	38,203	33,304
Debt	294,063	221,587
TOTAL LIABILITIES	384,887	283,645
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'	'
Forestar Group Inc. shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, 200,000,000 authorized shares, 36,946,603 issued at December 31, 2012 and 36,835,732 issued at December 31, 2011	36,947	36,836
Additional paid-in capital	407,206	398,517
Retained earnings	121,097	108,155
Treasury stock, at cost, 2,327,623 shares at December 31, 2012 and 2,212,876 shares at December 31, 2011	-35,762	-33,982
Total Forestar Group Inc. shareholders' equity	529,488	509,526
Noncontrolling interests	4,059	1,686
TOTAL EQUITY	533,547	511,212
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$918,434	$794,857

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEET_Par

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Oil and gas properties and equipment, net of accumulated depletion	$4,657	$155
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$5,721	$5,164
Common stock, par value	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	36,946,603	36,835,732
Treasury stock, common shares	2,327,623	2,212,876

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
REVENUES	'	'	'
Real estate sales and other	$81,459	$79,348	$47,043
Commercial and income producing properties	38,656	26,820	21,226
Real estate	120,115	106,168	68,269
Mineral resources	44,220	24,448	24,790
Fiber resources and other	8,256	4,957	8,301
Total revenues	172,591	135,573	101,360
EXPENSES	'	'	'
Cost of real estate sales and other	-40,400	-44,929	-27,503
Cost of commercial and income producing properties	-29,639	-18,046	-17,982
Cost of mineral resources	-10,842	-2,062	-1,097
Cost of fiber resources and other	-2,995	-1,928	-1,640
Other operating	-55,213	-49,132	-40,950
General and administrative	-32,320	-23,326	-22,581
Total expenses	-171,409	-139,423	-111,753
GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS	25,983	61,965	29,278
OPERATING INCOME	27,165	58,115	18,885
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	14,469	-29,209	4,701
Interest expense	-19,363	-17,012	-16,446
Other non-operating income	3,621	368	1,164
INCOME BEFORE TAXES	25,892	12,262	8,304
Income tax expense	-8,016	-3,021	-2,470
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	17,876	9,241	5,834
Less Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-4,934	-2,087	-709
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO FORESTAR GROUP INC.	12,942	7,154	5,125
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING	'	'	'
Basic	35,214	35,413	35,893
Diluted	35,482	35,781	36,377
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE	'	'	'
Basic	$0.37	$0.20	$0.14
Diluted	$0.36	$0.20	$0.14
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'	'	'
Consolidated net income	17,876	9,241	5,834
Change in fair value of interest rate swap agreement (matured in 2010)	'	'	393
Income tax effect of change in fair value	'	'	-137
Comprehensive income	17,876	9,241	6,090
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-4,934	-2,087	-709
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO FORESTAR GROUP INC.	$12,942	$7,154	$5,381

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EQU

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2009	$518,335	$36,255	$384,795	($4,214)	($256)	$95,876	$5,879
Beginning Balances, Shares at Dec. 31, 2009	'	36,255,336	'	-209,544	'	'	'
Net income	5,834	'	'	'	'	5,125	709
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap, net of taxes of ($137)	256	'	'	'	256	'	'
Comprehensive income	6,090	'	'	'	'	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	-2,690	'	'	'	'	'	-2,690
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	817	'	'	'	'	'	817
Issuances of common stock, Shares	'	2,585	'	'	'	'	'
Issuances of common stock, Value	'	3	-3	'	'	'	'
Issuances of restricted stock, Shares	'	308,697	'	'	'	'	'
Issuances of restricted stock, Value	'	309	-309	'	'	'	'
Issuances from exercises of stock options, Shares	'	91,078	'	'	'	'	'
Issuances from exercises of stock options, Value	1,199	91	1,108	'	'	'	'
Issuances from restricted stock units, Shares	'	9,514	'	'	'	'	'
Issuances from restricted stock units, Value	165	9	156	'	'	'	'
Shares withheld for payroll taxes, Shares	'	'	'	-389	'	'	'
Shares withheld for payroll taxes, Value	-7	'	'	-7	'	'	'
Shares exchanged for options exercised, Shares	'	'	'	-2,858	'	'	'
Shares exchanged for options exercised, Value	-54	'	'	-54	'	'	'
Shares repurchased, Shares	'	'	'	-1,000,987	'	'	'
Shares repurchased, Value	-15,178	'	'	-15,178	'	'	'
Forfeitures of restricted stock, Shares	'	'	'	-2,869	'	'	'
Forfeitures of restricted stock, Value	0	'	3	-3	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	5,572	'	5,572	'	'	'	'
Tax benefit from exercise of restricted stock units and stock options and vested restricted stock	30	'	30	'	'	'	'
Ending Balances at Dec. 31, 2010	514,279	36,667	391,352	-19,456	0	101,001	4,715
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	'	36,667,210	'	-1,216,647	'	'	'
Net income	9,241	'	'	'	'	7,154	2,087
Comprehensive income	9,241	'	'	'	'	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	-5,259	'	'	'	'	'	-5,259
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	143	'	'	'	'	'	143
Issuances of common stock, Shares	'	1,347	'	'	'	'	'
Issuances of common stock, Value	'	1	-1	'	'	'	'
Issuances of restricted stock, Shares	'	39,595	'	'	'	'	'
Issuances of restricted stock, Value	'	40	-40	'	'	'	'
Issuances from exercises of stock options, Shares	'	127,580	'	'	'	'	'
Issuances from exercises of stock options, Value	1,470	128	1,342	'	'	'	'
Shares withheld for payroll taxes, Shares	'	'	'	-77,562	'	'	'
Shares withheld for payroll taxes, Value	-1,367	'	'	-1,367	'	'	'
Shares exchanged for options exercised, Shares	'	'	'	-9,795	'	'	'
Shares exchanged for options exercised, Value	-180	'	'	-180	'	'	'
Shares repurchased, Shares	'	'	'	-906,708	'	'	'
Shares repurchased, Value	-12,977	'	'	-12,977	'	'	'
Forfeitures of restricted stock, Shares	'	'	'	-2,164	'	'	'
Forfeitures of restricted stock, Value	0	'	2	-2	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	5,972	'	5,972	'	'	'	'
Tax benefit from exercise of restricted stock units and stock options and vested restricted stock	-110	'	-110	'	'	'	'
Ending Balances at Dec. 31, 2011	511,212	36,836	398,517	-33,982	'	108,155	1,686
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	'	36,835,732	'	-2,212,876	'	'	'
Net income	17,876	'	'	'	'	12,942	4,934
Comprehensive income	17,876	'	'	'	'	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	-3,694	'	'	'	'	'	-3,694
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	1,133	'	'	'	'	'	1,133
Issuances of common stock, Shares	'	18,469	'	'	'	'	'
Issuances of common stock, Value	0	19	-19	'	'	'	'
Issuances of restricted stock, Shares	'	'	'	27,934	'	'	'
Issuances of restricted stock, Value	300	'	-129	429	'	'	'
Issuances from exercises of stock options, Shares	'	92,402	'	28,496	'	'	'
Issuances from exercises of stock options, Value	1,430	92	899	439	'	'	'
Shares withheld for payroll taxes, Shares	'	'	'	-59,603	'	'	'
Shares withheld for payroll taxes, Value	-968	'	'	-968	'	'	'
Shares exchanged for options exercised, Shares	'	'	'	-17,124	'	'	'
Shares exchanged for options exercised, Value	-271	'	'	-271	'	'	'
Shares repurchased, Shares	-94,450	'	'	-94,450	'	'	'
Shares repurchased, Value	-1,409	'	'	-1,409	'	'	'
Forfeitures of restricted stock, Value	0	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	7,572	'	7,572	'	'	'	'
Tax benefit from exercise of restricted stock units and stock options and vested restricted stock	366	'	366	'	'	'	'
Ending Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	$533,547	$36,947	$407,206	($35,762)	'	$121,097	$4,059
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	36,946,603	'	-2,327,623	'	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EQU1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2010
Taxes on Unrealized gain on interest rate swap	($137)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'
Taxes on Unrealized gain on interest rate swap	($137)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Consolidated net income	$17,876	$9,241	$5,834
Adjustments:	'	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	18,926	10,802	10,558
Deferred income taxes	-6,506	-27,177	-6,527
Tax benefits not recognized for book purposes	151	-147	133
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated ventures	-14,469	29,209	-4,701
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated ventures	3,251	6,597	1,609
Distributions of earnings to noncontrolling interests	-3,804	-4,860	-1,881
Proceeds from consolidated ventures' sale of assets, net	24,294	'	'
Non-cash share-based compensation	14,929	7,067	11,596
Non-cash real estate cost of sales	39,360	34,137	18,261
Non-cash cost of assets sold	'	24,931	9,503
Dry hole exploration costs	1,069	'	'
Proceeds reinvested through qualified intermediary	'	'	-23,045
Real estate development and acquisition expenditures, net	-91,940	-66,997	-16,660
Acquisition of loan secured by real estate	'	-21,137	'
Reimbursements from utility and improvement districts	8,524	10,461	4,752
Other changes in real estate	1,384	-284	179
Deferred income	1,070	32	1,307
Asset impairments	'	11,525	9,042
Gain on sale of assets	-25,983	-134	-394
Other	-21	73	-16
Changes in:	'	'	'
Notes and accounts receivables	-1,132	1,359	104
Proceeds due from qualified intermediary	'	'	-1,347
Prepaid expenses and other	-2,560	536	1,154
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	-2,527	4,549	-6,394
Income taxes	-7,914	5,209	484
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	-26,022	34,992	13,551
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Property, equipment, software, reforestation and other	-2,735	-2,044	-2,701
Oil and natural gas properties and equipment	-21,416	-4,304	-1
Investment in unconsolidated ventures	-2,318	-2,007	-3,291
Return of investment in unconsolidated ventures	12,654	3,067	14,849
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired	-152,915	'	-38,055
Proceeds from sale of multifamily investment property	29,474	'	'
Proceeds from sale of venture interest	32,095	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	42	103	2,602
Proceeds from termination of timber lease	'	290	'
Net cash (used for) investing activities	-105,119	-4,895	-26,597
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Payments of debt	-74,226	-123,399	-63,420
Additions to debt	203,642	123,397	81,590
Deferred financing fees	-5,883	-3,750	-6,304
Return of investment to noncontrolling interest	-69	-407	-809
Exercise of stock options	1,430	1,470	1,199
Repurchases of common stock	-1,409	-12,977	-15,178
Payroll taxes on restricted stock and stock options	-1,239	-1,547	-61
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	366	-110	30
Other	607	143	314
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	123,219	-17,180	-2,639
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-7,922	12,917	-15,685
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	18,283	5,366	21,051
Cash and cash equivalents at year-end	10,361	18,283	5,366
Cash paid during the year for:	'	'	'
Interest	12,820	14,166	11,889
Income taxes	21,678	25,335	8,423
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INFORMATION:	'	'	'
Capitalized interest	721	625	75
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS INFORMATION:	'	'	'
Proceeds reinvested through qualified intermediary under IRC Section 1031	'	'	23,045
Proceeds provided by financing activities	'	'	38,055
Total business acquisitions	'	'	$61,100

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Forestar Group Inc., all subsidiaries, ventures, and other entities in which we have a controlling interest and variable interest entities of which we are the primary beneficiary. We eliminate all material intercompany accounts and transactions. Noncontrolling interests in consolidated pass-through entities are recognized before income taxes. We account for our investment in other entities in which we have significant influence over operations and financial policies using the equity method (we recognize our share of the entities’ income or loss and any preferential returns and treat distributions as a reduction of our investment). We account for our investment in other entities in which we do not have significant influence over operations and financial policies using the cost method (we recognize as income only distribution of accumulated earnings).
	We prepare our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which require us to make estimates and assumptions about future events. Actual results can, and probably will, differ from those we currently estimate. Examples of significant estimates include those related to allocating costs to real estate, measuring assets for impairment and depletion of our oil and natural gas properties.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash and other short-term instruments with original maturities of three months or less. Restricted cash included in cash and cash equivalents was $1,160,000 at year-end 2012 and $1,255,000 at year-end 2011.
	Cash Flows
	Expenditures for the acquisition and development of single-family and multifamily real estate are classified as operating activities. Expenditures for the acquisition of stabilized income producing properties, investment in oil and natural gas properties and equipment, and business acquisitions are classified as investing activities.
	Capitalized Software
	We capitalize purchased software costs as well as the direct internal and external costs associated with software we develop for our own use. We amortize these capitalized costs using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from three to seven years. The carrying value of capitalized software was $1,797,000 at year-end 2012 and $2,176,000 at year-end 2011 and is included in other assets. The amortization of these capitalized costs was $1,320,000 in 2012, $1,493,000 in 2011 and $1,206,000 in 2010 and is included in general and administrative and operating expenses.
	Environmental and Asset Retirement Obligations
	We recognize environmental remediation liabilities on an undiscounted basis when environmental assessments or remediation are probable and we can reasonably estimate the cost. We adjust these liabilities as further information is obtained or circumstances change. Our asset retirement obligations are related to the abandonment and site restoration requirements that result from the acquisition, construction and development of our oil and natural gas properties. We record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Accretion expense related to the asset retirement obligation and depletion expense related to capitalized asset retirement cost is included in cost of oil and gas producing activities on our consolidated statements of income. The following summarizes the changes in asset retirement obligations in 2012:


		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	—

	Acquisition of Credo	1,255

	Accretion expense	26

	Additions	79

		$	1,360

	Fair Value Measurements
	Financial instruments for which we did not elect the fair value option include cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivables, other current assets, long-term debt, accounts payable and other current liabilities. With the exception of long-term notes receivable and debt, the carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature or variable interest rates.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	We record goodwill when the purchase price of a business acquisition exceeds the estimated fair value of net identified tangible and intangible assets acquired. We do not amortize goodwill or other indefinite lived intangible assets. Instead, we measure these assets for impairment based on the estimated fair values at least annually or more frequently if impairment indicators exist. We perform the annual impairment measurement as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of each year. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	We review long-lived assets held for use, principally real estate, for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment exists if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable from the undiscounted cash flows expected from its use and eventual disposition. We determine the amount of the impairment loss by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived asset to its estimated fair value. In the absence of quoted market prices, we determine estimated fair value generally based on the present value of future probability weighted cash flows expected from the sale of the long-lived asset. Non-cash impairment charges related to our owned and consolidated real estate assets are included in cost of real estate sales and other.
	We evaluate our oil and natural gas properties, including facilities and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Performing these evaluations requires a significant amount of judgment since the results are based on estimated future events. Such events include a projection of future oil and natural gas sales prices, an estimate of the ultimate amount of recoverable proved oil and natural gas reserves that will be produced from a field, the timing of this future production, future costs to produce the oil and natural gas, future inflation levels, drilling results, reservoir performance, seismic interpretation and future plans to develop acreage. The need to test a property for impairment can be based on several factors, including a significant reduction in commodity prices for oil and natural gas, unfavorable adjustments to reserves or other changes to contracts, environmental regulations or tax laws. Impairment of proved properties is required when the carrying value exceeds the related undiscounted future net cash flows of the proved reserves. We evaluate our unproved property investment and record impairment based on time or geologic factors in addition to the use of an undiscounted future net cash flow approach. Impairment expense for proved and unproved oil and natural gas properties are included in cost of oil and gas producing activities.
	Income Taxes
	We provide deferred income taxes using current tax rates for temporary differences between the financial accounting carrying value of assets and liabilities and their tax accounting carrying values. We recognize and value income tax exposures for the various taxing jurisdictions where we operate based on laws, elections, commonly accepted tax positions, and management estimates. We include tax penalties and interest in income tax expense. We provide a valuation allowance for any deferred tax asset that is not likely to be recoverable in future periods.
	When we believe a tax position is supportable but the outcome uncertain, we include the item in our tax return but do not recognize the related benefit in our provision for taxes. Instead, we record a reserve for unrecognized tax benefits, which represents our expectation of the most likely outcome considering the technical merits and specific facts of the position. Changes to liabilities are only made when an event occurs that changes the most likely outcome, such as settlement with the relevant tax authority, expiration of statutes of limitations, changes in tax law, or recent court rulings.
	Mineral Interests Owned
	We acquire real estate that may include the subsurface rights associated with the property, including minerals. We capitalize the costs of acquiring these mineral interests. We amortize the cost assigned to unproved interests, principally acquisition costs, using the straight-line method over appropriate periods based on our experience, generally no longer than 10 years. Costs assigned to individual unproven interests are minimal and amortized on an aggregate basis. When we lease these interests to third-party oil and natural gas exploration and production entities, any related unamortized costs are accounted for using the cost recovery method from the cash proceeds received from lease bonus payments.
	When we lease our mineral interests to third-party exploration and production entities, we retain a royalty interest and may take an additional participation in production, including a working interest. Mineral interests and working interests related to our owned mineral interests are included in oil and natural gas properties and equipment on our balance sheet, net of accumulated amortization.
	Oil and Natural Gas Properties
	We use the successful efforts method of accounting for our oil and natural gas producing activities. Costs to acquire mineral interests leased, costs to drill and complete development of oil and natural gas wells and related asset retirement costs are capitalized. Costs to drill exploratory wells are capitalized pending determination of whether the wells have proved reserves and if determined incapable of producing commercial quantities of oil and natural gas it is expensed as dry hole costs. Exploration costs include dry hole costs, geological and geophysical costs, seismic studies, and delay rentals paid. We generally capitalize interest on expenditures for exploration and development projects that last more than six months while activities are in progress to bring the assets to their intended use. Production costs incurred to maintain wells and related equipment are charged to expense as incurred.
	Depreciation and depletion of producing oil and natural gas properties is calculated using the units-of-production method. Proved developed reserves are used to compute unit rates for unamortized tangible and intangible drilling and completion costs. Proved reserves are used to compute unit rates for unamortized acquisition of proved leasehold costs. Unit-of-production amortization rates are revised whenever there is an indication of the need for revision but at least once a year and those revisions are accounted for prospectively as changes in accounting estimates.
	Operating Leases
	We occupy office space in various locations under operating leases. The lease agreements may contain rent escalation clauses, construction allowances and/or contingent rent provisions. We expense operating leases ratably over the shorter of the useful life or the lease term. For scheduled rent escalation clauses, we recognize the base rent expense on a straight-line basis and record the difference between the recognized rent expense and the amounts payable under the lease as deferred lease credits included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Deferred lease credits are amortized over the lease term. For construction allowances, we record leasehold improvement assets included in property and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets amortized over the shorter of their economic lives or the lease term. The related deferred lease credits are amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the lease term.

	Property and Equipment
	We carry property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation. We capitalize the cost of significant additions and improvements, and we expense the cost of repairs and maintenance. We capitalize interest costs incurred on major construction projects. We depreciate these assets using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:


		Estimated		Carrying
				Value Year-End
		Useful Lives		2012			2011
				(In thousands)
	Buildings and building improvements	10 to 40 years		$	4,835		$	4,916

	Property and equipment	2 to 10 years		5,745			5,426

				10,580			10,342

	Less: accumulated depreciation			(5,721		)	(5,164		)
				$	4,859		$	5,178

	Depreciation expense of property and equipment was $962,000 in 2012, $893,000 in 2011 and $890,000 in 2010.
	Real Estate
We carry real estate at the lower of cost or fair value less cost to sell. We capitalize interest costs once development begins, and we continue to capitalize throughout the development period. We also capitalize infrastructure, improvements, amenities, and other development costs incurred during the development period. We determine the cost of real estate sold using the relative sales value method. When we sell real estate from projects that are not finished, we include in the cost of real estate sold estimates of future development costs through completion, allocated based on relative sales values. These estimates of future development costs are reevaluated at least annually, with any adjustments being allocated prospectively to the remaining units available for sale.
Income producing properties are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation computed using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives.
We have agreements with utility or improvement districts, principally in Texas, whereby we agree to convey to the districts water, sewer and other infrastructure-related assets we have constructed in connection with projects within their jurisdiction. The reimbursement for these assets ranges from 70 to 100 percent of allowable cost as defined by the district. The transfer is consummated and we receive payment when the districts have a sufficient tax base to support funding of their bonds. The cost we incur in constructing these assets is included in capitalized development costs, and upon collection, we remove the assets from capitalized development costs. We provide an allowance to reflect our past experiences related to claimed allowable development costs.
Reclassifications
In 2012, we reclassified non-cash cost of timber cut for 2011 and 2010 on the statement of cash flows to depreciation, depletion and amortization to conform with current year presentation.
Revenue
Real Estate
We recognize revenue from sales of real estate when a sale is consummated, the buyer’s initial investment is adequate, any receivables are probable of collection, the usual risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, and we do not have significant continuing involvement with the real estate sold. If we determine that the earnings process is not complete, we defer recognition of any gain until earned. We recognize revenue from hotel room sales and other guest services when rooms are occupied and other guest services have been rendered. We recognize revenue from our multifamily properties when payments are due from residents, generally on a monthly basis.
We exclude from revenue amounts we collect from utility or improvement districts related to the conveyance of water, sewer and other infrastructure related assets. We also exclude from revenue amounts we collect for timber sold on land being developed. These proceeds reduce capitalized development costs. We exclude from revenue amounts we collect from customers that represent sales tax or other taxes that are based on the sale. These amounts are included in other accrued expenses until paid.
Oil and Gas
We recognize revenue from the sale of oil and natural gas produced where we have a working interest when production is sold to a purchaser at a fixed or determinable price, when delivery has occurred and title has transferred, and if collectability of the revenue is probable. We estimate amount of production delivered to purchasers and the prices we receive based on our knowledge of our properties, their historical performance, NYMEX and local spot market prices and other factors. Variances between estimates and the actual amounts received are recorded when payment is received, or when better information is available.
A majority of our sales are made under contractual arrangements with terms that are considered to be usual and customary in the oil and natural gas industry. The contracts are for periods of up to five years with prices determined upon a percentage of pre-determined and published monthly index price. The terms of these contracts have not had an effect on how we recognize revenue.
We recognize revenue from mineral bonus payments received as a result of leasing our mineral interests owned to others when we have received an executed agreement with the exploration company transferring the rights to any oil or natural gas it may find and requiring drilling be done within a specified period, the payment has been collected, and we have no obligation to refund the payment. We recognize revenue from delay rentals received if drilling has not started within the specified period and when the payment has been collected. We recognize revenue from mineral royalties when the minerals have been delivered to the buyer, the value is determinable, and we are reasonably sure of collection.
Other Natural Resources
We recognize revenue from timber sales upon passage of title, which occurs at delivery; when the price is fixed and determinable; and we are reasonably sure of collection. We recognize revenue from recreational leases on the straight-line basis over the lease term if we are reasonably sure of collection.
Share-Based Compensation
We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model for stock options, Monte Carlo simulation pricing model for market-leveraged stock units, grant date fair value for equity-settled awards and period-end fair value for cash-settled awards. We expense share-based awards ratably over the vesting period or earlier based on retirement eligibility.
Timber
We carry timber at cost less the cost of timber cut. We expense the cost of timber cut based on the relationship of the timber carrying value to the estimated volume of recoverable timber multiplied by the amount of timber cut. We include the cost of timber cut in cost of other natural resources in the income statement. We determine the estimated volume of recoverable timber using statistical information and other data related to growth rates and yields gathered from physical observations, models and other information gathering techniques. Changes in yields are generally due to adjustments in growth rates and similar matters and are accounted for prospectively as changes in estimates. We capitalize reforestation costs incurred in developing viable seedling plantations (up to two years from planting), such as site preparation, seedlings, planting, fertilization, insect and wildlife control, and herbicide application. We expense all other costs, such as property taxes and costs of forest management personnel, as incurred. Once the seedling plantation is viable, we expense all costs to maintain the viable plantations, such as fertilization, herbicide application, insect and wildlife control, and thinning, as incurred.

New_and_Pending_Accounting_Pro

New and Pending Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
New and Pending Accounting Pronouncements	Dec. 31, 2012
New and Pending Accounting Pronouncements	'
	New and Pending Accounting Pronouncements
	Accounting Standards Adopted in 2012
	In first quarter 2012, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-04 — Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs and ASU 2011-05 — Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. Adoption of these pronouncements did not affect our earnings or financial position.
	Pending Accounting Standards
	ASU 2011-10 – Property, Plant, and Equipment: Derecognition of in Substance Real Estate will be effective first quarter 2013. Under ASU 2011-10, when a parent ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary that is in substance real estate as a result of default on the subsidiary’s nonrecourse debt, the reporting entity would continue to include the real estate, debt and results of the subsidiary’s operations in its consolidated financial statements until legal title to the real estate is transferred to legally satisfy the debt. The amendment should be applied prospectively to deconsolidation events occurring after the effective date. Adoption is not anticipated to have a significant effect on our earnings or financial position but may result in certain additional disclosures.
	ASU 2012-02– Intangibles-Goodwill and Other will be effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The amendment provides entities with the option to make a qualitative assessment about the likelihood that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired to determine whether it should perform a quantitative impairment test, which is equivalent to the impairment testing requirements for other long-lived assets. Adoption is not anticipated to have a significant effect on our earnings or financial position.

Business_Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisitions	'
	Business Acquisitions
	On September 28, 2012, pursuant to the terms of the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 3, 2012, we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of CREDO Petroleum Corporation (Credo) in an all cash transaction for $14.50 per share, representing an equity purchase price of approximately $146,445,000. In addition, we paid in full $8,770,000 of Credo’s outstanding debt. In 2012, we have incurred approximately $6,323,000 in costs to outside advisors related to this transaction, which are included in general and administrative expenses.
	The following summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The allocation is subject to change as we obtain additional information during the acquisition measurement period, in particular, the estimated value assigned to oil and natural gas properties and equipment, goodwill and deferred tax liability.


		Purchase Price
		Allocation
		(In thousands)
	Cash and short-term investments	$	2,300

	Receivables	9,144

	Oil and natural gas properties and equipment	140,514

	Other properties and equipment	67

	Goodwill and other intangible assets	58,396

	Other	676

	Total assets acquired	211,097

	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	29,927

	Deferred tax liability	24,700

	Other liabilities	1,255

	Total liabilities assumed	55,882

	Estimated fair value of net assets acquired	$	155,215


	The following unaudited pro forma information for the year 2012 and 2011 represents the results of our consolidated operations as if the acquisition of Credo had occurred on January 1, 2011. This information is based on historical results of operations, adjusted for certain estimated accounting adjustments and does not purport to represent our actual results of operations if the transaction would have occurred on January 1, 2011, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results.


		For the Year
		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	Revenues	$	190,634	$	152,340

	Net income	21,583		(2,639		)

	In 2012, we acquired from CL Realty, L.L.C. and Temco Associates, LLC, the ventures’ interest in 17 residential and mixed-use real estate projects for $47,000,000. Subsequent to closing of these acquisitions, we received $23,370,000 from the ventures, representing our pro-rata share of distributable cash. The purchase price was allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities based on their estimated fair value: $31,891,000 to real estate; $14,236,000 to investment in unconsolidated ventures; $1,385,000 to other assets; and $512,000 to liabilities directly related to the real estate acquired. Transaction costs of about $463,000 are included in other operating expense.
	The acquired assets and operating results are included within our real estate segment and represented approximately 1,130 fully developed lots, 4,900 planned lots and over 460 commercial acres on the date of acquisition, principally in the major markets of Texas. Pro forma consolidated operating income (loss) assuming these acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of 2011 would not be significantly different than reported.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets follows:


		At Year-End
		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	Goodwill	$	61,680	$	3,874

	Identified intangibles, net	2,188		1,577

		$	63,868	$	5,451

	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets of $57,806,000 associated with our acquisition of Credo in 2012 and $3,874,000 associated with a water resources company acquired in 2010.
	Identified intangibles includes $590,000 related to patents with definite lives associated with the Calliope Gas Recovery System acquired as part of our acquisition of Credo and is being amortized over the average remaining useful life of the patents. The net carrying value at year-end 2012 is $566,400. In addition, identified intangibles include $1,622,000 in indefinite lived groundwater leases associated with a water resources company acquired in 2010.

Real_Estate

Real Estate	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Real Estate	'
	Real Estate
	Real estate consists of:


		At Year-End
		2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Entitled, developed and under development projects	$	361,827		$	383,026

	Undeveloped land (includes land in entitlement)	82,688			80,076

	Income producing properties
	Carrying value	100,855			129,220

	Accumulated depreciation	(28,220		)	(26,955		)
	Net carrying value	72,635			102,265

		$	517,150		$	565,367

	Included in entitled, developed and under development projects are the estimated costs of assets we expect to convey to utility and improvement districts of $50,476,000 in 2012 and $61,526,000 in 2011, including about $34,252,000 at year-end 2012 and about $34,802,000 at year-end 2011 related to our Cibolo Canyons project near San Antonio. These costs relate to water, sewer and other infrastructure assets we have submitted to utility or improvement districts for approval and reimbursement. In 2012, these costs decreased by $11,065,000 as result of a consolidated venture’s bulk sale of approximately 800 acres near Dallas. We submitted for reimbursement to these districts $6,432,000 in 2012 and $3,328,000 in 2011. We collected $5,674,000 from these districts in 2012, of which $550,000 related to our Cibolo Canyons project and was accounted for as a reduction of our investment in the mixed-use development. We collected $3,294,000 from these districts in 2011, of which $1,750,000 related to our Cibolo Canyons project. We expect to collect the remaining amounts billed when these districts achieve adequate tax bases to support payment.
	Also included in entitled, developed and under development projects is our investment in the resort development owned by third parties at our Cibolo Canyons project. In 2012 and 2011, we received $2,850,000 and $6,906,000 from the Special Improvement District (SID) from hotel occupancy and sales revenues collected as taxes by the SID. We currently account for these receipts as a reduction of our investment in the resort development. At year-end 2012, we have $32,517,000 invested in the resort development.
	In 2012, entitled, developed and under development projects increased by $31,891,000 as a result of our acquisition of certain residential and mixed-use projects from CL Realty and Temco. Please read Note 3 for additional information. Also in 2012, entitled, developed and under development projects decreased by $51,493,000 as a result of consolidated venture’s bulk sale of approximately 800 acres (Light Farms Project) near Dallas. We received $24,294,000 in net proceeds, the buyer assumed the outstanding debt of $30,991,000 and we recognized a gain of $3,401,000.
	In 2012, commercial and income producing properties decreased by $45,794,000 as a result of selling Broadstone Memorial, a 401-unit multifamily investment property in Houston for $56,400,000. We received $29,474,000 in net proceeds, the buyer assumed outstanding debt of $26,500,000, and we recognized a gain of $10,180,000. At year-end 2012, commercial and income producing properties primarily represents a 413 guest room hotel in Austin with net carrying value of $19,992,000 and a 289-unit multifamily property in Austin with net carrying value of $30,057,000. In addition, we acquired multifamily development sites located in Charlotte and Nashville for $16,651,000.
	We did not recognize any non-cash asset impairment charges in 2012. We recognized non-cash asset impairment charges of $11,525,000 in 2011 principally associated with owned and consolidated residential real estate projects located near Denver and the Texas gulf coast. We recognized non-cash asset impairment charges of $9,042,000 in 2010 principally associated with a residential development project located near Atlanta and a residential development with golf course and country club property located near Fort Worth.
	Depreciation expense related to income producing properties was $3,640,000 in 2012, $3,547,000 in 2011 and $2,680,000 in 2010 and is included in other operating expense.

Timber

Timber	12 Months Ended
Timber	Dec. 31, 2012
Timber	'
	Timber
	We own directly or through ventures about 121,000 acres of timber, primarily in Georgia, and about 17,000 acres of timber under lease. The non-cash cost of timber cut and sold is $1,220,000 in 2012, $990,000 in 2011 and $1,544,000 in 2010 and is included in depreciation, depletion and amortization in our statement of cash flows.

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_V

Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures	'
	Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures
	At year-end 2012, we had ownership interests in 13 ventures that we account for using the equity method. We have no real estate ventures that are accounted for using the cost method.
	In 2012, we formed two new unconsolidated ventures:

	•	CJUF III, RH Holdings, LP was formed with Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds (CJUF) to develop a 257-unit multifamily property overlooking downtown Austin. We own a 25 percent interest and CJUF owns the remaining 75 percent interest. We contributed land and pre-development costs to the venture and received reimbursements of $3,516,000 from the venture. The venture obtained a senior secured construction loan in the amount of $23,936,000 that bears interest at LIBOR plus 2 percent with no significant balance outstanding at year-end 2012. The loan has an initial term of 36 months and may be extended for two additional 12-month periods if certain conditions are met. We have a guaranty of completion of the improvements, a repayment guarantee for 20 percent of principal balance and unpaid accrued interest and a standard non-recourse carve-out guaranty. The repayment guarantee will reduce from 20 percent to 0 percent upon achievement of certain conditions. At year-end 2012, our investment in this venture is $3,836,000.

	•	FMF Peakview, LLC was formed with Guggenheim Real Estate, LLC (Guggenheim) to develop a 304-unit multifamily property in Denver. We own a 20 percent interest and Guggenheim owns the remaining 80 percent interest. We contributed land and pre-development costs to the venture and received reimbursements of $7,243,000 from the venture. The venture obtained a senior secured construction loan in the amount of $31,550,000 that bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.25 percent with no balance outstanding at year-end 2012. The loan has an initial term of 36 months and may be extended for two additional 12-month periods if certain conditions are met. We have a guaranty of completion of the improvements, a repayment guarantee for 25 percent of principal and unpaid accrued interest and a standard non-recourse carve-out guaranty. At year-end 2012, our investment in this venture is $2,666,000.
	In 2012, we acquired from CL Realty and Temco their interest in 17 residential and mixed-use projects for $47,000,000, principally representing $31,891,000 in real estate and $14,236,000 in investment in unconsolidated ventures. Please read
	Note 3 for additional information. We sold our 25 percent interest in Palisades West LLC, which owns two office buildings and an accompanying parking garage in Austin for $32,095,000, resulting in a gain of $11,675,000.

	Combined summarized balance sheet information for our ventures accounted for using the equity method follows:


		Venture Assets						Venture Borrowings (a)							Venture Equity								Our Investment
		At Year-End
		2012			2011			2012			2011				2012				2011				2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	242, LLC(b)	$	21,408		$	23,688		$	810		$	4,429			$	19,576			$	18,536			$	8,903			$	8,332

	CJUF III, RH Holdings	15,970			—			1			—				13,701				—				3,836				—

	CL Ashton Woods(c)	15,701			—			—			—				15,044				—				5,775				—

	CL Realty	8,245			51,096			—			1,056				7,842				48,608				3,921				24,304

	FMF Peakview	16,859			—			—			—				13,331				—				2,666				—

	HM Stonewall Estates(c)	5,184			—			104			—				5,080				—				2,470				—

	LM Land Holdings(c)	21,094			—			3,086			—				13,128				—				6,045				—

	Palisades West	—			124,588			—			—				—				81,635				—				20,412

	Round Rock Luxury Apartments	332			34,434			—			28,544				325				4,865				225				3,312

	Temco	13,255			18,922			—			2,787				13,066				15,896				6,533				7,948

	Other ventures (4)(d)	16,797			16,938			34,357			38,002				(31,600		)		(34,045		)		1,172				(85		)

		$	134,845		$	269,666		$	38,358		$	74,818			$	69,493			$	135,495			$	41,546			$	64,223

	Combined summarized income statement information for our ventures accounted for using the equity method follows:


		Revenues									Earnings (Loss)												Our Share of Earnings (Loss)
		For the Year
		2012			2011			2010			2012				2011				2010				2012				2011				2010
		(In thousands)
	242, LLC(b)	$	4,868		$	2,378		$	1		$	1,040			$	239			$	(103	)		$	572			$	153			$	(51	)

	CJUF III, RH Holdings	—			—			—			(241		)		—				—				(241		)		—				—

	CL Ashton Woods(c)	3,353			—			—			1,472				—				—				2,024				—				—

	CL Realty(e)	2,667			9,141			28,663			1,060				(22,832		)		228				530				(11,416		)		114

	FMF Peakview	—			—			—			(116		)		—				—				(23		)		—				—

	HM Stonewall Estates(c)	2,500			—			—			829				—				—				332				—				—

	LM Land Holdings(c)	10,268			—			—			1,895				—				—				257				—				—

	Palisades West	—			16,230			13,588			—				5,858				4,668				—				1,464				1,167

Round Rock Luxury Apartments(f)	3,749			4,442			3,308			7,944				(483		)		(1,429		)		5,552				(292		)		(996		)

Temco(g)	702			653			2,180			(80		)		(42,242		)		210				(40		)		(21,121		)		105

Other ventures(h) (4)	5,041			8,030			8,765			2,088				49				(15,889		)		5,506				2,003				4,362

	$	33,148		$	40,874		$	56,505		$	15,891			$	(59,411	)		$	(12,315	)		$	14,469			$	(29,209	)		$	4,701

_____________________

(a)	Total includes current maturities of $32,323,000 at year-end 2012, of which $32,083,000 is non-recourse to us, and $71,816,000 at year-end 2011, of which $43,144,000 is non-recourse to us.

(b)	Includes unamortized deferred gains on real estate contributed by us to ventures. We recognize deferred gains as income as real estate is sold to third parties and is included in our share of earnings (loss) from the respective ventures. Deferred gains of $885,000 are reflected as a reduction to our investment in unconsolidated ventures at year-end 2012.

(c)	In 2012, we acquired CL Realty’s equity investment in these residential and mixed-use ventures at estimated fair value. The difference between estimated fair value of the equity investment and our capital account within the respective ventures at closing (basis difference) will be accreted as income or expense over the life of the investment and included in our share of earnings (loss) from the respective ventures. Unrecognized basis difference of $2,957,000 is reflected as a reduction of our investment in unconsolidated ventures at year-end 2012.

(d)	Our investment in other ventures reflects our ownership interests generally ranging from 25 to 50 percent, excluding venture losses that exceed our investment where we are not obligated to fund those losses. Please read Note 17 for additional information.

(e)	In 2011, CL Realty’s loss includes non-cash impairment charges of $25,750,000, of which, $23,255,000 relates to additional non-cash impairments associated with real estate assets sold in 2012. Please read Note 3 for additional information. In 2010, CL Realty’s earnings include impairment charges of $4,458,000 principally related to a commercial real estate tract located near the Texas gulf coast.

(f)	In 2012, Round Rock Luxury Apartments earnings include $8,247,000 gain related to sale of 414-unit multifamily property near Austin for $40,400,000. Our share of equity earnings related to this sale is $5,707,000.

(g)	In 2011, Temco’s loss includes non-cash impairment charges of $41,226,000, of which, $21,426,000 principally relates to additional non-cash impairments associated with real estate assets sold in 2012. Please read Note 3 for additional information.

(h)	In 2012, other ventures earnings include $5,307,000 related to a consolidated venture’s share of the gain associated with Round Rock Luxury Apartments sale of Las Brisas. Our share of these earnings was $2,541,000 and we allocated $(2,766,000) to net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. In 2011, our share of other ventures earnings (loss) includes $2,164,000 in earnings related to a deferred gain recognized as a result of entering into an agreement to acquire certain of CL Realty’s real estate assets and $4,869,000 in deferred gains for year 2010 related to CL Realty’s sale of 625 acres to a third party for $20,250,000. In 2010, other ventures loss includes a $13,061,000 loss on sale of a golf course and country club property in Denton, Texas. This loss did not impact our equity in the earnings (loss) of this venture as we exclude losses that exceed our investment where we are not obligated to provide additional equity.
In 2012, we invested $2,318,000 in these ventures and received $15,905,000 in distributions; in 2011, we invested $2,007,000 in these ventures and received $9,664,000 in distributions; in 2010, we invested $3,291,000 in these ventures and received $16,458,000 in distributions. Distributions include both return of investments and distributions of earnings.
We provide development services for some of these ventures for which we receive fees. Fees for these services were $662,000 in 2012, $912,000 in 2011 and $1,091,000 in 2010 and are included in real estate and oil and gas revenues. In 2010, we received fees of $1,013,000 related to the sale of approximately 625 acres by CL Realty for marketing the property and closing the transaction on behalf of the venture.

Receivables

Receivables	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Receivables	'
	Receivables
	Receivables consist of:


		At Year-End
		2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Loan secured by real estate	$	18,507		$	20,666

	Notes receivable, average interest rate of 6.24% at year-end 2012 and 7.16% at year-end 2011	1,875			1,817

	Receivables and accrued interest	13,303			860

		33,685			23,343

	Allowance for bad debts	(62		)	(62		)
		$	33,623		$	23,281

	At year-end 2012, we have $18,507,000 invested in a loan secured by real estate. The loan was acquired from a financial institution in 2011 when it was non-performing and is secured by a lien on developed and undeveloped real estate located near Houston designated for single-family residential and commercial development. In 2012, an approved bankruptcy plan of reorganization of the borrower became effective establishing a principal amount of $33,900,000 maturing in April 2017. Interest accrues at nine percent the first three years escalating to ten percent in year four and 12 percent in year five, with interest above 6.25 percent to be forgiven if the loan is prepaid by certain dates. Commencing with the reorganization, we estimate future cash flows and calculate accretable yield to be recognized over the term of the loan, which is included in other non-operating income. In 2012, we received principal payments of $3,887,000 and interest payments of $1,635,000. In 2011, we received $471,000 in payments and accounted for these receipts as a reduction of the carrying value of the loan. At year-end 2012, the outstanding principal balance was $30,013,000.
	Estimated accretable yield at year-end 2012 follows:


		(In thousands)
	Beginning of period (First Quarter-End 2012)	$	28,926

	Change in accretable yield due to change in timing of estimated cash flows	(515		)
	Interest income recognized	(3,262		)
		$	25,149

	Notes receivable generally are secured by a deed of trust and due within three years. Receivables and accrued interest principally include miscellaneous operating receivables arising in the normal course of business. In 2012, receivables include $8,095,000 associated with our acquisition of Credo.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt	'
	Debt
	Debt consists of:


		At Year-End
		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	Senior secured credit facility
	Term loan facility — average interest rate of 4.21% at year-end 2012 and 6.50 % at year-end 2011	$	200,000	$	130,000

	Revolving line of credit — average interest rate of 4.75% at year-end 2012	44,000		—

	Secured promissory notes — average interest rates of 2.80% at year-end 2012 and 4.34% at year-end 2011	34,171		41,900

	Other indebtedness due through 2017 at variable and fixed interest rates ranging from 0.24% to 8.00%	15,892		49,687

		$	294,063	$	221,587

	Our debt agreements contain financial covenants customary for such agreements including minimum levels of interest coverage and limitations on leverage. At year-end 2012, we were in compliance with the financial covenants of these agreements.
	In 2012, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Revolving and Term Credit Agreement in order to consolidate previous amendments and to effect the following principal amendments to: increase the term loan commitment from $130,000,000 to $200,000,000; extend the maturity date of the revolving loan to September 14, 2015 (with one-year extension option) and of the term loan to September 14, 2017; reduce the interest rate spread over LIBOR from 4.5 percent to 4.0 percent, and eliminate the LIBOR rate floor of 2 percent; increase the minimum interest coverage from 1.05x to 1.50x; reduce the unused fee commitment ratio covenant and replace it with a reduction to the borrowing base to the extent the ratio of the value of assets in the borrowing base to the aggregate commitments under the facility is less than 1.50x. We incurred fees of $5,486,000 related to this amendment. The amendment and restatement of the term loan was an extinguishment of debt under the accounting guidance and, as result, we recognized a $4,448,000 loss in 2012 which is included in interest expense.
	On September 28, 2012 we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding stock of Credo in an all cash transaction for $14.50 per share, representing an equity purchase price of approximately $146,445,000. In addition, we paid in full $8,770,000 of Credo’s outstanding debt. This transaction was funded with approximately $70,000,000 in borrowings from our term loan, $35,000,000 in borrowings from our revolving line of credit, and the remaining paid from our existing balance of cash and short-term investments.
	At year-end 2012, our senior secured credit facility provides for a $200,000,000 term loan and a $200,000,000 revolving line of credit. The term loan and revolving line of credit may be prepaid at any time without penalty. The revolving line of credit includes a $100,000,000 sublimit for letters of credit, of which $2,807,000 is outstanding at year-end 2012. Total borrowings under our senior secured credit facility (including the face amount of letters of credit) may not exceed a borrowing base formula. At year-end 2012, we had $153,193,000 in net unused borrowing capacity under our senior credit facility.
	Under the terms of the amended and restated credit agreement, at our option, we can borrow at LIBOR plus 4.0 percent or at the alternate base rate plus 3.0 percent. The alternate base rate is the highest of (i) KeyBank National Association’s base rate, (ii) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5 percent or (iii) 30 day LIBOR plus 1 percent. Borrowings under the senior secured credit facility are or may be secured by (a) mortgages on the timberland, high value timberland and portions of raw entitled land, as well as pledges of other rights including certain oil and natural gas operating properties, (b) assignments of current and future leases, rents and contracts, (c) a security interest in our primary operating account, (d) a pledge of the equity interests in current and future material operating subsidiaries or majority-owned joint venture interest, or if such pledge is not permitted, a pledge of the right to distributions from such entities, (e) a pledge of reimbursements, hotel occupancy and other revenues payable to us from special improvement district tax collections in connection with our Cibolo Canyons project, and (f) a negative pledge (without a mortgage) on other assets. The senior secured credit facility provides for releases of real estate provided that borrowing base compliance is maintained.
	At year-end 2012, secured promissory notes include a $15,400,000 loan collateralized by a 413 guest room hotel located in Austin with a carrying value of $19,992,000 and a $18,771,000 construction loan collateralized by a 289-unit multifamily project located in Austin with a carrying value of $30,057,000. This loan will provide up to $19,548,000 in construction financing for this project.
	At year-end 2012, other indebtedness, principally non-recourse, is collateralized by entitled, developed and under development projects with a carrying value of $65,545,000. In 2012, other indebtedness decreased by $26,500,000 as result of selling Broadstone Memorial, a 401-unit multifamily investment property in Houston and decreased by $30,991,000 as result of a consolidated venture’s bulk sale of approximately 800 acres (Light Farms Project) near Dallas. Please read Schedule III for additional information.
	At year-end 2012 and 2011, we have $6,508,000 and $8,364,000 in unamortized deferred fees which are included in other assets. Amortization of deferred financing fees, excluding loss on extinguishment of debt, was $2,922,000 in 2012, $2,881,000 in 2011 and $4,106,000 in 2010 and is included in interest expense.
	Debt maturities during the next five years are: 2013 — $8,683,000; 2014 — $17,792,000; 2015 — $64,046,000; 2016 — $2,125,000; 2017 — $201,417,000 and thereafter — $0.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	12 Months Ended
Fair Value	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value	'
	Fair Value
	Non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis principally include real estate assets, goodwill and intangible assets, which are measured for impairment. We did not recognize any non-cash impairment charges in 2012. In 2011, certain real estate assets were remeasured and reported at fair value due to events or circumstances that indicated the carrying value may not be recoverable. We determined estimated fair value based on the present value of future probability weighted cash flows expected from the sale of the long-lived asset or based on a third-party appraisal of current value. As a result, we recognized non-cash asset impairments of $11,525,000 in 2011 associated with our owned and consolidated projects. The carrying value of these assets may have subsequently increased or decreased from the fair value reflected due to activity that has occurred since the measurement date.


		Year-End 2012													Year-End 2011
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities:
	Real estate	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—			$	—	$	—	$	24,161	$	24,161
	Real estate	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—			$	—	$	—	$	24,161	$	24,161
	We elected not to use the fair value option for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, variable debt, accounts payable and other current liabilities. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature or variable interest rates. We determine the fair value of fixed rate financial instruments using quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets.
	Information about our fixed rate financial instruments not measured at fair value follows:


		Year-End 2012						Year-End 2011
		Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair					Valuation
		Amount			Value			Amount			Value					Technique
		(In thousands)
	Loan secured by real estate	$	18,507		$	35,824		$	20,666		$	—		(a)		Level 2
	Loan secured by real estate	$	18,507		$	35,824		$	20,666		$	—		(a)		Level 2
	Fixed rate debt	$	(3,989	)	$	(4,070	)	$	(29,931	)	$	(32,478	)			Level 2
	_____________________

	(a)	At year-end 2011 not applicable due to its non-performing status.

Capital_Stock

Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock	Dec. 31, 2012
Capital Stock	'
	Capital Stock
	Pursuant to our shareholder rights plan, each share of common stock outstanding is coupled with one-quarter of a preferred stock purchase right (Right). Each Right entitles our shareholders to purchase, under certain conditions, one one-hundredth of a share of newly issued Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $100. Rights will be exercisable only if someone acquires beneficial ownership of 20 percent or more of our common shares or commences a tender or exchange offer, upon consummation of which they would beneficially own 20 percent or more of our common shares. We will generally be entitled to redeem the Rights at $0.001 per Right at any time until the 10th business day following public announcement that a 20 percent position has been acquired. The Rights will expire on December 11, 2017.
	Please read Note 18 — Share-Based Compensation for information about additional shares of common stock that could be issued under terms of our share-based compensation plans.
	As a result of the 2007 spin-offs from Temple-Inland, at year-end 2012, personnel of former affiliates held options to purchase 953,000 shares of our common stock. The options have a weighted average exercise price of $22.82 and a weighted average remaining contractual term of three years. At year-end 2012, the options have an aggregate intrinsic value of $1,083,000.
	In 2012, we repurchased 94,450 shares of our common stock for $1,409,000. We have repurchased 2,002,145 shares of our common stock for $29,564,000 since we announced our 2009 strategic initiative of repurchasing up to 20 percent or 7,000,000 shares of our common stock.

Net_Income_per_Share

Net Income per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Net Income per Share	'
	Net Income per Share
	Earnings available to common shareholders and weighted average common shares outstanding used to compute earnings per share were:


		For the Year
		2012			2011			2010
		(In thousands)
	Earnings available to common shareholders:
	Consolidated net income	$	17,876		$	9,241		$	5,834

	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,934		)	(2,087		)	(709		)
	Net income attributable to Forestar Group Inc.	$	12,942		$	7,154		$	5,125

	Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic	35,214			35,413			35,893

	Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and equity-settled awards	268			368			484

	Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted	35,482			35,781			36,377

	Anti-dilutive awards excluded from diluted weighted average shares outstanding	2,713			2,008			1,574

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Income tax expense consists of:


		For the Year
		2012				2011				2010
		(In thousands)
	Current tax provision:
	U.S. Federal	$	(11,834	)		$	(27,442	)		$	(7,582	)
	State and other	(2,171		)		(3,013		)		(1,252		)
		(14,005		)		(30,455		)		(8,834		)
	Deferred tax provision:
	U.S. Federal	4,910				26,264				6,084

	State and other	1,079				1,170				280

		5,989				27,434				6,364

	Income tax expense	$	(8,016	)		$	(3,021	)		$	(2,470	)
	A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the effective income tax rate on continuing operations follows:


		For the Year
		2012			2011			2010
	Federal statutory rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	State, net of federal benefit	5			10			8

	State rate change due to acquisition	(2	)		—			—

	Acquisition costs	4			—			—

	Noncontrolling interests	(7	)		(6	)		(3	)
	Charitable contributions	—			(6	)		(5	)

	Compensation	—			—			3

	Oil and natural gas percentage depletion	(5	)		(8	)		(10	)
	Other	1			—			2

	Effective tax rate	31	%		25	%		30	%
	Our effective tax rate includes a two percent non-cash benefit associated with state deferred tax rate changes due to operating in additional states following the acquisition of Credo.
	Significant components of deferred taxes are:


		At Year-End
		2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Deferred Tax Assets:
	Real estate	$	74,946			$	74,970

	Employee benefits	15,323				11,284

	Net operating loss carryforwards	11,897				—

	Income producing properties	3,209				—

	Oil and natural gas percentage depletion carryforwards	3,193				—

	Accruals not deductible until paid	1,608				1,113

	Gross deferred tax assets	110,176				87,367

	Valuation allowance	(643		)		—

Deferred tax asset net of valuation allowance	109,533				87,367

Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Oil and natural gas properties	(44,631		)		—

Undeveloped land	(8,345		)		(8,479		)
Income producing properties	—				(4,093		)

Timber	(1,809		)		(1,853		)
Gross deferred tax liabilities	(54,785		)		(14,425		)
Net Deferred Tax Asset	$	54,748			$	72,942

At year-end 2012, we had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $31,000,000 primarily as a result of our acquisition of Credo at third quarter-end 2012. If not utilized, these carryforwards will expire in the years 2030 through 2032 for federal purposes and 2013 through 2032 for state purposes. We had approximately $8,800,000 of oil and natural gas percentage depletion carryforwards that also were a result of our acquisition of Credo. These carryforwards do not expire.
We have not provided a valuation allowance for our federal deferred tax asset because we believe it is likely it will be recoverable in future periods. We have provided a valuation allowance for some of our state net operating loss carryforwards. Our deferred tax liability on oil and natural gas properties is related to our acquisition of Credo in 2012 and is primarily related to the excess of fair value allocated to oil and natural gas properties at closing over the carry-over tax basis received at our estimated effective tax rate. Goodwill associated with our acquisition of Credo is not deductible for income tax purposes.
Prior to our spin-off, we were included in Temple-Inland’s consolidated income tax returns. In conjunction with our spin-off we entered into an agreement with Temple-Inland whereby we agreed to indemnify Temple-Inland for any adjustments related to our tax positions reported in their pre-spin income tax returns. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2006. In 2009, Temple-Inland informed us that the IRS began an examination of its 2007 and 2006 federal income tax returns. The finalization of this examination in still in process as of year-end 2012 but we were informed that the IRS has not proposed any adjustments affecting our reported tax positions.
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in various state jurisdictions. In 2011, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) completed its examination of our 2008 and 2007 (one day of operations) federal income tax returns. No changes were made to these returns as a result of the examination.
We have entered into a settlement agreement with the IRS regarding the audit of the Credo pre-acquisition years of 2010, 2009 and 2008 with no taxes paid as result of the settlement. State tax returns remain subject to examination for the Credo pre-acquisition years of 2008 through 2011.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of tax benefits not recognized for book purposes is as follows:


	At Year-End
	2012				2011				2010
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of year	$	5,831			$	7,394			$	7,441

Reductions for tax positions of prior years	—				(1,563		)		(47		)

Balance at end of year	$	5,831			$	5,831			$	7,394

At year-end 2012 and 2011, there were $5,831,000 and at year-end 2010 there were $6,019,000 of tax benefits not recognized for book purposes that would affect the annual effective tax rate, if recognized.
We recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. In 2012, 2011 and 2010, we recognized approximately $152,000, $41,000 and $133,000 in interest expense. At year-end 2012, 2011 and 2010, we have $420,000, $269,000 and $229,000 of accrued interest and no penalties.
It is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits affecting our effective tax rate will decrease by $5,831,000 during the next twelve months as a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Litigation_and_Environmental_C

Litigation and Environmental Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Litigation and Environmental Contingencies	Dec. 31, 2012
Litigation and Environmental Contingencies	'
	Litigation and Environmental Contingencies
	Litigation
	In connection with our acquisition of Credo Petroleum Corporation, several class action lawsuits were filed against Credo, its board of directors and us. These actions generally allege that Credo and its board of directors breached fiduciary duties to Credo stockholders with respect to the transaction. The actions also allege that we aided and abetted the alleged breaches. On September 14, 2012, parties entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to settle those actions. The MOU is contingent on confirmatory discovery and court approval of the settlement. The MOU provides that in consideration of supplemental disclosures filed by Credo with the SEC on September 14, 2012, the final settlement will include a release of all asserted claims. We believe that the claims in all cases are entirely without merit and intend to defend the actions vigorously.
	In 2011, Credo filed a lawsuit for declaratory judgment regarding contract rights under two agreements with a third party that in the aggregate involved five to ten percent of Credo’s working interest in most of its leases in North Dakota. In fourth quarter 2012, the case was settled by paying $3,700,000 and conveying a nominal working interest in exchange for termination of the two agreements. Our preliminary allocation of goodwill was adjusted based on this settlement.
	We are involved in various other legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of doing business and believe that adequate reserves have been established for any probable losses. We do not believe that the outcome of any of these proceedings should have a significant adverse effect on our financial position, long-term results of operations or cash flows. It is possible, however, that charges related to these matters could be significant to our results or cash flows in any one accounting period.
	Environmental
	Environmental remediation liabilities arise from time to time in the ordinary course of doing business, and we believe we have established adequate reserves for any probable losses that we can reasonably estimate. We own 288 acres near Antioch, California, portions of which were sites of a former Temple-Inland paper manufacturing operation that are in remediation. We have received certificates of completion on all but one 80 acre tract, a portion of which includes subsurface contamination. In 2011, we increased our reserves for environmental remediation by $2,500,000 due to additional testing and remediation requirements by the state regulatory agencies. We estimate the remaining cost to complete remediation activities will be approximately $1,572,000, which is included in other accrued expenses. It is possible that remediation or monitoring activities could be required in addition to those included within our estimate, but we are unable to determine the scope, timing or extent of such activities.

Commitments_and_Other_Continge

Commitments and Other Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Other Contingencies	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Other Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Other Contingencies
	We lease timberland, facilities and equipment under non-cancelable long-term operating lease agreements. In addition, we have various obligations under other office space and equipment leases of less than one year. Lease expense on timberland was $382,000 in 2012, $349,000 in 2011 and $289,000 in 2010. Rent expense on facilities and equipment was $2,115,000 in 2012, $2,000,000 in 2011 and $2,048,000 in 2010. Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases having a remaining term in excess of one year are: 2013 — $2,742,000; 2014 — $2,763,000; 2015 — $2,687,000; 2016 — $2,315,000; 2017 — $2,242,000 and thereafter —$4,292,000.
	We have 13 years remaining on a 65-year timber lease associated with about 16,000 acres. At year-end 2012, the remaining contractual obligation for this lease is $4,801,000. In addition, we have 5 years remaining on groundwater leases of about 20,000 acres. At year-end 2012, the remaining contractual obligation for these groundwater leases is $2,454,000.
	In 2008, we entered into a 10-year operating lease for approximately 32,000 square feet in Austin, Texas, which we occupy as our corporate headquarters. This lease contains predetermined fixed increases of the minimum rental rate during the initial lease term and a construction allowance for leasehold improvements. The remaining contractual obligation for this lease is $7,794,000.
	We may provide performance bonds and letters of credit on behalf of certain ventures that would be drawn on due to failure to satisfy construction obligations as general contractor or for failure to timely deliver streets and utilities in accordance with local codes and ordinances. In connection with our unconsolidated venture operations, we have provided performance bonds and letters of credit aggregating $26,630,000 at year-end 2012.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	In first quarter 2013, we changed our reportable segments to better reflect the underlying market fundamentals and operating strategy of our core business operations, real estate and oil and gas. With this change, we aggregated our fiber and water resource operating results in other natural resources. All prior period segment information has been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Accordingly, we reclassified revenues and cost of sales associated with water resources on the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income from oil and gas to other natural resources.
	We manage our operations through three business segments: real estate, oil and gas and other natural resources. Real estate secures entitlements and develops infrastructure on our lands for single-family residential and mixed-use communities, and manages our undeveloped land and income producing properties, primarily a hotel and our multifamily properties. Oil and gas manages our owned mineral interests and interests leased from others and is an independent oil and gas exploration, development and production operation. Other natural resources manages our timber, recreational leases and water resource initiatives.
	We evaluate performance based on segment earnings (loss) before unallocated items and income taxes. Segment earnings (loss) consist of operating income, equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures, gain on sale of assets, interest income on loans secured by real estate and net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests. Items not allocated to our business segments consist of general and administrative expense, share-based compensation, gain on sale of strategic timberland, interest expense and other corporate non-operating income and expense. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the accounting policy note to the consolidated financial statements. Our revenues are derived from our U.S. operations and all of our assets are located in the U.S. In 2012, no single customer accounted for more than 10 percent of our total revenues. In 2011, revenues of $17,980,000 from one customer of our real estate segment exceeded 10 percent of our total revenues as result of selling about 9,700 acres of undeveloped land from our retail sales program.


		Real Estate				Oil and Gas			Other Natural Resources			Items Not				Total
												Allocated to
												Segments
		(In thousands)
	For the year or at year-end 2012
	Revenues	$	120,115			$	44,220		$	8,256		$	—			$	172,591

	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	4,340				4,987			1,254			8,345				18,926

	Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	13,897				509			63			—				14,469

	Income (loss) before taxes	53,582				26,608			29			(59,261		)	(a)	20,958

	Total assets	588,137				227,061			24,066			79,170				918,434

	Investment in unconsolidated ventures	41,546				—			—			—				41,546

	Capital expenditures(b)	1,093				21,971			292			795				24,151

	For the year or at year-end 2011
	Revenues	$	106,168			$	24,448		$	4,957		$	—			$	135,573

	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	5,729				339			1,029			3,705				10,802

	Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	(30,626		)		1,394			23			—				(29,209		)

	Income (loss) before taxes	(25,704		)		19,783			(1,867		)	17,963			(a)	10,175

	Total assets	657,099				5,484			27,862			104,412				794,857

	Investment in unconsolidated ventures	64,223				—			—			—				64,223

	Capital expenditures(b)	739				4,690			153			766				6,348

	For the year or year-end 2010
	Revenues	$	68,269			$	24,790		$	8,301		$	—			$	101,360

	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	3,089				333			1,583			5,553				10,558

	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	2,629				2,072			—			—				4,701

	Income (loss) before taxes	(4,634		)		22,846			4,995			(15,612		)	(a)	7,595

	Total assets	668,689				1,075			30,582			88,978				789,324

	Investment in unconsolidated ventures	101,166				—			—			—				101,166

	Capital expenditures(b)	2,392				49			3			258				2,702

	_____________________

	(a)	Items not allocated to segments consist of:


		For the Year
		2012				2011			2010
		(In thousands)
General and administrative expense	$	(25,176	)		$	(20,110	)	$	(17,341	)
Share-based compensation expense	(14,929		)		(7,067		)	(11,596		)
Gain on sale of assets	16				61,784			28,607

Interest expense	(19,363		)		(17,012		)	(16,446		)
Other corporate non-operating income	191				368			1,164

	$	(59,261	)		$	17,963		$	(15,612	)

_____________________

(b)	Consists of expenditures for oil and natural gas properties and equipment, property, plant and equipment and reforestation of timber.
In 2012, general and administrative expense includes $6,323,000 in transaction costs associated with our acquisition of Credo. Share-based compensation increased principally as a result of increase in our stock price and impact on cash-settled awards. Interest expense includes a $4,448,000 loss on extinguishment of debt associated with the amendment and extension of our term loan in 2012.
In 2011, general and administrative expense includes $3,187,000 associated with proposed private debt offerings that we withdrew as a result of deterioration of terms available to us in the credit markets. Share-based compensation decreased principally as a result of a decline in our stock price and its impact on cash-settled awards. Gain on sale of assets represents the sale of about 57,000 acres of timberland for $87,061,000 in accordance with our 2009 strategic initiatives, which we completed in 2011.
In 2010, gain on sale of assets represents the sale of over 24,000 acres of timberland for $38,778,000 in accordance with our 2009 strategic initiatives. Interest expense decreased principally due to lower interest rates as a result of the maturity of our interest rate swap agreement and decreased amortization of prepaid loan fees.

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	12 Months Ended
Variable Interest Entities	Dec. 31, 2012
Variable Interest Entities	'
	Variable Interest Entities
	We participate in real estate ventures for the purpose of acquiring and developing residential and mixed-use communities in which we may or may not have a controlling financial interest. Generally accepted accounting principles require consolidation of variable interest entities (VIE) in which an enterprise has a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary. A controlling financial interest will have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the VIE activities that most significantly impact economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb the VIE losses and right to receive benefits that are significant to the VIE. We examine specific criteria and use judgment when determining whether we are the primary beneficiary and must consolidate a VIE. We perform this review initially at the time we enter into venture agreements and subsequently when reconsideration events occur.
	At year-end 2012, we are the primary beneficiary of one VIE that we consolidate. We have provided the majority of equity to this VIE, which absent our contributions or advances does not have sufficient equity to fund its operations. We have the authority to approve project budgets and the issuance of additional debt. At year-end 2012, our consolidated balance sheet includes $1,342,000 in liabilities related to this VIE. In 2012, we contributed or advanced $2,000 to this VIE. In 2011, our earnings benefited from a $1,342,000 reallocation of a previously recognized loss related to foreclosure of a lien on property in the above VIE. Based on our access to new information, we determined this loss and related liability should be allocated from us to the noncontrolling financial interests as we believe the likelihood we will be subject to any potential lender liabilities is remote. In addition, in 2011, we were released from liability due to settled litigation related to this property and as result, our earnings benefited from the reversal of $1,741,000 in liabilities.
	Also at year-end 2012, we are not the primary beneficiary of three VIEs that we account for using the equity method. The unrelated managing partners oversee the day-to-day operations and guarantee some of the debt of the VIEs while we have the authority to approve project budgets and the issuance of additional debt. Although some of the debt is guaranteed by the managing partners, we may under certain circumstances elect or be required to provide additional funds to these VIEs. At year-end 2012, these three VIEs have total assets of $15,533,000, substantially all of which represent developed and undeveloped real estate and total liabilities of $48,123,000, which includes $31,792,000 of borrowings classified as current maturities. These amounts are included in other ventures in the combined summarized balance sheet information for ventures accounted for using the equity method in Note 7. At year-end 2012, our investment in these three VIEs is $397,000 and is included in investment in unconsolidated ventures. In 2012, we contributed or advanced $148,000 to these VIEs. Our maximum exposure to loss related to these VIEs is estimated at $4,217,000, which exceeds our investment as we have a nominal general partner interest in two of these VIEs and could be held responsible for their liabilities. The maximum exposure to loss represents the maximum loss that we could be required to recognize assuming all the ventures’ assets (principally real estate) are worthless, without consideration of the probability of a loss or of any actions we may take to mitigate any such loss.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
Share-Based Compensation	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-Based Compensation	'
	Share-Based Compensation
	Share-based compensation expense consists of:


		For the Year
		2012				2011			2010
		(In thousands)
	Cash-settled awards	$	6,465			$	1,095		$	6,023
	Cash-settled awards	$	6,465			$	1,095		$	6,023
	Equity-settled awards	3,059				941			—
	Equity-settled awards	3,059				941			—
	Restricted stock	2,154				2,505			3,461
	Restricted stock	2,154				2,505			3,461
	Stock options	3,251				2,526			2,112
	Stock options	3,251				2,526			2,112
		$	14,929			$	7,067		$	11,596
		$	14,929			$	7,067		$	11,596
	Share-based compensation expense is included in:


		For the Year
		2012				2011			2010
		(In thousands)
	General and administrative	$	7,144			$	3,216		$	5,240
	General and administrative	$	7,144			$	3,216		$	5,240
	Other operating	7,785				3,851			6,356
	Other operating	7,785				3,851			6,356
		$	14,929			$	7,067		$	11,596
		$	14,929			$	7,067		$	11,596
	In 2012, share-based compensation expense increased principally as a result of increase in our stock price and its impact on cash-settled awards. In 2011, share-based compensation expense decreased principally as a result of a decline in our stock price and its impact on cash-settled awards.
	The fair value of awards granted to retirement-eligible employees and expensed at the date of grant was $595,000 in 2012, $654,000 in 2011 and $286,000 in 2010. Unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to non-vested equity-settled awards, restricted stock and stock options is $8,579,000 at year-end 2012. The weighted average period over which this amount will be recognized is estimated to be two years. We did not capitalize any share-based compensation in 2012, 2011 or 2010.
	In 2012 and 2011, we withheld 76,727 and 87,357 shares having a value of $1,239,000 and $1,547,000 in connection with vesting of restricted stock awards and exercises of stock options. These shares are accounted for as treasury stock and are reflected in financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
	A summary of awards granted under our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan follows:
	Cash-settled awards
	Cash-settled awards granted to our employees in the form of restricted stock units or stock appreciation rights generally vest over three to four years from the date of grant and generally provide for accelerated vesting upon death, disability or if there is a change in control. Cash-settled awards granted in 2012 vest over one to three years from the date of grant. Vesting for some restricted stock unit awards is also conditioned upon achievement of a minimum one percent annualized return on assets over a three-year period. Cash-settled stock appreciation rights have a ten-year term, generally become exercisable ratably over four years and provide for accelerated or continued vesting upon retirement, death, disability or if there is a change in control. Stock appreciation rights were granted with an exercise price equal to the market value of our stock on the date of grant.
	Cash-settled awards granted to our directors in the form of restricted stock units are fully vested at the time of grant and payable upon retirement.

	The following table summarizes the activity of cash-settled restricted stock unit awards in 2012:


		Equivalent		Weighted
		Units		Average
				Grant
				Date Fair
				Value
		(In thousands)		(Per unit)
	Non-vested at beginning of period	449		$13.13
	Granted	187		16.11
	Vested	-286		10.32
	Forfeited	—		—
	Non-vested at end of period	350		17.03
	The weighted average grant date fair value of our non-vested cash-settled restricted stock unit awards at year-end 2011 was $13.13 for 449,000 equivalent units and at year-end 2010 was $11.88 for 376,000 equivalent units.
	The following table summarizes the activity of cash-settled stock appreciation rights in 2012:


		Rights		Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
		Outstanding		Average		Average		Intrinsic
		(In thousands)		Exercise		Remaining		Value
				Price		Contractual		(Current
				(Per share)		Term		Value Less
						(In years)		Exercise Price)
								(In thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	895		$11.31		7		$3,986
Granted	—		—
Exercised	-29		9.29
Forfeited	—		—
Balance at end of period	866		11.38		6		5,256
Exercisable at end of period	618		10.9		6		$4,027
The weighted average exercise price of our cash-settled stock appreciation rights at year-end 2011 was $11.31 for 895,000 awards and at year-end 2010 was $11.28 for 909,000 awards.
The fair value of awards settled in cash was $5,299,000 in 2012, $197,000 in 2011 and $751,000 in 2010. At year-end 2012, the fair value of vested cash-settled awards is $19,071,000 and is included in other liabilities. The aggregate current value of non-vested awards is $7,278,000 at year-end 2012 based on a year-end stock price of $17.33.
Equity-settled awards
Equity-settled awards granted to our employees include restricted stock units (RSU), which vest over or after three years from the date of grant, market-leveraged stock units (MSU), which vest after three years and performance stock units (PSU), which vest after three years from the date of grant if certain performance goals are met. The following table summarizes the activity of equity-settled awards in 2012:


	Equivalent		Weighted
	Units		Average
			Grant
			Date Fair
			Value
	(In thousands)		(Per unit)
Non-vested at beginning of period	159		$20.74
Granted	368		17.01
Vested	-118		15.17
Forfeited	—		—
Non-vested at end of period	409		18.99

In 2012, we granted a 41,031 performance stock unit award to be settled in common stock upon achievement of the performance goal over the performance measurement period of 3 years. The number of shares to be issued could range from a high of 92,320 shares to a low of no shares issued upon performance.
In 2012, we granted 154,900 MSU awards. These awards will be settled in common stock based upon our stock price performance over three years from the date of grant. The number of shares to be issued could range from a high of 232,370 shares if our stock price increases by 50 percent or more, to a low of 77,460 shares if our stock price decreases by 50 percent, or could be zero if our stock price decreases by more than 50 percent, the minimum threshold performance. MSU awards are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation pricing model, which includes expected stock price volatility and risk-free interest rate assumptions. Compensation expense is recognized regardless of achievement of performance conditions, provided the requisite service period is satisfied.
Unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to non-vested equity-settled awards is $4,351,000 at year-end 2012. The weighted average period over which this amount will be recognized is estimated to be two years.
Restricted stock
Restricted stock awards vest either ratably over or after three years, generally if we achieve a minimum one percent annualized return on assets over such three-year period. The following table summarizes the activity of restricted stock awards in 2012:


	Restricted		Weighted
	Shares		Average
			Grant
			Date Fair
			Value
	(In thousands)		(Per unit)
Non-vested at beginning of period	399		$15.02
Granted	9		15.33
Vested	-197		12.97
Forfeited	—		—
Non-vested at end of period	211		16.95
The weighted average grant date fair value of our non-vested restricted stock awards at year-end 2011 was $15.02 for 399,000 non-vested restricted shares and at year-end 2010 was $17.56 for 636,000 non-vested restricted shares.
Unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock awards is $585,000 at year-end 2012. The weighted average period over which this amount will be recognized is estimated to be one year.
Stock options
Stock options have a ten-year term, generally become exercisable ratably over four years and provide for accelerated or continued vesting upon retirement, death, disability or if there is a change in control. Options were granted with an exercise price equal to the market value of our stock on the date of grant. The following table summarizes the activity of stock option awards in 2012:


	Options		Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
	Outstanding		Average		Average		Intrinsic Value
			Exercise Price		Remaining		(Current
					Contractual		Value Less
					Term		Exercise Price)
	(In thousands)		(Per share)		(In years)		(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	1,284		$22.22		7		$944
Granted	473		15.94
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited	-1		16.89
Balance at end of period	1,756		20.53		7		1,956
Exercisable at end of period	975		23.66		6		1,079

We estimate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions:


	For the Year
	2012		2011		2010
Expected stock price volatility	60.20%		56.20%		51.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.30%		2.40%		2.30%
Expected life of options (years)	6		6		6
Weighted average estimated fair value of options at grant date	$9.22		$10.11		$8.98
We have limited historical experience as a stand-alone company so we utilized alternative methods in determining our valuation assumptions. The expected life was based on the simplified method utilizing the midpoint between the vesting period and the contractual life of the awards. In 2012 and 2011, the expected stock price volatility was based on a blended rate utilizing our historical volatility and historical prices of our peers’ common stock for a period corresponding to the expected life of the options. In 2010, the expected stock price volatility was based on historical prices of our peers’ common stock for a period corresponding to the expected life of the options. Pre-vesting forfeitures are estimated based upon the pool of participants and their expected activity and historical trends.
Unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options is $3,643,000 at year-end 2012. The weighted average period over which this amount will be recognized is estimated to be two years.
Pre-Spin Awards
Certain of our employees participated in Temple-Inland’s share-based compensation plans. In conjunction with our 2007 spin-off, these awards were equitably adjusted into separate awards of the common stock of Temple-Inland and the spin-off entities. As a result of Temple-Inland’s merger with International Paper in first quarter 2012, all outstanding awards on Temple-Inland stock were settled with an intrinsic value of $1,132,000.
Pre-spin stock option awards to our employees to purchase our common stock have a ten-year term, generally become exercisable ratably over four years and provide for accelerated or continued vesting upon retirement, death, disability or if there is a change in control. At year-end 2012, there were 60,000 pre-spin awards outstanding and exercisable on our stock with a weighted average exercise price of $25.21, weighted average remaining term of three years and aggregate intrinsic value of $27,000.
The intrinsic value of options exercised was $64,000 in 2012, $766,000 in 2011 and $578,000 in 2010.

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
Retirement Plans	Dec. 31, 2012
Retirement Plans	'
	Retirement Plans
	Our defined contribution retirement plans include a 401(k) plan, which is funded, and a supplemental plan for certain employees, which is unfunded. The expense of our defined contribution retirement plans was $1,393,000 in 2012, $924,000 in 2011and $679,000 in 2010. The unfunded liability for our supplemental plan was $449,000 at year-end 2012 and $369,000 at year-end 2011 and is included in other liabilities.

Supplemental_Oil_and_Natural_G

Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Disclosures (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Disclosures (Unaudited)	'
	Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Disclosures (Unaudited)
	The following unaudited information regarding our oil and natural gas reserves has been prepared and is presented pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).
	We lease our mineral interests, principally in Texas and Louisiana, to third-party entities for the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. When we lease our mineral interests, we may negotiate a lease bonus payment and we retain a royalty interest and may take an additional participation in production, including a working interest in which we pay a share of the costs to drill, complete and operate a well and receive a proportionate share of the production revenues.
	On September 28, 2012, we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of Credo in an all cash transaction for $14.50 per share, representing an equity purchase price of approximately $146,445,000. In addition, we paid in full $8,770,000 of Credo’s outstanding debt. Credo is an independent oil and natural gas exploration, development and production company based in Denver, Colorado. The acquired assets include leasehold interests in the Bakken and Three Forks formations of North Dakota, the Lansing – Kansas City formation in Kansas and Nebraska, and the Tonkawa and Cleveland formations in Texas.
	We engaged independent petroleum engineers, Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., to prepare estimates of our proved oil and natural gas reserves, all of which are located in the U.S., and future net cash flows as of year-end 2012, 2011 and 2010. These estimates were based on the economic and operating conditions existing at year-end 2012, 2011 and 2010. Proved developed reserves are those quantities of petroleum from existing wells and facilities, which by analysis of geosciences and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable, from a given date forward for known reservoirs and under defined economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations.
	SEC rules require disclosure of proved reserves using the twelve-month average beginning-of-month price (which we refer to as the average price) for the year. These same average prices also are used in calculating the amount of (and changes in) future net cash inflows related to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows.
	For 2012, 2011 and 2010, the average spot price per barrel of oil based on the West Texas Intermediate Crude price is $94.71, $92.71 and $75.96 and the average price per MMBTU of natural gas based on the Henry Hub spot market is $2.76, $4.12 and $4.38. All prices were adjusted for quality, transportation fees and regional price differentials.
	The process of estimating proved reserves and future net cash flows is complex involving decisions and assumptions in evaluating the available engineering and geologic data and prices for oil and natural gas and the cost to produce these reserves and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. As a result, these estimates are imprecise and should be expected to change as future information becomes available. These changes could be significant. In addition, this information should not be construed as being the current fair market value of our proved reserves.

	Estimated Quantities of Proved Oil and Natural Gas Reserves
	Estimated quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves are summarized as follows:


		Net Reserves
		Oil			Natural Gas
		(Barrels)			(Mcf)
		(In thousands)
	Consolidated entities:
	Year-end 2009	580			6,660

	Revisions of previous estimates	123			709

	Extensions and discoveries	21			514

	Production	(115	)		(1,224	)
	Year-end 2010	609			6,659

	Revisions of previous estimates	197			3

	Extensions and discoveries	410			2,670

	Production	(152	)		(1,129	)
	Year-end 2011	1,064			8,203

	Revisions of previous estimates	45			(2,163	)

	Extensions and discoveries	86			241

	Acquisitions	2,396			7,109

	Production	(371	)		(1,668	)
	Year-end 2012	3,220			11,722

	Our share of ventures accounted for using the equity method:
	Year-end 2009	—			2,508

	Revisions of previous estimates	—			1,041

	Extensions and discoveries	—			895

	Production	—			(573	)

	Year-end 2010	—			3,871

	Revisions of previous estimates	—			(95	)

	Extensions and discoveries	—			—

	Production	—			(493	)

	Year-end 2011	—			3,283

	Revisions of previous estimates	—			(390	)

Extensions and discoveries	—			—

Production	—			(321	)

Year-end 2012	—			2,572

Total consolidated and our share of equity method ventures:
Year-end 2010(a)	609			10,530

Year-end 2011(a)	1,064			11,486

Year-end 2012	—			—

Proved developed reserves	2,416			13,020

Proved undeveloped reserves	804			1,274

Total Year-end 2012	3,220			14,294

_____________________

(a)	In 2011 and 2010, consolidated entities and equity method ventures did not include any proved undeveloped reserves. In 2012, proved undeveloped reserves are a result of our acquisition of Credo.
We do not have any estimated reserves of synthetic oil, synthetic natural gas or products of other non-renewable natural resources that are intended to be upgraded into synthetic oil and natural gas.
In 2012, decreases in gas prices accounted for about 800,000 Mcf of downward revisions in natural gas reserves for our consolidated entities and about 330,000 Mcf of downward revisions for our equity method ventures. The remaining downward revisions in natural gas reserves for our consolidated entities were attributable to adverse performance from reducing the total fluid withdrawal rate in a natural water drive reservoir, adverse performance from increasing total fluid withdrawal rate in another natural water drive reservoir, from unfavorable performance from newer wells in over-pressured reservoirs that are exhibiting pressure-dependent permeability reductions, and generally due to higher operating pressures adversely affecting natural gas well performances in a higher back-pressure environment.
In 2011, increases in oil prices accounted for about 28,000 barrels of the upward revisions in oil reserves for our consolidated entities. The remaining upward revisions to oil reserves were attributable to continued improved response from a steam injection program, improved operational efficiencies from water drive reservoirs, improved performance of recently completed oil wells and generally from improved production performances as a result of more efficient operations driven by higher oil prices.
In 2010, increases in oil and natural gas prices accounted for about 27,000 barrels and about 475,000 Mcf of upward revisions in reserves for our consolidated entities. The remaining upward revisions to oil reserves were attributable to improved performance of natural water drive reservoirs, response from a lease steam injection program, a work-over and installation of gas lift valves on a high volume and high royalty interest well, improved performance from a well that came online in late 2009 and the associated natural gas liquids, reactivation of two abandoned oil wells, two recompletions, and generally from improved production performances as a result of more efficient operations driven by higher oil prices. The balance of the upward revisions to natural gas reserves is attributable to the associated natural gas from the upward revisions in oil reserves. For ventures accounted for by the equity method, increases in natural gas prices accounted for about 46,000 Mcf of the upward revisions in natural gas reserves and the remaining upward revisions in natural gas reserves are from better than expected performance from nine Barnett Shale wells that were classified as proved developed non-producing at year-end 2009. These long-lateral horizontal wells began production in first quarter 2010.
In 2012, 2011 and 2010, reserve additions from new wells drilled and completed during the year are shown for both consolidated entities and ventures accounted for using the equity method under extensions and discoveries for the royalty interest wells and in 2012 with the acquisition of Credo, working interest wells apply industry practices for new well classifications. There were 27 new well additions in 2012, 36 new well additions in 2011 and 22 new well additions in 2010.
Capitalized Costs Relating to Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities
Capitalized costs related to our oil and natural gas producing activities are as follows:


	At Year-End
	2012				2011
	(In thousands)
Consolidated entities:
Unproved oil and natural gas properties	$	81,672			$	714

Proved oil and natural gas properties	81,412				4,002

Total costs	163,084				4,716

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(4,657		)		(155		)
Net capitalized costs	$	158,427			$	4,561

We have not capitalized any costs for our share in ventures accounted for using the equity method. Proved and unproved oil and natural gas properties increased in 2012 principally due to our acquisition of Credo. At year-end 2012, oil and natural gas properties and equipment includes approximately $150,223,000 in net carrying value arising out of the Credo acquisition.

Costs Incurred in Oil and Natural Gas Property Acquisition, Exploration and Development
Costs incurred in oil and natural gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities, whether capitalized or expensed, follows:


	For the Year
	2012				2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Consolidated entities:
Acquisition of properties	$	4,418			$	714		$	—

Exploration costs	1,752				549			—

Development costs	15,938				3,597			5

Total cost incurred for consolidated entities	$	22,108			$	4,860		$	5

We have not incurred any costs for our share in ventures accounted for using the equity method. In 2012, acquisition of leasehold interests, exploration expenses, and development costs have increased as a result of our increased focus on these activities to increase production, reserves, and add net asset value, and also to explore and develop the assets acquired from Credo. In 2011, acquisition of properties represents unproved leasehold associated with 13,000 net mineral acres acquired in Alabama and Georgia. In 2011, the increase in development costs when compared with 2010 was due to our participation as a non-operating working interest owner in two wells during 2011.
Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows
Estimates of future cash flows from proved oil and natural gas reserves are shown in the following table. Estimated income taxes are calculated by applying the appropriate tax rates to the estimated future pre-tax net cash flows less depreciation of the tax basis of properties and the statutory depletion allowance.


	At Year-End
	2012				2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Consolidated entities:
Future cash inflows	$	322,098			$	142,043		$	74,264

Future production and development costs	(104,441		)		(18,929		)	(9,003		)
Future income tax expenses	(50,350		)		(38,681		)	(20,570		)
Future net cash flows	167,307				84,433			44,691

10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows	(60,764		)		(31,735		)	(17,881		)
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows	$	106,543			$	52,698		$	26,810

Our share in ventures accounted for using the equity method:
Future cash inflows	$	5,125			$	12,346		$	15,748

Future production and development costs	(551		)		(1,731		)	(3,545		)
Future income tax expenses	(1,738		)		(3,154		)	(3,542		)
Future net cash flows	2,836				7,461			8,661

10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows	(1,423		)		(3,953		)	(4,334		)
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows	$	1,413			$	3,508		$	4,327

Total consolidated and our share of equity method ventures	$	107,956			$	56,206		$	31,137

Future net cash flows were computed using prices used in estimating proved oil and natural gas reserves, year-end costs, and statutory tax rates (adjusted for tax deductions) that relate to proved oil and natural gas reserves.

Changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow follow:


	For the Year
	Consolidated				Our Share of Equity			Total
					Method Ventures
	(In thousands)
Year-end 2009	$	21,138			$	2,672		$	23,810

Changes resulting from:
Net change in sales prices and production costs	9,929				939			10,868

Sales of oil and natural gas, net of production costs	(12,690		)		(2,104		)	(14,794		)
Net change due to extensions and discoveries	2,148				1,526			3,674

Net change due to revisions of quantity estimates	9,153				2,224			11,377

Accretion of discount	2,340				279			2,619

Net change in income taxes	(5,208		)		(1,209		)	(6,417		)
Aggregate change for the year	5,672				1,655			7,327

Year-end 2010	26,810				4,327			31,137

Changes resulting from:
Net change in sales prices and production costs	8,476				153			8,629

Sales of oil and natural gas, net of production costs	(17,747		)		(1,622		)	(19,369		)
Net change due to extensions and discoveries	32,671				—			32,671

Net change due to revisions of quantity estimates	17,586				(204		)	17,382

Accretion of discount	3,013				466			3,479

Net change in income taxes	(18,111		)		388			(17,723		)

Aggregate change for the year	25,888				(819		)	25,069

Year-end 2011	52,698				3,508			56,206

Changes resulting from:
Net change in sales prices and production costs	(5,709		)		(2,497		)	(8,206		)
Net change in future development costs	(1,834		)		—			(1,834		)

Sales of oil and natural gas, net of production costs	(31,732		)		(632		)	(32,364		)
Net change due to extensions and discoveries	5,596				—			5,596

Net change due to acquisition of reserves	86,013				—			86,013

Net change due to revisions of quantity estimates	(2,254		)		18			(2,236		)

Previously estimated development costs incurred	1,007				—			1,007

Accretion of discount	7,377				401			7,778

Net change in income taxes	(4,619		)		615			(4,004		)

Aggregate change for the year	53,845				(2,095		)	51,750

Year-end 2012	$	106,543			$	1,413		$	107,956

Results of Operations for Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities
Our royalty interests are contractually defined and based on a percentage of production at prevailing market prices. We receive our percentage of production in cash. Similarly, our working interests and the associated net revenue interests are contractually defined and we pay our proportionate share of the capital and operating costs to develop and operate the well and we market our share of the production. Our revenues fluctuate based on changes in the market prices for oil and natural gas, the inevitable decline in production in existing wells, and other factors affecting oil and natural gas exploration and production activities, including the cost of development and production.

Information about the results of operations of our oil and natural gas interests follow:


	For the Year
	2012				2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Consolidated entities(a)
Revenues	$	36,204			$	19,239		$	13,724

Production costs	(4,472		)		(1,492		)	(1,032		)
Exploration expenses	(1,754		)		(549		)	—

Depreciation, depletion, amortization	(4,931		)		(337		)	(334		)
Oil and natural gas administrative expenses	(8,332		)		(4,445		)	(3,295		)
Income tax expenses	(4,841		)		(3,645		)	(2,637		)
Results of operations	$	11,874			$	8,771		$	6,426

Our share in ventures accounted for using the equity method:
Royalty revenues	$	770			$	1,882		$	2,359

Production costs	(138		)		(260		)	(255		)
Exploration expenses	—				—			—

Depreciation, depletion, amortization	—				—			—

Oil and natural gas administrative expenses	(123		)		(228		)	(70		)
Income tax expenses	(147		)		(400		)	(605		)
Results of operations	$	362			$	994		$	1,429

Total results of operations	$	12,326			$	9,765		$	7,855

_____________________

(a)	2012 includes only three months of operations from Credo due to our September 28, 2012 acquisition.
Production costs represent our share of oil and natural gas production severance taxes, and lease operating expenses.
Oil and natural gas produced and average unit prices related to our royalty and working interests follows:


	For the Year
	2012				2011			2010
Consolidated entities:
Oil production (barrels)	371,300				151,900			115,400

Average price per barrel	$	85.09			$	96.84		$	73.09

Natural gas production (millions of cubic feet)	1,667.70				1,128.60			1,223.60

Average price per thousand cubic feet	$	2.76			$	4.01		$	4.32

Our share of ventures accounted for using the equity method:
Natural gas production (millions of cubic feet)	321.3				493.4			572.8

Average price per thousand cubic feet	$	2.4			$	3.81		$	4.12

Total consolidated and our share of equity method ventures:
Oil production (barrels)	371,300				151,900			115,400

Average price per barrel	$	85.09			$	96.84		$	73.09

Natural gas production (millions of cubic feet)	1,989.00				1,622.00			1,796.40

Average price per thousand cubic feet	$	2.71			$	3.95		$	4.26

Total BOE (barrel of oil equivalent)(a)	702,800				422,200			414,800

Average price per barrel of oil equivalent	$	52.16			$	50.02		$	38.77

_____________________

(a)	Natural gas is converted to barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) using the conversion of six Mcf to one barrel of oil.
In fourth quarter 2012, operations acquired from Credo produced approximately 116,600 barrels of oil at an average price of $79.94 per barrel and 225 MMcf of natural gas at an average price of $3.64 per Mcf.

Summary_of_Quarterly_Results_o

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)	'
	Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
	Summarized quarterly financial results for 2012 and 2011 follows:


		First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	2012
	Total revenues	$	28,092		$	35,312		$	40,610		$	68,577

	Gross profit	16,258			18,748			20,636			33,073

	Operating income (loss)	8,220			3,959			4,843			10,143

	Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	724			768			680			12,297

	Income (loss) before taxes	5,117			2,203			(1,458		)	20,030

	Net income (loss) attributable to Forestar Group Inc.	2,802			811			(703		)	10,032

	Net income (loss) per share — basic	0.08			0.02			(0.02		)	0.28

	Net income (loss) per share — diluted	0.08			0.02			(0.02		)	0.28

	2011
	Total revenues	$	29,840		$	25,485		$	26,241		$	54,007

	Gross profit	18,629			14,405			12,928			22,646

	Operating income (loss)	984			(2,927		)	60,171			(113		)

	Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	582			402			648			(30,841		)

	Income (loss) before taxes	(2,416		)	(7,154		)	56,574			(34,742		)

	Net income (loss) attributable to Forestar Group Inc.	(2,473		)	(3,921		)	36,428			(22,880		)

	Net income (loss) per share — basic	(0.07		)	(0.11		)	1.03			(0.65		)

	Net income (loss) per share — diluted	(0.07		)	(0.11		)	1.02			(0.65		)

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Event	Dec. 31, 2012
Subsequent Event	'
	Subsequent Event
	On February 20, 2013, we entered into an underwriting agreement to sell $125,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (Notes), which includes $15,000,000 aggregate principal amount as a result of the underwriters exercising in full their option to purchase additional Notes. We closed the sale of the Notes on February 26, 2013.
	The Notes will pay interest semiannually at a rate of 3.75 percent per annum and will mature on March 1, 2020. The Notes will have an initial conversion rate of 40.8351 per $1,000 principal amount (equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $24.49 per share of common stock and a conversion premium of 37.5 percent based on the closing share price of $17.81 per share of our common stock on February 20, 2013). The initial conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. Prior to November 1, 2019, the Notes will be convertible only upon certain circumstances, and thereafter will be convertible at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day prior to maturity. Upon conversion, holders will receive cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof at our election.
	Net proceeds from the offering were used to repay $68,000,000 under our revolving line of credit, and we also intend to use net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including investments in oil and natural gas exploration and drilling and real estate acquisition and development.

Consolidated_Real_Estate_and_A

Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation	'
	Forestar Group Inc.
	Schedule III — Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
	Year-End 2012
	(In thousands)


						Initial Cost to						Costs Capitalized								Gross Amount Carried at End of Period
						Company						Subsequent to Acquisition
	Description	Encumbrances				Land				Buildings &		Improvements				Carrying				Land & Land			Buildings &		Total			Accumulated		Date of		Date
										Improvements		less Cost of				Costs(a)				Improvements			Improvements					Depreciation		Construction		Acquired
												Sales and
												Other
	Entitled, Developed, and Under Development Projects:
	CALIFORNIA
	Contra Costa County
	San Joaquin River					$	12,225					$	(3,310	)						$	8,915				$	8,915						(b)

	COLORADO
	Douglas County
	Pinery West					7,308						2,219								9,527					9,527					2006		2006

	Weld County
	Buffalo Highlands					3,001						575								3,576					3,576					2006		2005

	Johnstown Farms					2,749						2,643				$	188			5,580					5,580					2002		2002

	Stonebraker					3,878						(1,271		)						2,607					2,607					2005		2005

	FLORIDA
	Hillsborough County
	Bridle Path Estates					2,683														2,683					2,683							2012

	GEORGIA
	Bartow County
	Towne West					936						923								1,859					1,859							(b)

	Euharlee North					269						138								407					407							(b)

	Parkside at Woodbury					134						374								508					508							(b)

	Coweta County
	Cedar Creek Preserve					852						228								1,080					1,080							(b)

	Corinth Landing					607						585								1,192					1,192							(b)

	Coweta South Industrial Park					532						477								1,009					1,009							(b)

	Fox Hall					166						2,239								2,405					2,405							(b)

	Genesee					480						1,176								1,656					1,656							(b)

	Dawson County
	Woodlands at Burt Creek					71						1,670								1,741					1,741							(b)

	TEXAS
	Bastrop County
	Hunter’s Crossing					3,613						7,593				358				11,564					11,564					2001		2001

	The Colony					8,726						12,575				161				21,462					21,462					1999		1999

	Bexar County
	Cibolo Canyons					25,569						50,978				1,549				78,096					78,096					2004		1986

Calhoun County
Caracol	$	6,517			8,603						3,953				2,047				14,603					14,603					2006		2006

Harbor Mist					2,822						(2,822		)						—					—							2007



					Initial Cost to								Costs Capitalized								Gross Amount Carried at End of Period
					Company								Subsequent to Acquisition
Description	Encumbrances				Land				Buildings &				Improvements				Carrying				Land & Land			Buildings &			Total				Accumulated			Date of	Date
									Improvements				less Cost of				Costs(a)				Improvements			Improvements							Depreciation			Construction	Acquired
													Sales and
													Other
Collin County
Lakes of Prosper					$	8,951							$	7							$	8,958					$	8,958							2012

Maxwell Creek					9,904								(4,204		)		$	635			6,335						6,335							2000	2000

Timber Creek	$	3,431			7,282								3,053								10,335						10,335							2007	2007

Village Park					6,550								(129		)		81				6,502						6,502								2012

Comal County
Oak Creek Estates					1,921								1,892				175				3,988						3,988							2006	2005

Dallas County
Stoney Creek					12,822								1,324				158				14,304						14,304							2007	2007

Denton County
Lantana	5,403				31,451								831								32,282						32,282							2000	1999

The Preserve at Pecan Creek					5,855								857				436				7,148						7,148							2006	2005

Fort Bend County
Summer Lakes					4,269								(1,003		)						3,266						3,266								2012

Summer Park					4,803								(1,381		)						3,422						3,422								2012

Willow Creek Farms	113				3,479								2,161								5,640						5,640								2012

Harris County
Barrington					8,950								(1,720		)						7,230						7,230								2011

City Park	28				3,946								(2,732		)		1,641				2,855						2,855							2002	2001

Hays County
Arrowhead Ranch					12,856								1,978								14,834						14,834								2007

Hood County
Harbor Lakes					3,514								355				312				4,181						4,181							2000	1998

Nueces County
Tortuga Dunes					12,080								10,289								22,369						22,369								2006

Tarrant County
Summer Creek Ranch					2,887								(482		)						2,405						2,405								2012

The Bar C Ranch					1,365								24								1,389						1,389								2012

Williamson County
Westside at Buttercup Creek					13,149								(10,573		)		488				3,064						3,064							1993	1993

Chandler Road Properties	400				3,552								(546		)						3,006						3,006							2004	2004

La Conterra					4,023								1,743				293				6,059						6,059								2006

MISSOURI
Clay County
Somerbrook					3,061								(218		)		13				2,856						2,856							2003	2001

Other					27,390								(9,284		)		823				18,929						18,929

Total Entitled, Developed, and Under Development Projects	$	15,892			$	279,284			$	—			$	73,185			$	9,358			$	361,827		$	—		$	361,827			$	—



					Initial Cost to								Costs Capitalized								Gross Amount Carried at End of Period
					Company								Subsequent to Acquisition
Description	Encumbrances				Land				Buildings &				Improvements				Carrying				Land & Land			Buildings &			Total				Accumulated			Date of	Date
									Improvements				less Cost of				Costs(a)				Improvements			Improvements							Depreciation			Construction	Acquired
													Sales and
													Other
Undeveloped Land and land in entitlement:
CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles County
Land In Entitlement Process					$	3,969							$	11,393							$	15,362					$	15,362							1997

GEORGIA
Bartow County
Undeveloped Land					4,055								85								4,140						4,140

Carroll County
Undeveloped Land					6,619								131								6,750						6,750

Land In Entitlement Process					9,309								2,343								11,652						11,652

Cherokee County
Undeveloped Land					3,522								98								3,620						3,620

Land In Entitlement Process					2,400								568								2,968						2,968

Coweta County
Undeveloped Land					473								318								791						791

Land In Entitlement Process					2,128								412								2,540						2,540

Dawson County
Undeveloped Land					2,394								1,761								4,155						4,155

Gilmer County
Undeveloped Land					2,908								22								2,930						2,930

Lumpkin County
Undeveloped Land					3,117								4								3,121						3,121

Paulding County
Undeveloped Land					1,406								242								1,648						1,648

Pickens County
Undeveloped Land					2,400								29								2,429						2,429

TEXAS
Bexar County
Undeveloped Land													1,588								1,588						1,588

Harris County
Land in Entitlement Process					685								1,141								1,826						1,826

San Augustine County
Undeveloped Land					1,610																1,610						1,610

Other
Undeveloped Land					9,692								4,114								13,806						13,806

Land in Entitlement Process					3,179								(1,427		)						1,752						1,752

Total Undeveloped Land and land in entitlement	$	—			$	59,866			$	—			$	22,822			$	—			$	82,688		$	—		$	82,688			$	—



					Initial Cost to								Costs Capitalized								Gross Amount Carried at End of Period
					Company								Subsequent to Acquisition
Description	Encumbrance				Land				Buildings &				Improvements				Carrying				Land & Land			Buildings &			Total				Accumulated			Date of	Date
									Improvements				less Cost of				Costs(a)				Improvements			Improvements							Depreciation			Construction	Acquired
													Sales and
													Other
Income Producing Properties:
NORTH CAROLINA
Mechlanburg County
East Morehead					$	5,779							$	175							$	5,954					$	5,954							2012

TENNESSEE
Davidson County
Westmont					11,546								(124		)						11,422						11,422								2012

TEXAS
Dallas County
Cedar Hill					2,267								1,231								3,498						3,498								2011

Travis County
Radisson Hotel & Suites	15,400								$	10,603			35,668											$	46,271		46,271				$	(26,279	)

Promesa	18,771				2,872								27,226				$	551			30,649						30,649				(592		)	2006	2006

Hood County
Harbor Lakes Golf Club									1,446				1,615											3,061			3,061				(1,349		)	2000	1998

Total Income Producing Properties	$	34,171			$	22,464			$	12,049			$	65,791			$	551			$	51,523		$	49,332		$	100,855			$	(28,220	)

Total	$	50,063			$	361,614			$	12,049			$	161,798			$	9,909			$	496,038		$	49,332		$	545,370			$	(28,220	)

_____________________

(a)	We do not capitalize carrying costs until development begins.

(b)	The acquisition date for this land is not available.
Reconciliation of real estate:


		2012				2011				2010
		(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of year		$	592,322			$	585,090			$	567,229

Amounts capitalized		143,711				66,338				65,024

Amounts retired or adjusted		(190,663		)		(59,106		)		(47,163		)
Balance at close of period		$	545,370			$	592,322			$	585,090

Reconciliation of accumulated depreciation:


		2012				2011				2010
		(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of year		$	(26,955	)		$	(23,438	)		$	(24,417	)
Depreciation expense		(3,640		)		(3,547		)		(2,582		)
Amounts retired or adjusted		2,375				30				3,561

Balance at close of period		$	(28,220	)		$	(26,955	)		$	(23,438	)

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Forestar Group Inc., all subsidiaries, ventures, and other entities in which we have a controlling interest and variable interest entities of which we are the primary beneficiary. We eliminate all material intercompany accounts and transactions. Noncontrolling interests in consolidated pass-through entities are recognized before income taxes. We account for our investment in other entities in which we have significant influence over operations and financial policies using the equity method (we recognize our share of the entities’ income or loss and any preferential returns and treat distributions as a reduction of our investment). We account for our investment in other entities in which we do not have significant influence over operations and financial policies using the cost method (we recognize as income only distribution of accumulated earnings).
	We prepare our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which require us to make estimates and assumptions about future events. Actual results can, and probably will, differ from those we currently estimate. Examples of significant estimates include those related to allocating costs to real estate, measuring assets for impairment and depletion of our oil and natural gas properties.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash and other short-term instruments with original maturities of three months or less. Restricted cash included in cash and cash equivalents was $1,160,000 at year-end 2012 and $1,255,000 at year-end 2011.
Oil and Natural Gas Properties	'
	Oil and Natural Gas Properties
	We use the successful efforts method of accounting for our oil and natural gas producing activities. Costs to acquire mineral interests leased, costs to drill and complete development of oil and natural gas wells and related asset retirement costs are capitalized. Costs to drill exploratory wells are capitalized pending determination of whether the wells have proved reserves and if determined incapable of producing commercial quantities of oil and natural gas it is expensed as dry hole costs. Exploration costs include dry hole costs, geological and geophysical costs, seismic studies, and delay rentals paid. We generally capitalize interest on expenditures for exploration and development projects that last more than six months while activities are in progress to bring the assets to their intended use. Production costs incurred to maintain wells and related equipment are charged to expense as incurred.
	Depreciation and depletion of producing oil and natural gas properties is calculated using the units-of-production method. Proved developed reserves are used to compute unit rates for unamortized tangible and intangible drilling and completion costs. Proved reserves are used to compute unit rates for unamortized acquisition of proved leasehold costs. Unit-of-production amortization rates are revised whenever there is an indication of the need for revision but at least once a year and those revisions are accounted for prospectively as changes in accounting estimates.
Cash Flows	'
	Cash Flows
	Expenditures for the acquisition and development of single-family and multifamily real estate are classified as operating activities. Expenditures for the acquisition of stabilized income producing properties, investment in oil and natural gas properties and equipment, and business acquisitions are classified as investing activities.
Capitalized Software	'
	Capitalized Software
	We capitalize purchased software costs as well as the direct internal and external costs associated with software we develop for our own use. We amortize these capitalized costs using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from three to seven years. The carrying value of capitalized software was $1,797,000 at year-end 2012 and $2,176,000 at year-end 2011 and is included in other assets. The amortization of these capitalized costs was $1,320,000 in 2012, $1,493,000 in 2011 and $1,206,000 in 2010 and is included in general and administrative and operating expenses.
Environmental and Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	Environmental and Asset Retirement Obligations
	We recognize environmental remediation liabilities on an undiscounted basis when environmental assessments or remediation are probable and we can reasonably estimate the cost. We adjust these liabilities as further information is obtained or circumstances change. Our asset retirement obligations are related to the abandonment and site restoration requirements that result from the acquisition, construction and development of our oil and natural gas properties. We record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Accretion expense related to the asset retirement obligation and depletion expense related to capitalized asset retirement cost is included in cost of oil and gas producing activities on our consolidated statements of income. The following summarizes the changes in asset retirement obligations in 2012:


		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	—

	Acquisition of Credo	1,255

	Accretion expense	26

	Additions	79

		$	1,360

Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	Financial instruments for which we did not elect the fair value option include cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivables, other current assets, long-term debt, accounts payable and other current liabilities. With the exception of long-term notes receivable and debt, the carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature or variable interest rates.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	We record goodwill when the purchase price of a business acquisition exceeds the estimated fair value of net identified tangible and intangible assets acquired. We do not amortize goodwill or other indefinite lived intangible assets. Instead, we measure these assets for impairment based on the estimated fair values at least annually or more frequently if impairment indicators exist. We perform the annual impairment measurement as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of each year. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	'
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	We review long-lived assets held for use, principally real estate, for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment exists if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable from the undiscounted cash flows expected from its use and eventual disposition. We determine the amount of the impairment loss by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived asset to its estimated fair value. In the absence of quoted market prices, we determine estimated fair value generally based on the present value of future probability weighted cash flows expected from the sale of the long-lived asset. Non-cash impairment charges related to our owned and consolidated real estate assets are included in cost of real estate sales and other.
	We evaluate our oil and natural gas properties, including facilities and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Performing these evaluations requires a significant amount of judgment since the results are based on estimated future events. Such events include a projection of future oil and natural gas sales prices, an estimate of the ultimate amount of recoverable proved oil and natural gas reserves that will be produced from a field, the timing of this future production, future costs to produce the oil and natural gas, future inflation levels, drilling results, reservoir performance, seismic interpretation and future plans to develop acreage. The need to test a property for impairment can be based on several factors, including a significant reduction in commodity prices for oil and natural gas, unfavorable adjustments to reserves or other changes to contracts, environmental regulations or tax laws. Impairment of proved properties is required when the carrying value exceeds the related undiscounted future net cash flows of the proved reserves. We evaluate our unproved property investment and record impairment based on time or geologic factors in addition to the use of an undiscounted future net cash flow approach. Impairment expense for proved and unproved oil and natural gas properties are included in cost of oil and gas producing activities.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	We provide deferred income taxes using current tax rates for temporary differences between the financial accounting carrying value of assets and liabilities and their tax accounting carrying values. We recognize and value income tax exposures for the various taxing jurisdictions where we operate based on laws, elections, commonly accepted tax positions, and management estimates. We include tax penalties and interest in income tax expense. We provide a valuation allowance for any deferred tax asset that is not likely to be recoverable in future periods.
	When we believe a tax position is supportable but the outcome uncertain, we include the item in our tax return but do not recognize the related benefit in our provision for taxes. Instead, we record a reserve for unrecognized tax benefits, which represents our expectation of the most likely outcome considering the technical merits and specific facts of the position. Changes to liabilities are only made when an event occurs that changes the most likely outcome, such as settlement with the relevant tax authority, expiration of statutes of limitations, changes in tax law, or recent court rulings.
Mineral Interests Owned	'
	Mineral Interests Owned
	We acquire real estate that may include the subsurface rights associated with the property, including minerals. We capitalize the costs of acquiring these mineral interests. We amortize the cost assigned to unproved interests, principally acquisition costs, using the straight-line method over appropriate periods based on our experience, generally no longer than 10 years. Costs assigned to individual unproven interests are minimal and amortized on an aggregate basis. When we lease these interests to third-party oil and natural gas exploration and production entities, any related unamortized costs are accounted for using the cost recovery method from the cash proceeds received from lease bonus payments.
	When we lease our mineral interests to third-party exploration and production entities, we retain a royalty interest and may take an additional participation in production, including a working interest. Mineral interests and working interests related to our owned mineral interests are included in oil and natural gas properties and equipment on our balance sheet, net of accumulated amortization.
Operating Leases	'
	Operating Leases
	We occupy office space in various locations under operating leases. The lease agreements may contain rent escalation clauses, construction allowances and/or contingent rent provisions. We expense operating leases ratably over the shorter of the useful life or the lease term. For scheduled rent escalation clauses, we recognize the base rent expense on a straight-line basis and record the difference between the recognized rent expense and the amounts payable under the lease as deferred lease credits included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Deferred lease credits are amortized over the lease term. For construction allowances, we record leasehold improvement assets included in property and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets amortized over the shorter of their economic lives or the lease term. The related deferred lease credits are amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the lease term.
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment
	We carry property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation. We capitalize the cost of significant additions and improvements, and we expense the cost of repairs and maintenance. We capitalize interest costs incurred on major construction projects. We depreciate these assets using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:


		Estimated		Carrying
				Value Year-End
		Useful Lives		2012			2011
				(In thousands)
	Buildings and building improvements	10 to 40 years		$	4,835		$	4,916

	Property and equipment	2 to 10 years		5,745			5,426

				10,580			10,342

	Less: accumulated depreciation			(5,721		)	(5,164		)
				$	4,859		$	5,178

	Depreciation expense of property and equipment was $962,000 in 2012, $893,000 in 2011 and $890,000 in 2010.
Real Estate	'
	Real Estate
	We carry real estate at the lower of cost or fair value less cost to sell. We capitalize interest costs once development begins, and we continue to capitalize throughout the development period. We also capitalize infrastructure, improvements, amenities, and other development costs incurred during the development period. We determine the cost of real estate sold using the relative sales value method. When we sell real estate from projects that are not finished, we include in the cost of real estate sold estimates of future development costs through completion, allocated based on relative sales values. These estimates of future development costs are reevaluated at least annually, with any adjustments being allocated prospectively to the remaining units available for sale.
	Income producing properties are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation computed using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives.
	We have agreements with utility or improvement districts, principally in Texas, whereby we agree to convey to the districts water, sewer and other infrastructure-related assets we have constructed in connection with projects within their jurisdiction. The reimbursement for these assets ranges from 70 to 100 percent of allowable cost as defined by the district. The transfer is consummated and we receive payment when the districts have a sufficient tax base to support funding of their bonds. The cost we incur in constructing these assets is included in capitalized development costs, and upon collection, we remove the assets from capitalized development costs. We provide an allowance to reflect our past experiences related to claimed allowable development costs.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	In 2012, we reclassified non-cash cost of timber cut for 2011 and 2010 on the statement of cash flows to depreciation, depletion and amortization to conform with current year presentation.
Revenue	'
	Revenue
	Real Estate
	We recognize revenue from sales of real estate when a sale is consummated, the buyer’s initial investment is adequate, any receivables are probable of collection, the usual risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, and we do not have significant continuing involvement with the real estate sold. If we determine that the earnings process is not complete, we defer recognition of any gain until earned. We recognize revenue from hotel room sales and other guest services when rooms are occupied and other guest services have been rendered. We recognize revenue from our multifamily properties when payments are due from residents, generally on a monthly basis.
	We exclude from revenue amounts we collect from utility or improvement districts related to the conveyance of water, sewer and other infrastructure related assets. We also exclude from revenue amounts we collect for timber sold on land being developed. These proceeds reduce capitalized development costs. We exclude from revenue amounts we collect from customers that represent sales tax or other taxes that are based on the sale. These amounts are included in other accrued expenses until paid.
	Oil and Gas
	We recognize revenue from the sale of oil and natural gas produced where we have a working interest when production is sold to a purchaser at a fixed or determinable price, when delivery has occurred and title has transferred, and if collectability of the revenue is probable. We estimate amount of production delivered to purchasers and the prices we receive based on our knowledge of our properties, their historical performance, NYMEX and local spot market prices and other factors. Variances between estimates and the actual amounts received are recorded when payment is received, or when better information is available.
	A majority of our sales are made under contractual arrangements with terms that are considered to be usual and customary in the oil and natural gas industry. The contracts are for periods of up to five years with prices determined upon a percentage of pre-determined and published monthly index price. The terms of these contracts have not had an effect on how we recognize revenue.
	We recognize revenue from mineral bonus payments received as a result of leasing our mineral interests owned to others when we have received an executed agreement with the exploration company transferring the rights to any oil or natural gas it may find and requiring drilling be done within a specified period, the payment has been collected, and we have no obligation to refund the payment. We recognize revenue from delay rentals received if drilling has not started within the specified period and when the payment has been collected. We recognize revenue from mineral royalties when the minerals have been delivered to the buyer, the value is determinable, and we are reasonably sure of collection.
	Other Natural Resources
	We recognize revenue from timber sales upon passage of title, which occurs at delivery; when the price is fixed and determinable; and we are reasonably sure of collection. We recognize revenue from recreational leases on the straight-line basis over the lease term if we are reasonably sure of collection.
Share-Based Compensation	'
	Share-Based Compensation
	We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model for stock options, Monte Carlo simulation pricing model for market-leveraged stock units, grant date fair value for equity-settled awards and period-end fair value for cash-settled awards. We expense share-based awards ratably over the vesting period or earlier based on retirement eligibility.
Timber	'
	Timber
	We carry timber at cost less the cost of timber cut. We expense the cost of timber cut based on the relationship of the timber carrying value to the estimated volume of recoverable timber multiplied by the amount of timber cut. We include the cost of timber cut in cost of other natural resources in the income statement. We determine the estimated volume of recoverable timber using statistical information and other data related to growth rates and yields gathered from physical observations, models and other information gathering techniques. Changes in yields are generally due to adjustments in growth rates and similar matters and are accounted for prospectively as changes in estimates. We capitalize reforestation costs incurred in developing viable seedling plantations (up to two years from planting), such as site preparation, seedlings, planting, fertilization, insect and wildlife control, and herbicide application. We expense all other costs, such as property taxes and costs of forest management personnel, as incurred. Once the seedling plantation is viable, we expense all costs to maintain the viable plantations, such as fertilization, herbicide application, insect and wildlife control, and thinning, as incurred.
Accounting Standards Adopted in 2012	'
	Accounting Standards Adopted in 2012
	In first quarter 2012, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-04 — Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs and ASU 2011-05 — Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. Adoption of these pronouncements did not affect our earnings or financial position.
Pending Accounting Standards	'
	Pending Accounting Standards
	ASU 2011-10 – Property, Plant, and Equipment: Derecognition of in Substance Real Estate will be effective first quarter 2013. Under ASU 2011-10, when a parent ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary that is in substance real estate as a result of default on the subsidiary’s nonrecourse debt, the reporting entity would continue to include the real estate, debt and results of the subsidiary’s operations in its consolidated financial statements until legal title to the real estate is transferred to legally satisfy the debt. The amendment should be applied prospectively to deconsolidation events occurring after the effective date. Adoption is not anticipated to have a significant effect on our earnings or financial position but may result in certain additional disclosures.
	ASU 2012-02– Intangibles-Goodwill and Other will be effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The amendment provides entities with the option to make a qualitative assessment about the likelihood that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired to determine whether it should perform a quantitative impairment test, which is equivalent to the impairment testing requirements for other long-lived assets. Adoption is not anticipated to have a significant effect on our earnings or financial position.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Change in Asset Retirement Obligation	'
	The following summarizes the changes in asset retirement obligations in 2012:


		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	—

	Acquisition of Credo	1,255

	Accretion expense	26

	Additions	79

		$	1,360

Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	We depreciate these assets using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:


		Estimated		Carrying
				Value Year-End
		Useful Lives		2012			2011
				(In thousands)
	Buildings and building improvements	10 to 40 years		$	4,835		$	4,916

	Property and equipment	2 to 10 years		5,745			5,426

				10,580			10,342

	Less: accumulated depreciation			(5,721		)	(5,164		)
				$	4,859		$	5,178

Business_Acquisitions_Tables

Business Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Preliminary allocation of the purchase price to fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'
	The following summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The allocation is subject to change as we obtain additional information during the acquisition measurement period, in particular, the estimated value assigned to oil and natural gas properties and equipment, goodwill and deferred tax liability.


		Purchase Price
		Allocation
		(In thousands)
	Cash and short-term investments	$	2,300

	Receivables	9,144

	Oil and natural gas properties and equipment	140,514

	Other properties and equipment	67

	Goodwill and other intangible assets	58,396

	Other	676

	Total assets acquired	211,097

	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	29,927

	Deferred tax liability	24,700

	Other liabilities	1,255

	Total liabilities assumed	55,882

	Estimated fair value of net assets acquired	$	155,215

Results of our Consolidated Operations	'
	The following unaudited pro forma information for the year 2012 and 2011 represents the results of our consolidated operations as if the acquisition of Credo had occurred on January 1, 2011. This information is based on historical results of operations, adjusted for certain estimated accounting adjustments and does not purport to represent our actual results of operations if the transaction would have occurred on January 1, 2011, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results.


		For the Year
		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	Revenues	$	190,634	$	152,340

	Net income	21,583		(2,639		)

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Carrying Value of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets follows:


		At Year-End
		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	Goodwill	$	61,680	$	3,874

	Identified intangibles, net	2,188		1,577

		$	63,868	$	5,451

Real_Estate_Tables

Real Estate (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Real Estate	'
	Real estate consists of:


		At Year-End
		2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Entitled, developed and under development projects	$	361,827		$	383,026

	Undeveloped land (includes land in entitlement)	82,688			80,076

	Income producing properties
	Carrying value	100,855			129,220

	Accumulated depreciation	(28,220		)	(26,955		)
	Net carrying value	72,635			102,265

		$	517,150		$	565,367

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_V1

Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Summarized Balance Sheet Information	'
	Combined summarized balance sheet information for our ventures accounted for using the equity method follows:


		Venture Assets				Venture Borrowings (a)					Venture Equity						Our Investment
		At Year-End
		2012		2011		2012		2011			2012			2011			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	242, LLC(b)	$	21,408	$	23,688	$	810	$	4,429		$	19,576		$	18,536		$	8,903		$	8,332

	CJUF III, RH Holdings	15,970		—		1		—			13,701			—			3,836			—

	CL Ashton Woods(c)	15,701		—		—		—			15,044			—			5,775			—

	CL Realty	8,245		51,096		—		1,056			7,842			48,608			3,921			24,304

	FMF Peakview	16,859		—		—		—			13,331			—			2,666			—

	HM Stonewall Estates(c)	5,184		—		104		—			5,080			—			2,470			—

	LM Land Holdings(c)	21,094		—		3,086		—			13,128			—			6,045			—

	Palisades West	—		124,588		—		—			—			81,635			—			20,412

	Round Rock Luxury Apartments	332		34,434		—		28,544			325			4,865			225			3,312

	Temco	13,255		18,922		—		2,787			13,066			15,896			6,533			7,948

	Other ventures (4)(d)	16,797		16,938		34,357		38,002			(31,600		)	(34,045		)	1,172			(85		)

		$	134,845	$	269,666	$	38,358	$	74,818		$	69,493		$	135,495		$	41,546		$	64,223

Summarized Income Statement Information	'
	Combined summarized income statement information for our ventures accounted for using the equity method follows:


		Revenues						Earnings (Loss)									Our Share of Earnings (Loss)
		For the Year
		2012		2011		2010		2012			2011			2010			2012			2011			2010
		(In thousands)
	242, LLC(b)	$	4,868	$	2,378	$	1	$	1,040		$	239		$	(103	)	$	572		$	153		$	(51	)

	CJUF III, RH Holdings	—		—		—		(241		)	—			—			(241		)	—			—

	CL Ashton Woods(c)	3,353		—		—		1,472			—			—			2,024			—			—

	CL Realty(e)	2,667		9,141		28,663		1,060			(22,832		)	228			530			(11,416		)	114

	FMF Peakview	—		—		—		(116		)	—			—			(23		)	—			—

	HM Stonewall Estates(c)	2,500		—		—		829			—			—			332			—			—

	LM Land Holdings(c)	10,268		—		—		1,895			—			—			257			—			—

	Palisades West	—		16,230		13,588		—			5,858			4,668			—			1,464			1,167

	Round Rock Luxury Apartments(f)	3,749		4,442		3,308		7,944			(483		)	(1,429		)	5,552			(292		)	(996		)

	Temco(g)	702		653		2,180		(80		)	(42,242		)	210			(40		)	(21,121		)	105

	Other ventures(h) (4)	5,041		8,030		8,765		2,088			49			(15,889		)	5,506			2,003			4,362

		$	33,148	$	40,874	$	56,505	$	15,891		$	(59,411	)	$	(12,315	)	$	14,469		$	(29,209	)	$	4,701

	_____________________

	(a)	Total includes current maturities of $32,323,000 at year-end 2012, of which $32,083,000 is non-recourse to us, and $71,816,000 at year-end 2011, of which $43,144,000 is non-recourse to us.

	(b)	Includes unamortized deferred gains on real estate contributed by us to ventures. We recognize deferred gains as income as real estate is sold to third parties and is included in our share of earnings (loss) from the respective ventures. Deferred gains of $885,000 are reflected as a reduction to our investment in unconsolidated ventures at year-end 2012.

	(c)	In 2012, we acquired CL Realty’s equity investment in these residential and mixed-use ventures at estimated fair value. The difference between estimated fair value of the equity investment and our capital account within the respective ventures at closing (basis difference) will be accreted as income or expense over the life of the investment and included in our share of earnings (loss) from the respective ventures. Unrecognized basis difference of $2,957,000 is reflected as a reduction of our investment in unconsolidated ventures at year-end 2012.

	(d)	Our investment in other ventures reflects our ownership interests generally ranging from 25 to 50 percent, excluding venture losses that exceed our investment where we are not obligated to fund those losses. Please read Note 17 for additional information.

	(e)	In 2011, CL Realty’s loss includes non-cash impairment charges of $25,750,000, of which, $23,255,000 relates to additional non-cash impairments associated with real estate assets sold in 2012. Please read Note 3 for additional information. In 2010, CL Realty’s earnings include impairment charges of $4,458,000 principally related to a commercial real estate tract located near the Texas gulf coast.

	(f)	In 2012, Round Rock Luxury Apartments earnings include $8,247,000 gain related to sale of 414-unit multifamily property near Austin for $40,400,000. Our share of equity earnings related to this sale is $5,707,000.

	(g)	In 2011, Temco’s loss includes non-cash impairment charges of $41,226,000, of which, $21,426,000 principally relates to additional non-cash impairments associated with real estate assets sold in 2012. Please read Note 3 for additional information.

	(h)	In 2012, other ventures earnings include $5,307,000 related to a consolidated venture’s share of the gain associated with Round Rock Luxury Apartments sale of Las Brisas. Our share of these earnings was $2,541,000 and we allocated $(2,766,000) to net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. In 2011, our share of other ventures earnings (loss) includes $2,164,000 in earnings related to a deferred gain recognized as a result of entering into an agreement to acquire certain of CL Realty’s real estate assets and $4,869,000 in deferred gains for year 2010 related to CL Realty’s sale of 625 acres to a third party for $20,250,000. In 2010, other ventures loss includes a $13,061,000 loss on sale of a golf course and country club property in Denton, Texas. This loss did not impact our equity in the earnings (loss) of this venture as we exclude losses that exceed our investment where we are not obligated to provide additional equity.

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Receivables	'
	Receivables consist of:


		At Year-End
		2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Loan secured by real estate	$	18,507		$	20,666

	Notes receivable, average interest rate of 6.24% at year-end 2012 and 7.16% at year-end 2011	1,875			1,817

	Receivables and accrued interest	13,303			860

		33,685			23,343

	Allowance for bad debts	(62		)	(62		)
		$	33,623		$	23,281

Estimated Accretable Yield	'
	Estimated accretable yield at year-end 2012 follows:


		(In thousands)
	Beginning of period (First Quarter-End 2012)	$	28,926

	Change in accretable yield due to change in timing of estimated cash flows	(515		)
	Interest income recognized	(3,262		)
		$	25,149

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt	'
	Debt consists of:


		At Year-End
		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	Senior secured credit facility
	Term loan facility — average interest rate of 4.21% at year-end 2012 and 6.50 % at year-end 2011	$	200,000	$	130,000

	Revolving line of credit — average interest rate of 4.75% at year-end 2012	44,000		—

	Secured promissory notes — average interest rates of 2.80% at year-end 2012 and 4.34% at year-end 2011	34,171		41,900

	Other indebtedness due through 2017 at variable and fixed interest rates ranging from 0.24% to 8.00%	15,892		49,687

		$	294,063	$	221,587

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Fair Value (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2012
Carrying Value of Assets	'


		Year-End 2012													Year-End 2011
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities:
	Real estate	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—			$	—	$	—	$	24,161	$	24,161
	Real estate	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—			$	—	$	—	$	24,161	$	24,161
Information About Our Fixed Rate Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value	'
	Information about our fixed rate financial instruments not measured at fair value follows:


		Year-End 2012						Year-End 2011
		Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair					Valuation
		Amount			Value			Amount			Value					Technique
		(In thousands)
	Loan secured by real estate	$	18,507		$	35,824		$	20,666		$	—		(a)		Level 2
	Loan secured by real estate	$	18,507		$	35,824		$	20,666		$	—		(a)		Level 2
	Fixed rate debt	$	(3,989	)	$	(4,070	)	$	(29,931	)	$	(32,478	)			Level 2
	_____________________

	(a)	At year-end 2011 not applicable due to its non-performing status.

Net_Income_per_Share_Tables

Net Income per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Attributable to Common Shareholders and Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	'
	Earnings available to common shareholders and weighted average common shares outstanding used to compute earnings per share were:


		For the Year
		2012			2011			2010
		(In thousands)
	Earnings available to common shareholders:
	Consolidated net income	$	17,876		$	9,241		$	5,834

	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,934		)	(2,087		)	(709		)
	Net income attributable to Forestar Group Inc.	$	12,942		$	7,154		$	5,125

	Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic	35,214			35,413			35,893

	Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and equity-settled awards	268			368			484

	Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted	35,482			35,781			36,377

	Anti-dilutive awards excluded from diluted weighted average shares outstanding	2,713			2,008			1,574

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Expense	'
	Income tax expense consists of:


		For the Year
		2012				2011				2010
		(In thousands)
	Current tax provision:
	U.S. Federal	$	(11,834	)		$	(27,442	)		$	(7,582	)
	State and other	(2,171		)		(3,013		)		(1,252		)
		(14,005		)		(30,455		)		(8,834		)
	Deferred tax provision:
	U.S. Federal	4,910				26,264				6,084

	State and other	1,079				1,170				280

		5,989				27,434				6,364

	Income tax expense	$	(8,016	)		$	(3,021	)		$	(2,470	)
Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Rate to Effective Income Tax Rate on Continuing Operations	'
	A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the effective income tax rate on continuing operations follows:


		For the Year
		2012			2011			2010
	Federal statutory rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	State, net of federal benefit	5			10			8

	State rate change due to acquisition	(2	)		—			—

	Acquisition costs	4			—			—

	Noncontrolling interests	(7	)		(6	)		(3	)
	Charitable contributions	—			(6	)		(5	)

	Compensation	—			—			3

	Oil and natural gas percentage depletion	(5	)		(8	)		(10	)
	Other	1			—			2

	Effective tax rate	31	%		25	%		30	%
Significant Components of Deferred Taxes	'
	Significant components of deferred taxes are:


		At Year-End
		2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Deferred Tax Assets:
	Real estate	$	74,946			$	74,970

	Employee benefits	15,323				11,284

	Net operating loss carryforwards	11,897				—

	Income producing properties	3,209				—

	Oil and natural gas percentage depletion carryforwards	3,193				—

	Accruals not deductible until paid	1,608				1,113

	Gross deferred tax assets	110,176				87,367

	Valuation allowance	(643		)		—

	Deferred tax asset net of valuation allowance	109,533				87,367

	Deferred Tax Liabilities:
	Oil and natural gas properties	(44,631		)		—

	Undeveloped land	(8,345		)		(8,479		)
	Income producing properties	—				(4,093		)

	Timber	(1,809		)		(1,853		)
	Gross deferred tax liabilities	(54,785		)		(14,425		)
	Net Deferred Tax Asset	$	54,748			$	72,942

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Tax Benefits Not Recognized for Book Purposes	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of tax benefits not recognized for book purposes is as follows:


		At Year-End
		2012				2011				2010
		(In thousands)
	Balance at beginning of year	$	5,831			$	7,394			$	7,441

	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	—				(1,563		)		(47		)

	Balance at end of year	$	5,831			$	5,831			$	7,394

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Revenues and Earnings	'


		Real Estate			Oil and Gas			Other Natural Resources			Items Not				Total
											Allocated to
											Segments
		(In thousands)
	For the year or at year-end 2012
	Revenues	$	120,115		$	44,220		$	8,256		$	—			$	172,591

	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	4,340			4,987			1,254			8,345				18,926

	Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	13,897			509			63			—				14,469

	Income (loss) before taxes	53,582			26,608			29			(59,261		)	(a)	20,958

	Total assets	588,137			227,061			24,066			79,170				918,434

	Investment in unconsolidated ventures	41,546			—			—			—				41,546

	Capital expenditures(b)	1,093			21,971			292			795				24,151

	For the year or at year-end 2011
	Revenues	$	106,168		$	24,448		$	4,957		$	—			$	135,573

	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	5,729			339			1,029			3,705				10,802

	Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	(30,626		)	1,394			23			—				(29,209		)

	Income (loss) before taxes	(25,704		)	19,783			(1,867		)	17,963			(a)	10,175

	Total assets	657,099			5,484			27,862			104,412				794,857

	Investment in unconsolidated ventures	64,223			—			—			—				64,223

	Capital expenditures(b)	739			4,690			153			766				6,348

	For the year or year-end 2010
	Revenues	$	68,269		$	24,790		$	8,301		$	—			$	101,360

	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	3,089			333			1,583			5,553				10,558

	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	2,629			2,072			—			—				4,701

	Income (loss) before taxes	(4,634		)	22,846			4,995			(15,612		)	(a)	7,595

	Total assets	668,689			1,075			30,582			88,978				789,324

	Investment in unconsolidated ventures	101,166			—			—			—				101,166

	Capital expenditures(b)	2,392			49			3			258				2,702

Items Not Allocated to Segments	'

	(a)	Items not allocated to segments consist of:


		For the Year
		2012			2011			2010
		(In thousands)
	General and administrative expense	$	(25,176	)	$	(20,110	)	$	(17,341	)
	Share-based compensation expense	(14,929		)	(7,067		)	(11,596		)
	Gain on sale of assets	16			61,784			28,607

	Interest expense	(19,363		)	(17,012		)	(16,446		)
	Other corporate non-operating income	191			368			1,164

		$	(59,261	)	$	17,963		$	(15,612	)

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2012
Components of Share-Based Compensation Expense (Income)	'
	Share-based compensation expense consists of:


		For the Year
		2012			2011			2010
		(In thousands)
	Cash-settled awards	$	6,465		$	1,095		$	6,023
	Cash-settled awards	$	6,465		$	1,095		$	6,023
	Equity-settled awards	3,059			941			—
	Equity-settled awards	3,059			941			—
	Restricted stock	2,154			2,505			3,461
	Restricted stock	2,154			2,505			3,461
	Stock options	3,251			2,526			2,112
	Stock options	3,251			2,526			2,112
		$	14,929		$	7,067		$	11,596
		$	14,929		$	7,067		$	11,596
Share-Based Compensation Expense (Income) Included in Operating Expense	'
	Share-based compensation expense is included in:


		For the Year
		2012			2011			2010
		(In thousands)
	General and administrative	$	7,144		$	3,216		$	5,240
	General and administrative	$	7,144		$	3,216		$	5,240
	Other operating	7,785			3,851			6,356
	Other operating	7,785			3,851			6,356
		$	14,929		$	7,067		$	11,596
		$	14,929		$	7,067		$	11,596
Summarized Activity of Cash-Settled Restricted Stock Unit Awards	'
	The following table summarizes the activity of cash-settled restricted stock unit awards in 2012:


		Equivalent		Weighted
		Units		Average
				Grant
				Date Fair
				Value
		(In thousands)		(Per unit)
	Non-vested at beginning of period	449		$13.13
	Granted	187		16.11
	Vested	-286		10.32
	Forfeited	—		—
	Non-vested at end of period	350		17.03
Summarized Activity of Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights	'
	The following table summarizes the activity of cash-settled stock appreciation rights in 2012:


		Rights		Weighted	Weighted		Aggregate
		Outstanding		Average	Average		Intrinsic
		(In thousands)		Exercise	Remaining		Value
				Price	Contractual		(Current
				(Per share)	Term		Value Less
					(In years)		Exercise Price)
							(In thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	895		$11.31	7		$3,986
	Granted	—		—
	Exercised	-29		9.29
	Forfeited	—		—
	Balance at end of period	866		11.38	6		5,256
	Exercisable at end of period	618		10.9	6		$4,027
Summarized Activity of Equity-Settled Awards	'
	The following table summarizes the activity of equity-settled awards in 2012:


		Equivalent		Weighted
		Units		Average
				Grant
				Date Fair
				Value
		(In thousands)		(Per unit)
	Non-vested at beginning of period	159		$20.74
	Granted	368		17.01
	Vested	-118		15.17
	Forfeited	—		—
	Non-vested at end of period	409		18.99
Summarized Activity of Restricted Stock Awards	'
	The following table summarizes the activity of restricted stock awards in 2012:


		Restricted		Weighted
		Shares		Average
				Grant
				Date Fair
				Value
		(In thousands)		(Per unit)
	Non-vested at beginning of period	399		$15.02
	Granted	9		15.33
	Vested	-197		12.97
	Forfeited	—		—
	Non-vested at end of period	211		16.95
Summarized Activity of Stock Option Awards	'
	The following table summarizes the activity of stock option awards in 2012:


		Options		Weighted	Weighted		Aggregate
		Outstanding		Average	Average		Intrinsic Value
				Exercise Price	Remaining		(Current
					Contractual		Value Less
					Term		Exercise Price)
		(In thousands)		(Per share)	(In years)		(In thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	1,284		$22.22	7		$944
	Granted	473		15.94
	Exercised	—		—
	Forfeited	-1		16.89
	Balance at end of period	1,756		20.53	7		1,956
	Exercisable at end of period	975		23.66	6		1,079
Fair Value of Stock Options Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model	'
	We estimate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions:


		For the Year
		2012		2011	2010
	Expected stock price volatility	60.20%		56.20%	51.00%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.30%		2.40%	2.30%
	Expected life of options (years)	6		6	6
	Weighted average estimated fair value of options at grant date	$9.22		$10.11	$8.98

Supplemental_Oil_and_Natural_G1

Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of Estimated Quantities of Proved Developed Oil and Natural Gas Reserves	'
	Estimated quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves are summarized as follows:


		Net Reserves
		Oil			Natural Gas
		(Barrels)			(Mcf)
		(In thousands)
	Consolidated entities:
	Year-end 2009	580			6,660

	Revisions of previous estimates	123			709

	Extensions and discoveries	21			514

	Production	(115	)		(1,224	)
	Year-end 2010	609			6,659

	Revisions of previous estimates	197			3

	Extensions and discoveries	410			2,670

	Production	(152	)		(1,129	)
	Year-end 2011	1,064			8,203

	Revisions of previous estimates	45			(2,163	)

	Extensions and discoveries	86			241

	Acquisitions	2,396			7,109

	Production	(371	)		(1,668	)
	Year-end 2012	3,220			11,722

	Our share of ventures accounted for using the equity method:
	Year-end 2009	—			2,508

	Revisions of previous estimates	—			1,041

	Extensions and discoveries	—			895

	Production	—			(573	)

	Year-end 2010	—			3,871

	Revisions of previous estimates	—			(95	)

	Extensions and discoveries	—			—

	Production	—			(493	)

	Year-end 2011	—			3,283

	Revisions of previous estimates	—			(390	)

	Extensions and discoveries	—			—

	Production	—			(321	)

	Year-end 2012	—			2,572

	Total consolidated and our share of equity method ventures:
	Year-end 2010(a)	609			10,530

Year-end 2011(a)	1,064			11,486

Year-end 2012	—			—

Proved developed reserves	2,416			13,020

Proved undeveloped reserves	804			1,274

Total Year-end 2012	3,220			14,294

_____________________

(a)	In 2011 and 2010, consolidated entities and equity method ventures did not include any proved undeveloped reserves. In 2012, proved undeveloped reserves are a result of our acquisition of Credo.
Costs Incurred in Oil and Natural Gas Property Acquisition, Exploration and Development Activities	'
	Costs incurred in oil and natural gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities, whether capitalized or expensed, follows:


		For the Year
		2012				2011			2010
		(In thousands)
	Consolidated entities:
	Acquisition of properties	$	4,418			$	714		$	—

	Exploration costs	1,752				549			—

	Development costs	15,938				3,597			5

	Total cost incurred for consolidated entities	$	22,108			$	4,860		$	5

Estimates of Future Cash Flows from Proved Developed Oil and Natural Gas Reserves	'
	Estimates of future cash flows from proved oil and natural gas reserves are shown in the following table. Estimated income taxes are calculated by applying the appropriate tax rates to the estimated future pre-tax net cash flows less depreciation of the tax basis of properties and the statutory depletion allowance.


		At Year-End
		2012				2011			2010
		(In thousands)
	Consolidated entities:
	Future cash inflows	$	322,098			$	142,043		$	74,264

	Future production and development costs	(104,441		)		(18,929		)	(9,003		)
	Future income tax expenses	(50,350		)		(38,681		)	(20,570		)
	Future net cash flows	167,307				84,433			44,691

	10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows	(60,764		)		(31,735		)	(17,881		)
	Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows	$	106,543			$	52,698		$	26,810

	Our share in ventures accounted for using the equity method:
	Future cash inflows	$	5,125			$	12,346		$	15,748

	Future production and development costs	(551		)		(1,731		)	(3,545		)
	Future income tax expenses	(1,738		)		(3,154		)	(3,542		)
	Future net cash flows	2,836				7,461			8,661

	10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows	(1,423		)		(3,953		)	(4,334		)
	Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows	$	1,413			$	3,508		$	4,327

	Total consolidated and our share of equity method ventures	$	107,956			$	56,206		$	31,137

Changes in Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flow	'
	Changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow follow:


		For the Year
		Consolidated				Our Share of Equity			Total
						Method Ventures
		(In thousands)
	Year-end 2009	$	21,138			$	2,672		$	23,810

	Changes resulting from:
	Net change in sales prices and production costs	9,929				939			10,868

	Sales of oil and natural gas, net of production costs	(12,690		)		(2,104		)	(14,794		)
	Net change due to extensions and discoveries	2,148				1,526			3,674

	Net change due to revisions of quantity estimates	9,153				2,224			11,377

	Accretion of discount	2,340				279			2,619

	Net change in income taxes	(5,208		)		(1,209		)	(6,417		)
	Aggregate change for the year	5,672				1,655			7,327

	Year-end 2010	26,810				4,327			31,137

	Changes resulting from:
	Net change in sales prices and production costs	8,476				153			8,629

	Sales of oil and natural gas, net of production costs	(17,747		)		(1,622		)	(19,369		)
	Net change due to extensions and discoveries	32,671				—			32,671

	Net change due to revisions of quantity estimates	17,586				(204		)	17,382

	Accretion of discount	3,013				466			3,479

	Net change in income taxes	(18,111		)		388			(17,723		)

	Aggregate change for the year	25,888				(819		)	25,069

	Year-end 2011	52,698				3,508			56,206

	Changes resulting from:
	Net change in sales prices and production costs	(5,709		)		(2,497		)	(8,206		)
	Net change in future development costs	(1,834		)		—			(1,834		)

	Sales of oil and natural gas, net of production costs	(31,732		)		(632		)	(32,364		)
	Net change due to extensions and discoveries	5,596				—			5,596

	Net change due to acquisition of reserves	86,013				—			86,013

	Net change due to revisions of quantity estimates	(2,254		)		18			(2,236		)

	Previously estimated development costs incurred	1,007				—			1,007

	Accretion of discount	7,377				401			7,778

	Net change in income taxes	(4,619		)		615			(4,004		)

	Aggregate change for the year	53,845				(2,095		)	51,750

	Year-end 2012	$	106,543			$	1,413		$	107,956

Information About Results of Operations of Oil and Natural Gas Interests	'
	Information about the results of operations of our oil and natural gas interests follow:


		For the Year
		2012				2011			2010
		(In thousands)
	Consolidated entities(a)
	Revenues	$	36,204			$	19,239		$	13,724

	Production costs	(4,472		)		(1,492		)	(1,032		)
	Exploration expenses	(1,754		)		(549		)	—

	Depreciation, depletion, amortization	(4,931		)		(337		)	(334		)
	Oil and natural gas administrative expenses	(8,332		)		(4,445		)	(3,295		)
	Income tax expenses	(4,841		)		(3,645		)	(2,637		)
	Results of operations	$	11,874			$	8,771		$	6,426

	Our share in ventures accounted for using the equity method:
	Royalty revenues	$	770			$	1,882		$	2,359

	Production costs	(138		)		(260		)	(255		)
	Exploration expenses	—				—			—

	Depreciation, depletion, amortization	—				—			—

	Oil and natural gas administrative expenses	(123		)		(228		)	(70		)
	Income tax expenses	(147		)		(400		)	(605		)
	Results of operations	$	362			$	994		$	1,429

	Total results of operations	$	12,326			$	9,765		$	7,855

	_____________________

	(a)	2012 includes only three months of operations from Credo due to our September 28, 2012 acquisition.
Oil and Natural Gas Produced and Average Unit Prices Related to Royalty and Non-Operating Working Interests	'
	Oil and natural gas produced and average unit prices related to our royalty and working interests follows:


		For the Year
		2012				2011			2010
	Consolidated entities:
	Oil production (barrels)	371,300				151,900			115,400

	Average price per barrel	$	85.09			$	96.84		$	73.09

	Natural gas production (millions of cubic feet)	1,667.70				1,128.60			1,223.60

	Average price per thousand cubic feet	$	2.76			$	4.01		$	4.32

	Our share of ventures accounted for using the equity method:
	Natural gas production (millions of cubic feet)	321.3				493.4			572.8

	Average price per thousand cubic feet	$	2.4			$	3.81		$	4.12

	Total consolidated and our share of equity method ventures:
	Oil production (barrels)	371,300				151,900			115,400

	Average price per barrel	$	85.09			$	96.84		$	73.09

	Natural gas production (millions of cubic feet)	1,989.00				1,622.00			1,796.40

	Average price per thousand cubic feet	$	2.71			$	3.95		$	4.26

	Total BOE (barrel of oil equivalent)(a)	702,800				422,200			414,800

	Average price per barrel of oil equivalent	$	52.16			$	50.02		$	38.77

	_____________________

	(a)	Natural gas is converted to barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) using the conversion of six Mcf to one barrel of oil.
Consolidated Entities [Member]	'
Capitalized Cost Related to Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities	'
	Capitalized costs related to our oil and natural gas producing activities are as follows:


		At Year-End
		2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Consolidated entities:
	Unproved oil and natural gas properties	$	81,672			$	714

	Proved oil and natural gas properties	81,412				4,002

	Total costs	163,084				4,716

	Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(4,657		)		(155		)
	Net capitalized costs	$	158,427			$	4,561

Summary_of_Quarterly_Results_o1

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations	'
	Summarized quarterly financial results for 2012 and 2011 follows:


		First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	2012
	Total revenues	$	28,092		$	35,312		$	40,610		$	68,577

	Gross profit	16,258			18,748			20,636			33,073

	Operating income (loss)	8,220			3,959			4,843			10,143

	Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	724			768			680			12,297

	Income (loss) before taxes	5,117			2,203			(1,458		)	20,030

	Net income (loss) attributable to Forestar Group Inc.	2,802			811			(703		)	10,032

	Net income (loss) per share — basic	0.08			0.02			(0.02		)	0.28

	Net income (loss) per share — diluted	0.08			0.02			(0.02		)	0.28

	2011
	Total revenues	$	29,840		$	25,485		$	26,241		$	54,007

	Gross profit	18,629			14,405			12,928			22,646

	Operating income (loss)	984			(2,927		)	60,171			(113		)

	Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	582			402			648			(30,841		)

	Income (loss) before taxes	(2,416		)	(7,154		)	56,574			(34,742		)

	Net income (loss) attributable to Forestar Group Inc.	(2,473		)	(3,921		)	36,428			(22,880		)

	Net income (loss) per share — basic	(0.07		)	(0.11		)	1.03			(0.65		)

	Net income (loss) per share — diluted	(0.07		)	(0.11		)	1.02			(0.65		)

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$1,160,000	$1,255,000	'
Carrying value of capitalized software	1,797,000	2,176,000	'
Capitalized software amortization	1,320,000	1,493,000	1,206,000
Contractual Period Of Sale Contracts	'5 years	'	'
Property and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation expense of property and equipment	$962,000	$893,000	$890,000
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Useful life range	'7 years	'	'
Amortization of Acquisition Cost	'10 years	'	'
Reimbursement range on water, sewer and other infrastructure-related assets	100.00%	'	'
Capitalize reforestation costs	'2 years	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Useful life range	'3 years	'	'
Reimbursement range on water, sewer and other infrastructure-related assets	70.00%	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Change in Asset Retirement Obligation (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Asset Retirement Obligation [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	$0
Acquisition of Credo	1,255
Accretion expense	26
Additions	79
Ending balance	$1,360

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of Property Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Building and Building Improvements [Member]	Building and Building Improvements [Member]	Property and Equipment [Member]	Property and Equipment [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
							Building and Building Improvements [Member]	Property and Equipment [Member]	Building and Building Improvements [Member]	Property and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property plant and equipment, useful life	'	'	'	'	'	'	'10 years	'2 years	'40 years	'10 years
Property plant and equipment, gross	$10,580	$10,342	$4,835	$4,916	$5,745	$5,426	'	'	'	'
Less: accumulated depreciation	-5,721	-5,164	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property Plant And Equipment, Net	$4,859	$5,178	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Business_Acquisitions_Addition

Business Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 28, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 28, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
	Project				Residential and Mixed Use Projects [Member]	Credo [Member]	Credo [Member]
					Project
					Lot
					acre
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of interest acquired	'	'	'	100.00%	'	100.00%	100.00%
Purchase price of acquisitions, per share amount	'	'	'	'	'	$14.50	$14.50
Purchase price of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	$146,445,000	'
Outstanding debt paid	74,226,000	123,399,000	63,420,000	'	'	8,770,000	'
Transaction costs included in general and administrative expenses	6,323,000	3,187,000	'	'	463,000	6,323,000	'
Number of residential and mixed use real estate projects acquisitions	17	'	'	'	17	'	'
Purchase price of acquisitions, Total	47,000,000	'	'	'	47,000,000	'	'
Proceeds from ventures	'	'	'	'	23,370,000	'	'
Purchase price of acquisitions, Real estate	31,891,000	'	'	'	31,891,000	'	'
Purchase price of acquisitions, Investment in unconsolidated ventures	14,236,000	'	'	'	14,236,000	'	'
Purchase price of acquisitions, Other assets	'	'	'	'	1,385,000	'	'
Purchase price of acquisitions, Liabilities	'	'	'	$55,882,000	$512,000	'	'
No. of developed lots	'	'	'	'	1,130	'	'
No. of planned lots	'	'	'	'	4,900	'	'
No. of commercial acres	'	'	'	'	460	'	'

Business_Acquisitions_Prelimin

Business Acquisitions - Preliminary allocation of purchase price to fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Cash and short-term investments	$2,300
Receivables	9,144
Oil and natural gas properties and equipment	140,514
Other properties and equipment	67
Goodwill and other intangible assets	58,396
Other	676
Total assets acquired	211,097
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	29,927
Deferred tax liability	24,700
Other liabilities	1,255
Total liabilities assumed	55,882
Estimated fair value of net assets acquired	$155,215

Business_Acquisitions_Results_

Business Acquisitions - Results of consolidated operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]	'	'
Revenues	$190,634	$152,340
Net income (loss)	$21,583	($2,639)

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Carrying Value of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule Of Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$61,680	$3,874
Identified intangibles, net	2,188	1,577
Total	$63,868	$5,451

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010
			Credo [Member]	Water Resources Company [Member]	Patents [Member]	Groundwater Leases [Member]
					Credo [Member]	Water Resources Company [Member]
Schedule Of Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill acquired on acquisition	$61,680,000	$3,874,000	$57,806,000	$3,874,000	'	'
Identified intangibles , related to patents	'	'	'	'	590,000	'
Identified intangibles , net	$2,188,000	$1,577,000	'	'	$566,400	$1,622,000

Real_Estate_Real_Estate_Detail

Real Estate - Real Estate (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Entitled, developed and under development projects	$361,827	$383,026	'	'
Undeveloped land (includes land entitlement)	82,688	80,076	'	'
Carrying value	100,855	129,220	'	'
Accumulated depreciation	-28,220	-26,955	-23,438	-24,417
Net carrying value	72,635	102,265	'	'
Total Real Estate	$517,150	$565,367	'	'

Real_Estate_Additional_Informa

Real Estate - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
	acre	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Costs relate to water, sewer and other infrastructure assets	$6,432,000	$3,328,000	'
Collection related to reduction of investment in the mixed-use development	5,674,000	3,294,000	'
Increased entitled, developed and under development projects	31,891,000	'	'
Decreased entitled, developed and under development projects	51,493,000	'	'
Area of consolidated venture light farms project	800	'	'
Proceeds from consolidated ventures' sale of assets, net	24,294,000	'	'
Outstanding debt of buyer	30,991,000	'	'
Gain on sale of assets	3,401,000	'	'
Proceeds from sale of multifamily property	29,474,000	'	'
Non-cash asset impairment charges	'	11,525,000	9,042,000
Depreciation expense, related to commercial and income producing properties	3,640,000	3,547,000	2,680,000
Special Improvement District [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Collection from hotel occupancy and sales revenue as tax	2,850,000	6,906,000	'
Cibolo Canyons Project [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Collection related to reduction of investment in the mixed-use development	550,000	1,750,000	'
Investment in resort development	32,517,000	'	'
Utility and Improvement District [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cost of asset in developed and under development projects	50,476,000	61,526,000	'
Dallas Texas [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Area of consolidated venture light farms project	800	'	'
Houston, Texas [Member] \| Multi Family Property [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Decrease in Commercial & income producing properties	45,794,000	'	'
Commercial and income producing properties, investment unit	401	'	'
Real estate property sale price	56,400,000	'	'
Proceeds from sale of multifamily property	29,474,000	'	'
Outstanding debt assumed by buyer	26,500,000	'	'
Gain on sale of assets	10,180,000	'	'
Austin, Texas [Member] \| Multi Family Property [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Commercial and income producing properties commencing construction unit	289	'	'
Commercial and income producing properties commencing construction	30,057,000	'	'
Austin, Texas [Member] \| Hotel Property [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Commercial and income producing properties, investment unit	413	'	'
Commercial and income producing properties	19,992,000	'	'
Charlotte [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investment In Multi family Development Sites	16,651,000	'	'
Nashville [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investment In Multi family Development Sites	16,651,000	'	'
San Antonio Texas [Member] \| Cibolo Canyons Project [Member]	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cost of asset in developed and under development projects	34,252,000	34,802,000	'
Decrease cost of assets in developed and under development projects	$11,065,000	'	'

Timber_Additional_Information_

Timber - Additional Information (Detail) (Georgia [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
	acre	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Georgia [Member]	'	'	'
Timber owned directly or through ventures	121,000	'	'
Acres of timber under lease	17,000	'	'
Non-cash cost of timber cut and sold	$1,220,000	$990,000	$1,544,000

Recovered_Sheet1

Investment In Unconsolidated Ventures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
	Venture
	Project
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of ventures under ownership interest using equity method	13	'	'
Number of newly formed Unconsolidated ventures	2	'	'
Investment in venture	$41,546,000	$64,223,000	$101,166,000
Number of residential and mixed use real estate projects acquisitions	17	'	'
Purchase price of acquisitions, Total	47,000,000	'	'
Purchase price of acquisitions, Real estate	31,891,000	'	'
Purchase price of acquisitions, Investment in unconsolidated ventures	14,236,000	'	'
Proceeds from sales of ownership interest in ventures	32,095,000	'	'
Investment In Other Venture	2,318,000	2,007,000	3,291,000
Distributions Of Return On Investments And Earnings	15,905,000	9,664,000	16,458,000
Fees for services	662,000	912,000	1,091,000
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Reduction in repayment guaranty	20.00%	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Reduction in repayment guaranty	0.00%	'	'
CJUF III, RH Holdings [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of multifamily property to be developed	257	'	'
Ownership Interest in ventures	25.00%	'	'
Percentage of ownership held by joint venture partner	75.00%	'	'
Reimbursements received from the ventures	3,516,000	'	'
Senior secured construction loan	23,936,000	'	'
Interest at LIBOR plus on Senior Secured Construction Loan	2.00%	'	'
Initial Term of construction loan	'36 months	'	'
Number of additional extended term	2	'	'
Period of each additional extended term	'12 months	'	'
Repayment guaranty of completion of the improvements	20.00%	'	'
Investment in venture	3,836,000	'	'
FMF Peakview [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of multifamily property to be developed	304	'	'
Ownership Interest in ventures	20.00%	'	'
Percentage of ownership held by joint venture partner	80.00%	'	'
Reimbursements received from the ventures	7,243,000	'	'
Senior secured construction loan	31,550,000	'	'
Interest at LIBOR plus on Senior Secured Construction Loan	2.25%	'	'
Initial Term of construction loan	'36 months	'	'
Number of additional extended term	2	'	'
Period of each additional extended term	'12 months	'	'
Repayment guaranty of completion of the improvements	25.00%	'	'
Investment in venture	2,666,000	'	'
Palisades West [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investment in venture	'	20,412,000	'
Sales of ownership interest in ventures	25.00%	'	'
Number of office building	2	'	'
Proceeds from sales of ownership interest in ventures	32,095,000	'	'
Gain on sales of ownership interest in ventures	11,675,000	'	'
CL Realty [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investment in venture	3,921,000	24,304,000	'
Fees received	'	'	$1,013,000
Area of property sold	'	'	625

Recovered_Sheet2

Investment In Unconsolidated Ventures - Summarized Balance Sheet Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Venture assets	$134,845,000	$269,666,000	'
Venture Borrowings	38,358,000	74,818,000	'
Venture Equity	69,493,000	135,495,000	'
Investment in venture	41,546,000	64,223,000	101,166,000
242, LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Venture assets	21,408,000	23,688,000	'
Venture Borrowings	810,000	4,429,000	'
Venture Equity	19,576,000	18,536,000	'
Investment in venture	8,903,000	8,332,000	'
CJUF III, RH Holdings [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Venture assets	15,970,000	'	'
Venture Borrowings	1,000	'	'
Venture Equity	13,701,000	'	'
Investment in venture	3,836,000	'	'
CL Ashton Woods [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Venture assets	15,701,000	'	'
Venture Equity	15,044,000	'	'
Investment in venture	5,775,000	'	'
CL Realty [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Venture assets	8,245,000	51,096,000	'
Venture Borrowings	'	1,056,000	'
Venture Equity	7,842,000	48,608,000	'
Investment in venture	3,921,000	24,304,000	'
FMF Peakview [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Venture assets	16,859,000	'	'
Venture Equity	13,331,000	'	'
Investment in venture	2,666,000	'	'
HM Stonewall Estates [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Venture assets	5,184,000	'	'
Venture Borrowings	104,000	'	'
Venture Equity	5,080,000	'	'
Investment in venture	2,470,000	'	'
LM Land Holdings [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Venture assets	21,094,000	'	'
Venture Borrowings	3,086,000	'	'
Venture Equity	13,128,000	'	'
Investment in venture	6,045,000	'	'
Palisades West [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Venture assets	'	124,588,000	'
Venture Equity	'	81,635,000	'
Investment in venture	'	20,412,000	'
Round Rock Luxury Apartments [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Venture assets	332,000	34,434,000	'
Venture Borrowings	'	28,544,000	'
Venture Equity	325,000	4,865,000	'
Investment in venture	225,000	3,312,000	'
Temco [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Venture assets	13,255,000	18,922,000	'
Venture Borrowings	'	2,787,000	'
Venture Equity	13,066,000	15,896,000	'
Investment in venture	6,533,000	7,948,000	'
Other Ventures [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Venture assets	16,797,000	16,938,000	'
Venture Borrowings	34,357,000	38,002,000	'
Venture Equity	-31,600,000	-34,045,000	'
Investment in venture	$1,172,000	($85,000)	'

Investment_In_Unconsolidated_V2

Investment In Unconsolidated Ventures - Summarized Income Statement Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$33,148	$40,874	$56,505
Earnings (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,891	-59,411	-12,315
Our share of earnings (loss)	12,297	680	768	724	-30,841	648	402	582	14,469	-29,209	4,701
242, LLC [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,868	2,378	1
Earnings (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,040	239	-103
Our share of earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	572	153	-51
CJUF III, RH Holdings [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-241	'	'
Our share of earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-241	'	'
CL Ashton Woods [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,353	'	'
Earnings (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,472	'	'
Our share of earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,024	'	'
CL Realty [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,667	9,141	28,663
Earnings (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,060	-22,832	228
Our share of earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	530	-11,416	114
FMF Peakview [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-116	'	'
Our share of earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-23	'	'
HM Stonewall Estates [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,500	'	'
Earnings (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	829	'	'
Our share of earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	332	'	'
LM Land Holdings [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,268	'	'
Earnings (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,895	'	'
Our share of earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	257	'	'
Palisades West [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	16,230	13,588
Earnings (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,858	4,668
Our share of earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,464	1,167
Round Rock Luxury Apartments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,749	4,442	3,308
Earnings (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,944	-483	-1,429
Our share of earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,552	-292	-996
Temco [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	702	653	2,180
Earnings (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-80	-42,242	210
Our share of earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-40	-21,121	105
Other Ventures [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,041	8,030	8,765
Earnings (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,088	49	-15,889
Our share of earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$5,506	$2,003	$4,362

Investment_In_Unconsolidated_V3

Investment In Unconsolidated Ventures - Summarized Income Statement Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Borrowing Current Maturities	$32,323,000	$71,816,000	'
Borrowing non-recourse, current maturities	32,083,000	43,144,000	'
Deferred gains	885,000	'	'
Unrecognized basis difference	2,957,000	'	'
Impairment Charges	'	11,525,000	9,042,000
CL Realty [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred gains	'	2,164,000	4,869,000
Additional non-cash impairments associated with real estate assets sold	'	23,255,000	'
Impairment Charges	'	25,750,000	4,458,000
Area of property sold	'	'	625
Sales to third party	'	'	20,250,000
Round Rock Luxury Apartments [Member] \| Four One Four Unit Multifamily [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Earnings of other ventures related to consolidated ventures shares	8,247,000	'	'
Revenue earnings related to sale of apartments	40,400,000	'	'
Our share earnings of other ventures related to consolidated ventures shares	5,707,000	'	'
Number of multifamily apartment units sold	414	'	'
Temco [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Additional non-cash impairments associated with real estate assets sold	'	23,255,000	'
Impairment Charges	'	41,226,000	'
Temco [Member] \| Real Estate Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Additional non-cash impairments associated with real estate assets sold	'	21,426,000	'
Other Ventures [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Earnings of other ventures related to consolidated ventures shares	5,307,000	'	'
Our share earnings of other ventures related to consolidated ventures shares	2,541,000	'	'
Our share of earnings allocated to noncontrolling interests	-2,766,000	'	'
Loss On Sale Of Property	'	'	$13,061,000
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Ownership Interest	25.00%	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Ownership Interest	50.00%	'	'

Receivables_Receivables_Detail

Receivables - Receivables (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Total	$33,685	$23,343
Allowance for bad debts	-62	-62
Receivables, net	33,623	23,281
Loan secured by real estate [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Total	18,507	20,666
Notes Receivable [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Total	1,875	1,817
Receivables And Accrued Interest [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Total	$13,303	$860

Receivables_Receivables_Parent

Receivables - Receivables (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Receivables - Receivables (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Average interest rate	6.24%	7.16%

Receivables_Additional_Informa

Receivables - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Receivables - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 28, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loan secured by real estate	$18,507,000	$20,666,000	'
Principal amount after reorganization	33,900,000	'	'
Maturity date of principal amount after reorganization	30-Apr-17	'	'
Interest accrue percentage till year three	9.00%	'	'
Interest accrue percentage year four	10.00%	'	'
Interest accrue percentage year five	12.00%	'	'
Principal amount of loan received	3,887,000	'	'
Interest amount of loan received	1,635,000	'	'
Reduction of the carrying value of the non-performing loan	'	471,000	'
Outstanding principal balance	30,013,000	'	'
Due period of notes receivable as secured by deed of trust	'3 years	'	'
Receivables	'	'	9,144,000
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Forgiven interest rate	6.25%	'	'
Loan Secured By Real Estate [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loan secured by real estate	18,507,000	'	'
Credo [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Receivables	$8,095,000	'	'

Receivables_Estimated_Accretab

Receivables - Estimated Accretable Yield (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]	'
Beginning of period (First Quarter-End 2012)	$28,926
Change in accretable yield due to change in timing of estimated cash flows	-515
Interest income recognized	-3,262
End of period	$25,149

Debt_Debt_Detail

Debt - Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	$294,063,000	$221,587,000
Secured Promissory Notes [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	34,171,000	41,900,000
Other Indebtedness [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	15,892,000	49,687,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	44,000,000	'
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] \| Term Loan Facility [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	$200,000,000	$130,000,000

Debt_Debt_Parenthetical_Detail

Debt - Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012
	Secured Promissory Notes [Member]	Secured Promissory Notes [Member]	Other Indebtedness [Member]	Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]	Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]	Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
				Term Loan Facility [Member]	Term Loan Facility [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Average interest rate	2.80%	4.34%	'	4.21%	6.50%	4.75%
Variable and fixed interest rates ranging, minimum	'	'	0.24%	'	'	'
Variable and fixed interest rates ranging, maximum	'	'	8.00%	'	'	'

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 28, 2012
	Dec. 31, 2012	acre	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 28, 2012
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss recognized on extinguishment of debt	'	$4,448,000	'	'	'
Acquisition of outstanding stock of Credo	'	'	'	'	100.00%
Business acquisition cost	'	'	'	'	146,445,000
Payment for outstanding debt	8,770,000	'	'	'	'
Debt	294,063,000	294,063,000	221,587,000	'	'
Amount of Indebtedness Decreased Due to Sale of Light	'	30,991,000	'	'	'
Area of consolidated venture light farms project	'	800	'	'	'
Unamortized deferred financing fees	6,508,000	6,508,000	8,364,000	'	'
Amortization of deferred financing fees	'	2,922,000	2,881,000	4,106,000	'
Debt Maturities 2013	8,683,000	8,683,000	'	'	'
Debt Maturities 2014	17,792,000	17,792,000	'	'	'
Debt Maturities 2015	64,046,000	64,046,000	'	'	'
Debt Maturities 2016	2,125,000	2,125,000	'	'	'
Debt Maturities 2017	201,417,000	201,417,000	'	'	'
Debt Maturities thereafter	0	0	'	'	'
Austin [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Guest room hotel	413	413	'	'	'
Multifamily project	289	289	'	'	'
Austin [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Multifamily loan in construction financing	19,548,000	19,548,000	'	'	'
Houston [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Multifamily project	401	401	'	'	'
Credo [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition of outstanding stock of Credo	100.00%	100.00%	'	'	100.00%
Purchase price of acquisitions, per share amount	$14.50	$14.50	'	'	$14.50
Term Loans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Transaction cost funded	70,000,000	'	'	'	'
Secured Debt [Member] \| Austin [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt	15,400,000	15,400,000	'	'	'
Secured Promissory Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt	34,171,000	34,171,000	41,900,000	'	'
Secured Promissory Notes [Member] \| Austin [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt	18,771,000	18,771,000	'	'	'
Carrying value of multifamily project to secure non recourse loan	19,992,000	19,992,000	'	'	'
Carrying value of property to secure borrowing	30,057,000	30,057,000	'	'	'
Other Indebtedness [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt	15,892,000	15,892,000	49,687,000	'	'
Carrying value of property to secure borrowing	65,545,000	65,545,000	'	'	'
Amount of Indebtedness Decreased Due to Sale of Multifamily project	'	26,500,000	'	'	'
Amount of Indebtedness Decreased Due to Sale of Light	'	30,991,000	'	'	'
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Borrow at LIBOR after Amendment	4.00%	4.00%	'	'	'
Borrow at LIBOR before Amendment	4.50%	4.50%	'	'	'
Eliminated LIBOR Rate	2.00%	'	'	'	'
Interest coverage ratio	1.05	'	'	'	'
Interest coverage ratio	1.5	'	'	'	'
Incurred fee related to amendment	5,486,000	'	'	'	'
Loss recognized on extinguishment of debt	4,448,000	'	'	'	'
Borrow at Libor	4.00%	4.00%	'	'	'
Percentage Of Variable Spread On Base Rate	'	3.00%	'	'	'
Percentage Of Spread On Federal Funds Effective Rate	'	0.50%	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Basis Spread Over Variable Rate	1.00%	1.00%	'	'	'
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] \| Letter of Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Ratio of value of assets in the borrowing base to the aggregate commitments under the facility	1.5	1.5	'	'	'
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Maturity period of revolving line of credit	14-Sep-15	'	'	'	'
Revolving Line of Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Transaction cost funded	35,000,000	'	'	'	'
Revolving Line of Credit [Member] \| Letter of Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sublimit for letters of credit outstanding	2,807,000	2,807,000	'	'	'
Revolving Line of Credit [Member] \| Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity under term Loan facility	200,000,000	200,000,000	'	'	'
Net unused borrowing capacity	153,193,000	153,193,000	'	'	'
Revolving Line of Credit [Member] \| Sublimit For Letters Of Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Sublimit for letters of credit under line of credit facility	100,000,000	100,000,000	'	'	'
Term Loan Facility [Member] \| Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt	200,000,000	200,000,000	130,000,000	'	'
Maturity period of revolving line of credit	14-Sep-17	'	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity under term Loan facility	200,000,000	200,000,000	'	'	'
Debt	$200,000,000	$200,000,000	$130,000,000	'	'

Fair_Value_Additional_Informat

Fair Value - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Asset impairments	$11,525	$9,042

Fair_Value_Carrying_Value_of_A

Fair Value - Carrying Value of Assets (Detail) (Real Estate [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities:	'	'
Real estate	$0	$24,161
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities:	'	'
Real estate	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities:	'	'
Real estate	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities:	'	'
Real estate	$0	$24,161

Fair_Value_Information_About_o

Fair Value - Information About our Fixed Rate Financial instruments not Measured at Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loan secured by real estate	$18,507,000	$20,666,000	'
Loan Secured by Real Estate Fair Value	35,824,000	0	'
Valuation Techniques	'	'	'LevelB 2
Fixed rate debt, carrying value	-3,989,000	-29,931,000	'
Fixed rate debt, fair value	($4,070,000)	($32,478,000)	'

Capital_Stock_Additional_Infor

Capital Stock - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Options to purchase shares of common stock	953,000	'	'
Number of shares repurchased	94,450	'	'
Value of share repurchased	$1,409,000	$12,977,000	$15,178,000
Common Stock Repurchased Since Announcement Of Strategic Initiative	2,002,145	'	'
Value Of Common Stock Repurchased Since Announcement Of Strategic Initiative	29,564,000	'	'
Maximum Percentage Of Shares Repurchased Under Strategic Initiative	20.00%	'	'
Maximum Number Of Shares Repurchased Under Strategic Initiative	7,000,000	'	'
Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stockholders to purchase, conditions	'One one-hundredth of a share of newly issued Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock	'	'
Preferred stock purchase right	'One-quarter of a preferred stock purchase right	'	'
Preferred stock exercise price	100	'	'
Minimum percentage of beneficial ownership to acquire exercisable rights	20.00%	'	'
Redemption price of rights	$0.00	'	'
Redemption time of rights	'10 days	'	'
Expiry date of rights	11-Dec-17	'	'
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years	'	'
Weighted average exercise price	$22.82	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value	$1,083,000	'	'

Net_Income_per_Share_Earnings_

Net Income per Share - Earnings Attributable to Common Shareholders and Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Earnings available to common shareholders:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$17,876	$9,241	$5,834
Less Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4,934	-2,087	-709
Net income attributable to Forestar Group Inc.	$10,032	($703)	$811	$2,802	($22,880)	$36,428	($3,921)	($2,473)	$12,942	$7,154	$5,125
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	35,214	35,413	35,893
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and equity-settled awards	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	268	368	484
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	35,482	35,781	36,377
Anti-dilutive awards excluded from diluted weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,713	2,008	1,574

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Expens

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current tax provision:	'	'	'
U.S. Federal	($11,834)	($27,442)	($7,582)
State and other	-2,171	-3,013	-1,252
Total	-14,005	-30,455	-8,834
Deferred tax provision:	'	'	'
U.S. Federal	4,910	26,264	6,084
State and other	1,079	1,170	280
Total	5,989	27,434	6,364
Income tax expense	($8,016)	($3,021)	($2,470)

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Rate to Effective Income Tax Rate on Continuing Operations (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Reconciliation Of Statutory Federal Tax Rate [Line Items]	'	'	'
Federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State, net of federal benefit	5.00%	10.00%	8.00%
State rate change due to acquisition	-2.00%	'	'
Acquisition costs	4.00%	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	-7.00%	-6.00%	-3.00%
Charitable contributions	'	-6.00%	-5.00%
Compensation	'	'	3.00%
Oil and natural gas percentage depletion	-5.00%	-8.00%	-10.00%
Other	1.00%	'	2.00%
Effective tax rate	31.00%	25.00%	30.00%

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule Of Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'
Change in effective tax rate due to acquisition of Credo	2.00%	'	'
Tax benefits not recognized for book purposes	$5,831,000	$5,831,000	$6,019,000
Recognized interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits	152,000	41,000	133,000
Accrued interest	420,000	269,000	229,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	5,831,000	'	'
Federal and State [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating loss carry forwards	31,000,000	'	'
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expiration date of operating loss carry forwards	'2030 through 2032	'	'
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expiration date of operating loss carry forwards	'2013 through 2032	'	'
Credo [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas percentage depletion carryforwards	$8,800,000	'	'

Income_Taxes_Significant_Compo

Income Taxes - Significant Components of Deferred Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred Tax Assets:	'	'
Real estate	$74,946	$74,970
Employee benefits	15,323	11,284
Net operating loss carryforwards	11,897	'
Income producing properties	3,209	'
Oil and natural gas percentage depletion carryforwards	3,193	'
Accruals not deductible until paid	1,608	1,113
Gross deferred tax assets	110,176	87,367
Valuation allowance	-643	'
Deferred tax asset net of valuation allowance	109,533	87,367
Deferred Tax Liabilities:	'	'
Oil and natural gas properties	-44,631	'
Undeveloped land	-8,345	-8,479
Income producing properties	'	-4,093
Timber	-1,809	-1,853
Gross deferred tax liabilities	-54,785	-14,425
Net Deferred Tax Asset	$54,748	$72,942

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of1

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Tax Benefits Not Recognized for Book Purposes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	$5,831	$7,394	$7,441
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	0	-1,563	-47
Balance at end of year	$5,831	$5,831	$7,394

Litigation_and_Environmental_C1

Litigation and Environmental Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
	acre	Environmental Remediation Expense [Member]	Credo [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
Environmental Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Percent of leasing participating interest	'	'	'	5.00%	10.00%
Amount of settlement in exchange for termination	'	'	$3,700,000	'	'
Area for which certificate of completion received	288	'	'	'	'
Portion of site for which certificate not received	80	'	'	'	'
Reserves for environmental remediation	2,500,000	'	'	'	'
Cost to complete remediation activities	'	$1,572,000	'	'	'

Commitments_and_Other_Continge1

Commitments and Other Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2012
		Timberlands [Member]	Timberlands [Member]	Timberlands [Member]	Office Facilities And Other Equipment [Member]	Office Facilities And Other Equipment [Member]	Office Facilities And Other Equipment [Member]	Corporate Headquarters [Member]	Ground Water Lease [Member]
		acre						sqft	acre
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Lease expense	'	$382,000	$349,000	$289,000	$2,115,000	$2,000,000	$2,048,000	'	'
operating lease future payments, 2013	2,742,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
operating lease future payments,2014	2,763,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
operating lease future payments,2015	2,687,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
operating lease future payments,2016	2,315,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
operating lease future payments,2017	2,242,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
operating lease future payments, thereafter	4,292,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Remaining years of timber lease	'	'13 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'5 years
Operating lease years, total	'	'65 years	'	'	'	'	'	'10 years	'
Timber Land Area taken on lease	'	16,000	'	'	'	'	'	32,000	20,000
Remaining contractual obligation of groundwater lease	'	4,801,000	'	'	'	'	'	7,794,000	2,454,000
Letters of credit	$26,630,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
	Segment	Customer	acre
	acre	acre
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of business segments	3	'	'
Maximum percentage of revenue from customer	10.00%	10.00%	'
Number of customer who contributed more than 10 percent of revenue	'	1	'
Area of Land sold	'	9,700	'
Transaction costs related to acquisition	$6,323,000	$3,187,000	'
Extinguishment of debt included in Interest expense	4,448,000	'	'
Area of Land sold	'	57,000	24,000
Proceeds from sale of timberland	'	87,061,000	38,778,000
Real Estate [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	'	$17,980,000	'

Segment_Information_Segment_Re

Segment Information - Segment Revenues and Earnings (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$68,577,000	$40,610,000	$35,312,000	$28,092,000	$54,007,000	$26,241,000	$25,485,000	$29,840,000	$172,591,000	$135,573,000	$101,360,000
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	18,926,000	10,802,000	10,558,000
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	12,297,000	680,000	768,000	724,000	-30,841,000	648,000	402,000	582,000	14,469,000	-29,209,000	4,701,000
Income (loss) before taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,958,000	10,175,000	7,595,000
Total assets	918,434,000	'	'	'	794,857,000	'	'	'	918,434,000	794,857,000	789,324,000
Investment in unconsolidated ventures	41,546,000	'	'	'	64,223,000	'	'	'	41,546,000	64,223,000	101,166,000
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	24,151,000	6,348,000	2,702,000
Real Estate [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	120,115,000	106,168,000	68,269,000
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,340,000	5,729,000	3,089,000
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,897,000	-30,626,000	2,629,000
Income (loss) before taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	53,582,000	-25,704,000	-4,634,000
Total assets	588,137,000	'	'	'	657,099,000	'	'	'	588,137,000	657,099,000	668,689,000
Investment in unconsolidated ventures	41,546,000	'	'	'	64,223,000	'	'	'	41,546,000	64,223,000	101,166,000
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,093,000	739,000	2,392,000
Oil And Gas [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	44,220,000	24,448,000	24,790,000
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,987,000	339,000	333,000
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	509,000	1,394,000	2,072,000
Income (loss) before taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	26,608,000	19,783,000	22,846,000
Total assets	227,061,000	'	'	'	5,484,000	'	'	'	227,061,000	5,484,000	1,075,000
Investment in unconsolidated ventures	0	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,971,000	4,690,000	49,000
Other Natural Resources [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,256,000	4,957,000	8,301,000
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,254,000	1,029,000	1,583,000
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	63,000	23,000	0
Income (loss) before taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	29,000	-1,867,000	4,995,000
Total assets	24,066,000	'	'	'	27,862,000	'	'	'	24,066,000	27,862,000	30,582,000
Investment in unconsolidated ventures	0	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	292,000	153,000	3,000
Items Not Allocated To Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,345,000	3,705,000	5,553,000
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-59,261,000	17,963,000	-15,612,000
Total assets	79,170,000	'	'	'	104,412,000	'	'	'	79,170,000	104,412,000	88,978,000
Investment in unconsolidated ventures	0	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$795,000	$766,000	$258,000

Segment_Information_Items_Not_

Segment Information - Items Not Allocated to Segments (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
General and administrative expense	($25,176)	($20,110)	($17,341)
Share-based compensation expense	-14,929	-7,067	-11,596
Gain on sale of assets	16	61,784	28,607
Interest expense	-19,363	-17,012	-16,446
Other corporate non-operating income	191	368	1,164
Items not allocated to segments	($59,261)	$17,963	($15,612)

Variable_Interest_Entities_Add

Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Entity	Dec. 31, 2011
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Number of primary beneficiary	1	'
Liabilities related to VIE	$1,342,000	'
Contributed to VIE	2,000	'
Reversal of liabilities	'	1,741,000
Reallocation of a previously recognized loss	'	1,342,000
Number of primary beneficiary variable interest entity accounted under equity Method investment	3	'
Total assets of developed and under developed real estate	15,533,000	'
Total liabilities of developed and under developed real estate	48,123,000	'
Current maturities	31,792,000	'
Investment in VIEs	397,000	'
Contributed to VIEs	148,000	'
Maximum Exposure to loss related to VIEs	$4,217,000	'
Number of non consolidated VIEs with nominal general partner interest	2	'

Share_Based_Compensation_Compo

Share Based Compensation - Components of Share-Based Compensation Expense (Income) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule Of Employee Service Share Based Compensation Expense Allocation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash-settled awards	$6,465	$1,095	$6,023
Equity-settled awards	3,059	941	0
Restricted stock	2,154	2,505	3,461
Stock options	3,251	2,526	2,112
Total share-based compensation	$14,929	$7,067	$11,596

Share_Based_Compensation_Share

Share Based Compensation - Share Based Compensation Expense Included in Operating Expense (Income) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule Of Employee Service Share Based Compensation Expense Allocation [Line Items]	'	'	'
General and administrative	$7,144	$3,216	$5,240
Other operating	7,785	3,851	6,356
Total share-based compensation	$14,929	$7,067	$11,596

Share_Based_Compensation_Addit

Share Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value of Awards Granted to Retirement Eligible Employees and Expensed at Date of Grant	$595,000	$654,000	$286,000
Unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to non-vested equity-settled awards, restricted stock and stock options	8,579,000	'	'
Vesting of restricted stock awards and exercises of stock options, shares withheld	76,727	87,357	'
Payroll taxes on restricted stock and stock options	1,239,000	1,547,000	61,000
Cash-settled awards granted, Maximum	'3 years	'	'
Cash-settled awards granted, Minimum	'1 year	'	'
Fair value of awards settled in cash	5,299,000	197,000	751,000
Fair value of vested cash-settled awards	19,071,000	'	'
Aggregate current value of non-vested cash-settled awards	7,278,000	'	'
Stock price of non-vested cash-settled awards	$17.33	'	'
Period after market leverage stock unit vest	'3 years	'	'
Intrinsic value of options exercised	64,000	766,000	578,000
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of share to be issued at stock price decrease by more than fifty percent	0	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to non-vested equity-settled awards, restricted stock and stock options	585,000	'	'
Weighted average period over which amount will be recognized	'1 year	'	'
Cash-settled awards granted, Maximum	'4 years	'	'
Cash-settled awards granted, Minimum	'3 years	'	'
Minimum Percent Annualized Return on Assets Vesting for Stock Unit Awards	1.00%	'	'
Vesting period of restricted stock units	'3 years	'	'
Aggregate current value of non-vested cash-settled restricted stock unit awards	'	$15.02	$17.56
Aggregate current value of non-vested cash-settled restricted stock units	'	399,000	636,000
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash-settled awards granted, Maximum	'4 years	'	'
Cash-settled awards granted, Minimum	'3 years	'	'
Terms of awards	'10 years	'	'
Aggregate current value of non-vested cash-settled restricted stock units	866,000	895,000	909,000
weighted average exercise price, Per Share	'	$11.31	$11.28
Granted, Equivalent Units	0	'	'
Market-leveraged stock units [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Granted, Equivalent Units	154,900	'	'
Number of shares to be issued if stock price increases by fifty percent	232,370	'	'
Numbers of shares to be issued if stock price decreases by fifty percent	77,460	'	'
Equity-settled awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to non-vested equity-settled awards, restricted stock and stock options	4,351,000	'	'
Weighted average period over which amount will be recognized	'2 years	'	'
Aggregate current value of non-vested cash-settled restricted stock unit awards	$18.99	$20.74	'
Aggregate current value of non-vested cash-settled restricted stock units	409,000	159,000	'
Granted, Equivalent Units	368,000	'	'
Minimum increases in stock price	50.00%	'	'
Percentage of decrease in stock price	50.00%	'	'
Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to non-vested equity-settled awards, restricted stock and stock options	3,643,000	'	'
Weighted average period over which amount will be recognized	'2 years	'	'
Terms of awards	'	'10 years	'
Exercisable period	'	'4 years	'
Cash Settled Restricted Stock Unit [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Aggregate current value of non-vested cash-settled restricted stock unit awards	$17.03	$13.13	$11.88
Aggregate current value of non-vested cash-settled restricted stock units	350,000	449,000	376,000
Granted, Equivalent Units	187,000	'	'
Performance Stock Units Psu [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Period over or after performance stock unit vest	'3 years	'	'
Temple Inland Stock [Member] \| Pre Spin Stock Option Awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Intrinsic value of options exercised	1,132,000	'	'
Forestar Stock [Member] \| Pre Spin Stock Option Awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Terms of awards	'10 years	'	'
Exercisable period	'4 years	'	'
Options Outstanding	60,000	'	'
Weighted average exercise price	$25.21	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value	$27,000	'	'
Special Performance [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Granted, Equivalent Units	41,031	'	'
Special performance stock Unit Performance period	'3 years	'	'
Special Performance [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Special Performance Stock Unit awards to be issued	0	'	'
Special Performance [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Special Performance Stock Unit awards to be issued	92,320	'	'

Share_Based_Compensation_Summa

Share Based Compensation - Summarized Activity of Cash Settled Restricted Stock Unit Awards (Detail) (Cash Settled Restricted Stock Unit [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash Settled Restricted Stock Unit [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	449,000	376,000
Granted, Equivalent Units	187,000	'
Vested, Equivalent Units	-286,000	'
Forfeited, Equivalent Units	0	'
Balance at end of period	350,000	376,000
Non-vested at beginning of year, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$13.13	$11.88
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$16.11	'
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$10.32	'
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$0	'
Non-vested at end of period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$17.03	$11.88

Share_Based_Compensation_Summa1

Share Based Compensation - Summarized Activity of Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights (Detail) (Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	895,000	909,000
Granted, Rights Outstanding	0	'
Exercised, Rights Outstanding	-29,000	'
Forfeited, Rights Outstanding	0	'
Balance at end of period	866,000	895,000
Exercisable at end of period, Rights Outstanding	618,000	'
Balance at beginning of year, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$11.31	'
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$0	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$9.29	'
Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	$0
Balance at end of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$11.38	$11.31
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$10.90	'
Balance at beginning of year, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'7 years	'
Balance at end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'6 years	'7 years
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'6 years	'
Balance at beginning of year, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$3,986	'
Balance at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	5,256	3,986
Exercisable at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$4,027	'

Share_Based_Compensation_Equit

Share Based Compensation - Equity-Settled Awards (Detail) (Equity-settled awards [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity-settled awards [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Balance at beginning of year	159,000
Granted, Equivalent Units	368,000
Vested, Equivalent Units	-118,000
Forfeited, Equivalent Units	0
Balance at end of period	409,000
Non-vested at beginning of year, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$20.74
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$17.01
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$15.17
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$0
Non-vested at end of period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$18.99

Share_Based_Compensation_Summa2

Share Based Compensation - Summarized Activity of Restricted Stock Awards (Detail) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Balance at beginning of year	399,000
Granted, Equivalent Units	9,000
Vested, Equivalent Units	-197,000
Forfeited, Equivalent Units	0
Balance at end of period	211,000
Non-vested at beginning of year, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$15.02
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$15.33
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$12.97
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$0
Non-vested at end of period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$16.95

Share_Based_Compensation_Summa3

Share Based Compensation - Summarized Activity of Stock Option Awards (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Stock Options [Member]	Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year, Options Outstanding	'	'	'	1,284,000	'
Granted, Options Outstanding	'	'	'	473,000	'
Exercised, Options Outstanding	'	'	'	0	'
Forfeited, Options Outstanding	'	'	'	-1,000	'
Balance at end of period, Options Outstanding	'	'	'	1,756,000	1,284,000
Exercisable at end of period, Options Outstanding	'	'	'	975,000	'
Balance at beginning of year, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'	$22.22	'
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'	$15.94	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'	$0	'
Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'	$16.89	'
Balance at end of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'	$20.53	$22.22
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'	$23.66	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'	'	'	'7 years	'7 years
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'	'	'	'6 years	'
Balance at beginning of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'	'	$944,000	'
Balance at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'	'	1,956,000	944,000
Exercisable at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$64,000	$766,000	$578,000	$1,079,000	'

Share_Based_Compensation_Fair_

Share Based Compensation - Fair Value of Stock Options Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value Inputs, Equity, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected stock price volatility	60.20%	56.20%	51.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.30%	2.40%	2.30%
Expected life of options (years)	'6 years	'6 years	'6 years
Weighted average estimated fair value of options at grant date	$9.22	$10.11	$8.98

Retirement_Plans_Additional_In

Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expense of defined contribution retirement plans	$1,393,000	$924,000	$679,000
Unfunded liability for supplemental plan	$449,000	$369,000	'

Supplemental_Oil_and_Natural_G2

Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 28, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

acre

Well

Credo [Member]

Crude Oil and NGL [Member]

Natural Gas in Mmbtu [Member]

Natural Gas, Per Thousand Cubic Feet [Member]

Consolidated Entities [Member]

Equity Method Investee [Member]

Well

bbl

Credo [Member]

Mcf

Credo [Member]

Mcf

bbl

Crude Oil and NGL [Member]

Natural Gas, Per Thousand Cubic Feet [Member]

Mcf

Well

Natural Gas, Per Thousand Cubic Feet [Member]

bbl

MMcf

Mcf

bbl

Mcf

Supplemental Oil And Gas Reserve Information [Line Items]

Percentage of acquired outstanding common shares

100.00%

Cash transaction per share

$14.50

Business acquisition cost

$146,445,000

Outstanding debt paid

74,226,000

123,399,000

63,420,000

8,770,000

Average spot price

94.71

92.71

75.96

2.76

4.12

4.38

Downward revisions in natural gas reserves for consolidated entities

800,000

330,000

Upward revisions in oil reserves

28,000

27,000

Upward revisions in oil reserves

475,000

46,000

Number of Wells classified as proved developed non-producing

New well addition

Net carrying value

$150,223,000

Increased area of unproved oil and natural gas properties

13,000

Oil and natural gas production

371,300

151,900

115,400

116,600

1,989,000

1,622,000

1,796,400

225

371,300

151,900

115,400

1,667,700

1,128,600

1,223,600

321,300

493,400

572,800

Average unit prices

85.09

96.84

73.09

79.94

2.71

3.95

4.26

3.64

85.09

96.84

73.09

2.76

4.01

4.32

2.4

3.81

4.12

Supplemental_Oil_and_Natural_G3

Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) - Summary of Estimated Quantities of Proved Developed Oil and Natural Gas Reserves (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
	Mcf	Mcf	Mcf
Natural Gas [Member]	'	'	'
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Proved developed reserves	13,020,000	'	'
Proved undeveloped reserves	1,274,000	'	'
Ending Balance	11,486,000	10,530,000
Natural Gas [Member] \| Consolidated Entities [Member]	'	'	'
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	8,203,000	6,659,000	6,660,000
Revisions of previous estimates	-2,163,000	3,000	709,000
Extensions and discoveries	241,000	2,670,000	514,000
Acquisitions	7,109,000	'	'
Production	-1,668,000	-1,129,000	-1,224,000
Ending Balance	11,722,000	8,203,000	6,659,000
Natural Gas [Member] \| Equity Method Investee [Member]	'	'	'
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	3,283,000	3,871,000	2,508,000
Revisions of previous estimates	-390,000	-95,000	1,041,000
Extensions and discoveries	0	0	895,000
Production	-321,000	-493,000	-573,000
Ending Balance	2,572,000	3,283,000	3,871,000
Oil [Member]	'	'	'
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Proved developed reserves	2,416,000	'	'
Proved undeveloped reserves	804,000	'	'
Ending Balance	3,220,000	1,064,000	609,000
Oil [Member] \| Consolidated Entities [Member]	'	'	'
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	1,064,000	609,000	580,000
Revisions of previous estimates	45,000	197,000	123,000
Extensions and discoveries	86,000	410,000	21,000
Acquisitions	2,396,000	'	'
Production	-371,000	-152,000	-115,000
Ending Balance	3,220,000	1,064,000	609,000
Oil [Member] \| Equity Method Investee [Member]	'	'	'
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	0	0	0
Revisions of previous estimates	0	0	0
Extensions and discoveries	0	0	0
Production	0	0	0
Ending Balance	0	0	0

Supplemental_Oil_and_Natural_G4

Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) - Capitalized Cost Related to Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities (Detail) (Consolidated Entities [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidated Entities [Member]	'	'
Capitalized Costs Relating To Oil And Gas Producing Activities Line Items	'	'
Unproved oil and natural gas properties	$81,672	$714
Proved oil and natural gas properties	81,412	4,002
Total costs	163,084	4,716
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	-4,657	-155
Net capitalized costs	$158,427	$4,561

Supplemental_Oil_and_Natural_G5

Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) - Costs Incurred in Oil and Natural Gas Property Acquisition, Exploration and Development (Detail) (Consolidated Entities [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated Entities [Member]	'	'	'
Costs Incurred, Oil and Gas Property Acquisition, Exploration, and Development Activities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Acquisition of properties	$4,418	$714	$0
Exploration costs	1,752	549	0
Development costs	15,938	3,597	5
Total cost incurred for consolidated entities	$22,108	$4,860	$5

Supplemental_Oil_and_Natural_G6

Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) - Estimates of Future Cash Flows from Proved Developed Oil and Natural Gas Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to Proved Oil and Gas Reserves [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total consolidated and our share of equity method ventures	$107,956	$56,206	$31,137
Consolidated Entities [Member]	'	'	'
Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to Proved Oil and Gas Reserves [Line Items]	'	'	'
Future cash inflows	322,098	142,043	74,264
Future production and development costs	-104,441	-18,929	-9,003
Future income tax expenses	-50,350	-38,681	-20,570
Future net cash flows	167,307	84,433	44,691
10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows	-60,764	-31,735	-17,881
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows	106,543	52,698	26,810
Equity Method Investee [Member]	'	'	'
Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to Proved Oil and Gas Reserves [Line Items]	'	'	'
Future cash inflows	5,125	12,346	15,748
Future production and development costs	-551	-1,731	-3,545
Future income tax expenses	-1,738	-3,154	-3,542
Future net cash flows	2,836	7,461	8,661
10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows	-1,423	-3,953	-4,334
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows	$1,413	$3,508	$4,327

Supplemental_Oil_and_Natural_G7

Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) - Changes in Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flow (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule Of Changes In Standardized Measure Of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$56,206	$31,137	$23,810
Changes resulting from:	'	'	'
Net change in sales prices and production costs	-8,206	8,629	10,868
Net change in future development costs	-1,834	'	'
Sales of oil and natural gas, net of production costs	-32,364	-19,369	-14,794
Net change due to extensions and discoveries	5,596	32,671	3,674
Net change due to acquisition of reserves	86,013	'	'
Net change due to revisions of quantity estimates	-2,236	17,382	11,377
Previously estimated development costs incurred	1,007	'	'
Accretion of discount	7,778	3,479	2,619
Net change in income taxes	-4,004	-17,723	-6,417
Aggregate change for the year	51,750	25,069	7,327
Ending Balance	107,956	56,206	31,137
Consolidated Entities [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Changes In Standardized Measure Of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	52,698	26,810	21,138
Changes resulting from:	'	'	'
Net change in sales prices and production costs	-5,709	8,476	9,929
Net change in future development costs	-1,834	'	'
Sales of oil and natural gas, net of production costs	-31,732	-17,747	-12,690
Net change due to extensions and discoveries	5,596	32,671	2,148
Net change due to acquisition of reserves	86,013	'	'
Net change due to revisions of quantity estimates	-2,254	17,586	9,153
Previously estimated development costs incurred	1,007	'	'
Accretion of discount	7,377	3,013	2,340
Net change in income taxes	-4,619	-18,111	-5,208
Aggregate change for the year	53,845	25,888	5,672
Ending Balance	106,543	52,698	26,810
Equity Method Investee [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Changes In Standardized Measure Of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	3,508	4,327	2,672
Changes resulting from:	'	'	'
Net change in sales prices and production costs	-2,497	153	939
Sales of oil and natural gas, net of production costs	-632	-1,622	-2,104
Net change due to extensions and discoveries	0	0	1,526
Net change due to revisions of quantity estimates	18	-204	2,224
Accretion of discount	401	466	279
Net change in income taxes	615	388	-1,209
Aggregate change for the year	-2,095	-819	1,655
Ending Balance	$1,413	$3,508	$4,327

Supplemental_Oil_and_Natural_G8

Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) - Information About Results of Operations of Oil and Natural Gas Interests (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated entities	'	'	'
Results of operations	$12,326	$9,765	$7,855
Results of operations	12,326	9,765	7,855
Consolidated Entities [Member]	'	'	'
Consolidated entities	'	'	'
Revenues	36,204	19,239	13,724
Production costs	-4,472	-1,492	-1,032
Exploration expenses	-1,754	-549	'
Depreciation, depletion, amortization	-4,931	-337	-334
Oil and natural gas administrative expenses	-8,332	-4,445	-3,295
Income tax expenses	-4,841	-3,645	-2,637
Results of operations	11,874	8,771	6,426
Results of operations	11,874	8,771	6,426
Equity Method Investee [Member]	'	'	'
Consolidated entities	'	'	'
Royalty revenues	770	1,882	2,359
Production costs	-138	-260	-255
Exploration expenses	0	0	0
Depreciation, depletion, amortization	0	0	0
Oil and natural gas administrative expenses	-123	-228	-70
Income tax expenses	-147	-400	-605
Results of operations	362	994	1,429
Results of operations	$362	$994	$1,429

Supplemental_Oil_and_Natural_G9

Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) - Oil and Natural Gas Produced and Average Unit Prices Related to Royalty and Non-Operating Working Interests (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
	bbl	bbl	bbl
Average Sales Price and Production Costs Per Unit of Production [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total BOE (barrel of oil equivalent)	702,800	422,200	414,800
Average price per barrel of oil equivalent	52.16	50.02	38.77
Crude Oil and NGL [Member]	'	'	'
Average Sales Price and Production Costs Per Unit of Production [Line Items]	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas production	371,300	151,900	115,400
Average unit prices	85.09	96.84	73.09
Crude Oil and NGL [Member] \| Consolidated Entities [Member]	'	'	'
Average Sales Price and Production Costs Per Unit of Production [Line Items]	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas production	371,300	151,900	115,400
Average unit prices	85.09	96.84	73.09
Natural Gas, Per Thousand Cubic Feet [Member]	'	'	'
Average Sales Price and Production Costs Per Unit of Production [Line Items]	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas production	1,989,000	1,622,000	1,796,400
Average unit prices	2.71	3.95	4.26
Natural Gas, Per Thousand Cubic Feet [Member] \| Consolidated Entities [Member]	'	'	'
Average Sales Price and Production Costs Per Unit of Production [Line Items]	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas production	1,667,700	1,128,600	1,223,600
Average unit prices	2.76	4.01	4.32
Natural Gas, Per Thousand Cubic Feet [Member] \| Equity Method Investee [Member]	'	'	'
Average Sales Price and Production Costs Per Unit of Production [Line Items]	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas production	321,300	493,400	572,800
Average unit prices	2.4	3.81	4.12

Recovered_Sheet3

Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) - Oil and Natural Gas Produced and Average Unit Prices Related to Royalty and Non-Operating Working Interests (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
	Mcf
Average Sales Price and Production Costs Per Unit of Production [Line Items]	'
Conversion Ratio to convert barrels of oil equivalents	6

Summary_of_Quarterly_Results_o2

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations - Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Quarterly Operating Results Unaudited [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	$68,577	$40,610	$35,312	$28,092	$54,007	$26,241	$25,485	$29,840	$172,591	$135,573	$101,360
Gross profit	33,073	20,636	18,748	16,258	22,646	12,928	14,405	18,629	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	10,143	4,843	3,959	8,220	-113	60,171	-2,927	984	27,165	58,115	18,885
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures	12,297	680	768	724	-30,841	648	402	582	14,469	-29,209	4,701
Income (loss) before taxes	20,030	-1,458	2,203	5,117	-34,742	56,574	-7,154	-2,416	25,892	12,262	8,304
Net income (loss) attributable to Forestar Group Inc.	$10,032	($703)	$811	$2,802	($22,880)	$36,428	($3,921)	($2,473)	$12,942	$7,154	$5,125
Net income (loss) per share - basic	$0.28	($0.02)	$0.02	$0.08	($0.65)	$1.03	($0.11)	($0.07)	$0.37	$0.20	$0.14
Net income (loss) per share - diluted	$0.28	($0.02)	$0.02	$0.08	($0.65)	$1.02	($0.11)	($0.07)	$0.36	$0.20	$0.14

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Feb. 20, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Percentage	'	3.75%
Aggregate Principal Amount as a result of the underwriters exercising their option	$15,000,000	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	'	1-Mar-20
Initial Conversion Rate	'	40.8351
Principal Amount Of Initial Conversion Rate	'	1,000
Initial Conversion Price Per Share	$24.49	'
Percentage Initial Conversion Price	37.50%	'
Closing Share Price	$17.81	'
Amount used to repay revolving line of credit	'	68,000,000
Convertible Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Twenty [Member]	'	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'
Aggregate Principal Amount	$125,000,000	'
Interest Rate Percentage	3.75%	'

Schedule_III_Consolidated_Real

Schedule III - Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (Detail) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2012

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Income Producing Properties [Member]

Entitled Developed and Under Development Projects [Member]

Undeveloped Land Type [Member]

North Carolina [Member]

Tennessee [Member]

Texas [Member]

Other Country [Member]

California [Member]

Colorado [Member]

Florida [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Texas [Member]

Missouri [Member]

California [Member]

Georgia [Member]

Texas [Member]

Mechlanburg County [Member]

Davidson County [Member]

Dallas County [Member]

Hood County [Member]

Travis County [Member]

Contra Costa County [Member]

Douglas County [Member]

Weld County [Member]

Hillsborough County [Member]

Bartow County [Member]

Coweta County [Member]

Dawson County [Member]

Bastrop County [Member]

Bexar County [Member]

Calhoun County [Member]

Collin County [Member]

Comal County [Member]

Dallas County [Member]

Denton County [Member]

Fort Bend County [Member]

Harris County [Member]

Hays County [Member]

Hood County [Member]

Nueces County [Member]

Tarrant County [Member]

Williamson County [Member]

Clay County [Member]

Los Angeles [Member]

Bartow County [Member]

Coweta County [Member]

Dawson County [Member]

Carroll County [Member]

Cherokee County [Member]

Gilmer County [Member]

Lumpkin County [Member]

Paulding County [Member]

Pickens County [Member]

Bexar County [Member]

Harris County [Member]

San Augustine County [Member]

Other Country [Member]

East Morehead [Member]

Westmont [Member]

Cedar Hill [Member]

Harbor Lakes Golf Club [Member]

Radisson Hotel And Suites [Member]

Promesa [Member]

San Joaquin River [Member]

Pinery West [Member]

Buffalo Highlands [Member]

Johnstown Farms [Member]

Stone Braker [Member]

Bridle Path Estates [Member]

Towne West [Member]

Euharlee North [Member]

Parkside At Woodbury [Member]

Cedar Creek Preserve [Member]

Corinth Landing [Member]

Coweta South Industrial Park [Member]

Fox Hall [Member]

Genesee [Member]

Woodlands At Burt Creek [Member]

Hunters Crossing [Member]

The Colony [Member]

Cibolo Canyons [Member]

Caracol [Member]

Harbor Mist [Member]

Lakes Of Prosper [Member]

Maxwell Creek [Member]

Timber Creek [Member]

Village Park [Member]

Oak Creek Estates [Member]

Stoney Creek [Member]

Lantana [Member]

The Preserve At Pecan Creek [Member]

Summer Lakes [Member]

Summer Park [Member]

Willow Creek Farms [Member]

Barrington [Member]

City Park [Member]

Arrowhead Ranch [Member]

Harbor Lakes [Member]

Tortuga Dunes [Member]

Summer Creek Ranch [Member]

Bar C- Ranch [Member]

Westside At Buttercup Creek [Member]

Chandler Road Properties [Member]

La Conterra [Member]

Somerbrook [Member]