Forestar (FOR) 10-Q 6 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 03, 2014
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'FOR	'
Entity Registrant Name	'FORESTAR GROUP INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001406587	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	34,958,270

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$170,606	$192,307
Real estate, net	591,805	519,464
Oil and gas properties and equipment, net	259,755	232,641
Investment in unconsolidated ventures	53,709	41,147
Timber	9,216	10,947
Receivables, net	46,301	39,252
Prepaid expenses	4,613	5,136
Income taxes receivable	2,837	0
Property and equipment, net	11,547	6,112
Deferred tax asset, net	30,932	40,398
Goodwill and other intangible assets	67,440	66,646
Other assets	19,478	18,102
TOTAL ASSETS	1,268,239	1,172,152
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable	17,667	21,409
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	6,852	5,814
Accrued property taxes	7,044	3,822
Accrued interest	8,695	2,343
Income taxes payable	0	3,876
Earnest money deposits	8,466	10,854
Other accrued expenses	27,371	26,851
Other liabilities	17,418	24,379
Debt	429,295	357,407
TOTAL LIABILITIES	522,808	456,755
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'	'
Forestar Group Inc. shareholders’ equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 25,000,000 authorized shares, none issued	0	0
Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, 200,000,000 authorized shares, 36,946,603 issued at third quarter-end 2014 and year-end 2013	36,947	36,947
Additional paid-in capital	558,165	556,676
Retained earnings	178,801	150,418
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,988,333 shares at third quarter-end 2014 and 2,199,666 shares at year-end 2013	-31,154	-34,196
Total Forestar Group Inc. shareholders’ equity	742,759	709,845
Noncontrolling interests	2,672	5,552
TOTAL EQUITY	745,431	715,397
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$1,268,239	$1,172,152

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	36,946,603	36,946,603
Treasury stock, common shares	1,988,333	2,199,666

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
REVENUES	'	'	'	'
Real estate sales and other	$23,067	$37,001	$122,738	$84,877
Commercial and income producing properties	9,378	13,355	30,360	85,387
Real estate	32,445	50,356	153,098	170,264
Oil and gas	24,145	22,095	66,076	53,430
Other natural resources	2,250	2,656	7,284	8,963
Total revenues	58,840	75,107	226,458	232,657
COSTS AND EXPENSES	'	'	'	'
Cost of real estate sales and other	-10,662	-18,603	-60,145	-43,112
Cost of commercial and income producing properties	-9,391	-13,352	-28,117	-70,151
Cost of oil and gas producing activities	-18,470	-10,090	-48,016	-26,762
Cost of other natural resources	-711	-454	-2,288	-1,662
Other operating	-12,860	-16,051	-43,187	-45,039
General and administrative	-5,140	-5,945	-17,141	-22,245
Total expenses	-57,234	-64,495	-198,894	-208,971
Gain on asset exchange and sales	11,110	0	27,977	0
OPERATING INCOME	12,716	10,612	55,541	23,686
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	2,016	3,125	3,965	6,604
Interest expense	-8,634	-5,231	-21,507	-14,892
Other non-operating income	1,896	1,459	6,459	3,711
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES	7,994	9,965	44,458	19,109
Income tax (expense) benefit	-2,755	2,932	-15,464	28
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	5,239	12,897	28,994	19,137
Less: Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-12	-1,067	-611	-2,815
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO FORESTAR GROUP INC.	5,227	11,830	28,383	16,322
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	35,498	35,410	35,437	35,341
Diluted (in shares)	43,868	36,072	43,750	35,949
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE	'	'	'	'
Basic (usd per share)	$0.12	$0.33	$0.66	$0.46
Diluted (usd per share)	$0.12	$0.33	$0.65	$0.45
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$5,227	$11,830	$28,383	$16,322

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Consolidated net income	$28,994	$19,137
Adjustments:	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	29,109	21,698
Change in deferred income taxes	10,649	3,535
Change in unrecognized tax benefits	0	-6,251
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	-3,965	-6,604
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated ventures	2,817	869
Share-based compensation	4,523	15,367
Real estate cost of sales	59,251	71,324
Dry hole and leasehold abandonment costs	11,541	2,206
Real estate development and acquisition expenditures, net	-82,864	-65,762
Reimbursements from utility and improvement districts	8,554	4,540
Other changes in real estate	3,148	1,440
Changes in deferred income	102	-2,229
Gain on asset purchase, exchange and sales	-27,977	0
Other	1,697	154
Changes in:	'	'
Notes and accounts receivable	-6,300	-544
Prepaid expenses and other	4,232	-373
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	-3,249	-11,268
Income taxes	-3,876	-2,156
Net cash provided by operating activities	36,386	45,083
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Property, equipment, software, reforestation and other	-13,583	-6,241
Oil and gas properties and equipment	-65,661	-56,482
Acquisition of partner's interest in unconsolidated multifamily venture, net of cash	-5,016	-819
Investment in unconsolidated ventures	-5,016	-819
Proceeds from sales of oil and gas properties, net	17,017	0
Proceeds from sales of other assets, net	2,868	0
Return of investment in unconsolidated ventures	1,601	1,271
Other	0	-45
Net cash used for investing activities	-82,929	-62,316
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes, net	0	120,795
Proceeds from issuance of senior secured notes, net	241,947	0
Payments of debt	-222,468	-96,915
Additions to debt	17,169	38,901
Deferred financing fees	-3,114	-353
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	-1,070	-1,561
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	-7,971	0
Exercise of stock options	1,197	1,812
Payroll taxes on issuance of stock-based awards	-1,024	-1,128
Excess income tax benefit from share-based compensation	176	90
Net cash provided by financing activities	24,842	61,641
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-21,701	44,408
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	192,307	10,361
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	170,606	54,769
Multi Family Property [Member]	'	'
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Acquisition of partner's interest in unconsolidated multifamily venture, net of cash	($20,155)	$0

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
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. We account for our investment in other entities in which we have significant influence over operations and financial policies using the equity method. We eliminate all material intercompany accounts and transactions. Noncontrolling interests in consolidated pass-through entities are recognized before income taxes. In our consolidated balance sheets we have reclassified prior year's earnest money deposits that were included in other accrued expenses and other liabilities as a separate line item to conform to the current year presentation.
	We prepare our unaudited interim financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and Securities and Exchange Commission requirements for interim financial statements. As a result, they do not include all the information and disclosures required for complete financial statements. However, in our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Such adjustments consist only of normal recurring items unless otherwise noted. We make estimates and assumptions about future events. Actual results can, and probably will, differ from those we currently estimate including those principally related to allocating costs to real estate, measuring long-lived assets for impairment, oil and gas revenue accruals, capital expenditure and lease operating expense accruals associated with our oil and gas production activities, oil and gas reserves and depletion of our oil and gas properties. These interim operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. For further information, please read the financial statements included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

New_and_Pending_Accounting_Pro

New and Pending Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
New and Pending Accounting Pronouncements	'
	New and Pending Accounting Pronouncements
	Accounting Standards Adopted in 2014
	In first nine months 2014, we adopted ASU 2013-04 — Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date, ASU 2014-12 — Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period and ASU 2014-08 — Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. Adoption did not materially affect our earnings, financial position or disclosures.
	Pending Accounting Standards
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is not permitted. The updated standard becomes effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We have not yet selected a transition method and we are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our earnings, financial position and disclosures.

Real_Estate

Real Estate	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Real Estate	'
	Real Estate
	Real estate consists of:
		Third			Year-End
		Quarter-End
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Entitled, developed and under development projects	$	342,553		$	361,687
	Undeveloped land (includes land in entitlement)	94,241			86,367
	Commercial and income producing properties
	Carrying value	184,977			99,476
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(29,966		)	(28,066		)
	Net carrying value	155,011			71,410
		$	591,805		$	519,464
	Included in entitled, developed and under development projects are the estimated costs of assets we expect to convey to utility and improvement districts of $66,198,000 at third quarter-end 2014 and $62,183,000 at year-end 2013, including $40,045,000 at third quarter-end 2014 and $41,795,000 at year-end 2013 related to our Cibolo Canyons project near San Antonio, Texas. These costs relate to water, sewer and other infrastructure assets we have submitted to utility or improvement districts for approval and reimbursement. We submitted for reimbursement to these districts $7,118,000 and $15,713,000 in first nine months 2014 and 2013. We collected reimbursements from these districts of $4,504,000 and $1,840,000 in first nine months 2014 and 2013. We expect to collect the remaining amounts billed when these districts achieve adequate tax basis or otherwise have funds available 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. We received $4,050,000 and $2,700,000 from the special improvement district in first nine months 2014 and 2013. At third quarter-end 2014, we have $24,067,000 invested in the resort development.
	In third quarter 2014, we acquired full ownership in CJUF III, RH Holdings partnership (the Eleven venture), owner of a 257-unit multifamily project in Austin in which we previously held a 25 percent interest, for $21,500,000. The acquisition-date fair value was $55,275,000, including debt of $23,936,000. Our investment in the Eleven venture prior to acquiring our partner’s interest was $2,229,000. We accounted for this transaction as a business combination achieved in stages and as a result, we remeasured our equity method investment in the Eleven venture to its acquisition-date fair value of $9,839,000 and recognized the resulting gain of $7,610,000 in real estate segment earnings. The purchase price allocation related to the acquisition of our partner’s interest in the Eleven venture is preliminary as it is subject to final valuation adjustments. At third quarter-end 2014, we recorded additions to real estate commercial and income producing properties of $53,917,000 and other assets of $992,000 primarily consisting of in-place tenant leases of $865,000. In addition, we recorded a working capital deficit of $979,000 and debt of $23,936,000. In first nine months 2014, we also recorded a $10,476,000 gain associated with a non-monetary exchange of leasehold timber rights on approximately 10,300 acres for 5,400 acres of undeveloped land with a partner in a consolidated venture.
	In first nine months 2014, the increase in commercial and income producing properties was principally due to $53,917,000 related to the Eleven multifamily project which is now wholly-owned after acquisition of our partner's interest in the Eleven venture, and $26,110,000 from acquisition of three multifamily development sites. At third quarter-end 2014, commercial and income producing properties principally represents our investment in a 413 guest room hotel in Austin with a carrying value of $29,002,000, our $53,917,000 investment in our 257-unit multifamily property in Austin and our investment in multifamily development sites located in Austin, Charlotte, Dallas and Nashville with a combined carrying value of $58,727,000.

Oil_and_Gas_Properties

Oil and Gas Properties	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Extractive Industries [Abstract]	'
Oil and Gas Properties	'
	Oil and Gas Properties and Equipment, net
	Net capitalized costs, utilizing the successful efforts method of accounting, related to our oil and gas producing activities follows:
		Third			Year-End
		Quarter-End
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Unproved oil and gas properties	$	97,824		$	100,320
	Proved oil and gas properties	201,905			155,262
	Total capitalized costs	299,729			255,582
	Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(39,974		)	(22,941		)
		$	259,755		$	232,641
	In first nine months 2014, we recorded gains of $9,041,000 principally related to the sale of 102 gross (7 net) producing oil and gas wells in Oklahoma for a gain of $4,758,000 and the sale of 571 net mineral acres leased from others in North Dakota for a gain of $4,283,000.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles

Goodwill and Other Intangibles	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets follows:
		Third		Year-End
		Quarter-End
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Goodwill	$	64,493	$	64,493
	Identified intangibles, net	2,947		2,153
		$	67,440	$	66,646
	Goodwill of $60,619,000 represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets associated with acquisition of CREDO Petroleum Corporation (Credo) in 2012 and $3,874,000 associated with a water resources company acquired in 2010.
	Identified intangibles include $1,681,000 in indefinite lived groundwater leases associated with a water resources company acquired in 2010, $865,000 related to in-place tenant leases with definite lives associated with the purchase of our partner's interest in the Eleven venture and $401,000 related to patents with definite lives associated with the Calliope Gas Recovery System, a process to increase natural gas production.

Equity

Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Equity	'
	Equity
	A reconciliation of changes in equity at third quarter-end 2014 follows:
		Forestar			Noncontrolling			Total
		Group Inc.			Interests
		(In thousands)
	Balance at year-end 2013	$	709,845		$	5,552		$	715,397
	Net income	28,383			611			28,994
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—			(2,093		)	(2,093		)
	Contributions from noncontrolling interests	—			533			533
	Dissolution of noncontrolling interests	—			1,342			1,342
	Purchase of noncontrolling interests, net of deferred taxes of $1,723,000	(2,975		)	(3,273		)	(6,248		)
	Other (primarily share-based compensation)	7,506			—			7,506
		$	742,759		$	2,672		$	745,431
	In first quarter 2014, we acquired our partner's noncontrolling interests in the Lantana partnerships for $7,971,000. Prior to acquisition of the noncontrolling interests, we were the primary beneficiary of all but one of the Lantana partnerships which were variable interest entities (VIEs) and consolidated in our financial statements. We adjusted the carrying amount of noncontrolling interests to reflect the change in our ownership interest in the partnerships. The difference between the consideration paid and the carrying amount of the noncontrolling interests acquired is recognized as an adjustment to additional paid in capital attributable to Forestar, net of deferred taxes.

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_V

Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures	'
	Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures
	At third quarter-end 2014, we have ownership interests in 14 ventures that we account for using the equity method.
	In third quarter 2014, we acquired full ownership in the Eleven venture for $21,500,000. The acquisition-date fair value was $55,275,000, including debt of $23,936,000. Our investment in the Eleven venture prior to acquiring our partner’s interest was $2,229,000. At third quarter-end 2014, we no longer have an equity method investment in the Eleven venture.
	On July 15, 2014, we entered into the FMF Littleton LLC venture with AIGGRE Littleton Common Investor LLC (AIGGRE), to develop a 385-unit multifamily property in Littleton, Colorado. We own a 25 percent interest and AIGGRE owns remaining 75 percent interest. We contributed $4,900,000 of land and pre-development costs to the venture, net of $9,852,000 of reimbursements received from the venture for land and pre-development costs we previously incurred. The venture obtained a senior secured construction loan in the amount of $46,384,000 that bears interest at 30-day LIBOR plus 1.90% payable monthly, of which none was outstanding at third quarter-end 2014. We provided the lender a construction completion guaranty; a guaranty of repayment of 25 percent of the principal balance and unpaid accrued interest; and a nonrecourse carve-out guaranty. The principal guaranty will reduce from 25 percent of principal to ten percent upon achievement of certain conditions. At third quarter-end 2014, our investment in this venture is $5,465,000.
	In first quarter 2014, we entered into the CREA FMF Nashville LLC venture with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. to develop a 320-unit multifamily property in Nashville, Tennessee. We contributed $5,897,000 of land and pre-development costs to the venture, net of $7,191,000 of reimbursements received from the venture for pre-development costs we previously incurred. The venture obtained a senior secured construction loan in the amount of $51,950,000 that bears interest at 30-day LIBOR plus 2.50% per annum, of which $20,289,000 was outstanding at third quarter-end 2014. We provided the lender a construction completion guaranty; a guaranty of repayment of 25 percent of the principal balance and unpaid accrued interest; and a nonrecourse carve-out guaranty. The principal guaranty will reduce from 25 percent of principal to zero upon achievement of certain conditions. At third quarter-end 2014, our investment in this venture is $5,655,000.
	Combined summarized balance sheet information for our ventures accounted for using the equity method follows:
		Venture Assets				Venture Borrowings(a)				Venture Equity						Our Investment
		Third		Year-End		Third		Year-End		Third			Year-End			Third			Year-End
		Quarter-End				Quarter-End				Quarter-End						Quarter-End
		2014		2013		2014		2013		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	242, LLC (b)	$	26,139	$	23,751	$	2,934	$	921	$	19,286		$	19,838		$	8,819		$	9,084
	CJUF III, RH Holdings	—		36,320		—		18,492		—			15,415			—			3,235
	CL Ashton Woods (c)	11,671		10,473		—		—		10,277			9,704			4,370			3,544
	CL Realty	8,085		8,298		—		—		7,916			8,070			3,958			4,035
	CREA FMF Nashville (b)	28,962		—		20,289		—		6,126			—			5,655			—
	FMF Littleton	21,599		—		—		—		21,148			—			5,465			—
	FMF Peakview	40,137		30,673		21,088		12,533		17,617			16,620			3,605			3,406
	HM Stonewall Estates (c)	3,367		3,781		286		63		3,081			3,718			1,751			2,128
	LM Land Holdings (c)	32,824		33,298		9,502		9,768		19,349			13,347			9,843			8,283
	PSW Communities	12,604		—		7,377		—		4,270			—			3,795			—
	Temco	12,756		13,320		—		—		12,518			13,160			6,259			6,580
	Other ventures (d)	12,383		12,723		29,730		29,699		(32,022		)	(31,357		)	189			852
		$	210,527	$	172,637	$	91,206	$	71,476	$	89,566		$	68,515		$	53,709		$	41,147
	Combined summarized income statement information for our ventures accounted for using the equity method follows:
		Venture Revenues								Venture Earnings (Loss)												Our Share of Earnings (Loss)
		Third Quarter				First Nine Months				Third Quarter						First Nine Months						Third Quarter						First Nine Months
		2014		2013		2014		2013		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	242, LLC	$	88	$	37	$	1,563	$	3,168	$	(32	)	$	(20	)	$	448		$	817		$	(15	)	$	(10	)	$	236		$	438
	CJUF III, RH Holdings	1,098		4		2,168		7		(305		)	(133		)	(956		)	(357		)	(305		)	(133		)	(956		)	(357		)
	CL Ashton Woods (c)	790		1,355		1,859		4,246		277			477			573			1,027			373			677			826			1,817
	CL Realty	413		445		1,240		1,246		294			350			846			802			147			175			423			401
	CREA FMF Nashville	—		—		—		—		—			—			(25		)	—			—			—			(25		)	—
	FMF Peakview	3		200		3		200		(109		)	(98		)	(261		)	(137		)	(21		)	(19		)	(52		)	(27		)
	HM Stonewall Estates (c)	292		696		1,727		1,794		91			255			613			655			36			100			245			276
	LM Land Holdings (c)	4,604		9,387		13,897		14,651		3,397			5,515			10,368			9,274			1,200			2,344			3,097			3,998
	PSW Communities	—		—		—		—		(11		)	—			(231		)	—			(9		)	—			(204		)	—
	Temco	79		162		793		437		42			42			158			48			21			21			79			24
	Other ventures	1,329		21		1,378		5,171		691			(120		)	502			(642		)	589			(30		)	296			34
		$	8,696	$	12,307	$	24,628	$	30,920	$	4,335		$	6,268		$	12,035		$	11,487		$	2,016		$	3,125		$	3,965		$	6,604
	_____________________
	(a)	Total includes current maturities of $61,936,000 at third quarter-end 2014, of which $40,697,000 is non-recourse to us, and $37,966,000 at year-end 2013, of which $37,822,000 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. Deferred gains of $1,648,000 are reflected as a reduction to our investment in unconsolidated ventures at third quarter-end 2014.
	(c)	Includes unrecognized basis difference of $2,011,000 which is reflected as a reduction of our investment in unconsolidated ventures at third quarter-end 2014. The 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.
	(d)	Our investment in other ventures reflects our ownership interests, excluding venture losses that exceed our investment where we are not obligated to fund those losses. Please read Note 16—Variable Interest Entities for additional information.
	In first nine months 2014, we contributed cash of $5,016,000 to these ventures and received $4,418,000 in cash distributions, and in first nine months 2013, we contributed cash of $819,000 to these ventures and received $2,140,000 in cash distributions. Distributions include both return of investments and distribution of earnings.
	From time to time, we provide performance bonds and letters of credit on behalf of certain ventures that could 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. At third quarter-end 2014, we have no outstanding performance bonds or letters of credit.

Receivables

Receivables	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Receivables	'
	Receivables
	Receivables consist of:
		Third			Year-End
		Quarter-End
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Loan secured by real estate	$	4,236		$	7,610
	Other loans secured by real estate, average interest rates of 4.40% at third quarter-end 2014 and 5.00% at year-end 2013	8,234			7,987
	Oil and gas joint interest billing receivables	11,220			3,896
	Oil and gas revenue accruals	18,753			8,137
	Other receivables and accrued interest	3,884			11,648
		46,327			39,278
	Allowance for bad debts	(26		)	(26		)
		$	46,301		$	39,252
	At third quarter-end 2014, we have $4,236,000 invested in a loan which was acquired from a financial institution in second quarter 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. Interest accrues at nine percent the first three years escalating to ten percent in April 2015 and 12 percent in April 2016, with interest above 6.25 percent to be forgiven if the loan is prepaid by certain dates. In first nine months 2014, we received principal payments of $8,912,000 and interest payments of $530,000. At third quarter-end 2014, the outstanding principal balance was $6,787,000.
	Estimated accretable yield follows:
		Third
		Quarter-End
		2014
		(In thousands)
	Beginning of period (year-end 2013)	$	8,908
	Change in accretable yield due to change in timing of estimated cash flows	(347		)
	Interest income recognized (in first nine months 2014)	(6,068		)
	End of period	$	2,493
	Other loans secured by real estate generally are secured by a deed of trust and due within three years.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	Debt consists of:
		Third		Year-End
		Quarter-End
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Senior secured credit facility
	Term loan facility — average interest rate of 4.17% at year-end 2013	$	—	$	200,000
	8.50% senior secured notes due 2022	250,000		—
	3.75% convertible senior notes due 2020, net of discount	102,368		99,890
	6.00% tangible equity unit notes, net of discount	19,192		25,619
	Secured promissory notes — average interest rates of 3.15% at third quarter-end 2014 and 3.17% at year-end 2013	15,400		15,400
	Other indebtedness — interest rates ranging from 2.19% to 5.50% at third quarter-end 2014	42,335		16,498
		$	429,295	$	357,407
	Our debt agreements contain financial covenants customary for such agreements including minimum levels of interest coverage and limitations on leverage. At third quarter-end 2014, we were in compliance with the financial covenants of these agreements.
	In second quarter 2014, we amended our senior secured credit facility in order to consolidate previous amendments and to effect the following:
	•increase the revolving loan commitment from $200,000,000 to $300,000,000;
	•extend the maturity date to May 15, 2017 (with two one-year extension options);
	•increase the minimum interest coverage ratio from 1.50x to 2.50x;
	•eliminate the collateral value to loan commitment ratio covenant; and
	•increase the maximum total leverage ratio from 40% to 50%.
	We incurred fees of $3,068,000 related to this amendment. At third quarter-end 2014, our senior secured credit facility provides for a $300,000,000 revolving line of credit maturing May 15, 2017. The 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 $10,118,000 is outstanding at third quarter-end 2014. Total borrowings under our senior secured credit facility (including the face amount of letters of credit) may not exceed a borrowing base formula. At third quarter-end 2014, we had $289,882,000 in net unused borrowing capacity under our senior secured credit facility.
	Under the terms of our senior secured credit facility, 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 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 and most of our majority-owned joint venture interests, or if such pledge is not permitted, a pledge of the right to distributions from such entities, and (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. The senior secured credit facility provides for releases of real estate and other collateral provided that borrowing base compliance is maintained.
	On May 12, 2014, we issued $250,000,000 aggregate principal of 8.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (Notes). The Notes will mature on June 1, 2022 and interest on the Notes is payable semiannually at a rate of 8.5 percent per annum in arrears. We incurred debt issuance costs of approximately $8,053,000, including the underwriters discount of $6,250,000. Net proceeds from issuance of the Notes were used to repay our $200,000,000 senior secured term loan. We intend to use the remaining amount for general corporate purposes, which may include investments in strategic growth opportunities.
	At third quarter-end 2014, secured promissory notes represent a $15,400,000 loan collateralized by a 413 guest room hotel located in Austin with a carrying value of $29,002,000. Other indebtedness principally represents $38,033,000 of senior secured construction loans for two multifamily properties, of which $23,936,000 is related to the third quarter 2014 acquisition of our partner's interest in the 257-unit multifamily project in Austin. The combined carrying value of these two multifamily properties is $82,715,000 at third quarter-end 2014. The remaining other indebtedness is collateralized by entitled, developed and under development projects with a carrying value of $19,239,000.
	At third quarter-end 2014 and year-end 2013, we have $16,072,000 and $7,896,000 in unamortized deferred financing fees which are included in other assets. Amortization of deferred financing fees was $3,089,000 and $2,282,000 in first nine months 2014 and 2013 and is included in interest expense.

Fair_Value

Fair Value

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

'

Fair Value

'

Fair Value

Fair value is the exchange price that would be the amount received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. In arriving at a fair value measurement, we use a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable. The three levels of inputs used to establish fair value are the following:

•

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

•

Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and

•

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis principally include real estate assets, oil and gas properties, assets held for sale, goodwill and other intangible assets, which are measured for impairment. In third quarter 2014, we recognized non-cash asset impairment charges of $94,000 associated with a real estate project in Austin. We had no non-cash impairment charges in third quarter 2013.

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:

Third Quarter-End 2014

Year-End 2013

Carrying

Fair

Carrying

Fair

Valuation

Amount

Value

Amount

Value

Technique

(In thousands)

Loan secured by real estate

$

4,236

$

7,524

$

7,610

$

18,025

Level 2

Fixed rate debt (a)

(371,560

)

(381,619

)

(126,640

)

(118,634

)

Level 2

_____________________

(a)

Third quarter-end 2014 includes our $250,000,000 of 8.50% senior secured notes due 2022, issued May 12, 2014.

Capital_Stock

Capital Stock	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Capital Stock	'
	Capital Stock
	Pursuant to our stockholder rights plan, each share of common stock outstanding is coupled with one-quarter of a preferred stock purchase right (Right). Each Right entitles our stockholders 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 17—Share-Based Compensation for information about additional shares of common stock that could be issued under terms of our share-based compensation plans.
	At third quarter-end 2014, personnel of former affiliates held options to purchase 706,000 shares of our common stock. The options have a weighted average exercise price of $26.11 and a weighted average remaining contractual term of one year. At third quarter-end 2014, the options have an aggregate intrinsic value of $54,300.

Net_Income_per_Share

Net Income per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income per Share	'
	Net Income per Share
	Basic and diluted earnings per share is computed using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines net income per share for each class of common stock and participating security. We have determined that our 6.00% tangible equity units (Units) are participating securities. Per share amounts are computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during each period.
	The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
		Third Quarter						First Nine Months
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Numerator:
	Consolidated net income	$	5,239		$	12,897		$	28,994		$	19,137
	Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(12		)	(1,067		)	(611		)	(2,815		)
	Earnings available for diluted earnings per share	$	5,227		$	11,830		$	28,383		$	16,322
	Less: Undistributed net income allocated to participating securities	(947		)	—			(5,151		)	—
	Earnings available to common shareholders for basic earnings per share	$	4,280		$	11,830		$	23,232		$	16,322
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic	35,498			35,410			35,437			35,341
	Weighted average common shares upon conversion of participating securities (a)	7,857			—			7,857			—
	Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and equity-settled awards	513			662			456			608
	Total weighted average shares outstanding — diluted	43,868			36,072			43,750			35,949
	Anti-dilutive awards excluded from diluted weighted average shares	1,959			1,764			2,171			2,022
	_____________________
	(a)	Our earnings per share calculation reflects the weighted average shares issuable upon settlement of the prepaid stock purchase contract component of our 6.00% tangible equity units, issued November 27, 2013.
	The actual number of shares we may issue upon settlement of the stock purchase contract will be between 6,547,800 shares (the minimum settlement rate) and 7,857,000 shares (the maximum settlement rate) based on the applicable market value, as defined in the purchase contract agreement associated with issuance of the Units.
	We intend to settle the principal amount of our convertible senior notes (Convertible Notes) in cash upon conversion with only the amount in excess of par value of the Convertible Notes to be settled in shares of our common stock. Therefore, our calculation of diluted net income per share using the treasury stock method includes only the amount, if any, in excess of par value of the Convertible Notes. As such, the Convertible Notes have no impact on diluted net income per share until the price of our common stock exceeds the $24.49 conversion price of the Convertible Notes. The average price of our common stock in third quarter 2014 did not exceed the conversion price which resulted in no additional diluted outstanding shares.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Our effective tax rate was 35 percent in third quarter and first nine months 2014, which includes a one percent benefit for noncontrolling interests. Our effective tax rate was a 29 percent benefit in third quarter 2013 and less than a one percent benefit in first nine months 2013, which included a four percent benefit for noncontrolling interests. Our third quarter and first nine months 2013 effective tax rates include a benefit from recognition of $6,326,000 of previously unrecognized tax benefits upon lapse of the statute of limitations for a previously reserved tax position. Our effective tax rates in third quarter and first nine months 2013 would have been 33 percent excluding the impact of the foregoing tax benefits.
	Our 2014 and 2013 effective tax rates also include the effect of state income taxes, nondeductible items and benefits of percentage depletion.
	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.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Litigation
	We are involved in various 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. However, it is possible 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 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. We estimate the remaining cost to complete remediation activities will be approximately $810,000, 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.
	We have asset retirement obligations related to the abandonment and site restoration requirements that result from the acquisition, construction and development of oil and 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 and comprehensive income. At third quarter-end 2014, our asset retirement obligation was $1,667,000, which is included in other liabilities.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	We manage our operations through three 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, commercial and income producing properties, primarily a hotel and our multifamily investments. Oil and gas is an independent oil and gas exploration, development and production operation and manages our owned and leased mineral interests. Other natural resources manages our timber, recreational leases and water resource initiatives.
	Total assets allocated by segment are as follows:
		Third			Year-End
		Quarter-End
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Real estate	$	664,642		$	582,802
	Oil and gas	355,501			312,553
	Other natural resources	23,502			23,478
	Assets not allocated to segments (a)	224,594			253,319
		$	1,268,239		$	1,172,152
	_________________________
	(a)	Assets not allocated to segments at third quarter-end 2014 principally consist of cash and cash equivalents of $170,606,000 and a net deferred tax asset of $30,932,000. Assets not allocated to segments at year-end 2013 principally consist of cash and cash equivalents of $192,307,000 and a net deferred tax asset of $40,398,000.
	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 sales 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 Note 1—Basis of Presentation. Our revenues are derived from U.S. operations and all of our assets are located in the U.S. In third quarter and first nine months 2014, no single customer accounted for more than ten percent of our total revenues.
	Segment revenues and earnings are as follows:
		Third Quarter						First Nine Months
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	Real estate	$	32,445		$	50,356		$	153,098		$	170,264
	Oil and gas	24,145			22,095			66,076			53,430
	Other natural resources	2,250			2,656			7,284			8,963
	Total revenues	$	58,840		$	75,107		$	226,458		$	232,657
	Segment earnings:
	Real estate	$	15,987		$	13,197		$	66,859		$	40,747
	Oil and gas	6,002			8,499			16,331			17,869
	Other natural resources	669			549			2,220			2,792
	Total segment earnings	22,658			22,245			85,410			61,408
	Items not allocated to segments (a)	(14,676		)	(13,347		)	(41,563		)	(45,114		)
	Income before taxes attributable to Forestar Group Inc.	$	7,982		$	8,898		$	43,847		$	16,294
	_________________________
	(a)	Items not allocated to segments consist of:
		Third Quarter						First Nine Months
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	General and administrative expense	$	(5,190	)	$	(4,648	)	$	(15,924	)	$	(14,935	)
	Shared-based compensation expense	(991		)	(3,492		)	(4,523		)	(15,367		)
	Interest expense	(8,634		)	(5,231		)	(21,507		)	(14,892		)
	Other corporate non-operating income	139			24			391			80
		$	(14,676	)	$	(13,347	)	$	(41,563	)	$	(45,114	)

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Variable Interest Entities	'
	Variable Interest Entities
	We participate in real estate ventures for the purpose of acquiring and developing residential, multifamily and mixed-use communities in which we may or may not have a controlling financial interest. Generally accepted accounting principles require consolidation of VIEs 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 continuously reassess to see if we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE.
	At third quarter-end 2014, we have four VIEs. We account for these VIEs using the equity method and we are not the primary beneficiary. Although we have certain rights regarding major decisions, we do not have the power to direct the activities that are most significant to the economic performance of these VIEs. At third quarter-end 2014, these VIEs have total assets of $53,747,000, substantially all of which represent developed and undeveloped real estate, and total liabilities of $75,575,000, which includes $31,060,000 of borrowings classified as current maturities. These amounts are included in the summarized balance sheet information for ventures accounted for using the equity method in Note 7—Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures. At third quarter-end 2014, our investment in these VIEs is $9,507,000 and is included in investment in unconsolidated ventures. In first nine months 2014, we contributed $4,378,000 to these VIEs. Our maximum exposure to loss related to one of these VIEs is estimated at $3,627,000, which exceeds our investment as we have a nominal general partner interest and could be held responsible for its 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Compensation	'
	Share-Based Compensation
	Share-based compensation expense consists of:
		Third Quarter					First Nine Months
		2014			2013		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Cash-settled awards	$	(801	)	$	1,823	$	(1,996	)	$	7,498
	Equity-settled awards	1,307			899		4,897			3,565
	Restricted stock	22			85		101			541
	Stock options	463			685		1,521			3,763
		$	991		$	3,492	$	4,523		$	15,367
	Share-based compensation expense is included in:
		Third Quarter					First Nine Months
		2014			2013		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	General and administrative expense	$	(50	)	$	1,297	$	1,217		$	7,310
	Other operating expense	1,041			2,195		3,306			8,057
		$	991		$	3,492	$	4,523		$	15,367
	In first nine months 2014, we granted 92,800 cash-settled awards and 467,200 equity-settled awards. Equity-settled awards granted to employees in the first nine months 2014 include restricted stock units (RSUs), market-leveraged stock units (MSUs) and performance stock units (PSUs). Cash-settled RSUs vest ratably over three years from the date of grant. Equity-settled RSUs, MSUs and PSUs vest after three years from the date of grant upon achievement of market conditions for MSUs and upon achievement of performance goals for PSUs. Equity-settled awards in the form of RSUs granted to our directors are fully vested at the time of grant and are issued upon retirement. There were no restricted stock awards or stock options granted in first nine months 2014.
	The fair value of awards granted to retirement eligible employees and expensed at the date of grant was $760,000 and $590,000 in first nine months 2014 and 2013. Unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to non-vested equity-settled awards, restricted stock and stock options is $10,950,000 at third quarter-end 2014.
	In first nine months 2014 and 2013, we issued 211,333 and 118,472 shares out of our treasury stock associated with vesting of stock-based awards or exercise of stock options, net of 54,272 and 59,172 shares withheld having a value of $1,024,000 and $1,128,000 for payroll taxes in connection with vesting of stock-based awards or exercise of stock options.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event	'
	Subsequent Event
	Cibolo Canyons—San Antonio, Texas
	On October 24, 2014, we received $46,500,000 from the Cibolo Canyons Special Improvement District (CCSID) under 2007 economic development agreements in connection with development of the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa at our Cibolo Canyons project near San Antonio. CCSID funded payment to us from its issuance of $48,900,000 Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) and Sales and Use Tax Revenue Bonds. These bonds are obligations solely of CCSID and are payable from HOT and sales and use taxes levied by CCSID.
	The resort hotel owner, SA Real Estate, LLLP (SARE), previously had senior rights to certain payments from CCSID to be funded by HOT and sales and use taxes. To facilitate issuance of the bonds by CCSID, SARE assigned these rights to us so that we could subordinate the rights to the rights of bondholders. In return, we provided SARE a $10,000,000 surety bond securing the entire obligation. The surety bond will decrease as CCSID satisfies it payment obligation to SARE, which is scheduled to be retired in full by 2020.
	In addition, we provided a $6,846,000 letter of credit to the bond trustee as security for certain debt service fund obligations in the event CCSID tax collections are not sufficient to support payment of the bonds in accordance with their terms. The letter of credit must be maintained until the earlier of redemption of the bonds or scheduled bond maturity in 2034. If the letter of credit is drawn upon in part or in full, we are not required to replenish the letter of credit.
	At third quarter-end 2014, we had $24,067,000 invested in the resort development against which we expect to apply proceeds resulting in a recovery of our full investment in fourth quarter 2014.

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
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. We account for our investment in other entities in which we have significant influence over operations and financial policies using the equity method. We eliminate all material intercompany accounts and transactions. Noncontrolling interests in consolidated pass-through entities are recognized before income taxes. In our consolidated balance sheets we have reclassified prior year's earnest money deposits that were included in other accrued expenses and other liabilities as a separate line item to conform to the current year presentation.
	We prepare our unaudited interim financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and Securities and Exchange Commission requirements for interim financial statements. As a result, they do not include all the information and disclosures required for complete financial statements. However, in our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Such adjustments consist only of normal recurring items unless otherwise noted. We make estimates and assumptions about future events. Actual results can, and probably will, differ from those we currently estimate including those principally related to allocating costs to real estate, measuring long-lived assets for impairment, oil and gas revenue accruals, capital expenditure and lease operating expense accruals associated with our oil and gas production activities, oil and gas reserves and depletion of our oil and gas properties. These interim operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. For further information, please read the financial statements included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
New and Pending Accounting Pronouncements	'
	New and Pending Accounting Pronouncements
	Accounting Standards Adopted in 2014
	In first nine months 2014, we adopted ASU 2013-04 — Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date, ASU 2014-12 — Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period and ASU 2014-08 — Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. Adoption did not materially affect our earnings, financial position or disclosures.
	Pending Accounting Standards
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is not permitted. The updated standard becomes effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We have not yet selected a transition method and we are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our earnings, financial position and disclosures.

Real_Estate_Tables

Real Estate (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Real Estate	'
	Real estate consists of:
		Third			Year-End
		Quarter-End
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Entitled, developed and under development projects	$	342,553		$	361,687
	Undeveloped land (includes land in entitlement)	94,241			86,367
	Commercial and income producing properties
	Carrying value	184,977			99,476
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(29,966		)	(28,066		)
	Net carrying value	155,011			71,410
		$	591,805		$	519,464

Oil_and_Gas_Properties_Tables

Oil and Gas Properties (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Extractive Industries [Abstract]	'
Net Capitalized Costs Related to Oil and Gas Producing Activities	'
	Net capitalized costs, utilizing the successful efforts method of accounting, related to our oil and gas producing activities follows:
		Third			Year-End
		Quarter-End
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Unproved oil and gas properties	$	97,824		$	100,320
	Proved oil and gas properties	201,905			155,262
	Total capitalized costs	299,729			255,582
	Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(39,974		)	(22,941		)
		$	259,755		$	232,641

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles1

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets	'
	Carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets follows:
		Third		Year-End
		Quarter-End
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Goodwill	$	64,493	$	64,493
	Identified intangibles, net	2,947		2,153
		$	67,440	$	66,646

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Changes in Equity	'
	A reconciliation of changes in equity at third quarter-end 2014 follows:
		Forestar			Noncontrolling			Total
		Group Inc.			Interests
		(In thousands)
	Balance at year-end 2013	$	709,845		$	5,552		$	715,397
	Net income	28,383			611			28,994
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—			(2,093		)	(2,093		)
	Contributions from noncontrolling interests	—			533			533
	Dissolution of noncontrolling interests	—			1,342			1,342
	Purchase of noncontrolling interests, net of deferred taxes of $1,723,000	(2,975		)	(3,273		)	(6,248		)
	Other (primarily share-based compensation)	7,506			—			7,506
		$	742,759		$	2,672		$	745,431

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_V1

Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
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
		Third		Year-End		Third		Year-End		Third			Year-End			Third			Year-End
		Quarter-End				Quarter-End				Quarter-End						Quarter-End
		2014		2013		2014		2013		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	242, LLC (b)	$	26,139	$	23,751	$	2,934	$	921	$	19,286		$	19,838		$	8,819		$	9,084
	CJUF III, RH Holdings	—		36,320		—		18,492		—			15,415			—			3,235
	CL Ashton Woods (c)	11,671		10,473		—		—		10,277			9,704			4,370			3,544
	CL Realty	8,085		8,298		—		—		7,916			8,070			3,958			4,035
	CREA FMF Nashville (b)	28,962		—		20,289		—		6,126			—			5,655			—
	FMF Littleton	21,599		—		—		—		21,148			—			5,465			—
	FMF Peakview	40,137		30,673		21,088		12,533		17,617			16,620			3,605			3,406
	HM Stonewall Estates (c)	3,367		3,781		286		63		3,081			3,718			1,751			2,128
	LM Land Holdings (c)	32,824		33,298		9,502		9,768		19,349			13,347			9,843			8,283
	PSW Communities	12,604		—		7,377		—		4,270			—			3,795			—
	Temco	12,756		13,320		—		—		12,518			13,160			6,259			6,580
	Other ventures (d)	12,383		12,723		29,730		29,699		(32,022		)	(31,357		)	189			852
		$	210,527	$	172,637	$	91,206	$	71,476	$	89,566		$	68,515		$	53,709		$	41,147
Summarized Income Statement Information	'
	Combined summarized income statement information for our ventures accounted for using the equity method follows:
		Venture Revenues								Venture Earnings (Loss)												Our Share of Earnings (Loss)
		Third Quarter				First Nine Months				Third Quarter						First Nine Months						Third Quarter						First Nine Months
		2014		2013		2014		2013		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	242, LLC	$	88	$	37	$	1,563	$	3,168	$	(32	)	$	(20	)	$	448		$	817		$	(15	)	$	(10	)	$	236		$	438
	CJUF III, RH Holdings	1,098		4		2,168		7		(305		)	(133		)	(956		)	(357		)	(305		)	(133		)	(956		)	(357		)
	CL Ashton Woods (c)	790		1,355		1,859		4,246		277			477			573			1,027			373			677			826			1,817
	CL Realty	413		445		1,240		1,246		294			350			846			802			147			175			423			401
	CREA FMF Nashville	—		—		—		—		—			—			(25		)	—			—			—			(25		)	—
	FMF Peakview	3		200		3		200		(109		)	(98		)	(261		)	(137		)	(21		)	(19		)	(52		)	(27		)
	HM Stonewall Estates (c)	292		696		1,727		1,794		91			255			613			655			36			100			245			276
	LM Land Holdings (c)	4,604		9,387		13,897		14,651		3,397			5,515			10,368			9,274			1,200			2,344			3,097			3,998
	PSW Communities	—		—		—		—		(11		)	—			(231		)	—			(9		)	—			(204		)	—
	Temco	79		162		793		437		42			42			158			48			21			21			79			24
	Other ventures	1,329		21		1,378		5,171		691			(120		)	502			(642		)	589			(30		)	296			34
		$	8,696	$	12,307	$	24,628	$	30,920	$	4,335		$	6,268		$	12,035		$	11,487		$	2,016		$	3,125		$	3,965		$	6,604
	_____________________
	(a)	Total includes current maturities of $61,936,000 at third quarter-end 2014, of which $40,697,000 is non-recourse to us, and $37,966,000 at year-end 2013, of which $37,822,000 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. Deferred gains of $1,648,000 are reflected as a reduction to our investment in unconsolidated ventures at third quarter-end 2014.
	(c)	Includes unrecognized basis difference of $2,011,000 which is reflected as a reduction of our investment in unconsolidated ventures at third quarter-end 2014. The 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.
	(d)	Our investment in other ventures reflects our ownership interests, excluding venture losses that exceed our investment where we are not obligated to fund those losses. Please read Note 16—Variable Interest Entities for additional information.

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Receivables	'
	Receivables consist of:
		Third			Year-End
		Quarter-End
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Loan secured by real estate	$	4,236		$	7,610
	Other loans secured by real estate, average interest rates of 4.40% at third quarter-end 2014 and 5.00% at year-end 2013	8,234			7,987
	Oil and gas joint interest billing receivables	11,220			3,896
	Oil and gas revenue accruals	18,753			8,137
	Other receivables and accrued interest	3,884			11,648
		46,327			39,278
	Allowance for bad debts	(26		)	(26		)
		$	46,301		$	39,252
Estimated Accretable Yield	'
	Estimated accretable yield follows:
		Third
		Quarter-End
		2014
		(In thousands)
	Beginning of period (year-end 2013)	$	8,908
	Change in accretable yield due to change in timing of estimated cash flows	(347		)
	Interest income recognized (in first nine months 2014)	(6,068		)
	End of period	$	2,493

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt consists of:
		Third		Year-End
		Quarter-End
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Senior secured credit facility
	Term loan facility — average interest rate of 4.17% at year-end 2013	$	—	$	200,000
	8.50% senior secured notes due 2022	250,000		—
	3.75% convertible senior notes due 2020, net of discount	102,368		99,890
	6.00% tangible equity unit notes, net of discount	19,192		25,619
	Secured promissory notes — average interest rates of 3.15% at third quarter-end 2014 and 3.17% at year-end 2013	15,400		15,400
	Other indebtedness — interest rates ranging from 2.19% to 5.50% at third quarter-end 2014	42,335		16,498
		$	429,295	$	357,407

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

'

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:

Third Quarter-End 2014

Year-End 2013

Carrying

Fair

Carrying

Fair

Valuation

Amount

Value

Amount

Value

Technique

(In thousands)

Loan secured by real estate

$

4,236

$

7,524

$

7,610

$

18,025

Level 2

Fixed rate debt (a)

(371,560

)

(381,619

)

(126,640

)

(118,634

)

Level 2

_____________________

(a)

Third quarter-end 2014 includes our $250,000,000 of 8.50% senior secured notes due 2022, issued May 12, 2014.

Net_Income_per_Share_Tables

Net Income per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Attributable to Common Shareholders and Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	'
	The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
		Third Quarter						First Nine Months
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Numerator:
	Consolidated net income	$	5,239		$	12,897		$	28,994		$	19,137
	Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(12		)	(1,067		)	(611		)	(2,815		)
	Earnings available for diluted earnings per share	$	5,227		$	11,830		$	28,383		$	16,322
	Less: Undistributed net income allocated to participating securities	(947		)	—			(5,151		)	—
	Earnings available to common shareholders for basic earnings per share	$	4,280		$	11,830		$	23,232		$	16,322
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic	35,498			35,410			35,437			35,341
	Weighted average common shares upon conversion of participating securities (a)	7,857			—			7,857			—
	Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and equity-settled awards	513			662			456			608
	Total weighted average shares outstanding — diluted	43,868			36,072			43,750			35,949
	Anti-dilutive awards excluded from diluted weighted average shares	1,959			1,764			2,171			2,022
	_____________________
	(a)	Our earnings per share calculation reflects the weighted average shares issuable upon settlement of the prepaid stock purchase contract component of our 6.00% tangible equity units, issued November 27, 2013.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Assets Allocated by Segment	'
	Total assets allocated by segment are as follows:
		Third			Year-End
		Quarter-End
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Real estate	$	664,642		$	582,802
	Oil and gas	355,501			312,553
	Other natural resources	23,502			23,478
	Assets not allocated to segments (a)	224,594			253,319
		$	1,268,239		$	1,172,152
	_________________________
	(a)	Assets not allocated to segments at third quarter-end 2014 principally consist of cash and cash equivalents of $170,606,000 and a net deferred tax asset of $30,932,000. Assets not allocated to segments at year-end 2013 principally consist of cash and cash equivalents of $192,307,000 and a net deferred tax asset of $40,398,000.
Segment Revenues and Earnings	'
	Segment revenues and earnings are as follows:
		Third Quarter						First Nine Months
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	Real estate	$	32,445		$	50,356		$	153,098		$	170,264
	Oil and gas	24,145			22,095			66,076			53,430
	Other natural resources	2,250			2,656			7,284			8,963
	Total revenues	$	58,840		$	75,107		$	226,458		$	232,657
	Segment earnings:
	Real estate	$	15,987		$	13,197		$	66,859		$	40,747
	Oil and gas	6,002			8,499			16,331			17,869
	Other natural resources	669			549			2,220			2,792
	Total segment earnings	22,658			22,245			85,410			61,408
	Items not allocated to segments (a)	(14,676		)	(13,347		)	(41,563		)	(45,114		)
	Income before taxes attributable to Forestar Group Inc.	$	7,982		$	8,898		$	43,847		$	16,294
	_________________________
	(a)	Items not allocated to segments consist of:
		Third Quarter						First Nine Months
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	General and administrative expense	$	(5,190	)	$	(4,648	)	$	(15,924	)	$	(14,935	)
	Shared-based compensation expense	(991		)	(3,492		)	(4,523		)	(15,367		)
	Interest expense	(8,634		)	(5,231		)	(21,507		)	(14,892		)
	Other corporate non-operating income	139			24			391			80
		$	(14,676	)	$	(13,347	)	$	(41,563	)	$	(45,114	)

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Components of Share-Based Compensation Expense (Income)	'
	Share-based compensation expense consists of:
		Third Quarter					First Nine Months
		2014			2013		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Cash-settled awards	$	(801	)	$	1,823	$	(1,996	)	$	7,498
	Equity-settled awards	1,307			899		4,897			3,565
	Restricted stock	22			85		101			541
	Stock options	463			685		1,521			3,763
		$	991		$	3,492	$	4,523		$	15,367
Share-Based Compensation Expense (Income) Included in Operating Expense	'
	Share-based compensation expense is included in:
		Third Quarter					First Nine Months
		2014			2013		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	General and administrative expense	$	(50	)	$	1,297	$	1,217		$	7,310
	Other operating expense	1,041			2,195		3,306			8,057
		$	991		$	3,492	$	4,523		$	15,367

Real_Estate_Real_Estate_Detail

Real Estate - Real Estate (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Real Estate [Abstract]	'	'
Entitled, developed and under development projects	$342,553	$361,687
Undeveloped land (includes land in entitlement)	94,241	86,367
Carrying value	184,977	99,476
Less: accumulated depreciation	-29,966	-28,066
Net carrying value	155,011	71,410
Total Real Estate	$591,805	$519,464

Real_Estate_Additional_Informa

Real Estate - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Exchange of Productive Assets [Member]

Utility and Improvement District [Member]

Utility and Improvement District [Member]

Cibolo Canyons Project [Member]

Cibolo Canyons Project [Member]

Consolidated Properties [Member]

Consolidated Properties [Member]

Multi Family Development Properties [Member]

San Antonio Texas [Member]

San Antonio Texas [Member]

Austin, Texas [Member]

Austin, Texas [Member]

Austin, Texas [Member]

acre

Cibolo Canyons Project [Member]

Cibolo Canyons Project [Member]

Multi Family Property [Member]

Multi Family Property [Member]

Hotel Property [Member]

Property

Property

Unit

Real Estate Properties [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost of asset in developed and under development projects

'

'

'

'

$66,198

$62,183

'

'

'

'

'

$40,045

$41,795

'

'

'

Costs relate to water, sewer and other infrastructure assets

7,118

15,713

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reimbursements from utility and improvement districts

-8,554

-4,540

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,504

1,840

'

'

'

'

'

'

Collection related to reduction of investment in the mixed-use development

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,050

2,700

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment in resort development

591,805

'

519,464

'

'

'

24,067

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Units Of Multifamily Project

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

257

257

'

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

25.00%

'

Payments to Acquire Businesses and Interest in Affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,500

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

55,275

55,275

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

23,936

23,936

'

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Including Equity Interest in Acquiree Held Prior to Combination

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,229

'

'

Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,610

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Working Capital

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

979

979

'

Payments to Acquire and Develop Real Estate

82,864

65,762

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

26,110

'

'

'

'

'

Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost

184,977

'

99,476

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

58,727

'

'

53,917

53,917

29,002

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

992

992

'

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

865

865

'

Nonmonetary Transaction, Gain (Loss) Recognized on Transfer

'

'

'

$10,476

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Land Subject to Ground Leases

'

'

'

10,300

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Area of Land

'

'

'

5,400

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commercial and income producing properties, investment unit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

413

Oil_and_Gas_Properties_Net_Cap

Oil and Gas Properties - Net Capitalized Costs Related to Oil and Gas Producing Activities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Extractive Industries [Abstract]	'	'
Unproved oil and gas properties	$97,824	$100,320
Proved oil and gas properties	201,905	155,262
Total capitalized costs	299,729	255,582
Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	-39,974	-22,941
Net capitalized costs	$259,755	$232,641

Oil_and_Gas_Properties_Additio

Oil and Gas Properties Additional Details (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
	Well
	acre
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Proved Property	$9,041
Productive Oil Wells, Number of Wells, Gross	102
Productive Oil Wells, Number of Wells, Net	7
Gas and Oil Area, Undeveloped, Net	571
OKLAHOMA	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Proved Property	4,758
NORTH DAKOTA	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Proved Property	$4,283

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles2

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Goodwill	$64,493	$64,493
Identified intangibles, net	2,947	2,153
Goodwill and other intangible assets	$67,440	$66,646

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles3

Goodwill and Other Intangibles Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$64,493	$64,493
Austin, Texas [Member] | Multi Family Property [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	865	'
Credo [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	60,619	'
Credo [Member] | Patents [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	401	'
Water Resource Company [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	3,874	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$1,681	'

Equity_Reconciliation_of_Chang

Equity - Reconciliation of Changes in Equity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	$715,397	'
Consolidated net income	5,239	12,897	28,994	19,137
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	'	'	-2,093	'
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	'	'	533	'
Dissolution of noncontrolling interests	'	'	1,342	'
Purchase of noncontrolling interests, net of deferred taxes of $1,723,000	'	'	-6,248	'
Other (primarily share-based compensation)	'	'	7,506	'
Ending balance	745,431	'	745,431	'
Forestar Group Inc. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	709,845	'
Consolidated net income	'	'	28,383	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	'	'	0	'
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	'	'	0	'
Dissolution of noncontrolling interests	'	'	0	'
Purchase of noncontrolling interests, net of deferred taxes of $1,723,000	'	'	-2,975	'
Other (primarily share-based compensation)	'	'	7,506	'
Ending balance	742,759	'	742,759	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	5,552	'
Consolidated net income	'	'	611	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	'	'	-2,093	'
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	'	'	533	'
Dissolution of noncontrolling interests	'	'	1,342	'
Purchase of noncontrolling interests, net of deferred taxes of $1,723,000	'	'	-3,273	'
Other (primarily share-based compensation)	'	'	0	'
Ending balance	$2,672	'	$2,672	'

Equity_Equity_Parenthetical_De

Equity Equity Parenthetical (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred tax asset, net	$30,932	$40,398
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred tax asset, net	$1,723	'

Equity_Equity_Additional_Detai

Equity Equity - Additional (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries	$7,971	$7,971	$0

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_V2

Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Multi Family Property [Member]

Multi Family Property [Member]

Multi Family Property [Member]

Multi Family Property [Member]

Cjuf Three Rh Holdings Lp [Member]

Cjuf Three Rh Holdings Lp [Member]

FMF Littleton [Member]

FMF Littleton [Member]

FMF Littleton [Member]

FMF Littleton [Member]

CREA FMF [Member]

CREA FMF [Member]

CREA FMF [Member]

CREA FMF [Member]

Construction Loans [Member]

Construction Loans [Member]

30 day LIBOR rate [Domain]

30 day LIBOR rate [Domain]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Non-recourse Debt [Member]

Non-recourse Debt [Member]

Austin, Texas [Member]

Austin, Texas [Member]

COLORADO

COLORADO

Nashville, Tennessee [Member]

Nashville, Tennessee [Member]

FMF Littleton [Member]

CREA FMF [Member]

Construction Loans [Member]

Construction Loans [Member]

Venture

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Property

Property

Unit

Unit

Unit

Unit

COLORADO

Nashville, Tennessee [Member]

FMF Littleton [Member]

COLORADO

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of ventures under ownership interest using equity method

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

$55,275,000

$55,275,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

23,936,000

23,936,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,839,000

2,229,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Current Maturities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

61,936,000

37,966,000

40,697,000

37,822,000

Investment in unconsolidated ventures

'

5,016,000

819,000

'

20,155,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Distributions of return on investments and earnings

'

4,418,000

2,140,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Units Of Multifamily Project

'

'

'

'

'

'

257

257

'

'

'

'

385

385

'

'

320

320

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contribution of Property

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,900,000

'

'

'

5,897,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reimbursed Costs From Unconsolidated Ventures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,852,000

'

'

'

'

7,191,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

46,384,000

51,950,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.50%

1.90%

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage of Partner

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75.00%

75.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries

7,971,000

7,971,000

0

'

'

'

21,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Construction Loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,289,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment in unconsolidated ventures

'

53,709,000

'

41,147,000

'

'

'

'

0

3,235,000

5,465,000

0

'

'

5,655,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Construction Loan, Guaranty Of Repayment, Conditions Not Met, Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

'

'

'

25.00%

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Construction Loan, Guaranty Of Repayment, Conditions Met, Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Performance bonds and letters of credit

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_V3

Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures - Summarized Balance Sheet Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Venture Assets	$210,527	$172,637
Venture Borrowings	91,206	71,476
Venture Equity	89,566	68,515
Investment in venture	53,709	41,147
Unrecognized basis difference on equity method investment	1,648	'
242, LLC [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Venture Assets	26,139	23,751
Venture Borrowings	2,934	921
Venture Equity	19,286	19,838
Investment in venture	8,819	9,084
Cjuf Three Rh Holdings Lp [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Venture Assets	0	36,320
Venture Borrowings	0	18,492
Venture Equity	0	15,415
Investment in venture	0	3,235
CL Ashton Woods [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Venture Assets	11,671	10,473
Venture Borrowings	0	0
Venture Equity	10,277	9,704
Investment in venture	4,370	3,544
CL Realty [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Venture Assets	8,085	8,298
Venture Borrowings	0	0
Venture Equity	7,916	8,070
Investment in venture	3,958	4,035
CREA FMF [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Venture Assets	28,962	0
Venture Borrowings	20,289	0
Venture Equity	6,126	0
Investment in venture	5,655	0
FMF Littleton [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Venture Assets	21,599	0
Venture Borrowings	0	0
Venture Equity	21,148	0
Investment in venture	5,465	0
FMF Peakview [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Venture Assets	40,137	30,673
Venture Borrowings	21,088	12,533
Venture Equity	17,617	16,620
Investment in venture	3,605	3,406
HM Stonewall Estates [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Venture Assets	3,367	3,781
Venture Borrowings	286	63
Venture Equity	3,081	3,718
Investment in venture	1,751	2,128
LM Land Holdings [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Venture Assets	32,824	33,298
Venture Borrowings	9,502	9,768
Venture Equity	19,349	13,347
Investment in venture	9,843	8,283
PSW Communities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Venture Assets	12,604	0
Venture Borrowings	7,377	0
Venture Equity	4,270	0
Investment in venture	3,795	0
Temco [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Venture Assets	12,756	13,320
Venture Borrowings	0	0
Venture Equity	12,518	13,160
Investment in venture	6,259	6,580
Other ventures [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Venture Assets	12,383	12,723
Venture Borrowings	29,730	29,699
Venture Equity	-32,022	-31,357
Investment in venture	$189	$852

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_V4

Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures - Summarized Income Statement Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$8,696	$12,307	$24,628	$30,920
Earnings (loss)	4,335	6,268	12,035	11,487
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	2,016	3,125	3,965	6,604
242, LLC [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	88	37	1,563	3,168
Earnings (loss)	-32	-20	448	817
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	-15	-10	236	438
Cjuf Three Rh Holdings Lp [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	1,098	4	2,168	7
Earnings (loss)	-305	-133	-956	-357
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	-305	-133	-956	-357
CL Ashton Woods [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	790	1,355	1,859	4,246
Earnings (loss)	277	477	573	1,027
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	373	677	826	1,817
CL Realty [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	413	445	1,240	1,246
Earnings (loss)	294	350	846	802
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	147	175	423	401
CREA FMF [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss)	0	0	-25	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	0	0	-25	0
FMF Peakview [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	3	200	3	200
Earnings (loss)	-109	-98	-261	-137
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	-21	-19	-52	-27
HM Stonewall Estates [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	292	696	1,727	1,794
Earnings (loss)	91	255	613	655
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	36	100	245	276
LM Land Holdings [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	4,604	9,387	13,897	14,651
Earnings (loss)	3,397	5,515	10,368	9,274
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	1,200	2,344	3,097	3,998
PSW Communities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss)	-11	0	-231	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	-9	0	-204	0
Temco [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	79	162	793	437
Earnings (loss)	42	42	158	48
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	21	21	79	24
Other ventures [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	1,329	21	1,378	5,171
Earnings (loss)	691	-120	502	-642
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures	$589	($30)	$296	$34

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_V5

Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures - Summarized Income Statement Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Unrecognized basis difference on equity method investment	$1,648	'
Equity Method Investments [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	61,936	37,966
Equity Method Investments [Member] | Non-recourse Debt [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	40,697	37,822
CL Realty [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Unrecognized basis difference on equity method investment	$2,011	'

Receivables_Receivables_Detail

Receivables - Receivables (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	$46,327	'	$39,278
Oil and Gas Joint Interest Billing Receivables	11,220	'	3,896
Allowance for bad debts	-26	'	-26
Receivables, net	46,301	'	39,252
Loan secured by real estate [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	4,236	'	7,610
Notes receivable [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	8,234	'	7,987
Average interest rate	4.40%	5.00%	'
Oil and gas revenue accrual receivable [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	18,753	'	8,137
Receivables and accrued interest [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	$3,884	'	$11,648

Receivables_Additional_Informa

Receivables - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Loan secured by real estate	$46,327,000	$39,278,000
Due period of notes receivable as secured by deed of trust	'3 years	'
Loans Receivable [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Loan secured by real estate	4,236,000	7,610,000
Interest accrue percentage till year three	9.00%	'
Interest accrue percentage year four	10.00%	'
Interest accrue percentage year five	12.00%	'
Forgiven interest rate	6.25%	'
Principal amount of loan received	8,912,000	'
Interest amount of loan received	530,000	'
Outstanding principal balance	$6,787,000	'
Due period of notes receivable as secured by deed of trust	'3 years	'

Receivables_Estimated_Accretab

Receivables - Estimated Accretable Yield (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Beginning of period	$8,908
Change in accretable yield due to change in timing of estimated cash flows	-347
Interest income recognized	-6,068
End of period	$2,493

Debt_Debt_Detail

Debt - Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	$429,295	$357,407
Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	250,000	0
Convertible Debt [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	102,368	99,890
Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	15,400	15,400
Other indebtedness [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	42,335	16,498
Senior secured credit facility [Member] | Term loan facility [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	0	200,000
Six Percent Tangible Equity Units [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	$19,192	$25,619

Debt_Debt_Parenthetical_Detail

Debt - Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
	Senior Notes [Member]	Six Percent Tangible Equity Units [Member]	Six Percent Tangible Equity Units [Member]	Secured Debt [Member]	Secured Debt [Member]	Other indebtedness [Member]	Senior secured credit facility [Member]	Senior secured credit facility [Member]	Senior secured credit facility [Member]	Convertible Debt [Member]
							Term loan facility [Member]	Term loan facility [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Average interest rate	'	6.00%	6.00%	3.15%	3.17%	'	0.00%	4.17%	4.75%	'
Interest Rate Percentage	8.50%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3.75%
Variable and fixed interest rates ranging, minimum	'	'	'	'	'	2.19%	'	'	'	'
Variable and fixed interest rates ranging, maximum	'	'	'	'	'	5.50%	'	'	'	'

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt	$429,295,000	'	$357,407,000
Deferred Finance Costs, Net	16,072,000	'	7,896,000
Amortization of deferred financing fees	3,089,000	2,282,000	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity under term Loan facility	300,000,000	'	200,000,000
Maturity period of revolving line of credit	15-May-17	'	'
Revolving Line Of Credit Facility Extension Option Term	'two one-year extension options	'	'
Sublimit for letters of credit outstanding	10,118,000	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fee Amount	3,068,000	'	'
Net unused borrowing capacity	289,882,000	'	'
Percentage of spread on federal funds effective rate	0.50%	'	'
Austin, Texas [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Guest room hotel	413	'	'
Carrying value of multifamily project to secure non recourse loan	29,002,000	'	'
Austin, Texas [Member] | Multi Family Property [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt	23,936,000	'	'
Number Of Units Of Multifamily Project	257	'	'
Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest Rate Percentage	8.50%	'	'
Debt instrument, maturity date	1-Jun-22	'	'
Payment of Financing and Stock Issuance Costs	8,053,000	'	'
Debt	250,000,000	'	0
Convertible Debt [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt	102,368,000	'	99,890,000
Secured Debt [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt	15,400,000	'	15,400,000
Secured Debt [Member] | Austin, Texas [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt	15,400,000	'	'
Other indebtedness [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt	42,335,000	'	16,498,000
Carrying value of property to secure borrowing	19,239,000	'	'
Other indebtedness [Member] | Multi Family Property [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Carrying value of property to secure borrowing	82,715,000	'	'
Amended Senior Secured Credit Facility [Domain]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
DebtCovenantMinimumInterestCoverageRatio	250.00%	'	'
DebtCovenantLeverageRatio	50.00%	'	'
Senior secured credit facility [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
DebtCovenantMinimumInterestCoverageRatio	150.00%	'	'
DebtCovenantLeverageRatio	40.00%	'	'
Senior secured credit facility [Member] | Term loan facility [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Repayments of Debt	200,000,000	'	'
Debt	0	'	200,000,000
Letter of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity under term Loan facility	100,000,000	'	'
Convertible Debt [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest Rate Percentage	3.75%	'	'
LIBOR [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	4.00%	'	'
Base Rate [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage Of Variable Spread On Base Rate	3.00%	'	'
30 day LIBOR rate [Domain] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%	'	'
Underwriters Discount [Domain] | Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Payment of Financing and Stock Issuance Costs	6,250,000	'	'
Construction Loans [Member] | Other indebtedness [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt	$38,033,000	'	'

Fair_Value_Information_About_O

Fair Value - Information About Our Fixed Rate Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Reported Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Loan secured by real estate	$4,236	$7,610
Fixed rate debt	-371,560	-126,640
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Loan secured by real estate	7,524	18,025
Fixed rate debt	($381,619)	($118,634)

Fair_Value_Information_About_O1

Fair Value - Information About Our Fixed Rate Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	$429,295	$357,407
Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	$250,000	$0
Interest Rate Percentage	8.50%	'
Debt instrument, maturity year	12-May-14	'

Fair_Value_Fair_Value_Addition

Fair Value Fair Value - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Asset Impairment Charges	$94,000	$0

Capital_Stock_Additional_Infor

Capital Stock - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Employees of former affliate [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]	'
Equity [Line Items]	'
Options to purchase shares of common stock	706,000
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'1 year
Weighted average exercise price	$26.11
Aggregate intrinsic value	$54
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

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		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings available to common shareholders:	'	'	'	'
Consolidated net income	$5,239	$12,897	$28,994	$19,137
Less: Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-12	-1,067	-611	-2,815
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO FORESTAR GROUP INC.	5,227	11,830	28,383	16,322
Less: Undistributed net income allocated to participating securities	-947	0	-5,151	0
Earnings available to common shareholders for basic earnings per share	$4,280	$11,830	$23,232	$16,322
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	35,498	35,410	35,437	35,341
Weighted average common shares upon conversion of participating securities	7,857	0	7,857	0
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and equity-settled awards	513	662	456	608
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	43,868	36,072	43,750	35,949
Anti-dilutive awards excluded from diluted weighted average shares	1,959	1,764	2,171	2,022

Net_Income_per_Share_Additiona

Net Income per Share Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 27, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
	Six Percent Tangible Equity Units [Member]	Convertible Debt [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
			Six Percent Tangible Equity Units [Member]	Six Percent Tangible Equity Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest Rate Percentage	6.00%	3.75%	'	'
Debt And Equity Instruments, shares to be Issued	'	'	6,547,800	7,857,000
Conversion price of Convertible Notes	'	$24.49	'	'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	35.00%	29.00%	35.00%	1.00%
Benefit for noncontrolling interests	'	'	1.00%	4.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits from Lapse of Statute of Limitations	'	$6,326	'	$6,326
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State Rate Change Due To Previously Unrecognized Tax Benefit	'	33.00%	'	33.00%

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
	acre
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]	'
Area for which certificate of completion received	288
Portion of site for which certificate not received	80
Cost to complete remediation activities	$810,000
Asset Retirement Obligation	$1,667,000

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
	Customer	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'
Number of business segments	'	3
Number of customer who contributed more than 10 percent of revenue	0	'
Maximum percentage of revenue from customer	10.00%	'

Segment_Information_Assets_All

Segment Information - Assets Allocated by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Total Assets	$1,268,239		$1,172,152		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	170,606		192,307		54,769	10,361
Deferred tax asset, net	30,932		40,398		'	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Real estate [Member]	'		'		'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Total Assets	664,642		582,802		'	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Oil And Gas [Member]	'		'		'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Total Assets	355,501		312,553		'	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Other natural resources [Member]	'		'		'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Total Assets	23,502		23,478		'	'
Items not allocated to segments [Member] | Assets not allocated to segments [Member]	'		'		'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Total Assets	$224,594	[1]	$253,319	[1]	'	'
[1]	Assets not allocated to segments at third quarter-end 2014 principally consist of cash and cash equivalents of $170,606,000 and a net deferred tax asset of $30,932,000. Assets not allocated to segments at year-end 2013 principally consist of cash and cash equivalents of $192,307,000 and a net deferred tax asset of $40,398,000.

Segment_Information_Segment_Re

Segment Information - Segment Revenues and Earnings (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	$58,840	$75,107	$226,458	$232,657
Segment Reporting Information Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Attributable To Parent	7,982	8,898	43,847	16,294
Segment Earnings [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	58,840	75,107	226,458	232,657
Segment Reporting Information Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Attributable To Parent	22,658	22,245	85,410	61,408
Segment Earnings [Member] | Real estate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	32,445	50,356	153,098	170,264
Segment Reporting Information Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Attributable To Parent	15,987	13,197	66,859	40,747
Segment Earnings [Member] | Oil And Gas [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	24,145	22,095	66,076	53,430
Segment Reporting Information Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Attributable To Parent	6,002	8,499	16,331	17,869
Segment Earnings [Member] | Other natural resources [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	2,250	2,656	7,284	8,963
Segment Reporting Information Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Attributable To Parent	669	549	2,220	2,792
Items not allocated to segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Attributable To Parent	-14,676	-13,347	-41,563	-45,114
Items not allocated to segments [Member] | General and administrative expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Attributable To Parent	-5,190	-4,648	-15,924	-14,935
Items not allocated to segments [Member] | Share-based compensation expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Attributable To Parent	-991	-3,492	-4,523	-15,367
Items not allocated to segments [Member] | Interest expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Attributable To Parent	-8,634	-5,231	-21,507	-14,892
Items not allocated to segments [Member] | Other corporate non-operating income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Attributable To Parent	$139	$24	$391	$80

Variable_Interest_Entities_Add

Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) (Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
	Entity
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'
Number of primary beneficiary	4
Total assets of developed and under developed real estate	$53,747
Contributed to VIE	4,378
Total liabilities of developed and under developed real estate	75,575
Investment in VIEs	9,507
Maximum Exposure to loss related to VIEs	3,627
Current Maturities of Borrowings [Member]	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'
Total liabilities of developed and under developed real estate	$31,060

Share_Based_Compensation_Compo

Share Based Compensation - Components of Share-Based Compensation Expense (Income) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total share-based compensation	$991	$3,492	$4,523	$15,367
Cash Settled Awards [Member]	'	'	'	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total share-based compensation	-801	1,823	-1,996	7,498
Equity-settled awards [Member]	'	'	'	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total share-based compensation	1,307	899	4,897	3,565
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total share-based compensation	22	85	101	541
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total share-based compensation	$463	$685	$1,521	$3,763

Share_Based_Compensation_Share

Share Based Compensation - Share Based Compensation Expense (Income) Included in Operating Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total share-based compensation	$991	$3,492	$4,523	$15,367
General and administrative expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total share-based compensation	-50	1,297	1,217	7,310
Other Operating Expenses [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total share-based compensation	$1,041	$2,195	$3,306	$8,057

Share_Based_Compensation_Addit

Share Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			Cash Settled Restricted Stock Unit [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Equity-settled awards [Member]
				Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Granted, Equivalent Units	'	'	92,800	'	467,200
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'	'	'	'3 years	'
Fair value of awards granted to retirement eligible employees and expensed at date of grant	$760,000	$590,000	'	'	'
Unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to non-vested equity-settled awards, restricted stock and stock options	10,950,000	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	211,333	118,472	'	'	'
Shares withheld for payroll taxes	54,272	59,172	'	'	'
Value of shares withheld for payroll taxes	$1,024,000	$1,128,000	'	'	'

Subsequent_Event_Details

Subsequent Event (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 24, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Cibolo Canyons Project [Member]	Cibolo Canyons Project [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
					Cibolo Canyons Project [Member]	Cibolo Canyons Project [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Collection related to reduction of investment in the mixed-use development	'	'	$4,050	$2,700	$46,500	'
Long-term Transition Bond	'	'	'	'	'	48,900
Letters of credit	'	'	'	'	'	10,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	'	'	'	'	'	6,846
Real estate, net	$591,805	$519,464	$24,067	'	'	'