PulteGroup (PHM) 10-K 4 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 01, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PULTEGROUP INC/MI/
Entity Central Index Key	822416
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		368,198,659
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$7,529,488,415

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	$1,292,862	$1,580,329
Restricted cash	16,358	72,715
House and land inventory	4,392,100	3,978,561
Land held for sale	101,190	61,735
Land, not owned, under option agreements	30,186	24,024
Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale	339,531	287,933
Investments in unconsolidated entities	40,368	45,323
Other assets	513,032	460,621
Intangible assets	123,115	136,148
Deferred tax assets, net	1,720,668	2,086,754
Total assets	8,569,410	8,734,143
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, including book overdrafts of $32,586 and $35,827 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	270,516	202,736
Customer deposits	142,642	134,858
Accrued and other liabilities	1,343,774	1,377,750
Income tax liabilities	48,722	206,015
Financial Services debt	140,241	105,664
Senior notes	1,818,561	2,058,168
Total liabilities	3,764,456	4,085,191
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, none issued	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized, 369,458,530 and 381,299,600 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	3,695	3,813
Additional paid-in capital	3,072,996	3,052,016
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-690	-795
Retained earnings	1,728,953	1,593,918
Total shareholders’ equity	4,804,954	4,648,952
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$8,569,410	$8,734,143

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Book overdrafts	$32,586	$35,827
Preferred stock, par value (usd 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 (usd per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	369,458,530	381,299,600
Common stock, shares outstanding	369,458,530	381,299,600

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Homebuilding
Home sale revenues									$5,662,171	$5,424,309	$4,552,412
Land sale revenues									34,554	114,335	106,698
Total homebuilding revenues	1,786,464	1,561,273	1,254,989	1,093,999	1,624,959	1,547,742	1,240,060	1,125,883	5,696,725	5,538,644	4,659,110
Financial Services	36,093	33,452	31,198	24,895	30,380	34,336	39,362	36,873	125,638	140,951	160,888
Total revenues	1,822,557	1,594,725	1,286,187	1,118,894	1,655,339	1,582,078	1,279,422	1,162,756	5,822,363	5,679,595	4,819,998
Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
Home sale cost of revenues									4,343,249	4,310,528	3,833,451
Land sale cost of revenues									23,748	104,426	94,880
Total cost of revenues	1,374,951	1,198,908	959,524	833,614	1,249,868	1,230,070	1,011,528	923,488	4,366,997	4,414,954	3,928,331
Financial Services expenses									71,239	92,379	135,511
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									667,815	568,500	514,457
Other expense, net									38,745	80,753	66,298
Interest income									-4,632	-4,395	-4,913
Interest expense									849	712	819
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities									-8,408	-1,130	-4,059
Income before income taxes	267,120	224,928	67,681	130,029	232,420	174,722	38,330	82,350	689,758	527,822	183,554
Income tax expense (benefit)	50,025	84,383	25,801	55,210	12,367	-2,107,162	1,913	588	215,420	-2,092,294	-22,591
Net income	$217,095	$140,545	$41,880	$74,819	$220,053	$2,281,884	$36,417	$81,762	$474,338	$2,620,116	$206,145
Net income per share:
Basic (usd per share)	$0.58	$0.37	$0.11	$0.19	$0.58	$5.92	$0.09	$0.21	$1.27	$6.79	$0.54
Diluted (usd per share)	$0.58	$0.37	$0.11	$0.19	$0.57	$5.87	$0.09	$0.21	$1.26	$6.72	$0.54
Cash dividends declared (usd per share)	$0.08	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$0.10			$0.23	$0.15	$0
Number of shares used in calculation:
Basic shares outstanding (shares)	369,533	373,531	376,072	383,991	379,879	382,883	385,389	384,228	370,377	383,077	381,562
Effect of dilutive securities (shares)	3,734	3,761	3,592	3,815	3,845	3,220	5,791	6,093	3,725	3,789	3,002
Diluted shares outstanding (shares)	373,267	377,292	379,664	387,806	383,724	386,103	391,180	390,321	374,102	386,866	384,564

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income	$474,338	$2,620,116	$206,145
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Change in value of derivatives	105	197	314
Other comprehensive income	105	197	314
Comprehensive income	$474,443	$2,620,313	$206,459

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sha

Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
Shareholders' Equity at Dec. 31, 2011	$1,938,615	$3,826	$2,986,240	($1,306)	($1,050,145)
Shareholders' Equity, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		382,608,000
Stock option exercises, shares		2,877,000
Stock option exercises	32,809	29	32,780	0	0
Stock awards, net of cancellations, shares		1,228,000
Stock awards, net of cancellations		12	-12
Stock repurchases, shares		-105,000
Stock repurchases	-961	-1	-813		-147
Stock-based compensation	12,694	0	12,694	0	0
Net income	206,145				206,145
Other comprehensive income	314			314
Shareholders' Equity at Dec. 31, 2012	2,189,616	3,866	3,030,889	-992	-844,147
Shareholders' Equity, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		386,608,000
Stock option exercises, shares		1,432,000
Stock option exercises	19,411	14	19,397	0	0
Stock awards, net of cancellations, shares		1,002,000
Stock awards, net of cancellations		10	-10
Dividends declared	-57,530				-57,530
Stock repurchases, shares		-7,742,000
Stock repurchases	-127,661	-77	-3,063		-124,521
Stock-based compensation	14,474	0	14,474	0	0
Excess tax benefits (deficiencies) from stock-based compensation	-9,671		-9,671
Net income	2,620,116				2,620,116
Other comprehensive income	197			197
Shareholders' Equity at Dec. 31, 2013	4,648,952	3,813	3,052,016	-795	1,593,918
Shareholders' Equity, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	381,299,600	381,300,000
Stock option exercises, shares		1,422,000
Stock option exercises	15,627	14	15,613	0	0
Stock awards, net of cancellations, shares		-43,000
Dividends declared	-86,370		72		-86,442
Stock repurchases, shares		-13,220,000
Stock repurchases	-253,019	-132			-252,887
Stock-based compensation	13,812	0	13,786	0	26
Excess tax benefits (deficiencies) from stock-based compensation	-8,491		-8,491
Net income	474,338				474,338
Other comprehensive income	105			105
Shareholders' Equity at Dec. 31, 2014	$4,804,954	$3,695	$3,072,996	($690)	$1,728,953
Shareholders' Equity, shares at Dec. 31, 2014	369,458,530	369,459,000

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$474,338	$2,620,116	$206,145
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred income tax expense	223,769	-2,096,425	0
Write-down of land and deposits and pre-acquisition costs	11,168	9,672	17,195
Depreciation and amortization	39,864	31,587	30,027
Stock-based compensation expense	29,292	30,480	22,897
Loss on debt retirements	8,584	26,930	32,071
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	-8,408	-1,130	-4,059
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	4,932	2,049	7,488
Other non-cash, net	9,567	9,375	10,356
Increase (decrease) in cash due to:
Restricted cash	1,368	3,387	1,257
Inventories	-346,596	265,064	455,223
Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale	-53,734	28,448	-60,828
Other assets	-46,249	-38,190	26,014
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities	-23,671	-17,377	20,802
Income tax liabilities	-14,975	7,150	-4,448
Net cash provided by operating activities	309,249	881,136	760,140
Cash flows from investing activities:
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	8,157	1,001	3,029
Investments in unconsolidated entities	-9	-1,677	-16,456
Net change in loans held for investment	335	-12,265	836
Change in restricted cash related to letters of credit	54,989	-4,152	28,653
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment	113	15	7,586
Capital expenditures	-48,790	-28,899	-13,942
Cash used for business acquisition	-82,419	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-67,624	-45,977	9,706
Cash flows from financing activities:
Financial Services borrowings (repayments)	34,577	-33,131	138,795
Other borrowings (repayments)	-250,631	-479,827	-618,800
Stock option exercises	15,627	19,411	32,809
Stock repurchases	-253,019	-127,661	-961
Dividends paid	-75,646	-38,382	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-529,092	-659,590	-448,157
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	-287,467	175,569	321,689
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	1,580,329	1,404,760	1,083,071
Cash and equivalents at end of period	1,292,862	1,580,329	1,404,760
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Interest paid (capitalized), net	-4,561	-171	-1,470
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	$1,030	$373	($13,322)

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of significant accounting policies	Summary of significant accounting policies
	Basis of presentation
	PulteGroup, Inc. is one of the largest homebuilders in the U.S., and our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “PHM”. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "PulteGroup", the "Company", "we", "us", and "our" used herein refer to PulteGroup, Inc. and its subsidiaries. While our subsidiaries engage primarily in the homebuilding business, we also have mortgage banking operations, conducted principally through Pulte Mortgage LLC (“Pulte Mortgage”), and title operations.
	The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and include the accounts of PulteGroup, Inc. and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries and variable interest entities in which PulteGroup, Inc. is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts, transactions, and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Business acquisition
	We acquired certain real estate assets from Dominion Homes in August 2014 for $82.4 million in cash and the assumption of certain payables related to such assets. The net assets acquired are located in Columbus, Ohio, and Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky, and included approximately 8,200 lots, including approximately 400 homes in inventory and control of approximately 900 lots through option contracts. We also assumed a sales order backlog of 622 homes. The acquired net assets were recorded at their estimated fair values. The acquisition of these assets was not material to our results of operations or financial condition.
	Use of estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Subsequent events
	We evaluated subsequent events up until the time the financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
	Cash and equivalents
	Cash and equivalents include institutional money market investments and time deposits with a maturity of three months or less when acquired. Cash and equivalents at December 31, 2014 and 2013 also included $5.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively, of cash from home closings held in escrow for our benefit, typically for less than five days, which are considered deposits in-transit.
	Restricted cash
	We maintain certain cash balances that are restricted as to their use. Restricted cash includes deposits maintained with financial institutions under cash-collateralized letter of credit agreements (see Note 6) as well as certain other accounts with restrictions, including customer deposits on home sales that are temporarily restricted by regulatory requirements until title transfers to the homebuyer.
	Investments in unconsolidated entities
	We have investments in a number of unconsolidated entities, including joint ventures, with independent third parties. The equity method of accounting is used for unconsolidated entities over which we have significant influence; generally this represents ownership interests of at least 20% and not more than 50%. Under the equity method of accounting, we recognize our proportionate share of the earnings and losses of these entities. Certain of these entities sell land to us. We defer the recognition of profits from such activities until the time we ultimately sell the related land.
	We evaluate our investments in unconsolidated entities for recoverability in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 323, “Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures” (“ASC 323”). If we determine that a loss in the value of the investment is other than temporary, we write down the investment to its estimated fair value. Any such losses are recorded to equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process and the significant volatility in demand for new housing, actual results could differ significantly from such estimates. See Note 5.
	Intangible assets
	Intangible assets consist of tradenames acquired in connection with the 2009 acquisition of Centex Corporation ("Centex") and the 2001 acquisition of Del Webb Corporation ("Del Webb"). These intangible assets were valued at the acquisition date and are being amortized over 20-year lives. The acquired cost and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets were $259.0 million and $135.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2014, and $259.0 million and $122.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2013. Amortization expense totaled $13.0 million in 2014, and $13.1 million in 2013 and 2012, and is expected to be $12.9 million in each of the next five years.
	The ultimate realization of these assets is dependent upon estimates of future earnings and benefits that we expect to generate from their use. If we determine that the carrying values of intangible assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more indicators of impairment, we use a projected undiscounted cash flow method to determine if impairment exists. If the carrying values of the intangible assets exceed the expected undiscounted cash flows, then we measure impairment as the difference between the fair value of the asset and the recorded carrying value. There were no impairments of tradenames during 2014, 2013, or 2012.
	Property and equipment, net, and depreciation
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method based upon estimated useful lives as follows: model home furniture - two years; office furniture and equipment - three to ten years; and leasehold improvements - life of the lease. Property and equipment are included in other assets and totaled $75.2 million net of accumulated depreciation of $192.2 million at December 31, 2014 and $53.1 million net of accumulated depreciation of $182.0 million at December 31, 2013. Depreciation expense totaled $26.8 million, $18.5 million, and $16.9 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	Advertising costs
	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $41.8 million, $42.4 million, and $45.8 million, in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	Employee benefits
	We maintain defined contribution retirement plans that cover substantially all of our employees. Company contributions to the plans totaled $12.1 million, $11.0 million, and $9.4 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	Other expense, net
	Other expense, net consists of the following ($000’s omitted):
		2014			2013			2012
	Write-offs of deposits and pre-acquisition costs (Note 3)	$	6,099		$	3,122		$	2,278
	Loss on debt retirements (Note 6)	8,584			26,930			32,071
	Lease exit and related costs	9,609			2,778			7,306
	Amortization of intangible assets (Note 1)	13,033			13,100			13,100
	Miscellaneous, net (a)	1,420			34,823			11,543
		$	38,745		$	80,753		$	66,298
	(a)	Includes charges of $41.2 million in 2013 resulting from a contractual dispute related to a previously completed luxury community (see Note 12) and $5.1 million in 2012 related to the write-down of notes receivable.
	Earnings per share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders (the “Numerator”) by the weighted-average number of common shares, adjusted for unvested shares, (the “Denominator”) for the period. Computing diluted earnings per share is similar to computing basic earnings per share, except that the Denominator is increased to include the dilutive effects of stock options, unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units, and other potentially dilutive instruments. Any stock options that have an exercise price greater than the average market price are considered to be anti-dilutive and are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation. Our earnings per share excluded 6.6 million, 9.6 million, and 16.6 million stock options, unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units, and other potentially dilutive instruments in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	In accordance with ASC 260 "Earnings Per Share" ("ASC 260"), the two-class method determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating securities according to an earnings allocation formula that adjusts the Numerator for dividends or dividend equivalents and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are participating securities and, therefore, are included in computing earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The Company's outstanding restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and deferred shares are considered participating securities.
	The following table presents the earnings per share of common stock ($000's omitted, except per share data):
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	474,338		$	2,620,116		$	206,145
	Less: earnings distributed to participating securities	(583		)	(407		)	—
	Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(2,668		)	(19,201		)	—
	Numerator for basic earnings per share	$	471,087		$	2,600,508		$	206,145
	Add back: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	2,668			19,201			—
	Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities	(2,643		)	(18,845		)	—
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	471,112		$	2,600,864		$	206,145
	Denominator:
	Basic shares outstanding	370,377			383,077			381,562
	Effect of dilutive securities	3,725			3,789			3,002
	Diluted shares outstanding	374,102			386,866			384,564
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	1.27		$	6.79		$	0.54
	Diluted	$	1.26		$	6.72		$	0.54
	Stock-based compensation
	We measure compensation cost for restricted stock and restricted stock units at fair value on the grant date. Fair value is determined based on the quoted price of our common stock on the grant date. We recognize compensation expense for restricted stock and restricted stock units, the majority of which cliff vest at the end of three years, ratably over the vesting period. For share-based awards containing performance conditions, we recognize compensation expense ratably over the vesting period when it is probable that the stated performance targets will be achieved and record cumulative adjustments in the period in which estimates change. Compensation expense related to our share-based awards is included in selling, general, and administrative expense, except for a small portion recognized in Financial Services expenses. See Note 8.
	Income taxes
	The provision for income taxes is calculated using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized by identifying the temporary differences arising from the different treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes.  In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is primarily dependent upon the generation of future taxable income.  In determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns, judgment is required.  Differences between the anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on the consolidated results of operations or financial position.
	Unrecognized tax benefits represent the difference between tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefits recognized for financial statement purposes. We follow the provisions of ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which prescribes a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements.  Significant judgment is required to evaluate uncertain tax positions.  Our evaluations of tax positions consider a variety of factors, including changes in facts or circumstances, changes in law, correspondence with taxing authorities, and effective settlements of audit issues. Changes in the recognition or measurement of uncertain tax positions could result in material increases or decreases in income tax expense (benefit) in the period in which the change is made. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as a component of income tax expense (benefit). See Note 9.
	Homebuilding revenue recognition
	Homebuilding revenue and related profit are generally recognized when title to and possession of the property are transferred to the buyer. In situations where the buyer’s financing is originated by Pulte Mortgage and the buyer has not made an adequate initial or continuing investment, the profit on such sale is deferred until the sale of the related mortgage loan to a third-party investor has been completed. If there is a loss on the sale of the property, the loss on such sale is recognized at the time of closing. The amount of such deferred profits were not material at either December 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
	Sales incentives
When sales incentives involve a discount on the selling price of the home, we record the discount as a reduction of revenue at the time of house closing. If the sales incentive requires us to provide a free product or service to the customer, the cost of the free product or service is recorded as cost of revenues at the time of house closing. This includes the cost related to optional upgrades and seller-paid financing costs, closing costs, homeowners’ association fees, or merchandise.
Inventory
Inventory is stated at cost unless the carrying value is determined to not be recoverable, in which case the affected inventory is written down to fair value. Cost includes land acquisition, land development, and home construction costs, including interest, real estate taxes, and certain direct and indirect overhead costs related to development and construction. For those communities for which construction and development activities have been idled, applicable interest and real estate taxes are expensed as incurred. Land acquisition and development costs are allocated to individual lots using an average lot cost determined based on the total expected land acquisition and development costs and the total expected home closings for the community. The specific identification method is used to accumulate home construction costs.
We capitalize interest cost into homebuilding inventories. Each layer of capitalized interest is amortized over a period that approximates the average life of communities under development. Interest expense is allocated over the period based on the timing of home closings.
Cost of revenues includes the construction cost, average lot cost, estimated warranty costs, and commissions and closing costs applicable to the home. The construction cost of the home includes amounts paid through the closing date of the home, plus an appropriate accrual for costs incurred but not yet paid, based on an analysis of budgeted construction costs. This accrual is reviewed for accuracy based on actual payments made after closing compared with the amount accrued, and adjustments are made if needed. Total community land acquisition and development costs are based on an analysis of budgeted costs compared with actual costs incurred to date and estimates to complete. The development cycles for our communities range from under one year to in excess of ten years for certain master planned communities. Adjustments to estimated total land acquisition and development costs for the community affect the amounts costed for the community’s remaining lots.
We record valuation adjustments on land inventory when events and circumstances indicate that the related community may be impaired and when the cash flows estimated to be generated by the community are less than its carrying amount. Such indicators include gross margin or sales paces significantly below expectations, construction costs or land development costs significantly in excess of budgeted amounts, significant delays or changes in the planned development for the community, and other known qualitative factors. Communities that demonstrate potential impairment indicators are tested for impairment by comparing the expected undiscounted cash flows for the community to its carrying value. For those communities whose carrying values exceed the expected undiscounted cash flows, we estimate the fair value of the community. Impairment charges are recorded if the fair value of the community's inventory is less than its carrying value. We determine the fair value of a community's inventory using a combination of market comparable land transactions, where available, and discounted cash flow models. These estimated cash flows are significantly impacted by estimates related to expected average selling prices, expected sales paces, expected land development and construction timelines, and anticipated land development, construction, and overhead costs. The assumptions used in the discounted cash flow models are specific to each community. Our evaluations for impairments are based on our best estimates of the future cash flows for our communities. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, the significant volatility in demand for new housing, the long life cycles of many communities, and potential changes in our strategy related to certain communities, actual results could differ significantly from such estimates. See Note 3.
Land held for sale
We periodically elect to sell parcels of land to third parties in the event such assets no longer fit into our strategic operating plans or are zoned for commercial or other development. Land held for sale is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. In determining the value of land held for sale, we consider recent offers received, prices for land in recent comparable sales transactions, and other factors. We record net realizable value adjustments for land held for sale within Homebuilding land sale cost of revenues. See Note 3.
Land option agreements
We enter into land option agreements in order to procure land for the construction of homes in the future. Pursuant to these land option agreements, we generally provide a deposit to the seller as consideration for the right to purchase land at different times in the future, usually at predetermined prices. Such contracts enable us to defer acquiring portions of properties owned by third parties or unconsolidated entities until we have determined whether and when to exercise our option, which reduces our financial risks associated with long-term land holdings. Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs (such as environmental testing, surveys, engineering, and entitlement costs) are capitalized if the costs are directly identifiable with the land under option, the costs would be capitalized if we owned the land, and acquisition of the property is probable. Such costs are reflected in other assets and are reclassified to inventory upon taking title to the land. We write off deposits and pre-acquisition costs when it becomes probable that we will not go forward with the project or recover the capitalized costs. Such decisions take into consideration changes in local market conditions, the timing of required land purchases, the availability and best use of necessary incremental capital, and other factors. We record any such write-offs of deposits and pre-acquisition costs within other expense, net.  See Note 3.
If an entity holding the land under option is a variable interest entity (“VIE”), our deposit represents a variable interest in that entity. No VIEs required consolidation at either December 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013 because we determined that we were not the primary beneficiary. Our maximum exposure to loss related to these VIEs is generally limited to our deposits and pre-acquisition costs under the applicable land option agreements. Separately, certain land option agreements represent financing arrangements due to the remaining purchase price under the land option agreements, in the event we exercise the purchase rights under the agreements, even though we generally have no obligation to pay these future amounts. As a result, we recorded $30.2 million and $24.0 million at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, to land, not owned, under option agreements with a corresponding increase to accrued and other liabilities. The following provides a summary of our interests in land option agreements ($000’s omitted):
	December 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
	Deposits and			Remaining Purchase			Land, Not		Deposits and		Remaining Purchase		Land, Not
	Pre-acquisition			Price			Owned,		Pre-acquisition		Price		Owned,
	Costs						Under		Costs				Under
							Option						Option
							Agreements						Agreements
Land options with VIEs	$	56,039		$	891,506		$	12,533	$	40,486	$	661,158	$	8,167
Other land options	71,241			999,079			17,653		50,548		729,128		15,857
	$	127,280		$	1,890,585		$	30,186	$	91,034	$	1,390,286	$	24,024
Start-up costs
Costs and expenses associated with opening new communities are expensed to selling, general, and administrative expenses when incurred.
Allowance for warranties
Home purchasers are provided with a limited warranty against certain building defects, including a one-year comprehensive limited warranty and coverage for certain other aspects of the home's construction and operating systems for periods of up to 10 years. We estimate the costs to be incurred under these warranties and record a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the product revenue is recognized.
Self-insured risks
We maintain, and require the majority of our subcontractors to maintain, general liability insurance coverage, including coverage for certain construction defects. We also maintain builders' risk, property, errors and omissions, workers compensation, and other business insurance coverage. These insurance policies protect us against a portion of the risk of loss from claims, subject to certain self-insured per occurrence and aggregate retentions, deductibles, and available policy limits. However, we retain a significant portion of the overall risk for such claims. We reserve for these costs on an undiscounted basis at the time product revenue is recognized for each home closing and evaluate the recorded liabilities based on actuarial analyses of our historical claims, which include estimates of claims incurred but not yet reported. Adjustments to estimated reserves are recorded in the period in which the change in estimate occurs. In certain instances, we have the ability to recover a portion of our costs under various insurance policies or from our subcontractors or other third parties. Estimates of such amounts are recorded when recovery is considered probable. See Note 12.
Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale
Substantially all of the loans originated by us are sold in the secondary mortgage market within a short period of time after origination, generally within 30 days. In accordance with ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” (“ASC 825”), we use the fair value option to record residential mortgage loans available-for-sale. Election of the fair value option for these loans allows a better offset of the changes in fair values of the loans and the derivative instruments used to economically hedge them without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. We do not designate any derivative instruments as hedges or apply the hedge accounting provisions of ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” See Note 12 for discussion of the risks retained related to mortgage loan originations.
Expected gains and losses from the sale of residential mortgage loans and their related servicing rights are included in the measurement of written loan commitments that are accounted for at fair value through Financial Services revenues at the time of commitment.  Subsequent changes in the fair value of these loans are reflected in Financial Services revenues as they occur. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, residential mortgage loans available-for-sale had an aggregate fair value of $339.5 million and $287.9 million, respectively, and an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $327.4 million and $278.1 million, respectively. The net gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of these loans totaled $1.7 million and $(1.2) million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These changes in fair value were substantially offset by changes in fair value of the corresponding hedging instruments. Net gains from the sale of mortgages during 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $67.2 million, $80.3 million, and $109.2 million, respectively, and have been included in Financial Services revenues.
Mortgage servicing rights
We sell the servicing rights for the loans we originate through fixed price servicing sales contracts to reduce the risks and costs inherent in servicing loans. This strategy results in owning the servicing rights for only a short period of time. We recognize the fair value of our rights to service a mortgage loan as revenue at the time of entering into an interest rate lock commitment with a borrower. Due to the short period of time the servicing rights are held, we do not amortize the servicing asset. The servicing sales contracts provide for the reimbursement of payments made by the purchaser if loans prepay within specified periods of time, generally within 90 to 120 days after sale. We establish reserves for this liability at the time the sale is recorded. Such reserves were immaterial at December 31, 2014 and 2013 and are included in accrued and other liabilities.
Loans held for investment
We maintain a portfolio of loans that either have been repurchased from investors or were not saleable upon closing. We have the intent and ability to hold these loans for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff. These loans are carried at cost and are reviewed for impairment when recoverability becomes doubtful. Loans held for investment are included in other assets and totaled $12.5 million and $11.0 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Interest income on mortgage loans
Interest income on mortgage loans is recorded in Financial Services revenues, accrued from the date a mortgage loan is originated until the loan is sold, and totaled $7.2 million, $7.5 million, and $6.0 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Loans are placed on non-accrual status once they become greater than 90 days past due their contractual terms. Subsequent payments received are applied according to the contractual terms of the loan. Mortgage discounts are not amortized as interest income due to the short period the loans are held until sale to third party investors.
Mortgage servicing, origination, and commitment fees
Mortgage servicing fees represent fees earned for servicing loans for various investors. Servicing fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal balance, or a contracted set fee in the case of certain sub-servicing arrangements, and are credited to income when related mortgage payments are received or the sub-servicing fees are earned. Loan origination costs related to residential mortgage loans available-for-sale are recognized as incurred in Financial Services expenses while the associated mortgage origination fees are recognized in Financial Services revenues as earned, generally upon loan closing.
Title services
Revenues associated with our title operations are recognized within Financial Services revenues as closing services are rendered and title insurance policies are issued, both of which generally occur as each home is closed.
Derivative instruments and hedging activities
We are exposed to market risks from commitments to lend, movements in interest rates, and canceled or modified commitments to lend. A commitment to lend at a specific interest rate (an interest rate lock commitment) is a derivative financial instrument (interest rate is locked to the borrower). In order to reduce these risks, we use other derivative financial instruments, principally cash forward placement contracts on mortgage-backed securities and whole loan investor commitments, to economically hedge the interest rate lock commitment. We enter into these derivative financial instruments based upon our portfolio of interest rate lock commitments and closed loans. We do not enter into any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had aggregate interest rate lock commitments of $146.1 million and $175.7 million, respectively, which were originated at interest rates prevailing at the date of commitment. Since we can terminate a loan commitment if the borrower does not comply with the terms of the contract, and some loan commitments may expire without being drawn upon, these commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. We evaluate the creditworthiness of these transactions through our normal credit policies.
Forward contracts on mortgage-backed securities are commitments to either purchase or sell a specified financial instrument at a specified future date for a specified price that may be settled in cash, by offsetting the position, or through the delivery of the financial instrument. Forward contracts on mortgage-backed securities are the predominant derivative financial instruments we use to minimize market risk during the period from the time we extend an interest rate lock to a loan applicant until the time the loan is sold to an investor. We also use whole loan investor commitments, which are obligations of the investor to buy loans at a specified price within a specified time period. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had unexpired forward contracts of $371.0 million and $381.5 million, respectively, and whole loan investor commitments of $63.5 million and $31.7 million, respectively. Changes in the fair value of interest rate lock commitments and other derivative financial instruments are recognized in Financial Services revenues, and the fair values are reflected in other assets or other liabilities, as applicable.
There are no credit-risk-related contingent features within our derivative agreements, and counterparty risk is considered minimal. Gains and losses on interest rate lock commitments are substantially offset by corresponding gains or losses on forward contracts on mortgage-backed securities and whole loan investor commitments. We are generally not exposed to variability in cash flows of derivative instruments for more than approximately 75 days.
The fair values of derivative instruments and their location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets is summarized below ($000’s omitted):
	December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Other Assets			Other Liabilities			Other Assets		Other Liabilities
Interest rate lock commitments	$	4,313		$	65		$	3,628	$	489
Forward contracts	79			3,653			4,374		34
Whole loan commitments	31			619			189		84
	$	4,423		$	4,337		$	8,191	$	607
New accounting pronouncements
In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-04, “Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors,” which clarifies when an in substance repossession or foreclosure of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan has occurred. By doing so, this guidance helps determine when the creditor should derecognize the loan receivable and recognize the real estate property. The guidance is effective for us beginning January 1, 2015 and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”). The standard is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for us for fiscal and interim periods beginning January 1, 2017 and allows for full retrospective or modified retrospective methods of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on our financial statements.
In June 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-11, "Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures” ("ASU 2014-11"), which makes limited amendments to ASC 860, "Transfers and Servicing." The ASU requires entities to account for repurchase-to-maturity transactions as secured borrowings, eliminates accounting guidance on linked repurchase financing transactions, and expands disclosure requirements related to certain transfers of financial assets. ASU 2014-11 is effective for us for fiscal periods beginning January 1, 2015 and interim periods beginning April 1, 2015 and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-15”), which requires management to evaluate, at each annual and interim reporting period, whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and provide related disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2017 and is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

Corporate_Office_Relocation

Corporate Office Relocation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Corporate office relocation	Corporate office relocation
	In May 2013, we announced our plan to relocate our corporate offices to Atlanta, Georgia, from the previous location in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The relocation of operations is occurring in phases over time and is expected to be substantially complete in 2015. We recorded employee severance, retention, relocation, and related costs of $7.6 million and $15.0 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. We also recorded lease exit and asset impairment costs totaling $8.7 million and $0.4 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. Severance, retention, relocation, and related costs are recorded within selling, general, and administrative expense, while lease exit and asset impairments are included in other expense, net. We expect the remaining costs to total less than $15.0 million. We have also incurred costs at the new location related to the recruitment and onboarding of new employees and certain redundant operating costs, the amount of which has not been material.

Inventory_And_Land_Held_For_Sa

Inventory And Land Held For Sale	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory and land held for sale	Inventory and land held for sale
	Major components of inventory at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were ($000’s omitted):
		2014			2013
	Homes under construction	$	1,084,137		$	1,042,147
	Land under development	2,545,049			2,189,387
	Raw land	762,914			747,027
		$	4,392,100		$	3,978,561
	In all periods presented, we capitalized all Homebuilding interest costs into inventory because the level of our active inventory exceeded our debt levels. Information related to interest capitalized into inventory is as follows ($000’s omitted):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Interest in inventory, beginning of period	$	230,922		$	331,880		$	355,068
	Interest capitalized	131,444			154,107			201,103
	Interest expensed (a)	(194,728		)	(255,065		)	(224,291		)
	Interest in inventory, end of period	167,638			230,922			331,880
	(a)	Interest expensed to Home sale cost of revenues for 2014, 2013, and 2012 included $1.3 million, $2.9 million, and $6.5 million, respectively, of capitalized interest write-offs resulting from land-related charges and sales.
	Land-related charges
	We recorded the following land-related charges:
		2014			2013			2012
	Land impairments	$	3,911		$	2,944		$	13,437
	Net realizable value adjustments ("NRV") - land held for sale	1,158			3,606			1,480
	Write-off of deposits and pre-acquisition costs	6,099			3,122			2,278
	Total land-related charges	$	11,168		$	9,672		$	17,195
	Land held for sale
	We periodically elect to sell parcels of land to third parties in the event such assets no longer fit into our strategic operating plans or are zoned for commercial or other development. Land held for sale at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows ($000’s omitted):
		2014			2013
	Land held for sale, gross	$	108,725		$	70,003
	Net realizable value reserves	(7,535		)	(8,268		)
	Land held for sale, net	$	101,190		$	61,735

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment information	Segment information
	Our Homebuilding operations are engaged in the acquisition and development of land primarily for residential purposes within the U.S. and the construction of housing on such land. Home sale revenues for detached and attached homes were $4.8 billion and $885.8 million in 2014, $4.5 billion and $939.0 million in 2013, and $3.6 billion and $925.4 million in 2012, respectively. For reporting purposes, our Homebuilding operations are aggregated into six reportable segments:
	Northeast:		Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
			Rhode Island, Virginia
	Southeast:		Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
	Florida:		Florida
	Texas:		Texas
	North:		Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Northern California, Ohio, Washington
	Southwest:		Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Southern California
	We also have a reportable segment for our Financial Services operations, which consist principally of mortgage banking and title operations. The Financial Services segment operates generally in the same markets as the Homebuilding segments. Evaluation of segment performance is generally based on income before income taxes. Each reportable segment generally follows the same accounting policies described in Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements.
		Operating Data by Segment ($000’s omitted)
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Revenues:
	Northeast	$	710,859		$	819,709		$	755,148
	Southeast	949,635			842,921			691,113
	Florida	917,956			802,665			628,997
	Texas	859,165			835,473			682,929
	North	1,436,500			1,232,814			1,022,633
	Southwest	822,610			1,005,062			878,290
		5,696,725			5,538,644			4,659,110
	Financial Services	125,638			140,951			160,888
	Consolidated revenues	$	5,822,363		$	5,679,595		$	4,819,998
	Income before income taxes:
	Northeast	$	103,865		$	110,246		$	73,345
	Southeast	156,513			121,055			64,678
	Florida	190,441			139,673			73,472
	Texas	133,005			111,431			60,979
	North	197,230			164,348			84,597
	Southwest	136,357			179,163			79,887
	Other homebuilding (a)	(282,234		)	(346,803		)	(278,967		)
		635,177			479,113			157,991
	Financial Services	54,581			48,709			25,563
	Consolidated income before income taxes	$	689,758		$	527,822		$	183,554
	(a)	Other homebuilding includes the amortization of intangible assets, amortization of capitalized interest, and other items not allocated to the operating segments. Other homebuilding also included the following: losses on debt retirements of $8.6 million, $26.9 million, and $32.1 million for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively; charges totaling $69.3 million to increase general liability insurance reserves in 2014; costs associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters totaling $16.3 million and $15.4 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively; and charges of $41.2 million in 2013 resulting from a contractual dispute related to a previously completed luxury community.
		Operating Data by Segment ($000's omitted)
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Land-related charges*:
	Northeast	$	2,824		$	557		$	1,794
	Southeast	1,826			998			1,363
	Florida	487			1,076			214
	Texas	321			191			556
	North	3,227			3,434			4,546
	Southwest	816			472			2,254
	Other homebuilding	1,667			2,944			6,468
		$	11,168		$	9,672		$	17,195
	*	Land-related charges include land impairments, net realizable value adjustments for land held for sale, and write-offs of deposits and pre-acquisition costs for land option contracts we elected not to pursue. Other homebuilding consists primarily of write-offs of capitalized interest related to such land-related charges. See Note 1 for additional discussion of these charges.
		Operating Data by Segment ($000's omitted)
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Northeast	$	1,852		$	1,987		$	1,790
	Southeast	2,666			1,647			1,028
	Florida	2,150			1,334			1,640
	Texas	1,698			1,784			1,619
	North	4,414			2,265			1,709
	Southwest	4,002			2,969			3,143
	Other homebuilding (a)	19,548			16,248			16,168
		36,330			28,234			27,097
	Financial Services	3,534			3,353			2,930
		$	39,864		$	31,587		$	30,027
	(a)	Other homebuilding includes amortization of intangible assets.
		Operating Data by Segment ($000's omitted)
Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities:
Northeast	$	(4,733	)	$	(58	)	$	(4	)
Southeast	—			—			—
Florida	(7		)	(4		)	—
Texas	—			—			—
North	(2,417		)	(608		)	(1,497		)
Southwest	(486		)	(678		)	(1,137		)
Other homebuilding	(583		)	355			(1,235		)
	(8,226		)	(993		)	(3,873		)
Financial Services	(182		)	(137		)	(186		)
	$	(8,408	)	$	(1,130	)	$	(4,059	)
	Operating Data by Segment
	($000's omitted)
	December 31, 2014
	Homes Under			Land Under			Raw Land			Total		Total
	Construction			Development						Inventory		Assets
Northeast	$	184,974		$	266,229		$	106,077		$	557,280	$	659,224
Southeast	147,506			304,762			117,981			570,249		605,067
Florida	150,743			350,016			112,225			612,984		717,531
Texas	134,873			250,102			91,765			476,740		528,392
North	280,970			478,665			137,044			896,679		996,908
Southwest	166,056			698,513			163,421			1,027,990		1,113,592
Other homebuilding (a)	19,015			196,762			34,401			250,178		3,527,731
	1,084,137			2,545,049			762,914			4,392,100		8,148,445
Financial Services	—			—			—			—		420,965
	$	1,084,137		$	2,545,049		$	762,914		$	4,392,100	$	8,569,410
	December 31, 2013
	Homes Under			Land Under			Raw Land			Total		Total
	Construction			Development						Inventory		Assets
Northeast	$	212,611		$	325,241		$	106,681		$	644,533	$	731,259
Southeast	139,484			274,981			146,617			561,082		599,271
Florida	140,366			295,631			104,766			540,763		618,449
Texas	130,398			223,979			57,480			411,857		466,198
North	227,537			350,239			78,945			656,721		716,239
Southwest	159,350			512,164			201,659			873,173		940,462
Other homebuilding (a)	32,401			207,152			50,879			290,432		4,334,591
	1,042,147			2,189,387			747,027			3,978,561		8,406,469
Financial Services	—			—			—			—		327,674
	$	1,042,147		$	2,189,387		$	747,027		$	3,978,561	$	8,734,143
	December 31, 2012
	Homes Under			Land Under			Raw Land			Total		Total
	Construction			Development						Inventory		Assets
Northeast	$	198,549		$	445,436		$	109,136		$	753,121	$	866,024
Southeast	147,227			286,210			120,193			553,630		590,650
Florida	130,276			310,625			100,633			541,534		620,220
Texas	145,594			256,704			54,556			456,854		523,843
North	219,172			369,144			46,414			634,730		680,447
Southwest	226,204			496,488			167,295			889,987		963,540
Other homebuilding (a)	49,162			270,771			64,257			384,190		2,140,739
	1,116,184			2,435,378			662,484			4,214,046		6,385,463
Financial Services	—			—			—			—		348,946
	$	1,116,184		$	2,435,378		$	662,484		$	4,214,046	$	6,734,409
(a)	Other homebuilding primarily includes cash and equivalents, capitalized interest, intangibles, deferred tax assets, and other corporate items that are not allocated to the operating segments.

Investments_In_Unconsolidated_

Investments In Unconsolidated Entities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments In unconsolidated entities	Investments in unconsolidated entities
	We participate in a number of joint ventures with independent third parties. Many of these joint ventures purchase, develop, and/or sell land and homes. A summary of our joint ventures is presented below ($000’s omitted):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Investments in joint ventures with debt non-recourse to PulteGroup	$	26,488	$	26,532
	Investments in other active joint ventures	13,880		18,791
	Total investments in unconsolidated entities	$	40,368	$	45,323
	Total joint venture debt	$	25,849	$	12,408
	PulteGroup proportionate share of joint venture debt:
	Joint venture debt with limited recourse guaranties	$	283	$	750
	Joint venture debt non-recourse to PulteGroup	11,341		3,654
	PulteGroup's total proportionate share of joint venture debt	$	11,624	$	4,404
	In 2014, 2013, and 2012, we recognized income from unconsolidated joint ventures of $8.4 million, $1.1 million, and $4.1 million, respectively. During 2014, 2013, and 2012, we made capital contributions of $0.0 million, $1.7 million, and $16.5 million, respectively, and received distributions of $13.1 million, $3.1 million, and $10.5 million, respectively.
	The timing of cash obligations under a joint venture and any related financing agreements varies by agreement. If additional capital contributions are required and approved, we would need to contribute our pro rata portion of those capital needs in order to not dilute our ownership in the joint ventures. While future capital contributions may be required, we believe the total amount of such contributions will be limited. Our maximum financial loss exposure related to joint ventures is unlikely to exceed the combined investment and limited recourse guaranty totals.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	Our senior notes are summarized as follows ($000’s omitted):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	5.20% unsecured senior notes due February 2015 (a)	$	—		$	95,633
	5.25% unsecured senior notes due June 2015 (a)	236,452			233,085
	6.50% unsecured senior notes due May 2016 (a)	462,009			459,581
	7.625% unsecured senior notes due October 2017 (b)	122,752			122,663
	7.875% unsecured senior notes due June 2032 (a)	299,239			299,196
	6.375% unsecured senior notes due May 2033 (a)	398,640			398,567
	6.00% unsecured senior notes due February 2035 (a)	299,469			299,443
	7.375% unsecured senior notes due June 2046 (a)	—			150,000
	Total senior notes – carrying value (c)	$	1,818,561		$	2,058,168
	Estimated fair value	$	1,952,774		$	2,070,744
	(a)	Redeemable prior to maturity; guaranteed on a senior basis by certain wholly-owned subsidiaries.
	(b)	Not redeemable prior to maturity; guaranteed on a senior basis by certain wholly-owned subsidiaries.
	(c)	The recorded carrying value reflects the impact of various discounts and premiums that are amortized to interest cost over the respective terms of the senior notes.
	The indentures governing the senior notes impose certain restrictions on the incurrence of additional debt along with other limitations. At December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all of the covenants and requirements under the senior notes. Total senior note principal maturities of $1.8 billion during the five years following 2014 and thereafter are as follows: 2015 - $238.0 million; 2016 - $465.2 million; 2017 - $123.0 million; 2018 - $0.0 million; 2019 - $0.0 million; and thereafter - $1.0 billion. Refer to Note 13 for supplemental consolidating financial information of the Company.
	Debt retirement
	During the last three years, we significantly reduced our outstanding senior notes through a variety of transactions. As a result of these transactions, we reduced our outstanding senior notes by $245.7 million, $461.4 million, and $592.4 million during 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, and recorded losses totaling $8.6 million, $26.9 million, and $32.1 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Losses on debt repurchase transactions include the write-off of unamortized discounts, premiums, and transaction fees and are reflected in other expense (income), net.
	Revolving credit facility
	In July 2014, we entered into a senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) maturing in July 2017.  The Revolving Credit Facility provides for maximum borrowings of $500 million and contains an uncommitted accordion feature that could increase the size of the Revolving Credit Facility to $1.0 billion, subject to certain conditions and availability of additional bank commitments.  The Revolving Credit Facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit that reduce available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility and may total no more than the greater of: (i) 50% of the size of the facility or (ii) $300 million in the aggregate. The interest rate on borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility may be based on either the London Interbank Offered Rate or Base Rate plus an applicable margin, as defined. At December 31, 2014, we had no borrowings outstanding and $208.4 million of letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility.
	The Revolving Credit Facility contains financial covenants that require us to maintain a minimum Tangible Net Worth, a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio, and a maximum Debt-to-Capitalization Ratio (as each term is defined in the Revolving Credit Facility). As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all covenants. Outstanding balances under the Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries.
	Other letter of credit facilities
	We maintain a separate cash-collateralized letter of credit agreement with a bank. Letters of credit totaling $3.7 million and $58.7 million were outstanding under this agreement (or similar previous agreements with different financial institutions) at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Under this agreement, we are required to maintain deposits with the financial institution in amounts approximating the letters of credit outstanding. Such deposits are included in restricted cash. An unsecured letter of credit facility we previously maintained with a bank expired in September 2014.
	Limited recourse notes payable
	Certain of our local homebuilding operations maintain limited recourse collateralized notes payable with third parties totaling $22.3 million and $7.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These notes have maturities ranging up to 6 years, are collateralized by the applicable land positions to which they relate, have no recourse to any other assets, and are classified within accrued and other liabilities. The stated interest rates on these notes range up to 5.00%.
	Pulte Mortgage
	Pulte Mortgage maintains a master repurchase agreement (the “Repurchase Agreement”) with third party lenders. In September 2014, Pulte Mortgage entered into an amendment to the Repurchase Agreement that extended the effective date to September 2015 and established a borrowing capacity of $150.0 million. The capacity will reduce to $99.8 million in February 2015, and will increase again to $150.0 million in June 2015. The purpose for the change in capacity during the term of the agreement is to lower associated fees during seasonally low volume periods when the additional capacity is unnecessary. Borrowings under the Repurchase Agreement are secured by residential mortgage loans available-for-sale. The Repurchase Agreement contains various affirmative and negative covenants applicable to Pulte Mortgage, including quantitative thresholds related to net worth, net income, and liquidity. Pulte Mortgage had $140.2 million and $105.7 million outstanding under the Repurchase Agreement at December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively, and was in compliance with all of its covenants and requirements as of such dates.
	The following is aggregate borrowing information for our mortgage operations ($000’s omitted):
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Available credit lines	$	150,000		$	150,000		$	150,000
	Unused credit lines	$	9,759		$	44,336		$	11,205
	Weighted-average interest rate	2.7		%	2.9		%	3		%

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Shareholders' equity	Shareholders’ equity
	We reinstated our quarterly cash dividend in July 2013. During 2013, we declared three cash dividends of $0.05 per common share each. During 2014, we declared cash dividends of $0.05 per common share in each of the first three quarters and $0.08 per common share in the fourth quarter for a total of $86.4 million.
	In previous years, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program. In October 2014, our Board of Directors approved an increase of $750.0 million to such authorization. We repurchased 12.9 million and 7.2 million shares under the repurchase authorizations for a total of $245.8 million and $118.1 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. There were no repurchases under these programs during 2012. At December 31, 2014, we had remaining authorization to repurchase $738.5 million of common shares.
	Under our stock-based compensation plans, we accept shares as payment under certain conditions related to stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock, generally related to the payment of minimum tax obligations. During 2014, 2013, and 2012, employees surrendered shares valued at $7.2 million, $9.6 million, and $1.0 million, respectively, under these plans. Such share transactions are excluded from the above noted share repurchase authorization.

Stock_Compensation_Plans

Stock Compensation Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock compensation plans	Stock compensation plans
	We maintain a stock award plan for both employees and non-employee directors. The plan provides for the grant of a variety of equity awards, including options (generally non-qualified options), restricted stock, performance shares, and restricted stock units ("RSUs") to key employees (as determined by the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors) for periods not exceeding ten years. Non-employee directors are entitled to an annual distribution of stock options, common stock, or restricted stock units. All options granted to non-employee directors vest immediately and are exercisable on the grant date for ten years. Options granted to employees generally vest incrementally over four years. Restricted stock and RSUs generally cliff vest after three years. Restricted stock holders have voting rights during the vesting period and both restricted stock and RSU holders receive cash dividends during the vesting period. Performance shares vest upon attainment of the stated performance targets and minimum service requirements and are converted into shares of common stock upon distribution. RSUs represent the right to receive an equal number of shares of common stock and are converted into shares of common stock upon distribution. As of December 31, 2014, there were 23.5 million shares that remained available for grant under the plan.
	Our stock compensation expense for the three years ended December 31, 2014 is presented below ($000's omitted):
		2014				2013				2012
	Stock options	$	121			$	1,056			$	2,617
	Restricted stock (including RSUs and performance shares)	13,690				13,418				10,077
	Long-term incentive plans	15,481				16,006				10,203
		$	29,292			$	30,480			$	22,897
	Stock options
	A summary of stock option activity for the three years ended December 31, 2014 is presented below (000’s omitted except per share data):
		2014								2013								2012
		Shares				Weighted-				Shares				Weighted-				Shares			Weighted-
						Average								Average							Average
						Per Share								Per Share							Per Share
						Exercise Price								Exercise Price							Exercise Price
	Outstanding, beginning of year	12,887				$	23			17,148				$	22			21,641			$	21
	Granted	—				—				—				—				—			—
	Exercised	(1,422		)		11				(1,432		)		14				(2,877		)	11
	Forfeited	(2,095		)		29				(2,829		)		25				(1,616		)	27
	Outstanding, end of year	9,370				$	23			12,887				$	23			17,148			$	22
	Options exercisable at year end	9,265				$	23			12,402				$	23			15,719			$	23
	Weighted-average per share fair value of	$	—							$	—							$	—
	options granted during the year
	The following table summarizes information about the weighted-average remaining contractual lives of stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014:
		Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
		Number			Weighted-		Weighted-				Number			Weighted-
		Outstanding			Average		Average				Exercisable			Average Per
		(000's omitted)			Remaining		Per Share				(000's omitted)			Share
					Contract Life		Exercise Price							Exercise Price
					(in years)
	$0.01 to $11.00	907			4		$	10			802			$	10
	$11.01 to $18.00	4,003			4.6		12				4,003			12
	$18.01 to $25.00	417			0.3		23				417			23
	$25.01 to $35.00	1,997			1.9		34				1,997			34
	$35.01 to $45.00	2,046			0.9		40				2,046			40
		9,370			3		$	23			9,265			$	23
	We did not issue any stock options during 2014, 2013, or 2012. As a result, there is no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option awards at December 31, 2014. The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options that were exercised during 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $14.1 million, $10.8 million, and $8.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, options outstanding had an intrinsic value of $48.8 million, of which $47.3 million related to options exercisable.
	Restricted stock (including RSUs and performance shares)
	A summary of restricted stock activity, including RSUs and performance shares, for the three years ended December 31, 2014 is presented below (000’s omitted, except per share data):
		2014							2013							2012
		Shares			Weighted-				Shares			Weighted-				Shares			Weighted-
					Average							Average							Average
					Per Share							Per Share							Per Share
					Grant Date							Grant Date							Grant Date
					Fair Value							Fair Value							Fair Value
	Outstanding, beginning of	3,211			$	11			3,822			$	9			3,042			$	9
	year
	Granted	974			$	19			806			$	21			1,461			$	10
	Distributed	(1,019	)		$	10			(1,391	)		$	11			(544	)		$	11
	Forfeited	(276	)		$	15			(26	)		$	15			(137	)		$	10
	Outstanding, end of year	2,890			$	15			3,211			$	11			3,822			$	9
	Vested, end of year	75			$	13			60			$	12			51			$	10
	During 2014, 2013, and 2012, the total fair value of shares vested during the year was $8.1 million, $12.7 million, and $3.7 million, respectively. Unamortized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards was $13.9 million at December 31, 2014. These costs will be expensed over a weighted-average period of approximately 2 years.
	Certain individuals have received grants of performance shares. The fair value of each performance share was calculated using the stock price on the grant date. We recognize expense when it becomes probable that the stated performance targets will be achieved. Unamortized compensation cost related to performance shares considered probable was $0.2 million at December 31, 2014 and will be expensed over a weighted-average period of less than one year. Additionally, there were 75,080 RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2014 that had vested but had not yet been paid out because the payout date had been deferred by the holder.
	Long-term incentive plans
	We maintain a long-term incentive plan for certain of our field employees that provides awards based on the achievement of stated performance targets over a three-year period.  Awards are earned each year in the form of share units that are paid out in cash at the end of the performance period based upon the number of share units earned times the stock price at the end of the performance period.  Accordingly, the liability associated with the awards is adjusted each reporting period based on movements in the stock price and totaled $9.5 million and $12.6 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	We also maintain a long-term performance award plan for senior management that provides awards based on the achievement of stated performance targets over a three-year period.  Awards are earned based on our cumulative performance over the performance period and are stated in dollars but settled in common shares based on the stock price at the end of the performance period.  If the stock price falls below a floor of $5.00 per share at the end of the performance period or we do not have a sufficient number of shares available under our stock incentive plans at the time of settlement, then a portion of each award will be paid in cash.  We recognize expense for these awards based on the probability of achievement of the stated performance targets. The liability for these awards totaled $26.2 million and $14.3 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes	Income taxes
	Components of current and deferred income tax expense (benefit) are as follows ($000’s omitted):
		2014				2013				2012
	Current provision (benefit)
	Federal	$	5,619			$	5,725			$	(8,523	)
	State and other	(13,968		)		(1,596		)		(14,068		)
		$	(8,349	)		$	4,129			$	(22,591	)
	Deferred provision (benefit)
	Federal	$	232,969			$	(1,833,580	)		$	—
	State and other	(9,200		)		(262,843		)		—
		$	223,769			$	(2,096,423	)		$	—
	Income tax expense (benefit)	$	215,420			$	(2,092,294	)		$	(22,591	)
	The following table reconciles the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate:
		2014			2013			2012
	Income taxes at federal statutory rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Effect of state and local income taxes, net of federal tax	3			4			3
	Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	(6.6	)		(438.0	)		(37.7	)
	Tax contingencies	(1.4	)		0.3			(10.6	)
	Other	1.2			2.3			(2.0	)
	Effective rate	31.2	%		(396.4	)%		(12.3	)%
	Our effective tax rate is affected by a number of factors, the most significant of which are the valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets, changes in tax laws or other circumstances that impact the value of our deferred tax assets, and changes in our unrecognized tax benefits. Due to the effects of these factors, our effective tax rates in 2014, 2013, and 2012 are not correlated to the amount of our income before income taxes. The income tax expense for 2014 reflects a reversal of a portion of our valuation allowance, primarily related to certain of our state deferred tax assets, along with the favorable resolution of certain federal and state income tax matters. The income tax benefit for 2013 resulted from the reversal of substantially all of the valuation allowance related to our federal deferred tax assets and certain of our state deferred tax assets, while the income tax benefit for 2012 resulted primarily from the favorable resolution of certain federal and state income tax matters.
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect temporary differences arising from the different treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. Components of our net deferred tax asset are as follows ($000’s omitted):
		At December 31,
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Non-deductible reserves and other	$	445,128			$	475,730
	Inventory valuation reserves	599,763				770,566
	Net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards:
	Federal	515,568				726,398
	State	257,738				292,195
	Alternative minimum tax credits	34,812				28,683
	Energy credit and charitable contribution carryforward	27,858				39,978
		1,880,867				2,333,550
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Capitalized items, including real estate basis differences,	(31,584		)		(39,449		)
	deducted for tax, net
	Trademarks and tradenames	(46,362		)		(50,047		)
		(77,946		)		(89,496		)
	Valuation allowance	(82,253		)		(157,300		)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	1,720,668			$	2,086,754
	Our gross federal NOL carryforward is approximately $1.5 billion and expires between 2028 and 2032. A portion of the federal NOL is subject to the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 382. We also have significant state NOLs in various jurisdictions. These state NOLs may generally be carried forward from 5 to 20 years, depending on the jurisdiction, and expire between 2014 and 2034. In addition, we have energy credit carryforwards expiring in 2026 to 2034 and alternative minimum tax credits, which can be carried forward indefinitely.
	As a result of our merger with Centex in 2009, our ability to use certain of Centex’s pre-ownership change NOL carryforwards and built-in losses or deductions is limited by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our Section 382 limitation is approximately $67.4 million per year for NOLs, losses realized on built-in loss assets that are sold within 60 months of the ownership change, and certain deductions. We do not believe that the Section 382 limitation will prevent the Company from using Centex’s pre-ownership change federal NOL carryforwards and built-in losses or deductions.
	We evaluate our deferred tax assets each period to determine if a valuation allowance is required based on whether it is "more likely than not" that some portion of the deferred tax assets would not be realized. The ultimate realization of these deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient taxable income during future periods.  We conduct our evaluation by considering all available positive and negative evidence. This evaluation considers, among other factors, historical operating results, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, and the outlooks for the U.S. housing industry and broader economy.
	In 2014, we recorded an income tax benefit of $45.6 million as the result of a reversal of valuation allowance related primarily to certain of our state deferred tax assets as the result of an increase in expected future taxable income in certain jurisdictions. At December 31, 2014, our remaining valuation allowance relates primarily to state net operating loss carryforwards that have not met the "more likely than not" realization threshold, primarily due to state related section 382 limitations. The accounting for deferred taxes is based upon estimates of future results.  Differences between estimated and actual results could result in changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets that could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position. Changes in existing tax laws could also affect actual tax results and the realization of deferred tax assets over time.
	In 2013, we recorded an income tax benefit of $2.1 billion as the result of a reversal of valuation allowance. Based on our evaluation through June 30, 2013, we had fully reserved our net deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of their realization. One of the primary pieces of negative evidence we considered was the significant losses we incurred in recent years, including being in a three-year cumulative pre-tax loss position, which we exited in 2013. In the third quarter of 2013, we determined that the valuation allowance against substantially all of our federal deferred tax assets and a significant portion of our state deferred tax assets was no longer required. Accordingly, we reversed $2.1 billion of valuation allowance in the third quarter. When a change in valuation allowance is recognized in an interim period, a portion of the valuation allowance to be reversed must be allocated to the remaining interim periods. Accordingly, an additional $73.7 million of the remaining valuation allowance reversed in the fourth quarter of 2013, which was offset by income tax expense based on fourth quarter earnings.
	We conducted our evaluations by considering all available positive and negative evidence. The principal positive evidence that led to the reversal of the valuation allowance in 2013 included: (1) our emergence from a three-year cumulative loss in 2013; (2) the significant positive income we generated during 2012 and 2013, including seven consecutive quarters of pretax income as of December 31, 2013; (3) continued improvements in 2013 over recent years in other key operating metrics, including revenues, gross margin, and overhead leverage; (4) our forecasted future profitability; (5) improvement in our financial position; and (6) significant evidence that conditions in the U.S. housing industry are more favorable than in recent years and our belief that conditions will continue to be favorable over the long-term. Even if industry conditions weaken from current levels, we believe we will be able to adjust our operations to sustain long-term profitability.
	Unrecognized tax benefits represent the difference between tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefits recognized for financial statement purposes. At December 31, 2014, we had $32.9 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits, of which $21.4 million (net of federal benefit) would impact the effective tax rate if recognized. At December 31, 2013, we had $173.3 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits, of which $21.5 million would impact the effective rate if recognized. Income tax liabilities decreased from $206.0 million at December 31, 2013 to $48.7 million at December 31, 2014, primarily as the result of the resolution of certain income tax matters. It is reasonably possible within the next twelve months that our gross unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by up to $4.1 million, excluding interest and penalties, primarily due to potential settlements. Additionally, we had accrued interest and penalties of $17.3 million and $33.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our net tax-related interest and penalties totaled a benefit of $15.8 million and an expense of $3.0 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. A reconciliation of the change in the unrecognized tax benefits is as follows ($000’s omitted):
		2014				2013				2012
	Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period	$	173,310			$	170,425			$	171,863
	Increases related to tax positions taken during a prior period	—				12,877				8,782
	Decreases related to tax positions taken during a prior period	(133,883		)		(7,502		)		(9,373		)
	Increases related to tax positions taken during the current	237				381				11,797
	period
	Decreases related to settlements with taxing authorities	(6,753		)		(1,434		)		—
	Reductions as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of	—				(1,437		)		(12,644		)
	limitations
	Unrecognized tax benefits, end of period	$	32,911			$	173,310			$	170,425
	We are currently under examination by the IRS and various state taxing jurisdictions and anticipate finalizing certain of the examinations within the next twelve months. The final outcome of these examinations is not yet determinable. The statute of limitations for our major tax jurisdictions remains open for examination for tax years 2004 to 2014.

Fair_Value_Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value disclosures	Fair value disclosures
	ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” provides a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy can be summarized as follows:
	Level 1	Fair value determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2	Fair value determined using significant observable inputs, generally either quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities or quoted prices in markets that are not active.
	Level 3	Fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs, such as pricing models, discounted cash flows, or similar techniques
	Our assets and liabilities measured or disclosed at fair value are summarized below ($000’s omitted):
	Financial Instrument	Fair Value	Fair Value
		Hierarchy	December 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale	Level 2	$	339,531		$	287,933
	Interest rate lock commitments	Level 2	4,248			3,139
	Forward contracts	Level 2	(3,574		)	4,340
	Whole loan commitments	Level 2	(588		)	105
	Measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:
	House and land inventory	Level 3	$	13,925		$	—
	Disclosed at fair value:
	Cash and equivalents (including restricted cash)	Level 1	$	1,309,220		$	1,653,044
	Financial Services debt	Level 2	140,241			105,664
	Senior notes	Level 2	1,952,774			2,070,744
	Fair values for agency residential mortgage loans available-for-sale are determined based on quoted market prices for comparable instruments. Fair values for non-agency residential mortgage loans available-for-sale are determined based on purchase commitments from whole loan investors and other relevant market information available to management. Fair values for interest rate lock commitments, including the value of servicing rights, are based on market prices for similar instruments. Forward contracts on mortgage-backed securities are valued based on market prices for similar instruments. Fair values for whole loan investor commitments are based on market prices for similar instruments from the specific whole loan investor.
	Certain assets are required to be recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The non-recurring fair value included in the above table represent only those assets whose carrying values were adjusted to fair value as of the respective balance sheet dates. See Note 1 for a more detailed discussion of the valuation methods used for inventory.
	The carrying amounts of cash and equivalents, Financial Services debt, and the Revolving Credit Facility approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature and floating interest rate terms. The fair values of senior notes are based on quoted market prices, when available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of similar issues. The carrying value of senior notes was $1.8 billion and $2.1 billion, at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Other_Assets_and_Accrued_and_O

Other Assets and Accrued and Other Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Assets and Accrued and Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Other assets and accrued and other liabilities	Other assets and accrued and other liabilities
	Other assets are presented below ($000’s omitted):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Accounts and notes receivable:
	Insurance receivables	$	60,598	$	51,764
	Notes receivable	30,699		32,944
	Other receivables	63,867		52,720
		$	155,164	$	137,428
	Prepaid expenses	72,585		65,965
	Deposits and pre-acquisition costs (Note 1)	127,280		91,034
	Property and equipment, net (Note 1)	75,219		53,051
	Income taxes receivable (Note 9)	21,330		35,437
	Other	61,454		77,706
		$	513,032	$	460,621
	We record receivables from various parties in the normal course of business, including amounts due from insurance companies (see Note 12), municipalities, and vendors. In certain instances, we may accept consideration for land sales or other transactions in the form of a note receivable.
	Accrued and other liabilities are presented below ($000’s omitted):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Self-insurance liabilities (Note 12)	$	710,245	$	668,100
	Loan origination liabilities (Note 12)	58,222		124,956
	Compensation-related	142,586		171,686
	Warranty (Note 12)	65,389		63,992
	Community development district obligations (Note 12)	17,122		26,124
	Liability for land, not owned, under option agreements (Note 1)	30,186		24,024
	Accrued interest	20,446		22,283
	Limited recourse notes payable	22,255		7,521
	Other	277,323		269,064
		$	1,343,774	$	1,377,750

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and contingencies	Commitments and contingencies
	Leases
	We lease certain property and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. The future minimum lease payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2014 are as follows ($000’s omitted):
	Years Ending December 31,
	2015	$	28,744
	2016	25,713
	2017	18,817
	2018	14,870
	2019	12,846
	Thereafter	42,733
	Total minimum lease payments (a)	$	143,723
	(a)	Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $5.3 million due in the future under non-cancelable subleases.
	Net rental expense for 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $25.3 million, $23.0 million, and $24.2 million, respectively. Certain leases contain renewal or purchase options and generally provide that we pay for insurance, taxes, and maintenance.
	Loan origination liabilities
	Our mortgage operations may be responsible for losses associated with mortgage loans originated and sold to investors in the event of errors or omissions relating to representations and warranties made by us that the loans met certain requirements, including representations as to underwriting standards, the existence of primary mortgage insurance, and the validity of certain borrower representations in connection with the loan. If a loan is determined to be faulty, we either repurchase the loans from the investors or reimburse the investors' losses (a “make-whole” payment).
	Because we generally do not retain the servicing rights to the loans we originate, information regarding the current and historical performance, credit quality, and outstanding balances of such loans is limited. Estimating these loan origination liabilities is further complicated by uncertainties surrounding numerous external factors, such as various macroeconomic factors (including unemployment rates and changes in home prices), actions taken by third parties, including the parties servicing the loans, and the U.S. federal government in its dual capacity as regulator of the U.S. mortgage industry and conservator of the government-sponsored enterprises commonly known as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which own or guarantee the majority of mortgage loans in the U.S. Most requests received to date relate to make-whole payments on loans that have been foreclosed. Requests undergo extensive analysis to confirm the exposure, attempt to cure the identified defect, and, when necessary, determine our liability. We establish liabilities for such anticipated losses based upon, among other things, the level of current unresolved repurchase requests, the volume of estimated probable future repurchase requests, our ability to cure the defects identified in the repurchase requests, and the severity of the estimated loss upon repurchase. Determining these estimates and the resulting liability requires a significant level of management judgment.
	During 2014, we reduced our loan origination liabilities by $18.6 million based on settlements of various pending repurchase requests and current conditions. During 2012, we recorded $49.0 million of provisions for losses as a change in estimate primarily to reflect projected claim volumes in excess of previous estimates. Reserves provided and related adjustments are reflected in Financial Services expenses. Given the ongoing volatility in the mortgage industry, changes in values of underlying collateral over time, and other uncertainties regarding the ultimate resolution of these claims, actual costs could differ from our current estimates.
	Changes in these liabilities were as follows ($000's omitted):
		2014			2013			2012
	Liabilities, beginning of period	$	124,956		$	164,280		$	128,330
	Reserves provided (released)	(18,604		)	—			49,025
	Payments	(48,130		)	(39,324		)	(13,075		)
	Liabilities, end of period	$	58,222		$	124,956		$	164,280
	The mortgage subsidiary of Centex also sold loans to a bank for inclusion in residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBSs”) issued by the bank. In connection with these sales, Centex's mortgage subsidiary entered into agreements pursuant to which it may be required to indemnify the bank for losses incurred by investors in the RMBSs arising out of material errors or omissions in certain information provided by the mortgage subsidiary relating to the loans and loan origination process. In 2011, the bank notified us that it had been named defendant in two lawsuits alleging various violations of federal and state securities laws asserting that untrue statements of material fact were included in the registration statements used to market the sale of two RMBS transactions which included $162 million of loans originated by Centex's mortgage subsidiary. The plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory and/or rescissory damages on behalf of persons who purchased the securities. Neither Centex's mortgage subsidiary nor the Company is named as a defendant in these actions. We cannot yet quantify Centex's mortgage subsidiary's potential liability as a result of these indemnification obligations. We do not believe, however, that these matters will have a material adverse impact on the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows of the Company. We are aware of six other RMBS transactions with similar indemnity provisions that include an aggregate $116 million of loans originated by Centex's mortgage subsidiary, and we are not aware of any current or threatened legal proceedings regarding those transactions.
	Community development and other special district obligations
	A community development district or similar development authority (“CDD”) is a unit of local government created under various state statutes that utilizes the proceeds from the sale of bonds to finance the construction or acquisition of infrastructure assets of a development. A portion of the liability associated with the bonds, including principal and interest, is assigned to each parcel of land within the development. This debt is typically paid by subsequent special assessments levied by the CDD on the landowners. Generally, we are only responsible for paying the special assessments for the period during which we are the landowner of the applicable parcels. However, in certain limited instances we record a liability for future assessments. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had $17.1 million and $26.1 million, respectively, in accrued liabilities for outstanding CDD obligations.
	Letters of credit and surety bonds
	In the normal course of business, we post letters of credit and surety bonds pursuant to certain performance-related obligations, as security for certain land option agreements, and under various insurance programs. The majority of these letters of credit and surety bonds are in support of our land development and construction obligations to various municipalities, other government agencies, and utility companies related to the construction of roads, sewers, and other infrastructure. We had outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds totaling $212.1 million and $1.0 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2014, and $183.1 million and $958.3 million, respectively, at December 31, 2013. In the event any such letter of credit or surety bonds are called, we would be obligated to reimburse the issuer of the letter of credit or surety bond. We do not believe that a material amount, if any, of the letters of credit or surety bonds will be called. Our surety bonds generally do not have stated expiration dates; rather we are released from the surety bonds as the underlying contractual performance is completed. Because significant construction and development work has been performed related to the applicable projects but has not yet received final acceptance by the respective counterparties, the aggregate amount of surety bonds outstanding is in excess of the projected cost of the remaining work to be performed.
	Litigation and regulatory matters
	We are involved in various litigation and legal claims in the normal course of our business operations, including actions brought on behalf of various classes of claimants. We are also subject to a variety of local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to land development activities, house construction standards, sales practices, mortgage lending operations, employment practices, and protection of the environment. As a result, we are subject to periodic examination or inquiry by various governmental agencies that administer these laws and regulations.
	We establish liabilities for legal claims and regulatory matters when such matters are both probable of occurring and any potential loss is reasonably estimable. We accrue for such matters based on the facts and circumstances specific to each matter and revise these estimates as the matters evolve. In such cases, there may exist an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts currently accrued. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of these legal and regulatory matters, we generally cannot predict the ultimate resolution of the pending matters, the related timing, or the eventual loss. While the outcome of such contingencies cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the resolution of such matters will have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. However, to the extent the liability arising from the ultimate resolution of any matter exceeds the estimates reflected in the recorded reserves relating to such matter, we could incur additional charges that could be significant.
	During 2013, we settled a number of claims related to a previously completed luxury community in a market we have since exited. The claims related to a contractual dispute with certain homeowners. As a result of these settlements, we recorded charges of $41.2 million during 2013.
	Allowance for warranties
	Home purchasers are provided with a limited warranty against certain building defects, including a one-year comprehensive limited warranty and coverage for certain other aspects of the home’s construction and operating systems for periods of up to 10 years. We estimate the costs to be incurred under these warranties and record liabilities in the amount of such costs at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect our warranty liabilities include the number of homes sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and the cost per claim. We periodically assess the adequacy of the warranty liabilities for each geographic market in which we operate and adjust the amounts as necessary. Actual warranty costs in the future could differ from the current estimates. Changes to warranty liabilities were as follows ($000’s omitted):
		2014			2013			2012
	Warranty liabilities, beginning of period	$	63,992		$	64,098		$	68,025
	Reserves provided	51,348			49,399			45,705
	Payments	(47,968		)	(44,925		)	(45,365		)
	Other adjustments	(1,983		)	(4,580		)	(4,267		)
	Warranty liabilities, end of period	$	65,389		$	63,992		$	64,098
	Self-insured risks
	We maintain, and require our subcontractors to maintain, general liability insurance coverage. We also maintain builders' risk, property, errors and omissions, workers compensation, and other business insurance coverage. These insurance policies protect us against a portion of the risk of loss from claims. However, we retain a significant portion of the overall risk for such claims either through policies issued by our captive insurance subsidiaries or through our own self-insured per occurrence and aggregate retentions, deductibles, and claims in excess of available insurance policy limits.
	Our general liability insurance includes coverage for certain construction defects. While construction defect claims can relate to a variety of circumstances, the majority of our claims relate to alleged problems with siding, plumbing, foundations and other concrete work, windows, roofing, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The availability of general liability insurance for the homebuilding industry and its subcontractors has become increasingly limited, and the insurance policies available require companies to maintain significant per occurrence and aggregate retention levels. In certain instances, we may offer our subcontractors the opportunity to purchase insurance through one of our captive insurance subsidiaries or participate in a project-specific insurance program provided by the Company. Policies issued by the captive insurance subsidiaries represent self-insurance of these risks by the Company. This self-insured exposure is limited by reinsurance policies that we purchase. General liability coverage for the homebuilding industry is complex, and our coverage varies from policy year to policy year. Our insurance coverage requires a per occurrence deductible up to an overall aggregate retention level. Beginning with the first dollar, amounts paid to satisfy insured claims apply to our per occurrence and aggregate retention obligations. Any amounts incurred in excess of the occurrence or aggregate retention levels are covered by insurance up to our purchased coverage levels. Our insurance policies, including the captive insurance subsidiaries' reinsurance policies, are maintained with highly-rated underwriters for whom we believe counterparty default risk is not significant.
	At any point in time, we are managing over 1,000 individual claims related to general liability, property, errors and omission, workers compensation, and other business insurance coverage. We reserve for costs associated with such claims (including expected claims management expenses) on an undiscounted basis at the time revenue is recognized for each home closing and evaluate the recorded liabilities based on actuarial analyses of our historical claims. The actuarial analyses calculate estimates of the ultimate net cost of all unpaid losses, including estimates for incurred but not reported losses ("IBNR"). IBNR represents losses related to claims incurred but not yet reported plus development on reported claims. These estimates comprise a significant portion of our liability and are subject to a high degree of uncertainty due to a variety of factors, including changes in claims reporting and resolution patterns, third party recoveries, insurance industry practices, the regulatory environment, and legal precedent. State regulations vary, but construction defect claims are reported and resolved over an extended period often exceeding ten years. In certain instances, we have the ability to recover a portion of our costs under various insurance policies or from subcontractors or other third parties. Estimates of such amounts are recorded when recovery is considered probable.
	Our recorded reserves for all such claims totaled $710.2 million and $668.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, the vast majority of which relates to general liability claims. The recorded reserves include loss estimates related to both (i) existing claims and related claim expenses and (ii) IBNR and related claim expenses. Liabilities related to IBNR and related claim expenses represented approximately 72% and 78% of the total general liability reserves at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The actuarial analyses that determine the IBNR portion of reserves consider a variety of factors, including the frequency and severity of losses, which are based on our historical claims experience supplemented by industry data. The actuarial analyses of the reserves also consider historical third party recovery rates and claims management expenses.
	During 2014, we recorded a change in estimate increasing general liability insurance reserves by $69.3 million, which is reflected in "Reserves provided" in the below table. Such additional reserves were primarily driven by estimated costs associated with siding repairs in certain previously completed communities that, in turn, impacted actuarial estimates for potential future claims. Adjustments to reserves are recorded in the period in which the change in estimate occurs. Changes in the frequency and timing of reported claims and estimates of specific claim values can impact the underlying inputs and trends utilized in the actuarial analyses, which could have a material impact on the recorded reserves. Additionally, the amount of insurance coverage available for each policy period also impacts our recorded reserves. Because of the inherent uncertainty in estimating future losses related and the timing of such losses related to these claims, actual costs could differ significantly from estimated costs. Costs associated with our insurance programs are classified within selling, general, and administrative expenses. Changes in these liabilities were as follows ($000's omitted):
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance, beginning of period	$	668,100		$	721,284		$	739,029
	Reserves provided	141,790			64,737			54,262
	Payments	(99,645		)	(117,921		)	(72,007		)
	Balance, end of period	$	710,245		$	668,100		$	721,284

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa

Supplemental Guarantor Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Guarantor Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Guarantor information	Supplemental Guarantor information
	All of our senior notes are guaranteed jointly and severally on a senior basis by each of the Company's wholly-owned Homebuilding subsidiaries and certain other wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”). Such guaranties are full and unconditional. Supplemental consolidating financial information of the Company, including such information for the Guarantors, is presented below. Investments in subsidiaries are presented using the equity method of accounting. Separate financial statements of the Guarantors are not provided as the consolidating financial information contained herein provides a more meaningful disclosure to allow investors to determine the nature of the assets held by, and the operations of, the combined groups.
	CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	DECEMBER 31, 2014
	($000’s omitted)
		Unconsolidated									Eliminating			Consolidated
											Entries			PulteGroup,
		PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor						Inc.
		Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Cash and equivalents	$	7,454		$	1,157,307		$	128,101		$	—		$	1,292,862
	Restricted cash	3,710			1,513			11,135			—			16,358
	House and land inventory	—			4,391,445			655			—			4,392,100
	Land held for sale	—			100,156			1,034			—			101,190
	Land, not owned, under option	—			30,186			—			—			30,186
	agreements
	Residential mortgage loans available-	—			—			339,531			—			339,531
	for-sale
	Securities purchased under agreements to resell	22,000			—			(22,000		)	—			—
	Investments in unconsolidated entities	74			36,126			4,168			—			40,368
	Other assets	34,214			421,145			57,673			—			513,032
	Intangible assets	—			123,115			—			—			123,115
	Deferred tax assets, net	1,712,853			15			7,800			—			1,720,668
	Investments in subsidiaries and	4,963,831			967,032			6,359,441			(12,290,304		)	—
	intercompany accounts, net
		$	6,744,136		$	7,228,040		$	6,887,538		$	(12,290,304	)	$	8,569,410
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Liabilities:
	Accounts payable, customer deposits,	$	71,874		$	1,514,954		$	170,104		$	—		$	1,756,932
	accrued and other liabilities
	Income tax liabilities	48,747			(25		)	—			—			48,722
	Financial Services debt	—			—			140,241			—			140,241
	Senior notes	1,818,561			—			—			—			1,818,561
	Total liabilities	1,939,182			1,514,929			310,345			—			3,764,456
	Total shareholders’ equity	4,804,954			5,713,111			6,577,193			(12,290,304		)	4,804,954
		$	6,744,136		$	7,228,040		$	6,887,538		$	(12,290,304	)	$	8,569,410
	CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	DECEMBER 31, 2013
	($000’s omitted)
		Unconsolidated									Eliminating			Consolidated
											Entries			PulteGroup,
		PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor						Inc.
		Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Cash and equivalents	$	262,364		$	1,188,999		$	128,966		$	—		$	1,580,329
	Restricted cash	58,699			2,635			11,381			—			72,715
	House and land inventory	—			3,977,851			710			—			3,978,561
	Land held for sale	—			60,701			1,034			—			61,735
	Land, not owned, under option	—			24,024			—			—			24,024
	agreements
	Residential mortgage loans available-	—			—			287,933			—			287,933
	for-sale
	Investments in unconsolidated entities	68			41,319			3,936			—			45,323
	Other assets	50,251			359,228			51,142			—			460,621
	Intangible assets	—			136,148			—			—			136,148
	Deferred tax assets, net	2,074,137			17			12,600			—			2,086,754
	Investments in subsidiaries and	4,532,950			(16,513		)	5,939,784			(10,456,221		)	—
	intercompany accounts, net
		$	6,978,469		$	5,774,409		$	6,437,486		$	(10,456,221	)	$	8,734,143
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Liabilities:
	Accounts payable, customer deposits,	$	65,334		$	1,413,752		$	236,258		$	—		$	1,715,344
	accrued and other liabilities
	Income tax liabilities	206,015			—			—			—			206,015
Financial Services debt	—			—			105,664			—			105,664
Senior notes	2,058,168			—			—			—			2,058,168
Total liabilities	2,329,517			1,413,752			341,922			—			4,085,191
Total shareholders’ equity	4,648,952			4,360,657			6,095,564			(10,456,221		)	4,648,952
	$	6,978,469		$	5,774,409		$	6,437,486		$	(10,456,221	)	$	8,734,143
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the year ended December 31, 2014
($000’s omitted)
	Unconsolidated												Consolidated
													PulteGroup,
	PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries
Revenues:
Homebuilding
Home sale revenues	$	—		$	5,662,171		$	—		$	—		$	5,662,171
Land sale revenues	—			34,554			—			—			34,554
	—			5,696,725			—			—			5,696,725
Financial Services	—			889			124,749			—			125,638
	—			5,697,614			124,749			—			5,822,363
Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
Home sale cost of revenues	—			4,343,249			—			—			4,343,249
Land sale cost of revenues	—			23,748			—			—			23,748
	—			4,366,997			—			—			4,366,997
Financial Services expenses	784			(130		)	70,585			—			71,239
Selling, general, and administrative	—			661,308			6,507			—			667,815
expenses
Other expense, net	8,521			29,273			951			—			38,745
Interest income	(337		)	(4,244		)	(51		)	—			(4,632		)
Interest expense	849			—			—			—			849
Intercompany interest	9,800			(90		)	(9,710		)	—			—
Equity in (earnings) loss of	(7		)	(8,182		)	(219		)	—			(8,408		)
unconsolidated entities
Income (loss) before income taxes and	(19,610		)	652,682			56,686			—			689,758
equity in income (loss) of
subsidiaries
Income tax expense (benefit)	(7,473		)	201,332			21,561			—			215,420
Income (loss) before equity in income	(12,137		)	451,350			35,125			—			474,338
(loss) of subsidiaries
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries	486,475			38,534			403,505			(928,514		)	—
Net income (loss)	474,338			489,884			438,630			(928,514		)	474,338
Other comprehensive income (loss)	105			—			—			—			105
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	474,443		$	489,884		$	438,630		$	(928,514	)	$	474,443
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the year ended December 31, 2013
($000’s omitted)
	Unconsolidated												Consolidated
													PulteGroup,
	PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries
Revenues:
Homebuilding
Home sale revenues	$	—		$	5,424,309		$	—		$	—		$	5,424,309
Land sale revenues	—			114,335			—			—			114,335
	—			5,538,644			—			—			5,538,644
Financial Services	—			2,353			138,598			—			140,951
	—			5,540,997			138,598			—			5,679,595
Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
Home sale cost of revenues	—			4,310,528			—			—			4,310,528
Land sale cost of revenues	—			104,426			—			—			104,426
	—			4,414,954			—			—			4,414,954
Financial Services expenses	832			970			90,577			—			92,379
Selling, general, and administrative	—			573,904			(5,404		)	—			568,500
expenses
Other expense, net	26,870			49,681			4,202			—			80,753
Interest income	(349		)	(3,954		)	(92		)	—			(4,395		)
Interest expense	712			—			—			—			712
Intercompany interest	17,518			(8,260		)	(9,258		)	—			—
Equity in (earnings) loss of	1,461			(1,783		)	(808		)	—			(1,130		)
unconsolidated entities
Income (loss) before income taxes and	(47,044		)	515,485			59,381			—			527,822
equity in income (loss) of
subsidiaries
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,113,827		)	(799		)	22,332			—			(2,092,294		)
Income (loss) before equity in income	2,066,783			516,284			37,049			—			2,620,116
(loss) of subsidiaries
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries	553,333			35,086			485,400			(1,073,819		)	—
Net income (loss)	2,620,116			551,370			522,449			(1,073,819		)	2,620,116
Other comprehensive income (loss)	197			—			—			—			197
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	2,620,313		$	551,370		$	522,449		$	(1,073,819	)	$	2,620,313
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
($000’s omitted)
	Unconsolidated									Eliminating			Consolidated
										Entries			PulteGroup,
	PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor						Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Revenues:
Homebuilding
Home sale revenues	$	—		$	4,552,412		$	—		$	—		$	4,552,412
Land sale revenues	—			106,698			—			—			106,698
	—			4,659,110			—			—			4,659,110
Financial Services	—			2,082			158,806			—			160,888
	—			4,661,192			158,806			—			4,819,998
Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
Home sale cost of revenues	—			3,833,451			—			—			3,833,451
Land sale cost of revenues	—			94,880			—			—			94,880
	—			3,928,331			—			—			3,928,331
Financial Services expenses	379			567			134,565			—			135,511
Selling, general, and administrative	—			515,283			(826		)	—			514,457
expenses
Other expense (income), net	32,027			33,506			765			—			66,298
Interest income	(229		)	(4,597		)	(87		)	—			(4,913		)
Interest expense	819			—			—			—			819
Intercompany interest	587,281			(573,852		)	(13,429		)	—			—
Equity in (earnings) loss of	(1		)	(3,555		)	(503		)	—			(4,059		)
unconsolidated entities
Income (loss) before income taxes and	(620,276		)	765,509			38,321			—			183,554
equity in income (loss) of
subsidiaries
Income tax expense (benefit)	426			(22,299		)	(718		)	—			(22,591		)
Income (loss) before equity in income	(620,702		)	787,808			39,039			—			206,145
(loss) of subsidiaries
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries	826,847			34,596			476,806			(1,338,249		)	—
Net income (loss)	206,145			822,404			515,845			(1,338,249		)	206,145
Other comprehensive income (loss)	314			—			—			—			314
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	206,459		$	822,404		$	515,845		$	(1,338,249	)	$	206,459
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended December 31, 2014
($000’s omitted)
	Unconsolidated												Consolidated
	PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			PulteGroup, Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries
Net cash provided by (used in)	$	206,485		$	175,415		$	(72,651	)	$	—		$	309,249
operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Distributions from unconsolidated	—			8,161			(4		)	—			8,157
entities
Investments in unconsolidated entities	—			—			(9		)	—			(9		)
Net change in loans held for investment	—			—			335			—			335
Change in restricted cash related to	54,989			—			—			—			54,989
letters of credit
Proceeds from the sale of property and	—			113			—			—			113
equipment
Capital expenditures	—			(44,956		)	(3,834		)	—			(48,790		)
Cash used for business acquisition	—			(82,419		)	—			—			(82,419		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing	54,989			(119,101		)	(3,512		)	—			(67,624		)
activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Financial Services borrowings	—			—			34,577			—			34,577
(repayments)
Other borrowings (repayments)	(249,765		)	(866		)	—			—			(250,631		)
Stock option exercises	15,627			—			—			—			15,627
Stock repurchases	(253,019		)	—			—			—			(253,019		)
Dividends paid	(75,646		)	—			—			—			(75,646		)
Intercompany activities, net	46,419			(87,140		)	40,721			—			—
Net cash provided by (used in)	(516,384		)	(88,006		)	75,298			—			(529,092		)
financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and	(254,910		)	(31,692		)	(865		)	—			(287,467		)
equivalents
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	262,364			1,188,999			128,966			—			1,580,329
Cash and equivalents at end of year	$	7,454		$	1,157,307		$	128,101		$	—		$	1,292,862
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended December 31, 2013
($000’s omitted)
	Unconsolidated												Consolidated
	PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			PulteGroup, Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries
Net cash provided by (used in)	$	(41	)	$	865,267		$	15,910		$	—		$	881,136
operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Distributions from unconsolidated	—			1,001			—			—			1,001
entities
Investments in unconsolidated entities	—			(1,677		)	—			—			(1,677		)
Net change in loans held for investment	—			—			(12,265		)	—			(12,265		)
Change in restricted cash related to	(4,152		)	—			—			—			(4,152		)
letters of credit
Proceeds from the sale of property and	—			15			—			—			15
equipment
Capital expenditures	—			(26,472		)	(2,427		)	—			(28,899		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing	(4,152		)	(27,133		)	(14,692		)	—			(45,977		)
activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Financial Services borrowings	—			—			(33,131		)				(33,131		)
(repayments)
Other borrowings (repayments)	(485,048		)	5,221									(479,827		)
Stock option exercises	19,411			—			—			—			19,411
Stock repurchases	(127,661		)	—			—			—			(127,661		)
Dividends paid	(38,382		)	—			—			—			(38,382		)
Intercompany activities, net	752,069			(718,299		)	(33,770		)	—			—
Net cash provided by (used in)	120,389			(713,078		)	(66,901		)	—			(659,590		)
financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and	116,196			125,056			(65,683		)	—			175,569
equivalents
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	146,168			1,063,943			194,649			—			1,404,760
Cash and equivalents at end of year	$	262,364		$	1,188,999		$	128,966		$	—		$	1,580,329
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended December 31, 2012
($000’s omitted)
	Unconsolidated												Consolidated
													PulteGroup,
	PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries
Net cash provided by (used in)	$	(582,762	)	$	1,332,342		$	10,560		$	—		$	760,140
operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Distributions from unconsolidated	—			3,029			—			—			3,029
entities
Investments in unconsolidated entities	—			(16,456		)	—			—			(16,456		)
Net change in loans held for	—			—			836			—			836
investment
Change in restricted cash related to	28,653			—			—			—			28,653
letters of credit
Proceeds from the sale of property and	—			7,586			—			—			7,586
equipment
Capital expenditures	—			(10,831		)	(3,111		)	—			(13,942		)
Net cash provided by (used in)	28,653			(16,672		)	(2,275		)	—			9,706
investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Financial Services borrowings (repayments)	—			—			138,795			—			138,795
Other borrowings (repayments)	(620,700		)	1,900			—			—			(618,800		)
Stock option exercises	32,809			—			—			—			32,809
Stock repurchases	(961		)	—			—			—			(961		)
Intercompany activities, net	1,169,842			(1,129,188		)	(40,654		)	—			—
Net cash provided by (used in)	580,990			(1,127,288		)	98,141			—			(448,157		)
financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and	26,881			188,382			106,426			—			321,689
equivalents
Cash and equivalents at beginning of	119,287			875,561			88,223			—			1,083,071
year
Cash and equivalents at end of year	$	146,168		$	1,063,943		$	194,649		$	—		$	1,404,760

Quarterly_Results_Unaudited

Quarterly Results (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly results (unaudited)	Quarterly results (unaudited)
	UNAUDITED QUARTERLY INFORMATION
	(000’s omitted, except per share data)
		1st		2nd		3rd			4th		Total (a)
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter			Quarter
	2014
	Homebuilding:
	Revenues	$	1,093,999	$	1,254,989	$	1,561,273		$	1,786,464	$	5,696,725
	Cost of revenues	833,614		959,524		1,198,908			1,374,951		4,366,997
	Income before income taxes (b)	108,435		58,573		214,051			254,118		635,177
	Financial Services:
	Revenues	$	24,895	$	31,198	$	33,452		$	36,093	$	125,638
	Income before income taxes (c)	21,594		9,108		10,877			13,002		54,581
	Consolidated results:
	Revenues	$	1,118,894	$	1,286,187	$	1,594,725		$	1,822,557	$	5,822,363
	Income before income taxes	130,029		67,681		224,928			267,120		689,758
	Income tax expense (d)	55,210		25,801		84,383			50,025		215,420
	Net income	$	74,819	$	41,880	$	140,545		$	217,095	$	474,338
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.19	$	0.11	$	0.37		$	0.58	$	1.27
	Diluted	$	0.19	$	0.11	$	0.37		$	0.58	$	1.26
	Number of shares used in calculation:
	Basic	383,991		376,072		373,531			369,533		370,377
	Effect of dilutive securities	3,815		3,592		3,761			3,734		3,725
	Diluted	387,806		379,664		377,292			373,267		374,102
	(a)	Due to rounding, the sum of quarterly results may not equal the total for the year. Additionally, quarterly and year-to-date computations of per share amounts are made independently.
	(b)	Homebuilding income before income taxes includes losses on debt retirement of $8.6 million in the 1st Quarter; charges of $84.5 million to increase general liability insurance reserves in the 2nd Quarter; and costs associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters of $8.7 million, offset by favorable adjustments of $15.2 million to decrease general liability insurance reserves in the 4th Quarter.
	(c)	Financial Services expenses in the 1st Quarter includes a reduction in loan origination liabilities totaling $18.6 million.
	(d)	Income tax expense in the 4th Quarter includes a benefit of $49.6 million related to the resolution of certain tax matters and the reversal of valuation allowance related to certain state deferred tax assets.
	UNAUDITED QUARTERLY INFORMATION
	(000’s omitted, except per share data)
		1st		2nd		3rd			4th		Total (a)
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter			Quarter
	2013
	Homebuilding:
	Revenues	$	1,125,883	$	1,240,060	$	1,547,742		$	1,624,959	$	5,538,644
	Cost of revenues	923,488		1,011,528		1,230,070			1,249,868		4,414,954
	Income before income taxes (b)	68,037		21,971		163,594			225,511		479,113
	Financial Services:
	Revenues	$	36,873	$	39,362	$	34,336		$	30,380	$	140,951
	Income before income taxes	14,313		16,359		11,128			6,909		48,709
	Consolidated results:
	Revenues	$	1,162,756	$	1,279,422	$	1,582,078		$	1,655,339	$	5,679,595
	Income before income taxes	82,350		38,330		174,722			232,420		527,822
	Income tax expense (benefit) (c)	588		1,913		(2,107,162		)	12,367		(2,092,294		)
	Net income	$	81,762	$	36,417	$	2,281,884		$	220,053	$	2,620,116
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.21	$	0.09	$	5.92		$	0.58	$	6.79
	Diluted	$	0.21	$	0.09	$	5.87		$	0.57	$	6.72
	Number of shares used in calculation:
	Basic	384,228		385,389		382,883			379,879		383,077
	Effect of dilutive securities	6,093		5,791		3,220			3,845		3,789
	Diluted	390,321		391,180		386,103			383,724		386,866
	(a)	Due to rounding, the sum of quarterly results may not equal the total for the year. Additionally, quarterly and year-to-date computations of per share amounts are made independently.
	(b)	Homebuilding income before income taxes in the 2nd Quarter includes charges totaling $66.6 million consisting of losses on debt retirements, costs associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters, and a contractual dispute related to a previously completed luxury community.
	(c)	Income tax expense (benefit) includes a benefit of $2.1 billion and $73.7 million in the 3rd Quarter and 4th Quarter, respectively, related to the reversal of substantially all of the valuation allowance previously recorded against our deferred tax assets.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation Policy	The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and include the accounts of PulteGroup, Inc. and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries and variable interest entities in which PulteGroup, Inc. is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts, transactions, and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates Policy	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Subsequent Events Policy	We evaluated subsequent events up until the time the financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
Cash and Cash Equivalents Policy	Cash and equivalents
	Cash and equivalents include institutional money market investments and time deposits with a maturity of three months or less when acquired. Cash and equivalents at December 31, 2014 and 2013 also included $5.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively, of cash from home closings held in escrow for our benefit, typically for less than five days, which are considered deposits in-transit.
	Restricted cash
	We maintain certain cash balances that are restricted as to their use. Restricted cash includes deposits maintained with financial institutions under cash-collateralized letter of credit agreements (see Note 6) as well as certain other accounts with restrictions, including customer deposits on home sales that are temporarily restricted by regulatory requirements until title transfers to the homebuyer.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities Policy	We have investments in a number of unconsolidated entities, including joint ventures, with independent third parties. The equity method of accounting is used for unconsolidated entities over which we have significant influence; generally this represents ownership interests of at least 20% and not more than 50%. Under the equity method of accounting, we recognize our proportionate share of the earnings and losses of these entities. Certain of these entities sell land to us. We defer the recognition of profits from such activities until the time we ultimately sell the related land.
	We evaluate our investments in unconsolidated entities for recoverability in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 323, “Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures” (“ASC 323”). If we determine that a loss in the value of the investment is other than temporary, we write down the investment to its estimated fair value. Any such losses are recorded to equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process and the significant volatility in demand for new housing, actual results could differ significantly from such estimates. See Note 5.
Intangible Assets Policy	Intangible assets consist of tradenames acquired in connection with the 2009 acquisition of Centex Corporation ("Centex") and the 2001 acquisition of Del Webb Corporation ("Del Webb"). These intangible assets were valued at the acquisition date and are being amortized over 20-year lives. The acquired cost and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets were $259.0 million and $135.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2014, and $259.0 million and $122.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2013. Amortization expense totaled $13.0 million in 2014, and $13.1 million in 2013 and 2012, and is expected to be $12.9 million in each of the next five years.
	The ultimate realization of these assets is dependent upon estimates of future earnings and benefits that we expect to generate from their use. If we determine that the carrying values of intangible assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more indicators of impairment, we use a projected undiscounted cash flow method to determine if impairment exists. If the carrying values of the intangible assets exceed the expected undiscounted cash flows, then we measure impairment as the difference between the fair value of the asset and the recorded carrying value.
Property and Equipment, Net and Depreciation Policy	Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method based upon estimated useful lives as follows: model home furniture - two years; office furniture and equipment - three to ten years; and leasehold improvements - life of the lease. Property and equipment are included in other assets
Advertising Costs Policy	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred
Earnings Per Share Policy	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders (the “Numerator”) by the weighted-average number of common shares, adjusted for unvested shares, (the “Denominator”) for the period. Computing diluted earnings per share is similar to computing basic earnings per share, except that the Denominator is increased to include the dilutive effects of stock options, unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units, and other potentially dilutive instruments. Any stock options that have an exercise price greater than the average market price are considered to be anti-dilutive and are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation. Our earnings per share excluded 6.6 million, 9.6 million, and 16.6 million stock options, unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units, and other potentially dilutive instruments in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	In accordance with ASC 260 "Earnings Per Share" ("ASC 260"), the two-class method determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating securities according to an earnings allocation formula that adjusts the Numerator for dividends or dividend equivalents and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are participating securities and, therefore, are included in computing earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The Company's outstanding restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and deferred shares are considered participating securities.
Stock-based Compensation Policy	We measure compensation cost for restricted stock and restricted stock units at fair value on the grant date. Fair value is determined based on the quoted price of our common stock on the grant date. We recognize compensation expense for restricted stock and restricted stock units, the majority of which cliff vest at the end of three years, ratably over the vesting period. For share-based awards containing performance conditions, we recognize compensation expense ratably over the vesting period when it is probable that the stated performance targets will be achieved and record cumulative adjustments in the period in which estimates change. Compensation expense related to our share-based awards is included in selling, general, and administrative expense, except for a small portion recognized in Financial Services expenses. See Note 8.
Income Taxes Policy	The provision for income taxes is calculated using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized by identifying the temporary differences arising from the different treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes.  In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is primarily dependent upon the generation of future taxable income.  In determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns, judgment is required.  Differences between the anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on the consolidated results of operations or financial position.
	Unrecognized tax benefits represent the difference between tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefits recognized for financial statement purposes. We follow the provisions of ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which prescribes a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements.  Significant judgment is required to evaluate uncertain tax positions.  Our evaluations of tax positions consider a variety of factors, including changes in facts or circumstances, changes in law, correspondence with taxing authorities, and effective settlements of audit issues. Changes in the recognition or measurement of uncertain tax positions could result in material increases or decreases in income tax expense (benefit) in the period in which the change is made. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as a component of income tax expense (benefit). See Note 9.
Homebuilding Revenue Recognition Policy	Homebuilding revenue and related profit are generally recognized when title to and possession of the property are transferred to the buyer. In situations where the buyer’s financing is originated by Pulte Mortgage and the buyer has not made an adequate initial or continuing investment, the profit on such sale is deferred until the sale of the related mortgage loan to a third-party investor has been completed. If there is a loss on the sale of the property, the loss on such sale is recognized at the time of closing.
Sales Incentives Policy	When sales incentives involve a discount on the selling price of the home, we record the discount as a reduction of revenue at the time of house closing. If the sales incentive requires us to provide a free product or service to the customer, the cost of the free product or service is recorded as cost of revenues at the time of house closing. This includes the cost related to optional upgrades and seller-paid financing costs, closing costs, homeowners’ association fees, or merchandise.
Inventory Policy	Inventory is stated at cost unless the carrying value is determined to not be recoverable, in which case the affected inventory is written down to fair value. Cost includes land acquisition, land development, and home construction costs, including interest, real estate taxes, and certain direct and indirect overhead costs related to development and construction. For those communities for which construction and development activities have been idled, applicable interest and real estate taxes are expensed as incurred. Land acquisition and development costs are allocated to individual lots using an average lot cost determined based on the total expected land acquisition and development costs and the total expected home closings for the community. The specific identification method is used to accumulate home construction costs.
	We capitalize interest cost into homebuilding inventories. Each layer of capitalized interest is amortized over a period that approximates the average life of communities under development. Interest expense is allocated over the period based on the timing of home closings.
	Cost of revenues includes the construction cost, average lot cost, estimated warranty costs, and commissions and closing costs applicable to the home. The construction cost of the home includes amounts paid through the closing date of the home, plus an appropriate accrual for costs incurred but not yet paid, based on an analysis of budgeted construction costs. This accrual is reviewed for accuracy based on actual payments made after closing compared with the amount accrued, and adjustments are made if needed. Total community land acquisition and development costs are based on an analysis of budgeted costs compared with actual costs incurred to date and estimates to complete. The development cycles for our communities range from under one year to in excess of ten years for certain master planned communities. Adjustments to estimated total land acquisition and development costs for the community affect the amounts costed for the community’s remaining lots.
	We record valuation adjustments on land inventory when events and circumstances indicate that the related community may be impaired and when the cash flows estimated to be generated by the community are less than its carrying amount. Such indicators include gross margin or sales paces significantly below expectations, construction costs or land development costs significantly in excess of budgeted amounts, significant delays or changes in the planned development for the community, and other known qualitative factors. Communities that demonstrate potential impairment indicators are tested for impairment by comparing the expected undiscounted cash flows for the community to its carrying value. For those communities whose carrying values exceed the expected undiscounted cash flows, we estimate the fair value of the community. Impairment charges are recorded if the fair value of the community's inventory is less than its carrying value. We determine the fair value of a community's inventory using a combination of market comparable land transactions, where available, and discounted cash flow models. These estimated cash flows are significantly impacted by estimates related to expected average selling prices, expected sales paces, expected land development and construction timelines, and anticipated land development, construction, and overhead costs. The assumptions used in the discounted cash flow models are specific to each community. Our evaluations for impairments are based on our best estimates of the future cash flows for our communities. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, the significant volatility in demand for new housing, the long life cycles of many communities, and potential changes in our strategy related to certain communities, actual results could differ significantly from such estimates. See Note 3.
Land Held for Sale Policy	We periodically elect to sell parcels of land to third parties in the event such assets no longer fit into our strategic operating plans or are zoned for commercial or other development. Land held for sale is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. In determining the value of land held for sale, we consider recent offers received, prices for land in recent comparable sales transactions, and other factors. We record net realizable value adjustments for land held for sale within Homebuilding land sale cost of revenues. See Note 3.
Land Option Agreements Policy	We enter into land option agreements in order to procure land for the construction of homes in the future. Pursuant to these land option agreements, we generally provide a deposit to the seller as consideration for the right to purchase land at different times in the future, usually at predetermined prices. Such contracts enable us to defer acquiring portions of properties owned by third parties or unconsolidated entities until we have determined whether and when to exercise our option, which reduces our financial risks associated with long-term land holdings. Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs (such as environmental testing, surveys, engineering, and entitlement costs) are capitalized if the costs are directly identifiable with the land under option, the costs would be capitalized if we owned the land, and acquisition of the property is probable. Such costs are reflected in other assets and are reclassified to inventory upon taking title to the land. We write off deposits and pre-acquisition costs when it becomes probable that we will not go forward with the project or recover the capitalized costs. Such decisions take into consideration changes in local market conditions, the timing of required land purchases, the availability and best use of necessary incremental capital, and other factors. We record any such write-offs of deposits and pre-acquisition costs within other expense, net.  See Note 3.
	If an entity holding the land under option is a variable interest entity (“VIE”), our deposit represents a variable interest in that entity. No VIEs required consolidation at either December 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013 because we determined that we were not the primary beneficiary. Our maximum exposure to loss related to these VIEs is generally limited to our deposits and pre-acquisition costs under the applicable land option agreements. Separately, certain land option agreements represent financing arrangements due to the remaining purchase price under the land option agreements, in the event we exercise the purchase rights under the agreements, even though we generally have no obligation to pay these future amounts. As a result, we recorded $30.2 million and $24.0 million at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, to land, not owned, under option agreements with a corresponding increase to accrued and other liabilities.
Start-up Costs Policy	Costs and expenses associated with opening new communities are expensed to selling, general, and administrative expenses when incurred.
Allowance for Warranties Policy	Home purchasers are provided with a limited warranty against certain building defects, including a one-year comprehensive limited warranty and coverage for certain other aspects of the home's construction and operating systems for periods of up to 10 years. We estimate the costs to be incurred under these warranties and record a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the product revenue is recognized.
Self-insured Risks Policy	We maintain, and require the majority of our subcontractors to maintain, general liability insurance coverage, including coverage for certain construction defects. We also maintain builders' risk, property, errors and omissions, workers compensation, and other business insurance coverage. These insurance policies protect us against a portion of the risk of loss from claims, subject to certain self-insured per occurrence and aggregate retentions, deductibles, and available policy limits. However, we retain a significant portion of the overall risk for such claims. We reserve for these costs on an undiscounted basis at the time product revenue is recognized for each home closing and evaluate the recorded liabilities based on actuarial analyses of our historical claims, which include estimates of claims incurred but not yet reported. Adjustments to estimated reserves are recorded in the period in which the change in estimate occurs. In certain instances, we have the ability to recover a portion of our costs under various insurance policies or from our subcontractors or other third parties. Estimates of such amounts are recorded when recovery is considered probable. See Note 12.
Residential Mortgage Loans Available for Sale Policy	Substantially all of the loans originated by us are sold in the secondary mortgage market within a short period of time after origination, generally within 30 days. In accordance with ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” (“ASC 825”), we use the fair value option to record residential mortgage loans available-for-sale. Election of the fair value option for these loans allows a better offset of the changes in fair values of the loans and the derivative instruments used to economically hedge them without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. We do not designate any derivative instruments as hedges or apply the hedge accounting provisions of ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” See Note 12 for discussion of the risks retained related to mortgage loan originations.
	Expected gains and losses from the sale of residential mortgage loans and their related servicing rights are included in the measurement of written loan commitments that are accounted for at fair value through Financial Services revenues at the time of commitment.  Subsequent changes in the fair value of these loans are reflected in Financial Services revenues as they occur.
Mortgage Servicing Rights Policy	We sell the servicing rights for the loans we originate through fixed price servicing sales contracts to reduce the risks and costs inherent in servicing loans. This strategy results in owning the servicing rights for only a short period of time. We recognize the fair value of our rights to service a mortgage loan as revenue at the time of entering into an interest rate lock commitment with a borrower. Due to the short period of time the servicing rights are held, we do not amortize the servicing asset. The servicing sales contracts provide for the reimbursement of payments made by the purchaser if loans prepay within specified periods of time, generally within 90 to 120 days after sale. We establish reserves for this liability at the time the sale is recorded.
Loans Held for Investment Policy	We maintain a portfolio of loans that either have been repurchased from investors or were not saleable upon closing. We have the intent and ability to hold these loans for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff. These loans are carried at cost and are reviewed for impairment when recoverability becomes doubtful. Loans held for investment are included in other assets
Interest Income on Mortgage Loans Policy	Interest income on mortgage loans is recorded in Financial Services revenues, accrued from the date a mortgage loan is originated until the loan is sold, and totaled $7.2 million, $7.5 million, and $6.0 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Loans are placed on non-accrual status once they become greater than 90 days past due their contractual terms. Subsequent payments received are applied according to the contractual terms of the loan. Mortgage discounts are not amortized as interest income due to the short period the loans are held until sale to third party investors.
Mortgage Servicing, Origination, and Commitment Fees Policy	Mortgage servicing fees represent fees earned for servicing loans for various investors. Servicing fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal balance, or a contracted set fee in the case of certain sub-servicing arrangements, and are credited to income when related mortgage payments are received or the sub-servicing fees are earned. Loan origination costs related to residential mortgage loans available-for-sale are recognized as incurred in Financial Services expenses while the associated mortgage origination fees are recognized in Financial Services revenues as earned, generally upon loan closing.
Title Services Policy	Revenues associated with our title operations are recognized within Financial Services revenues as closing services are rendered and title insurance policies are issued, both of which generally occur as each home is closed.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Policy	We are exposed to market risks from commitments to lend, movements in interest rates, and canceled or modified commitments to lend. A commitment to lend at a specific interest rate (an interest rate lock commitment) is a derivative financial instrument (interest rate is locked to the borrower). In order to reduce these risks, we use other derivative financial instruments, principally cash forward placement contracts on mortgage-backed securities and whole loan investor commitments, to economically hedge the interest rate lock commitment. We enter into these derivative financial instruments based upon our portfolio of interest rate lock commitments and closed loans. We do not enter into any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had aggregate interest rate lock commitments of $146.1 million and $175.7 million, respectively, which were originated at interest rates prevailing at the date of commitment. Since we can terminate a loan commitment if the borrower does not comply with the terms of the contract, and some loan commitments may expire without being drawn upon, these commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. We evaluate the creditworthiness of these transactions through our normal credit policies.
	Forward contracts on mortgage-backed securities are commitments to either purchase or sell a specified financial instrument at a specified future date for a specified price that may be settled in cash, by offsetting the position, or through the delivery of the financial instrument. Forward contracts on mortgage-backed securities are the predominant derivative financial instruments we use to minimize market risk during the period from the time we extend an interest rate lock to a loan applicant until the time the loan is sold to an investor. We also use whole loan investor commitments, which are obligations of the investor to buy loans at a specified price within a specified time period. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had unexpired forward contracts of $371.0 million and $381.5 million, respectively, and whole loan investor commitments of $63.5 million and $31.7 million, respectively. Changes in the fair value of interest rate lock commitments and other derivative financial instruments are recognized in Financial Services revenues, and the fair values are reflected in other assets or other liabilities, as applicable.
	There are no credit-risk-related contingent features within our derivative agreements, and counterparty risk is considered minimal. Gains and losses on interest rate lock commitments are substantially offset by corresponding gains or losses on forward contracts on mortgage-backed securities and whole loan investor commitments. We are generally not exposed to variability in cash flows of derivative instruments for more than approximately 75 days.

Inventory_And_Land_Held_For_Sa1

Inventory And Land Held For Sale (Policy)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory, Interest Capitalization Policy	We capitalize interest cost into homebuilding inventories. Each layer of capitalized interest is amortized over a period that approximates the average life of communities under development. Interest expense is allocated over the period based on the timing of home closings.
Impairment of Land Held for Sale Policy	We periodically elect to sell parcels of land to third parties in the event such assets no longer fit into our strategic operating plans or are zoned for commercial or other development.

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Fair_Va

Fair Value Disclosures Fair Value Disclosures (Policies) (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Policy	Fair values for agency residential mortgage loans available-for-sale are determined based on quoted market prices for comparable instruments. Fair values for non-agency residential mortgage loans available-for-sale are determined based on purchase commitments from whole loan investors and other relevant market information available to management. Fair values for interest rate lock commitments, including the value of servicing rights, are based on market prices for similar instruments. Forward contracts on mortgage-backed securities are valued based on market prices for similar instruments. Fair values for whole loan investor commitments are based on market prices for similar instruments from the specific whole loan investor.
	Certain assets are required to be recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The non-recurring fair value included in the above table represent only those assets whose carrying values were adjusted to fair value as of the respective balance sheet dates. See Note 1 for a more detailed discussion of the valuation methods used for inventory.
	The carrying amounts of cash and equivalents, Financial Services debt, and the Revolving Credit Facility approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature and floating interest rate terms. The fair values of senior notes are based on quoted market prices, when available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of similar issues.

Other_Assets_and_Accrued_and_O1

Other Assets and Accrued and Other Liabilities Other Assets and Accrued and Other Liabilities (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Financing Receivables Policy	In certain instances, we may accept consideration for land sales or other transactions in the form of a note receivable.

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Legal Reserves Policy	We are involved in various litigation and legal claims in the normal course of our business operations, including actions brought on behalf of various classes of claimants. We are also subject to a variety of local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to land development activities, house construction standards, sales practices, mortgage lending operations, employment practices, and protection of the environment. As a result, we are subject to periodic examination or inquiry by various governmental agencies that administer these laws and regulations.
	We establish liabilities for legal claims and regulatory matters when such matters are both probable of occurring and any potential loss is reasonably estimable. We accrue for such matters based on the facts and circumstances specific to each matter and revise these estimates as the matters evolve. In such cases, there may exist an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts currently accrued. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of these legal and regulatory matters, we generally cannot predict the ultimate resolution of the pending matters, the related timing, or the eventual loss. While the outcome of such contingencies cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the resolution of such matters will have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. However, to the extent the liability arising from the ultimate resolution of any matter exceeds the estimates reflected in the recorded reserves relating to such matter, we could incur additional charges that could be significant.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Expense (Income), Net	Other expense, net consists of the following ($000’s omitted):
		2014			2013			2012
	Write-offs of deposits and pre-acquisition costs (Note 3)	$	6,099		$	3,122		$	2,278
	Loss on debt retirements (Note 6)	8,584			26,930			32,071
	Lease exit and related costs	9,609			2,778			7,306
	Amortization of intangible assets (Note 1)	13,033			13,100			13,100
	Miscellaneous, net (a)	1,420			34,823			11,543
		$	38,745		$	80,753		$	66,298
	(a)	Includes charges of $41.2 million in 2013 resulting from a contractual dispute related to a previously completed luxury community (see Note 12) and $5.1 million in 2012 related to the write-down of notes receivable.
Schedule of Earnings Per Share of Common Stock	The following table presents the earnings per share of common stock ($000's omitted, except per share data):
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	474,338		$	2,620,116		$	206,145
	Less: earnings distributed to participating securities	(583		)	(407		)	—
	Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(2,668		)	(19,201		)	—
	Numerator for basic earnings per share	$	471,087		$	2,600,508		$	206,145
	Add back: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	2,668			19,201			—
	Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities	(2,643		)	(18,845		)	—
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	471,112		$	2,600,864		$	206,145
	Denominator:
	Basic shares outstanding	370,377			383,077			381,562
	Effect of dilutive securities	3,725			3,789			3,002
	Diluted shares outstanding	374,102			386,866			384,564
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	1.27		$	6.79		$	0.54
	Diluted	$	1.26		$	6.72		$	0.54
Schedule Of Company Interests In Land Option Agreements	The following provides a summary of our interests in land option agreements ($000’s omitted):
		December 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Deposits and			Remaining Purchase			Land, Not		Deposits and		Remaining Purchase		Land, Not
		Pre-acquisition			Price			Owned,		Pre-acquisition		Price		Owned,
		Costs						Under		Costs				Under
								Option						Option
								Agreements						Agreements
	Land options with VIEs	$	56,039		$	891,506		$	12,533	$	40,486	$	661,158	$	8,167
	Other land options	71,241			999,079			17,653		50,548		729,128		15,857
		$	127,280		$	1,890,585		$	30,186	$	91,034	$	1,390,286	$	24,024
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	The fair values of derivative instruments and their location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets is summarized below ($000’s omitted):
		December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Other Assets			Other Liabilities			Other Assets		Other Liabilities
	Interest rate lock commitments	$	4,313		$	65		$	3,628	$	489
	Forward contracts	79			3,653			4,374		34
	Whole loan commitments	31			619			189		84
		$	4,423		$	4,337		$	8,191	$	607

Inventory_And_Land_Held_For_Sa2

Inventory And Land Held For Sale (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Inventory	Major components of inventory at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were ($000’s omitted):
		2014			2013
	Homes under construction	$	1,084,137		$	1,042,147
	Land under development	2,545,049			2,189,387
	Raw land	762,914			747,027
		$	4,392,100		$	3,978,561
Capitalized Interest Rollforward	Information related to interest capitalized into inventory is as follows ($000’s omitted):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Interest in inventory, beginning of period	$	230,922		$	331,880		$	355,068
	Interest capitalized	131,444			154,107			201,103
	Interest expensed (a)	(194,728		)	(255,065		)	(224,291		)
	Interest in inventory, end of period	167,638			230,922			331,880
	(a)	Interest expensed to Home sale cost of revenues for 2014, 2013, and 2012 included $1.3 million, $2.9 million, and $6.5 million, respectively, of capitalized interest write-offs resulting from land-related charges and sales.
Land-related Charges	We recorded the following land-related charges:
		2014			2013			2012
	Land impairments	$	3,911		$	2,944		$	13,437
	Net realizable value adjustments ("NRV") - land held for sale	1,158			3,606			1,480
	Write-off of deposits and pre-acquisition costs	6,099			3,122			2,278
	Total land-related charges	$	11,168		$	9,672		$	17,195
Land Held for Sale	Land held for sale at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows ($000’s omitted):
		2014			2013
	Land held for sale, gross	$	108,725		$	70,003
	Net realizable value reserves	(7,535		)	(8,268		)
	Land held for sale, net	$	101,190		$	61,735

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Data By Reporting Segment
		Operating Data by Segment ($000’s omitted)
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Revenues:
	Northeast	$	710,859		$	819,709		$	755,148
	Southeast	949,635			842,921			691,113
	Florida	917,956			802,665			628,997
	Texas	859,165			835,473			682,929
	North	1,436,500			1,232,814			1,022,633
	Southwest	822,610			1,005,062			878,290
		5,696,725			5,538,644			4,659,110
	Financial Services	125,638			140,951			160,888
	Consolidated revenues	$	5,822,363		$	5,679,595		$	4,819,998
	Income before income taxes:
	Northeast	$	103,865		$	110,246		$	73,345
	Southeast	156,513			121,055			64,678
	Florida	190,441			139,673			73,472
	Texas	133,005			111,431			60,979
	North	197,230			164,348			84,597
	Southwest	136,357			179,163			79,887
	Other homebuilding (a)	(282,234		)	(346,803		)	(278,967		)
		635,177			479,113			157,991
	Financial Services	54,581			48,709			25,563
	Consolidated income before income taxes	$	689,758		$	527,822		$	183,554
	(a)	Other homebuilding includes the amortization of intangible assets, amortization of capitalized interest, and other items not allocated to the operating segments. Other homebuilding also included the following: losses on debt retirements of $8.6 million, $26.9 million, and $32.1 million for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively; charges totaling $69.3 million to increase general liability insurance reserves in 2014; costs associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters totaling $16.3 million and $15.4 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively; and charges of $41.2 million in 2013 resulting from a contractual dispute related to a previously completed luxury community.
Land-Related Charges By Reporting Segment
		Operating Data by Segment ($000's omitted)
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Land-related charges*:
	Northeast	$	2,824		$	557		$	1,794
	Southeast	1,826			998			1,363
	Florida	487			1,076			214
	Texas	321			191			556
	North	3,227			3,434			4,546
	Southwest	816			472			2,254
	Other homebuilding	1,667			2,944			6,468
		$	11,168		$	9,672		$	17,195
	*	Land-related charges include land impairments, net realizable value adjustments for land held for sale, and write-offs of deposits and pre-acquisition costs for land option contracts we elected not to pursue. Other homebuilding consists primarily of write-offs of capitalized interest related to such land-related charges. See Note 1 for additional discussion of these charges.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense by Reporting Segment
		Operating Data by Segment ($000's omitted)
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Northeast	$	1,852		$	1,987		$	1,790
	Southeast	2,666			1,647			1,028
	Florida	2,150			1,334			1,640
	Texas	1,698			1,784			1,619
	North	4,414			2,265			1,709
	Southwest	4,002			2,969			3,143
	Other homebuilding (a)	19,548			16,248			16,168
		36,330			28,234			27,097
	Financial Services	3,534			3,353			2,930
		$	39,864		$	31,587		$	30,027
	(a)	Other homebuilding includes amortization of intangible assets
Equity in (Earnings) Loss of Unconsolidated Entities by Reporting Segment
		Operating Data by Segment ($000's omitted)
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities:
	Northeast	$	(4,733	)	$	(58	)	$	(4	)
	Southeast	—			—			—
	Florida	(7		)	(4		)	—
	Texas	—			—			—
	North	(2,417		)	(608		)	(1,497		)
	Southwest	(486		)	(678		)	(1,137		)
	Other homebuilding	(583		)	355			(1,235		)
		(8,226		)	(993		)	(3,873		)
	Financial Services	(182		)	(137		)	(186		)
		$	(8,408	)	$	(1,130	)	$	(4,059	)
Total Assets And Inventory By Reporting Segment
		Operating Data by Segment
		($000's omitted)
		December 31, 2014
		Homes Under			Land Under			Raw Land			Total		Total
		Construction			Development						Inventory		Assets
	Northeast	$	184,974		$	266,229		$	106,077		$	557,280	$	659,224
	Southeast	147,506			304,762			117,981			570,249		605,067
	Florida	150,743			350,016			112,225			612,984		717,531
	Texas	134,873			250,102			91,765			476,740		528,392
	North	280,970			478,665			137,044			896,679		996,908
	Southwest	166,056			698,513			163,421			1,027,990		1,113,592
	Other homebuilding (a)	19,015			196,762			34,401			250,178		3,527,731
		1,084,137			2,545,049			762,914			4,392,100		8,148,445
	Financial Services	—			—			—			—		420,965
		$	1,084,137		$	2,545,049		$	762,914		$	4,392,100	$	8,569,410
		December 31, 2013
		Homes Under			Land Under			Raw Land			Total		Total
		Construction			Development						Inventory		Assets
	Northeast	$	212,611		$	325,241		$	106,681		$	644,533	$	731,259
	Southeast	139,484			274,981			146,617			561,082		599,271
	Florida	140,366			295,631			104,766			540,763		618,449
	Texas	130,398			223,979			57,480			411,857		466,198
	North	227,537			350,239			78,945			656,721		716,239
	Southwest	159,350			512,164			201,659			873,173		940,462
	Other homebuilding (a)	32,401			207,152			50,879			290,432		4,334,591
		1,042,147			2,189,387			747,027			3,978,561		8,406,469
	Financial Services	—			—			—			—		327,674
		$	1,042,147		$	2,189,387		$	747,027		$	3,978,561	$	8,734,143
		December 31, 2012
		Homes Under			Land Under			Raw Land			Total		Total
		Construction			Development						Inventory		Assets
	Northeast	$	198,549		$	445,436		$	109,136		$	753,121	$	866,024
	Southeast	147,227			286,210			120,193			553,630		590,650
	Florida	130,276			310,625			100,633			541,534		620,220
	Texas	145,594			256,704			54,556			456,854		523,843
	North	219,172			369,144			46,414			634,730		680,447
	Southwest	226,204			496,488			167,295			889,987		963,540
	Other homebuilding (a)	49,162			270,771			64,257			384,190		2,140,739
		1,116,184			2,435,378			662,484			4,214,046		6,385,463
	Financial Services	—			—			—			—		348,946
		$	1,116,184		$	2,435,378		$	662,484		$	4,214,046	$	6,734,409
	(a)	Other homebuilding primarily includes cash and equivalents, capitalized interest, intangibles, deferred tax assets, and other corporate items that are not allocated to the operating segments.

Investments_In_Unconsolidated_1

Investments In Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Summary of Joint Ventures	A summary of our joint ventures is presented below ($000’s omitted):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Investments in joint ventures with debt non-recourse to PulteGroup	$	26,488	$	26,532
	Investments in other active joint ventures	13,880		18,791
	Total investments in unconsolidated entities	$	40,368	$	45,323
	Total joint venture debt	$	25,849	$	12,408
	PulteGroup proportionate share of joint venture debt:
	Joint venture debt with limited recourse guaranties	$	283	$	750
	Joint venture debt non-recourse to PulteGroup	11,341		3,654
	PulteGroup's total proportionate share of joint venture debt	$	11,624	$	4,404

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Senior Notes	Our senior notes are summarized as follows ($000’s omitted):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	5.20% unsecured senior notes due February 2015 (a)	$	—		$	95,633
	5.25% unsecured senior notes due June 2015 (a)	236,452			233,085
	6.50% unsecured senior notes due May 2016 (a)	462,009			459,581
	7.625% unsecured senior notes due October 2017 (b)	122,752			122,663
	7.875% unsecured senior notes due June 2032 (a)	299,239			299,196
	6.375% unsecured senior notes due May 2033 (a)	398,640			398,567
	6.00% unsecured senior notes due February 2035 (a)	299,469			299,443
	7.375% unsecured senior notes due June 2046 (a)	—			150,000
	Total senior notes – carrying value (c)	$	1,818,561		$	2,058,168
	Estimated fair value	$	1,952,774		$	2,070,744
	(a)	Redeemable prior to maturity; guaranteed on a senior basis by certain wholly-owned subsidiaries.
	(b)	Not redeemable prior to maturity; guaranteed on a senior basis by certain wholly-owned subsidiaries.
	(c)	The recorded carrying value reflects the impact of various discounts and premiums that are amortized to interest cost over the respective terms of the senior notes.
Schedule of Financial Services available credit lines	The following is aggregate borrowing information for our mortgage operations ($000’s omitted):
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Available credit lines	$	150,000		$	150,000		$	150,000
	Unused credit lines	$	9,759		$	44,336		$	11,205
	Weighted-average interest rate	2.7		%	2.9		%	3		%

Stock_Compensation_Plans_Table

Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock Compensation Expense by Plan Type	Our stock compensation expense for the three years ended December 31, 2014 is presented below ($000's omitted):
		2014				2013				2012
	Stock options	$	121			$	1,056			$	2,617
	Restricted stock (including RSUs and performance shares)	13,690				13,418				10,077
	Long-term incentive plans	15,481				16,006				10,203
		$	29,292			$	30,480			$	22,897
Stock Option Activity Rollforward	A summary of stock option activity for the three years ended December 31, 2014 is presented below (000’s omitted except per share data):
		2014								2013								2012
		Shares				Weighted-				Shares				Weighted-				Shares			Weighted-
						Average								Average							Average
						Per Share								Per Share							Per Share
						Exercise Price								Exercise Price							Exercise Price
	Outstanding, beginning of year	12,887				$	23			17,148				$	22			21,641			$	21
	Granted	—				—				—				—				—			—
	Exercised	(1,422		)		11				(1,432		)		14				(2,877		)	11
	Forfeited	(2,095		)		29				(2,829		)		25				(1,616		)	27
	Outstanding, end of year	9,370				$	23			12,887				$	23			17,148			$	22
	Options exercisable at year end	9,265				$	23			12,402				$	23			15,719			$	23
	Weighted-average per share fair value of	$	—							$	—							$	—
	options granted during the year
Stock Options Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Lives	The following table summarizes information about the weighted-average remaining contractual lives of stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014:
		Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
		Number			Weighted-		Weighted-				Number			Weighted-
		Outstanding			Average		Average				Exercisable			Average Per
		(000's omitted)			Remaining		Per Share				(000's omitted)			Share
					Contract Life		Exercise Price							Exercise Price
					(in years)
	$0.01 to $11.00	907			4		$	10			802			$	10
	$11.01 to $18.00	4,003			4.6		12				4,003			12
	$18.01 to $25.00	417			0.3		23				417			23
	$25.01 to $35.00	1,997			1.9		34				1,997			34
	$35.01 to $45.00	2,046			0.9		40				2,046			40
		9,370			3		$	23			9,265			$	23
Restricted Stock, RSUs, and Performance Shares Activity Rollforward	A summary of restricted stock activity, including RSUs and performance shares, for the three years ended December 31, 2014 is presented below (000’s omitted, except per share data):
		2014							2013							2012
		Shares			Weighted-				Shares			Weighted-				Shares			Weighted-
					Average							Average							Average
					Per Share							Per Share							Per Share
					Grant Date							Grant Date							Grant Date
					Fair Value							Fair Value							Fair Value
	Outstanding, beginning of	3,211			$	11			3,822			$	9			3,042			$	9
	year
	Granted	974			$	19			806			$	21			1,461			$	10
	Distributed	(1,019	)		$	10			(1,391	)		$	11			(544	)		$	11
	Forfeited	(276	)		$	15			(26	)		$	15			(137	)		$	10
	Outstanding, end of year	2,890			$	15			3,211			$	11			3,822			$	9
	Vested, end of year	75			$	13			60			$	12			51			$	10

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	Components of current and deferred income tax expense (benefit) are as follows ($000’s omitted):
		2014				2013				2012
	Current provision (benefit)
	Federal	$	5,619			$	5,725			$	(8,523	)
	State and other	(13,968		)		(1,596		)		(14,068		)
		$	(8,349	)		$	4,129			$	(22,591	)
	Deferred provision (benefit)
	Federal	$	232,969			$	(1,833,580	)		$	—
	State and other	(9,200		)		(262,843		)		—
		$	223,769			$	(2,096,423	)		$	—
	Income tax expense (benefit)	$	215,420			$	(2,092,294	)		$	(22,591	)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	The following table reconciles the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate:
		2014			2013			2012
	Income taxes at federal statutory rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Effect of state and local income taxes, net of federal tax	3			4			3
	Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	(6.6	)		(438.0	)		(37.7	)
	Tax contingencies	(1.4	)		0.3			(10.6	)
	Other	1.2			2.3			(2.0	)
	Effective rate	31.2	%		(396.4	)%		(12.3	)%
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Components of our net deferred tax asset are as follows ($000’s omitted):
		At December 31,
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Non-deductible reserves and other	$	445,128			$	475,730
	Inventory valuation reserves	599,763				770,566
	Net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards:
	Federal	515,568				726,398
	State	257,738				292,195
	Alternative minimum tax credits	34,812				28,683
	Energy credit and charitable contribution carryforward	27,858				39,978
		1,880,867				2,333,550
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Capitalized items, including real estate basis differences,	(31,584		)		(39,449		)
	deducted for tax, net
	Trademarks and tradenames	(46,362		)		(50,047		)
		(77,946		)		(89,496		)
	Valuation allowance	(82,253		)		(157,300		)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	1,720,668			$	2,086,754
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies	A reconciliation of the change in the unrecognized tax benefits is as follows ($000’s omitted):
		2014				2013				2012
	Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period	$	173,310			$	170,425			$	171,863
	Increases related to tax positions taken during a prior period	—				12,877				8,782
	Decreases related to tax positions taken during a prior period	(133,883		)		(7,502		)		(9,373		)
	Increases related to tax positions taken during the current	237				381				11,797
	period
	Decreases related to settlements with taxing authorities	(6,753		)		(1,434		)		—
	Reductions as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of	—				(1,437		)		(12,644		)
	limitations
	Unrecognized tax benefits, end of period	$	32,911			$	173,310			$	170,425

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Tables

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	Our assets and liabilities measured or disclosed at fair value are summarized below ($000’s omitted):
	Financial Instrument	Fair Value	Fair Value
		Hierarchy	December 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale	Level 2	$	339,531		$	287,933
	Interest rate lock commitments	Level 2	4,248			3,139
	Forward contracts	Level 2	(3,574		)	4,340
	Whole loan commitments	Level 2	(588		)	105
	Measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:
	House and land inventory	Level 3	$	13,925		$	—
	Disclosed at fair value:
	Cash and equivalents (including restricted cash)	Level 1	$	1,309,220		$	1,653,044
	Financial Services debt	Level 2	140,241			105,664
	Senior notes	Level 2	1,952,774			2,070,744

Other_Assets_and_Accrued_and_O2

Other Assets and Accrued and Other Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Assets and Accrued and Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Assets	Other assets are presented below ($000’s omitted):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Accounts and notes receivable:
	Insurance receivables	$	60,598	$	51,764
	Notes receivable	30,699		32,944
	Other receivables	63,867		52,720
		$	155,164	$	137,428
	Prepaid expenses	72,585		65,965
	Deposits and pre-acquisition costs (Note 1)	127,280		91,034
	Property and equipment, net (Note 1)	75,219		53,051
	Income taxes receivable (Note 9)	21,330		35,437
	Other	61,454		77,706
		$	513,032	$	460,621
Schedule of Accrued and Other Liabilities	Accrued and other liabilities are presented below ($000’s omitted):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Self-insurance liabilities (Note 12)	$	710,245	$	668,100
	Loan origination liabilities (Note 12)	58,222		124,956
	Compensation-related	142,586		171,686
	Warranty (Note 12)	65,389		63,992
	Community development district obligations (Note 12)	17,122		26,124
	Liability for land, not owned, under option agreements (Note 1)	30,186		24,024
	Accrued interest	20,446		22,283
	Limited recourse notes payable	22,255		7,521
	Other	277,323		269,064
		$	1,343,774	$	1,377,750

Commitments_And_Contingencies_1

Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	The future minimum lease payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2014 are as follows ($000’s omitted):
	Years Ending December 31,
	2015	$	28,744
	2016	25,713
	2017	18,817
	2018	14,870
	2019	12,846
	Thereafter	42,733
	Total minimum lease payments (a)	$	143,723
	(a)	Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $5.3 million due in the future under non-cancelable subleases.
Summary of Changes in Loan Origination Liability	Changes in these liabilities were as follows ($000's omitted):
		2014			2013			2012
	Liabilities, beginning of period	$	124,956		$	164,280		$	128,330
	Reserves provided (released)	(18,604		)	—			49,025
	Payments	(48,130		)	(39,324		)	(13,075		)
	Liabilities, end of period	$	58,222		$	124,956		$	164,280
Summary of Changes in Warranty Liability	Changes to warranty liabilities were as follows ($000’s omitted):
		2014			2013			2012
	Warranty liabilities, beginning of period	$	63,992		$	64,098		$	68,025
	Reserves provided	51,348			49,399			45,705
	Payments	(47,968		)	(44,925		)	(45,365		)
	Other adjustments	(1,983		)	(4,580		)	(4,267		)
	Warranty liabilities, end of period	$	65,389		$	63,992		$	64,098
Summary of Changes in Self-insurance Liability	Changes in these liabilities were as follows ($000's omitted):
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance, beginning of period	$	668,100		$	721,284		$	739,029
	Reserves provided	141,790			64,737			54,262
	Payments	(99,645		)	(117,921		)	(72,007		)
	Balance, end of period	$	710,245		$	668,100		$	721,284

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa1

Supplemental Guarantor Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Guarantor Information [Abstract]
Consolidating Balance Sheet	CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	DECEMBER 31, 2014
	($000’s omitted)
		Unconsolidated									Eliminating			Consolidated
											Entries			PulteGroup,
		PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor						Inc.
		Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Cash and equivalents	$	7,454		$	1,157,307		$	128,101		$	—		$	1,292,862
	Restricted cash	3,710			1,513			11,135			—			16,358
	House and land inventory	—			4,391,445			655			—			4,392,100
	Land held for sale	—			100,156			1,034			—			101,190
	Land, not owned, under option	—			30,186			—			—			30,186
	agreements
	Residential mortgage loans available-	—			—			339,531			—			339,531
	for-sale
	Securities purchased under agreements to resell	22,000			—			(22,000		)	—			—
	Investments in unconsolidated entities	74			36,126			4,168			—			40,368
	Other assets	34,214			421,145			57,673			—			513,032
	Intangible assets	—			123,115			—			—			123,115
	Deferred tax assets, net	1,712,853			15			7,800			—			1,720,668
	Investments in subsidiaries and	4,963,831			967,032			6,359,441			(12,290,304		)	—
	intercompany accounts, net
		$	6,744,136		$	7,228,040		$	6,887,538		$	(12,290,304	)	$	8,569,410
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Liabilities:
	Accounts payable, customer deposits,	$	71,874		$	1,514,954		$	170,104		$	—		$	1,756,932
	accrued and other liabilities
	Income tax liabilities	48,747			(25		)	—			—			48,722
	Financial Services debt	—			—			140,241			—			140,241
	Senior notes	1,818,561			—			—			—			1,818,561
	Total liabilities	1,939,182			1,514,929			310,345			—			3,764,456
	Total shareholders’ equity	4,804,954			5,713,111			6,577,193			(12,290,304		)	4,804,954
		$	6,744,136		$	7,228,040		$	6,887,538		$	(12,290,304	)	$	8,569,410
	CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	DECEMBER 31, 2013
	($000’s omitted)
		Unconsolidated									Eliminating			Consolidated
											Entries			PulteGroup,
		PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor						Inc.
		Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Cash and equivalents	$	262,364		$	1,188,999		$	128,966		$	—		$	1,580,329
	Restricted cash	58,699			2,635			11,381			—			72,715
	House and land inventory	—			3,977,851			710			—			3,978,561
	Land held for sale	—			60,701			1,034			—			61,735
	Land, not owned, under option	—			24,024			—			—			24,024
	agreements
	Residential mortgage loans available-	—			—			287,933			—			287,933
	for-sale
	Investments in unconsolidated entities	68			41,319			3,936			—			45,323
	Other assets	50,251			359,228			51,142			—			460,621
	Intangible assets	—			136,148			—			—			136,148
	Deferred tax assets, net	2,074,137			17			12,600			—			2,086,754
	Investments in subsidiaries and	4,532,950			(16,513		)	5,939,784			(10,456,221		)	—
	intercompany accounts, net
		$	6,978,469		$	5,774,409		$	6,437,486		$	(10,456,221	)	$	8,734,143
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Liabilities:
	Accounts payable, customer deposits,	$	65,334		$	1,413,752		$	236,258		$	—		$	1,715,344
	accrued and other liabilities
	Income tax liabilities	206,015			—			—			—			206,015
	Financial Services debt	—			—			105,664			—			105,664
	Senior notes	2,058,168			—			—			—			2,058,168
Total liabilities	2,329,517			1,413,752			341,922			—			4,085,191
Total shareholders’ equity	4,648,952			4,360,657			6,095,564			(10,456,221		)	4,648,952
	$	6,978,469		$	5,774,409		$	6,437,486		$	(10,456,221	)	$	8,734,143
Consolidating Statement Of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	For the year ended December 31, 2014
	($000’s omitted)
		Unconsolidated												Consolidated
														PulteGroup,
		PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
		Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries
	Revenues:
	Homebuilding
	Home sale revenues	$	—		$	5,662,171		$	—		$	—		$	5,662,171
	Land sale revenues	—			34,554			—			—			34,554
		—			5,696,725			—			—			5,696,725
	Financial Services	—			889			124,749			—			125,638
		—			5,697,614			124,749			—			5,822,363
	Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
	Home sale cost of revenues	—			4,343,249			—			—			4,343,249
	Land sale cost of revenues	—			23,748			—			—			23,748
		—			4,366,997			—			—			4,366,997
	Financial Services expenses	784			(130		)	70,585			—			71,239
	Selling, general, and administrative	—			661,308			6,507			—			667,815
	expenses
	Other expense, net	8,521			29,273			951			—			38,745
	Interest income	(337		)	(4,244		)	(51		)	—			(4,632		)
	Interest expense	849			—			—			—			849
	Intercompany interest	9,800			(90		)	(9,710		)	—			—
	Equity in (earnings) loss of	(7		)	(8,182		)	(219		)	—			(8,408		)
	unconsolidated entities
	Income (loss) before income taxes and	(19,610		)	652,682			56,686			—			689,758
	equity in income (loss) of
	subsidiaries
	Income tax expense (benefit)	(7,473		)	201,332			21,561			—			215,420
	Income (loss) before equity in income	(12,137		)	451,350			35,125			—			474,338
	(loss) of subsidiaries
	Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries	486,475			38,534			403,505			(928,514		)	—
	Net income (loss)	474,338			489,884			438,630			(928,514		)	474,338
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	105			—			—			—			105
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	474,443		$	489,884		$	438,630		$	(928,514	)	$	474,443
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	For the year ended December 31, 2013
	($000’s omitted)
		Unconsolidated												Consolidated
														PulteGroup,
		PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
		Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries
	Revenues:
	Homebuilding
	Home sale revenues	$	—		$	5,424,309		$	—		$	—		$	5,424,309
	Land sale revenues	—			114,335			—			—			114,335
		—			5,538,644			—			—			5,538,644
	Financial Services	—			2,353			138,598			—			140,951
		—			5,540,997			138,598			—			5,679,595
	Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
	Home sale cost of revenues	—			4,310,528			—			—			4,310,528
	Land sale cost of revenues	—			104,426			—			—			104,426
		—			4,414,954			—			—			4,414,954
	Financial Services expenses	832			970			90,577			—			92,379
	Selling, general, and administrative	—			573,904			(5,404		)	—			568,500
	expenses
	Other expense, net	26,870			49,681			4,202			—			80,753
	Interest income	(349		)	(3,954		)	(92		)	—			(4,395		)
	Interest expense	712			—			—			—			712
	Intercompany interest	17,518			(8,260		)	(9,258		)	—			—
	Equity in (earnings) loss of	1,461			(1,783		)	(808		)	—			(1,130		)
	unconsolidated entities
Income (loss) before income taxes and	(47,044		)	515,485			59,381			—			527,822
equity in income (loss) of
subsidiaries
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,113,827		)	(799		)	22,332			—			(2,092,294		)
Income (loss) before equity in income	2,066,783			516,284			37,049			—			2,620,116
(loss) of subsidiaries
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries	553,333			35,086			485,400			(1,073,819		)	—
Net income (loss)	2,620,116			551,370			522,449			(1,073,819		)	2,620,116
Other comprehensive income (loss)	197			—			—			—			197
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	2,620,313		$	551,370		$	522,449		$	(1,073,819	)	$	2,620,313
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
($000’s omitted)
	Unconsolidated									Eliminating			Consolidated
										Entries			PulteGroup,
	PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor						Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Revenues:
Homebuilding
Home sale revenues	$	—		$	4,552,412		$	—		$	—		$	4,552,412
Land sale revenues	—			106,698			—			—			106,698
	—			4,659,110			—			—			4,659,110
Financial Services	—			2,082			158,806			—			160,888
	—			4,661,192			158,806			—			4,819,998
Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
Home sale cost of revenues	—			3,833,451			—			—			3,833,451
Land sale cost of revenues	—			94,880			—			—			94,880
	—			3,928,331			—			—			3,928,331
Financial Services expenses	379			567			134,565			—			135,511
Selling, general, and administrative	—			515,283			(826		)	—			514,457
expenses
Other expense (income), net	32,027			33,506			765			—			66,298
Interest income	(229		)	(4,597		)	(87		)	—			(4,913		)
Interest expense	819			—			—			—			819
Intercompany interest	587,281			(573,852		)	(13,429		)	—			—
Equity in (earnings) loss of	(1		)	(3,555		)	(503		)	—			(4,059		)
unconsolidated entities
Income (loss) before income taxes and	(620,276		)	765,509			38,321			—			183,554
equity in income (loss) of
subsidiaries
Income tax expense (benefit)	426			(22,299		)	(718		)	—			(22,591		)
Income (loss) before equity in income	(620,702		)	787,808			39,039			—			206,145
(loss) of subsidiaries
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries	826,847			34,596			476,806			(1,338,249		)	—
Net income (loss)	206,145			822,404			515,845			(1,338,249		)	206,145
Other comprehensive income (loss)	314			—			—			—			314
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	206,459		$	822,404		$	515,845		$	(1,338,249	)	$	206,459
Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the year ended December 31, 2014
	($000’s omitted)
		Unconsolidated												Consolidated
		PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			PulteGroup, Inc.
		Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries
	Net cash provided by (used in)	$	206,485		$	175,415		$	(72,651	)	$	—		$	309,249
	operating activities
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Distributions from unconsolidated	—			8,161			(4		)	—			8,157
	entities
	Investments in unconsolidated entities	—			—			(9		)	—			(9		)
	Net change in loans held for investment	—			—			335			—			335
	Change in restricted cash related to	54,989			—			—			—			54,989
	letters of credit
	Proceeds from the sale of property and	—			113			—			—			113
	equipment
	Capital expenditures	—			(44,956		)	(3,834		)	—			(48,790		)
	Cash used for business acquisition	—			(82,419		)	—			—			(82,419		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing	54,989			(119,101		)	(3,512		)	—			(67,624		)
	activities
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Financial Services borrowings	—			—			34,577			—			34,577
	(repayments)
	Other borrowings (repayments)	(249,765		)	(866		)	—			—			(250,631		)
	Stock option exercises	15,627			—			—			—			15,627
	Stock repurchases	(253,019		)	—			—			—			(253,019		)
	Dividends paid	(75,646		)	—			—			—			(75,646		)
	Intercompany activities, net	46,419			(87,140		)	40,721			—			—
	Net cash provided by (used in)	(516,384		)	(88,006		)	75,298			—			(529,092		)
	financing activities
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and	(254,910		)	(31,692		)	(865		)	—			(287,467		)
	equivalents
	Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	262,364			1,188,999			128,966			—			1,580,329
	Cash and equivalents at end of year	$	7,454		$	1,157,307		$	128,101		$	—		$	1,292,862
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the year ended December 31, 2013
	($000’s omitted)
		Unconsolidated												Consolidated
		PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			PulteGroup, Inc.
		Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries
	Net cash provided by (used in)	$	(41	)	$	865,267		$	15,910		$	—		$	881,136
	operating activities
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Distributions from unconsolidated	—			1,001			—			—			1,001
	entities
	Investments in unconsolidated entities	—			(1,677		)	—			—			(1,677		)
	Net change in loans held for investment	—			—			(12,265		)	—			(12,265		)
	Change in restricted cash related to	(4,152		)	—			—			—			(4,152		)
	letters of credit
	Proceeds from the sale of property and	—			15			—			—			15
	equipment
	Capital expenditures	—			(26,472		)	(2,427		)	—			(28,899		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing	(4,152		)	(27,133		)	(14,692		)	—			(45,977		)
	activities
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Financial Services borrowings	—			—			(33,131		)				(33,131		)
	(repayments)
	Other borrowings (repayments)	(485,048		)	5,221									(479,827		)
	Stock option exercises	19,411			—			—			—			19,411
	Stock repurchases	(127,661		)	—			—			—			(127,661		)
	Dividends paid	(38,382		)	—			—			—			(38,382		)
	Intercompany activities, net	752,069			(718,299		)	(33,770		)	—			—
	Net cash provided by (used in)	120,389			(713,078		)	(66,901		)	—			(659,590		)
financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and	116,196			125,056			(65,683		)	—			175,569
equivalents
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	146,168			1,063,943			194,649			—			1,404,760
Cash and equivalents at end of year	$	262,364		$	1,188,999		$	128,966		$	—		$	1,580,329
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended December 31, 2012
($000’s omitted)
	Unconsolidated												Consolidated
													PulteGroup,
	PulteGroup,			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries
Net cash provided by (used in)	$	(582,762	)	$	1,332,342		$	10,560		$	—		$	760,140
operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Distributions from unconsolidated	—			3,029			—			—			3,029
entities
Investments in unconsolidated entities	—			(16,456		)	—			—			(16,456		)
Net change in loans held for	—			—			836			—			836
investment
Change in restricted cash related to	28,653			—			—			—			28,653
letters of credit
Proceeds from the sale of property and	—			7,586			—			—			7,586
equipment
Capital expenditures	—			(10,831		)	(3,111		)	—			(13,942		)
Net cash provided by (used in)	28,653			(16,672		)	(2,275		)	—			9,706
investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Financial Services borrowings (repayments)	—			—			138,795			—			138,795
Other borrowings (repayments)	(620,700		)	1,900			—			—			(618,800		)
Stock option exercises	32,809			—			—			—			32,809
Stock repurchases	(961		)	—			—			—			(961		)
Intercompany activities, net	1,169,842			(1,129,188		)	(40,654		)	—			—
Net cash provided by (used in)	580,990			(1,127,288		)	98,141			—			(448,157		)
financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and	26,881			188,382			106,426			—			321,689
equivalents
Cash and equivalents at beginning of	119,287			875,561			88,223			—			1,083,071
year
Cash and equivalents at end of year	$	146,168		$	1,063,943		$	194,649		$	—		$	1,404,760

Quarterly_Results_Unaudited_Ta

Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	UNAUDITED QUARTERLY INFORMATION
	(000’s omitted, except per share data)
		1st		2nd		3rd			4th		Total (a)
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter			Quarter
	2014
	Homebuilding:
	Revenues	$	1,093,999	$	1,254,989	$	1,561,273		$	1,786,464	$	5,696,725
	Cost of revenues	833,614		959,524		1,198,908			1,374,951		4,366,997
	Income before income taxes (b)	108,435		58,573		214,051			254,118		635,177
	Financial Services:
	Revenues	$	24,895	$	31,198	$	33,452		$	36,093	$	125,638
	Income before income taxes (c)	21,594		9,108		10,877			13,002		54,581
	Consolidated results:
	Revenues	$	1,118,894	$	1,286,187	$	1,594,725		$	1,822,557	$	5,822,363
	Income before income taxes	130,029		67,681		224,928			267,120		689,758
	Income tax expense (d)	55,210		25,801		84,383			50,025		215,420
	Net income	$	74,819	$	41,880	$	140,545		$	217,095	$	474,338
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.19	$	0.11	$	0.37		$	0.58	$	1.27
	Diluted	$	0.19	$	0.11	$	0.37		$	0.58	$	1.26
	Number of shares used in calculation:
	Basic	383,991		376,072		373,531			369,533		370,377
	Effect of dilutive securities	3,815		3,592		3,761			3,734		3,725
	Diluted	387,806		379,664		377,292			373,267		374,102
	(a)	Due to rounding, the sum of quarterly results may not equal the total for the year. Additionally, quarterly and year-to-date computations of per share amounts are made independently.
	(b)	Homebuilding income before income taxes includes losses on debt retirement of $8.6 million in the 1st Quarter; charges of $84.5 million to increase general liability insurance reserves in the 2nd Quarter; and costs associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters of $8.7 million, offset by favorable adjustments of $15.2 million to decrease general liability insurance reserves in the 4th Quarter.
	(c)	Financial Services expenses in the 1st Quarter includes a reduction in loan origination liabilities totaling $18.6 million.
	(d)	Income tax expense in the 4th Quarter includes a benefit of $49.6 million related to the resolution of certain tax matters and the reversal of valuation allowance related to certain state deferred tax assets.
	UNAUDITED QUARTERLY INFORMATION
	(000’s omitted, except per share data)
		1st		2nd		3rd			4th		Total (a)
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter			Quarter
	2013
	Homebuilding:
	Revenues	$	1,125,883	$	1,240,060	$	1,547,742		$	1,624,959	$	5,538,644
	Cost of revenues	923,488		1,011,528		1,230,070			1,249,868		4,414,954
	Income before income taxes (b)	68,037		21,971		163,594			225,511		479,113
	Financial Services:
	Revenues	$	36,873	$	39,362	$	34,336		$	30,380	$	140,951
	Income before income taxes	14,313		16,359		11,128			6,909		48,709
	Consolidated results:
	Revenues	$	1,162,756	$	1,279,422	$	1,582,078		$	1,655,339	$	5,679,595
	Income before income taxes	82,350		38,330		174,722			232,420		527,822
	Income tax expense (benefit) (c)	588		1,913		(2,107,162		)	12,367		(2,092,294		)
	Net income	$	81,762	$	36,417	$	2,281,884		$	220,053	$	2,620,116
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.21	$	0.09	$	5.92		$	0.58	$	6.79
	Diluted	$	0.21	$	0.09	$	5.87		$	0.57	$	6.72
	Number of shares used in calculation:
	Basic	384,228		385,389		382,883			379,879		383,077
	Effect of dilutive securities	6,093		5,791		3,220			3,845		3,789
	Diluted	390,321		391,180		386,103			383,724		386,866
	(a)	Due to rounding, the sum of quarterly results may not equal the total for the year. Additionally, quarterly and year-to-date computations of per share amounts are made independently.
	(b)	Homebuilding income before income taxes in the 2nd Quarter includes charges totaling $66.6 million consisting of losses on debt retirements, costs associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters, and a contractual dispute related to a previously completed luxury community.
	(c)	Income tax expense (benefit) includes a benefit of $2.1 billion and $73.7 million in the 3rd Quarter and 4th Quarter, respectively, related to the reversal of substantially all of the valuation allowance previously recorded against our deferred tax assets.

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$82,400,000
Unfunded settlements	5,100,000	3,700,000
Intangible asset useful life	20 years
Intangible assets, acquired cost (gross)	259,000,000	259,000,000
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	135,900,000	122,900,000
Intangible assets amortization expense	13,033,000	13,100,000	13,100,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	12,900,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two	12,900,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three	12,900,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four	12,900,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five	12,900,000
Intangible asset impairment expense	0	0	0
Property and equipment, net	75,219,000	53,051,000
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	192,200,000	182,000,000
Depreciation Expense	26,800,000	18,500,000	16,900,000
Advertising Expense	41,800,000	42,400,000	45,800,000
Employee benefit plan company contributions	12,100,000	11,000,000	9,400,000
Charges related to contractual dispute		41,200,000
Provision for Doubtful Accounts			5,100,000
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	6.6	9.6	16.6
Number of VIEs requiring consolidation	0	0
Land, not owned, under option agreements	30,186,000	24,024,000
Liability for land, not owned, under option agreements	30,186,000	24,024,000
Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale	339,531,000	287,933,000
Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale aggregate outstanding principal balance	327,400,000	278,100,000
Net gain (loss) from change in fair value	1,700,000	-1,200,000
Net gains from the sale of mortgages	67,200,000	80,300,000	109,200,000
Loans held for investment, net	12,500,000	11,000,000
Days past contractual term once loans no longer accrue interest income	90 days
Variability in future cash flows of derivative instruments in days	75 days
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property and equipment, useful life	2 years
Minimum [Member]
Period of Reimbursement of Payments on Loan Prepay in Days	90 days
Minimum [Member] | Equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, useful life	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Period of Reimbursement of Payments on Loan Prepay in Days	120 days
Maximum [Member] | Equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, useful life	10 years
Financial Services [Member]
Interest income on mortgage loans	7,200,000	7,500,000	6,000,000
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Derivative, notional amount	146,100,000	175,700,000
Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative, notional amount	371,000,000	381,500,000
Whole Loan Commitments [Member]
Derivative, notional amount	$63,500,000	$31,700,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Other Expense (Income), Net) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other expense (income), net [Line Items]
Write-off of deposits and pre-acquisition costs		$6,099	$3,122	$2,278
Loss on debt retirements	8,584	8,584	26,930	32,071
Amortization of intangible assets		13,033	13,100	13,100
Miscellaneous, net		1,420	34,823	11,543
Other expense, net		38,745	80,753	66,298
Homebuilding [Member]
Other expense (income), net [Line Items]
Lease exit and related costs		$9,609	$2,778	$7,306

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income	$217,095	$140,545	$41,880	$74,819	$220,053	$2,281,884	$36,417	$81,762	$474,338	$2,620,116	$206,145
Less: earnings distributed to participating securities									-583	-407	0
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities									-2,668	-19,201	0
Numerator for basic earnings per share									471,087	2,600,508	206,145
Add back: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities									2,668	19,201	0
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities									-2,643	-18,845	0
Numerator for diluted earnings per share									$471,112	$2,600,864	$206,145
Denominator:
Basic shares outstanding	369,533	373,531	376,072	383,991	379,879	382,883	385,389	384,228	370,377	383,077	381,562
Effect of dilutive securities (shares)	3,734	3,761	3,592	3,815	3,845	3,220	5,791	6,093	3,725	3,789	3,002
Diluted shares outstanding (shares)	373,267	377,292	379,664	387,806	383,724	386,103	391,180	390,321	374,102	386,866	384,564
Earnings per share:
Basic (usd per share)	$0.58	$0.37	$0.11	$0.19	$0.58	$5.92	$0.09	$0.21	$1.27	$6.79	$0.54
Diluted (usd per share)	$0.58	$0.37	$0.11	$0.19	$0.57	$5.87	$0.09	$0.21	$1.26	$6.72	$0.54

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of The Company's Interests In Land Option Agreements) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Land under option agreement [Line Items]
Deposits and Pre-acquisition Costs	$127,280	$91,034
Remaining Purchase Price	1,890,585	1,390,286
Land, Not Owned, Under Option Agreements	30,186	24,024
Consolidated and Unconsolidated VIEs [Member]
Land under option agreement [Line Items]
Deposits and Pre-acquisition Costs	56,039	40,486
Remaining Purchase Price	891,506	661,158
Land, Not Owned, Under Option Agreements	12,533	8,167
Other Land Option Agreements Member
Land under option agreement [Line Items]
Deposits and Pre-acquisition Costs	71,241	50,548
Remaining Purchase Price	999,079	729,128
Land, Not Owned, Under Option Agreements	$17,653	$15,857

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Fair Value Of the Company's Derivative Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Other Assets	$4,423	$8,191
Other Liabilities	4,337	607
Whole Loan Commitments [Member]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Other Assets	31	189
Other Liabilities	619	84
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Other Assets	4,313	3,628
Other Liabilities	65	489
Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Other Assets	79	4,374
Other Liabilities	$3,653	$34

Corporate_Office_Relocation_Na

Corporate Office Relocation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected restructuring and relocation costs	$15
Home Office Relocation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance, retention, relocation, and related costs	16.3	15.4
Home Office Relocation [Member] | Employee severance, retention, and relocation costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance, retention, relocation, and related costs	7.6	15
Home Office Relocation [Member] | Asset impairments [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance, retention, relocation, and related costs	$8.70	$0.40

Recovered_Sheet1

Inventory And Land Held for Sale (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Capitalized interest related to inventory impairments expensed to cost of revenues	$1.30	$2.90	$6.50

Inventory_And_Land_Held_For_Sa3

Inventory And Land Held For Sale (Major Components Of Inventory) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Homes under construction	$1,084,137	$1,042,147	$1,116,184
Land under development	2,545,049	2,189,387	2,435,378
Raw land	762,914	747,027	662,484
House and land inventory	$4,392,100	$3,978,561	$4,214,046

Inventory_And_Land_Held_For_Sa4

Inventory And Land Held For Sale (Information Related To Interest Capitalized Into Homebuilding Inventory) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Real Estate Inventory, Capitalized Interest Costs [Roll Forward]
Interest in inventory, beginning of period	$230,922	$331,880	$355,068
Interest capitalized	131,444	154,107	201,103
Interest expensed	-194,728	-255,065	-224,291
Interest in inventory, end of period	$167,638	$230,922	$331,880

Inventory_And_Land_Held_For_Sa5

Inventory And Land Held For Sale Inventory and Land Held for Sale (Land-related Charges) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Land impairments	$3,911	$2,944	$13,437
Net realizable value adjustments (NRV) - land held for sale	1,158	3,606	1,480
Write-off of deposits and pre-acquisition costs	6,099	3,122	2,278
Total land-related charges	$11,168	$9,672	$17,195

Inventory_And_Land_Held_For_Sa6

Inventory And Land Held For Sale (Land Held For Sale) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Land held for sale, gross	$108,725	$70,003
Net realizable value reserves	-7,535	-8,268
Land held for sale, net	$101,190	$61,735

Segment_Information_Narrative_

Segment Information Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
				segment
Segment Reporting Information
Home sale revenues				$5,662,171,000	$5,424,309,000	$4,552,412,000
Number of reportable segments				6
Loss on debt retirements			8,584,000	8,584,000	26,930,000	32,071,000
Adjustment to self insurance reserves	-15,200,000	84,500,000		69,300,000
Charges related to contractual dispute					41,200,000
Detached single-family homes [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Home sale revenues				4,800,000,000	4,500,000,000	3,600,000,000
Attached homes [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Home sale revenues				885,800,000	939,000,000	925,400,000
Home Office Relocation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Costs associated with the relocation of corporate headquarters				$16,300,000	$15,400,000

Segment_Information_Operating_

Segment Information (Operating Data By Segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Homebuilding	$1,786,464	$1,561,273	$1,254,989	$1,093,999	$1,624,959	$1,547,742	$1,240,060	$1,125,883	$5,696,725	$5,538,644	$4,659,110
Financial Services	36,093	33,452	31,198	24,895	30,380	34,336	39,362	36,873	125,638	140,951	160,888
Consolidated revenues	1,822,557	1,594,725	1,286,187	1,118,894	1,655,339	1,582,078	1,279,422	1,162,756	5,822,363	5,679,595	4,819,998
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Homebuilding	254,118	214,051	58,573	108,435	225,511	163,594	21,971	68,037	635,177	479,113	157,991
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes	267,120	224,928	67,681	130,029	232,420	174,722	38,330	82,350	689,758	527,822	183,554
Northeast [Member]
Revenues:
Homebuilding									710,859	819,709	755,148
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes									103,865	110,246	73,345
Southeast [Member]
Revenues:
Homebuilding									949,635	842,921	691,113
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes									156,513	121,055	64,678
Florida [Member]
Revenues:
Homebuilding									917,956	802,665	628,997
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes									190,441	139,673	73,472
Texas [Member]
Revenues:
Homebuilding									859,165	835,473	682,929
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes									133,005	111,431	60,979
North [Member]
Revenues:
Homebuilding									1,436,500	1,232,814	1,022,633
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes									197,230	164,348	84,597
Southwest [Member]
Revenues:
Homebuilding									822,610	1,005,062	878,290
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes									136,357	179,163	79,887
Other Homebuilding [Member]
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes									-282,234	-346,803	-278,967
Financial Services [Member]
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes									$54,581	$48,709	$25,563

Segment_Information_LandRelate

Segment Information (Land-Related Charges By Segment) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information
Total land-related charges	$11,168	$9,672	$17,195
Northeast [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Total land-related charges	2,824	557	1,794
Southeast [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Total land-related charges	1,826	998	1,363
Florida [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Total land-related charges	487	1,076	214
Texas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Total land-related charges	321	191	556
North [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Total land-related charges	3,227	3,434	4,546
Southwest [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Total land-related charges	816	472	2,254
Other Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Total land-related charges	$1,667	$2,944	$6,468

Segment_Information_Depreciati

Segment Information (Depreciation and Amortization) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	$39,864	$31,587	$30,027
Northeast [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	1,852	1,987	1,790
Southeast [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	2,666	1,647	1,028
Florida [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	2,150	1,334	1,640
Texas [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	1,698	1,784	1,619
North [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	4,414	2,265	1,709
Southwest [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	4,002	2,969	3,143
Other Homebuilding [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	19,548	16,248	16,168
Homebuilding [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	36,330	28,234	27,097
Financial Services [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	$3,534	$3,353	$2,930

Segment_Information_Equity_in_

Segment Information (Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	($8,408)	($1,130)	($4,059)
Northeast [Member]
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	-4,733	-58	-4
Southeast [Member]
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	0	0	0
Florida [Member]
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	-7	-4	0
Texas [Member]
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	0	0	0
North [Member]
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	-2,417	-608	-1,497
Southwest [Member]
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	-486	-678	-1,137
Other Homebuilding [Member]
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	-583	355	-1,235
Homebuilding [Member]
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	-8,226	-993	-3,873
Financial Services [Member]
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	($182)	($137)	($186)

Segment_Information_Total_Asse

Segment Information (Total Assets And Inventory By Reportable Segment) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information
Homes under construction	$1,084,137	$1,042,147	$1,116,184
Land under development	2,545,049	2,189,387	2,435,378
Raw land	762,914	747,027	662,484
House and land inventory	4,392,100	3,978,561	4,214,046
Total assets	8,569,410	8,734,143	6,734,409
Northeast [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Homes under construction	184,974	212,611	198,549
Land under development	266,229	325,241	445,436
Raw land	106,077	106,681	109,136
House and land inventory	557,280	644,533	753,121
Total assets	659,224	731,259	866,024
Southeast [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Homes under construction	147,506	139,484	147,227
Land under development	304,762	274,981	286,210
Raw land	117,981	146,617	120,193
House and land inventory	570,249	561,082	553,630
Total assets	605,067	599,271	590,650
Florida [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Homes under construction	150,743	140,366	130,276
Land under development	350,016	295,631	310,625
Raw land	112,225	104,766	100,633
House and land inventory	612,984	540,763	541,534
Total assets	717,531	618,449	620,220
Texas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Homes under construction	134,873	130,398	145,594
Land under development	250,102	223,979	256,704
Raw land	91,765	57,480	54,556
House and land inventory	476,740	411,857	456,854
Total assets	528,392	466,198	523,843
North [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Homes under construction	280,970	227,537	219,172
Land under development	478,665	350,239	369,144
Raw land	137,044	78,945	46,414
House and land inventory	896,679	656,721	634,730
Total assets	996,908	716,239	680,447
Southwest [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Homes under construction	166,056	159,350	226,204
Land under development	698,513	512,164	496,488
Raw land	163,421	201,659	167,295
House and land inventory	1,027,990	873,173	889,987
Total assets	1,113,592	940,462	963,540
Other Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Homes under construction	19,015	32,401	49,162
Land under development	196,762	207,152	270,771
Raw land	34,401	50,879	64,257
House and land inventory	250,178	290,432	384,190
Total assets	3,527,731	4,334,591	2,140,739
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Homes under construction	1,084,137	1,042,147	1,116,184
Land under development	2,545,049	2,189,387	2,435,378
Raw land	762,914	747,027	662,484
House and land inventory	4,392,100	3,978,561	4,214,046
Total assets	8,148,445	8,406,469	6,385,463
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information
Total assets	$420,965	$327,674	$348,946

Investments_In_Unconsolidated_2

Investments In Unconsolidated Entities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	$8,408,000	$1,130,000	$4,059,000
Capital contributions made to unconsolidated entities	9,000	1,677,000	16,456,000
Capital and earnings distributions received from unconsolidated entities	$13,100,000	$3,100,000	$10,500,000

Investments_In_Unconsolidated_3

Investments In Unconsolidated Entities (Summary Schedule Of Joint Ventures) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments in joint ventures with debt non-recourse to Company	$26,488	$26,532
Investments in other active joint ventures	13,880	18,791
Total investments in unconsolidated entities	40,368	45,323
Total joint venture debt	25,849	12,408
Company proportionate share of joint venture debt:
Joint venture debt with limited recourse guaranties	283	750
Joint venture debt non-recourse to Company	11,341	3,654
Company's total proportionate share of joint venture debt	$11,624	$4,404

Debt_Narrative_Details

Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jul. 23, 2014	Sep. 08, 2014	Jun. 01, 2015	Feb. 02, 2015
Debt Instrument
Long-term debt principal total		$1,826,239,000
Long-term debt, maturities, repayments of principal, 2015		238,000,000
Long-term debt, maturities, repayments of principal, 2016		465,200,000
Long-term debt, maturities, repayments of principal, 2017		123,000,000
Long-term debt, maturities, repayments of principal, 2018		0
Long-term debt, maturities, repayments of principal, 2019		0
Long-term debt, maturities, repayments of principal, thereafter		1,000,000,000
Extinguishment of debt, amount		245,700,000	461,400,000	592,400,000
Loss on debt retirements	8,584,000	8,584,000	26,930,000	32,071,000
Letters of credit outstanding, amount		212,100,000	183,100,000
Notes Payable		22,255,000	7,521,000
Debt Instrument, Term		6 years
Financial Services debt		140,241,000	105,664,000
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		5.00%
Unsecured Letter Of Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument
Letters of credit outstanding, amount		208,400,000
Letter Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument
Letters of credit outstanding, amount		3,700,000	58,700,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument
Maximum borrowing capacity							500,000,000
Line of Credit, Current		0
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date		23-Jul-14
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date		21-Jul-17
Revolving Credit Facility Accordion Feature [Member]
Debt Instrument
Maximum borrowing capacity							1,000,000,000
Financial Services [Member]
Debt Instrument
Maximum borrowing capacity		150,000,000	150,000,000	150,000,000
Financial Services [Member] | Unsecured Letter Of Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date		1-Sep-14
Financial Services [Member] | Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument
Maximum borrowing capacity								150,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date		8-Sep-14
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date		7-Sep-15
Financial Services debt		140,200,000	105,700,000
Financial Services [Member] | Repurchase Agreement [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Debt Instrument
Maximum borrowing capacity									$150,000,000	$99,800,000
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date					1-Jun-15	2-Feb-15

Debt_Summary_Of_Companys_Senio

Debt (Summary Of Company's Senior Notes) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument
Senior note carrying value	$1,818,561	$2,058,168
Estimated fair value	1,952,774	2,070,744
Unsecured Senior Notes 5.20% Due February 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Senior note carrying value	0	95,633
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	5.20%	5.20%
Debt instrument, maturity date, description	Feb-15	Feb-15
Unsecured Senior Notes 5.25% Due June 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Senior note carrying value	236,452	233,085
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	5.25%	5.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date, description	Jun-15	Jun-15
Unsecured Senior Notes 6.50% Due May 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Senior note carrying value	462,009	459,581
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	6.50%	6.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date, description	May-16	May-16
Unsecured Senior Notes 7.625% Due October 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Senior note carrying value	122,752	122,663
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	7.63%	7.63%
Debt instrument, maturity date, description	Oct-17	Oct-17
Unsecured Senior Notes 7.875% Due June 2032 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Senior note carrying value	299,239	299,196
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	7.88%	7.88%
Debt instrument, maturity date, description	Jun-32	Jun-32
Unsecured Senior Notes 6.375% Due May 2033 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Senior note carrying value	398,640	398,567
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	6.38%	6.38%
Debt instrument, maturity date, description	May-33	May-33
Unsecured Senior Notes 6.00% Due February 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Senior note carrying value	299,469	299,443
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	6.00%	6.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date, description	Feb-35	Feb-35
Unsecured Senior Notes 7.375% Due June 2046 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Senior note carrying value	$0	$150,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	7.38%	7.38%
Debt instrument, maturity date, description	Jun-46	Jun-46

Debt_Aggregate_Borrowing_Infor

Debt (Aggregate Borrowing Information) (Details) (Financial Services [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Financial Services [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Available credit lines	$150,000,000	$150,000,000	$150,000,000
Unused credit lines	$9,759,000	$44,336,000	$11,205,000
Weighted-average interest rate	2.70%	2.90%	3.00%

Shareholders_Equity_Narrative_

Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cash dividends declared (usd per share)	$0.08	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$0.10	$0.23	$0.15	$0
Dividends declared							$86,370,000	$57,530,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	750,000,000						750,000,000
Stock repurchases							253,019,000	127,661,000	961,000
Share repurchase plan [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Remaining value of stock repurchase programs authorization	738,500,000						738,500,000
Shares repurchased under authorized repurchase programs							12,900	7,200	0
Stock repurchases							245,800,000	118,052,000	0
Shares withheld to pay taxes [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchases							$7,200,000	$9,600,000	$1,000,000

Stock_Compensation_Plans_Narra

Stock Compensation Plans Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum period stock options, appreciation rights, restricted stock, and restricted stock units can be granted	10 years
Number of shares available for grant	23,500,000
Number of Years Stock Options are Exercisable After Grant Date	10 years
Stock options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock based compensation vesting period maximum	4 years
Unrecognized stock compensation expense	$0
Aggregate instrinsic value of stock options exercised	14.1	10.8	8.6
Intrinsic value of outstanding stock options	48.8
Intrinsic value of exercisable stock options	47.3
Restricted stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock based compensation vesting period maximum	3 years
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized stock compensation expense	0.2
Weighted average period in which stock based compensation costs are expensed	1 year
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units outstanding vested but not yet paid	75,080
Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized stock compensation expense	13.9
Weighted average period in which stock based compensation costs are expensed	2 years
Restricted stock shares vested during period, total fair value	8.1	12.7	3.7
Field long-term compensation plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock based compensation vesting period maximum	3 years
Long-term incentive plan liability	9.5	12.6
Senior management long-term compensation plan [Member] [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock based compensation vesting period maximum	3 years
Long-term incentive plan liability	$26.20	$14.30
Stock compensation plan price floor	$5

Stock_Compensation_Plans_Expen

Stock Compensation Plans (Expense by plan type) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$29,292	$30,480	$22,897
Stock options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	121	1,056	2,617
Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	13,690	13,418	10,077
Long-term incentive plans [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$15,481	$16,006	$10,203

Stock_Compensation_Plans_Stock

Stock Compensation Plans (Stock Option Activity Rollforward) (Details) (Stock options [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock options [Member]
Stock Option Activity [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning of year	12,887	17,148	21,641
Granted	0	0	0
Exercised	-1,422	-1,432	-2,877
Forfeited	-2,095	-2,829	-1,616
Outstanding, end of year	9,370	12,887	17,148
Options exercisable at year end	9,265	12,402	15,719
Weighted-average per share fair value of options granted during the year	$0	$0	$0
Outstanding, weighted-average per share exercise price, beginning of year	$23	$22	$21
Granted, weighted-average per share exercise price	$0	$0	$0
Exercised, weighted-average per share exercise price	$11	$14	$11
Forfeited, weighted-average per share exercise price	$29	$25	$27
Options outstanding, weighted-average per share exercise price, end of year	$23	$23	$22
Options exercisable at year end, weighted-average per share exercise price	$23	$23	$23

Stock_Compensation_Plans_Weigh

Stock Compensation Plans (Weighted-average remaining contractual lives of stock options outstanding) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options outstanding - number outstanding	9,370
Options outstanding - weighted average per share exercise price	$23
Options exercisable - number exercisable	9,265
Options exercisable - weighted average per share exercise price	$23
Weighted average remaining contractual term	3 years
$0.01 to $11.00 [Member]
Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options outstanding - number outstanding	907
Options outstanding - weighted average per share exercise price	$10
Options exercisable - number exercisable	802
Options exercisable - weighted average per share exercise price	$10
Exercise price range, lower range limit	$0.01
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$11
Weighted average remaining contractual term	4 years
$11.01 to $18.00 [Member]
Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options outstanding - number outstanding	4,003
Options outstanding - weighted average per share exercise price	$12
Options exercisable - number exercisable	4,003
Options exercisable - weighted average per share exercise price	$12
Exercise price range, lower range limit	$11.01
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$18
Weighted average remaining contractual term	4 years 7 months 6 days
$18.01 to $25.00 [Member]
Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options outstanding - number outstanding	417
Options outstanding - weighted average per share exercise price	$23
Options exercisable - number exercisable	417
Options exercisable - weighted average per share exercise price	$23
Exercise price range, lower range limit	$18.01
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$25
Weighted average remaining contractual term	3 months 18 days
$25.01 to $35.00 [Member]
Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options outstanding - number outstanding	1,997
Options outstanding - weighted average per share exercise price	$34
Options exercisable - number exercisable	1,997
Options exercisable - weighted average per share exercise price	$34
Exercise price range, lower range limit	$25.01
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$35
Weighted average remaining contractual term	1 year 10 months 24 days
$35.01 to $45.00 [Member]
Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options outstanding - number outstanding	2,046
Options outstanding - weighted average per share exercise price	$40
Options exercisable - number exercisable	2,046
Options exercisable - weighted average per share exercise price	$40
Exercise price range, lower range limit	$35.01
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$45
Weighted average remaining contractual term	0 years 10 months 24 days

Stock_Compensation_Plans_Restr

Stock Compensation Plans (Restricted Stock, RSUs and Performance Shares Activity Rollforward) (Details) (Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Restricted Stock, RSUs and Performance Shares Activity [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning of year	3,211	3,822	3,042
Granted	974	806	1,461
Vested	-1,019	-1,391	-544
Forfeited	-276	-26	-137
Outstanding, end of year	2,890	3,211	3,822
Vested, end of year	75	60	51
Outstanding, beginning of year, weighted-average per share grant date fair value	$11	$9	$9
Granted, weighted-average per share grant date fair value	$19	$21	$10
Vested, weighted-average per share grant date fair value	$10	$11	$11
Forfeited, weighted-average per share grant date fair value	$15	$15	$10
Outstanding, end of year, weighted-average per share grant date fair value	$15	$11	$9
Vested, end of year, weighted-average per share grant date fair value	$13	$12	$10

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Gross federal NOL carryforward	$1,500,000,000			$1,500,000,000
Section 382 limitation amount per year				67,400,000
Section 382 limitation period				60 months
Valuation allowance adjustment	49,600,000	73,700,000	2,100,000,000	45,600,000
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)				223,769,000	-2,096,423,000	0
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	32,911,000	173,310,000		32,911,000	173,310,000	170,425,000	171,863,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	21,400,000	21,500,000		21,400,000	21,500,000
Income tax liabilities	48,722,000	206,015,000		48,722,000	206,015,000
Possible decrease in unrecognized tax benefits	4,100,000			4,100,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest accrued	17,300,000	33,100,000		17,300,000	33,100,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest expense				$15,800,000	($3,000,000)
Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
IncomeTaxNetOperatingLossCarryforwardPeriod				5 years
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates				1-Jan-14
Income tax examination, year(s) under examination				2004
Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
IncomeTaxNetOperatingLossCarryforwardPeriod				20 years
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates				1-Jan-34
Income tax examination, year(s) under examination				2014

Income_Taxes_Components_of_cur

Income Taxes Components of current and deferred income tax expense (benefit) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current provision (benefit)
Federal									$5,619	$5,725	($8,523)
State and other									-13,968	-1,596	-14,068
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									-8,349	4,129	-22,591
Deferred provision (benefit)
Federal									232,969	-1,833,580	0
State and other									-9,200	-262,843	0
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									223,769	-2,096,423	0
Income tax expense (benefit)	$50,025	$84,383	$25,801	$55,210	$12,367	($2,107,162)	$1,913	$588	$215,420	($2,092,294)	($22,591)

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes Reconciliation of statutory federal income tax rate to effective income tax rate (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes at federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effect of state and local income taxes, net of federal tax	3.00%	4.00%	3.00%
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	-6.60%	-438.00%	-37.70%
Tax contingencies	-1.40%	0.30%	-10.60%
Other	1.20%	2.30%	-2.00%
Effective rate	31.20%	-396.40%	-12.30%

Income_Taxes_Net_deferred_tax_

Income Taxes Net deferred tax asset (liability) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]
Non-deductible reserves and other	$445,128	$475,730
Inventory valuation reserves	599,763	770,566
Net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards:
Federal	515,568	726,398
State	257,738	292,195
Alternative minimum tax credits	34,812	28,683
Energy credit and charitable contribution carryforward	27,858	39,978
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	1,880,867	2,333,550
Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]
Capitalized items, including real estate basis differences, deducted for tax, net	-31,584	-39,449
Trademarks and tradenames	-46,362	-50,047
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	-77,946	-89,496
Valuation allowance	-82,253	-157,300
Net deferred tax asset (liability)	$1,720,668	$2,086,754

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of1

Income Taxes Reconciliation of the change in unrecognized tax benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of the change in unrecognized tax benefits [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, beginning of period	$173,310	$170,425	$171,863
Increases related to tax positions taken during a prior period	0	12,877	8,782
Decreases related to tax positions taken during a prior period	-133,883	-7,502	-9,373
Increases related to tax positions taken during the current period	237	381	11,797
Decreases related to settlements with taxing authorities	-6,753	-1,434	0
Reductions as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations	0	-1,437	-12,644
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, end of period	$32,911	$173,310	$170,425

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Fair_Va1

Fair Value Disclosures Fair Value Disclosures (Narrative) (Details) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Senior notes	$1,818,561	$2,058,168

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Fair_Va2

Fair Value Disclosures Fair Value Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disclosed at fair value:
Senior notes, fair value	$1,952,774	$2,070,744
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Disclosed at fair value:
Cash and equivalents (including restricted cash), fair value	1,309,220	1,653,044
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Disclosed at fair value:
Financial Services debt, fair value	140,241	105,664
Senior notes, fair value	1,952,774	2,070,744
House and land inventory [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	13,925	0
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	4,248	3,139
Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	-3,574	4,340
Whole Loan Commitments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	-588	105
Residential Mortgage [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	$339,531	$287,933

Other_Assets_and_Accrued_and_O3

Other Assets and Accrued and Other Liabilities (Other Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Assets and Accrued and Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Insurance receivables	$60,598	$51,764
Notes receivable	30,699	32,944
Other receivables	63,867	52,720
Accounts and notes receivable	155,164	137,428
Prepaid expenses	72,585	65,965
Deposits and pre-acquisition Costs	127,280	91,034
Property and equipment, net	75,219	53,051
Income taxes receivable	21,330	35,437
Other	61,454	77,706
Other Assets	$513,032	$460,621

Other_Assets_and_Accrued_and_O4

Other Assets and Accrued and Other Liabilities (Other Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Assets and Accrued and Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Self-insurance liabilities	$710,245	$668,100	$721,284	$739,029
Loan origination liabilities	58,222	124,956	164,280	128,330
Compensation-related	142,586	171,686
Warranty	65,389	63,992	64,098	68,025
Community development district obligations	17,122	26,124
Liability for land, not owned, under option agreements	30,186	24,024
Accrued interest	20,446	22,283
Notes Payable	22,255	7,521
Other	277,323	269,064
Accrued and other liabilities	$1,343,774	$1,377,750

Commitments_And_Contingencies_2

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	claim			claim
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number	1,000			1,000
Loss Contingency Accrual, Period Increase (Decrease)			$18,600,000			($49,000,000)
Adjustment to self insurance reserves	-15,200,000	84,500,000		69,300,000
Future minimum sublease rental income	5,300,000			5,300,000
Operating lease rent expense				25,300,000	23,000,000	24,200,000
Accrued liabilities for outstanding community development district obligations	17,122,000			17,122,000	26,124,000
Letters of credit outstanding, amount	212,100,000			212,100,000	183,100,000
Surety Bonds Outstanding	1,000,000,000			1,000,000,000	958,300,000
Charges related to contractual dispute					41,200,000
Maximum product warranty in years				10 years
Self-insurance liabilities	710,245,000			710,245,000	668,100,000	721,284,000	739,029,000
Incurred but not reported percentage of liability reserves	72.00%			72.00%	78.00%
Residential mortgage backed securities known [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Residential mortgage-backed securities principal sold in previous period						162,000,000
Residential mortgage backed securities other [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Residential mortgage-backed securities principal sold in previous period	$116,000,000			$116,000,000

Recovered_Sheet2

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies (Future minimum operating lease payments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Years Ending December 31,
Future minimum lease payments - 2015	$28,744
Future minimum lease payments - 2016	25,713
Future minimum lease payments - 2017	18,817
Future minimum lease payments - 2018	14,870
Future minimum lease payments - 2019	12,846
Future minimum lease payments - Thereafter	42,733
Future minimum lease payments - Total	$143,723

Commitments_And_Contingencies_3

Commitments And Contingencies (Changes To Anticipated Loan Losses) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in loan origination liability [Roll Forward]
Liabilities, beginning of period	$124,956	$164,280	$128,330
Reserves provided	-18,604	0	49,025
Payments	-48,130	-39,324	-13,075
Liabilities, end of period	$58,222	$124,956	$164,280

Commitments_And_Contingencies_4

Commitments And Contingencies (Changes To Warranty Liability) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes to warranty liabilities [Roll Forward]
Warranty liabilities, beginning of period	$63,992	$64,098	$68,025
Warranty reserves provided	51,348	49,399	45,705
Payments	-47,968	-44,925	-45,365
Other adjustments	-1,983	-4,580	-4,267
Warranty liabilities, end of period	$65,389	$63,992	$64,098

Commitments_And_Contingencies_5

Commitments And Contingencies (Changes in Self-insurance Liability) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Insurance Related Expenses [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$668,100	$721,284	$739,029
Reserves provided	141,790	64,737	54,262
Payments	-99,645	-117,921	-72,007
Balance, end of period	$710,245	$668,100	$721,284

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa2

Supplemental Guarantor Information (Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	$1,292,862	$1,580,329	$1,404,760	$1,083,071
Restricted cash	16,358	72,715
House and land inventory	4,392,100	3,978,561	4,214,046
Land held for sale	101,190	61,735
Land, not owned, under option agreements	30,186	24,024
Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale	339,531	287,933
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	40,368	45,323
Other assets	513,032	460,621
Intangible assets	123,115	136,148
Deferred tax assets, net	1,720,668	2,086,754
Investments in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts, net	0	0
Total assets	8,569,410	8,734,143	6,734,409
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, customer deposits, accrued and other liabilities	1,756,932	1,715,344
Income tax liabilities	48,722	206,015
Financial Services debt	140,241	105,664
Senior notes	1,818,561	2,058,168
Total liabilities	3,764,456	4,085,191
Total shareholders' equity	4,804,954	4,648,952	2,189,616	1,938,615
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	8,569,410	8,734,143
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	7,454	262,364	146,168	119,287
Restricted cash	3,710	58,699
House and land inventory	0	0
Land held for sale	0	0
Land, not owned, under option agreements	0	0
Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale	0	0
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	22,000
Investments in unconsolidated entities	74	68
Other assets	34,214	50,251
Intangible assets	0	0
Deferred tax assets, net	1,712,853	2,074,137
Investments in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts, net	4,963,831	4,532,950
Total assets	6,744,136	6,978,469
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, customer deposits, accrued and other liabilities	71,874	65,334
Income tax liabilities	48,747	206,015
Financial Services debt	0	0
Senior notes	1,818,561	2,058,168
Total liabilities	1,939,182	2,329,517
Total shareholders' equity	4,804,954	4,648,952
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	6,744,136	6,978,469
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	1,157,307	1,188,999	1,063,943	875,561
Restricted cash	1,513	2,635
House and land inventory	4,391,445	3,977,851
Land held for sale	100,156	60,701
Land, not owned, under option agreements	30,186	24,024
Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale	0	0
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	36,126	41,319
Other assets	421,145	359,228
Intangible assets	123,115	136,148
Deferred tax assets, net	15	17
Investments in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts, net	967,032	-16,513
Total assets	7,228,040	5,774,409
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, customer deposits, accrued and other liabilities	1,514,954	1,413,752
Income tax liabilities	-25	0
Financial Services debt	0	0
Senior notes	0	0
Total liabilities	1,514,929	1,413,752
Total shareholders' equity	5,713,111	4,360,657
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	7,228,040	5,774,409
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	128,101	128,966	194,649	88,223
Restricted cash	11,135	11,381
House and land inventory	655	710
Land held for sale	1,034	1,034
Land, not owned, under option agreements	0	0
Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale	339,531	287,933
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	-22,000
Investments in unconsolidated entities	4,168	3,936
Other assets	57,673	51,142
Intangible assets	0	0
Deferred tax assets, net	7,800	12,600
Investments in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts, net	6,359,441	5,939,784
Total assets	6,887,538	6,437,486
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, customer deposits, accrued and other liabilities	170,104	236,258
Income tax liabilities	0	0
Financial Services debt	140,241	105,664
Senior notes	0	0
Total liabilities	310,345	341,922
Total shareholders' equity	6,577,193	6,095,564
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	6,887,538	6,437,486
Eliminating Entries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents	0	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
House and land inventory	0	0
Land held for sale	0	0
Land, not owned, under option agreements	0	0
Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale	0	0
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Intangible assets	0	0
Deferred tax assets, net	0	0
Investments in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts, net	-12,290,304	-10,456,221
Total assets	-12,290,304	-10,456,221
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, customer deposits, accrued and other liabilities	0	0
Income tax liabilities	0	0
Financial Services debt	0	0
Senior notes	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Total shareholders' equity	-12,290,304	-10,456,221
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	($12,290,304)	($10,456,221)

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa3

Supplemental Guarantor Information (Statement Of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Homebuilding
Home sale revenues									$5,662,171	$5,424,309	$4,552,412
Land sale revenues									34,554	114,335	106,698
Total homebuilding revenues	1,786,464	1,561,273	1,254,989	1,093,999	1,624,959	1,547,742	1,240,060	1,125,883	5,696,725	5,538,644	4,659,110
Financial Services	36,093	33,452	31,198	24,895	30,380	34,336	39,362	36,873	125,638	140,951	160,888
Total revenues	1,822,557	1,594,725	1,286,187	1,118,894	1,655,339	1,582,078	1,279,422	1,162,756	5,822,363	5,679,595	4,819,998
Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
Home sale cost of revenues									4,343,249	4,310,528	3,833,451
Land sale cost of revenues									23,748	104,426	94,880
Total cost of revenues	1,374,951	1,198,908	959,524	833,614	1,249,868	1,230,070	1,011,528	923,488	4,366,997	4,414,954	3,928,331
Financial Services expenses									71,239	92,379	135,511
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									667,815	568,500	514,457
Other expense, net									38,745	80,753	66,298
Interest income									-4,632	-4,395	-4,913
Interest expense									849	712	819
Intercompany interest									0	0	0
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities									-8,408	-1,130	-4,059
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									689,758	527,822	183,554
Income tax expense (benefit)	50,025	84,383	25,801	55,210	12,367	-2,107,162	1,913	588	215,420	-2,092,294	-22,591
Income (loss) before equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									474,338	2,620,116	206,145
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									0	0	0
Net income	217,095	140,545	41,880	74,819	220,053	2,281,884	36,417	81,762	474,338	2,620,116	206,145
Other comprehensive income (loss)									105	197	314
Comprehensive income									474,443	2,620,313	206,459
Parent Company [Member]
Homebuilding
Home sale revenues									0	0	0
Land sale revenues									0	0	0
Total homebuilding revenues									0	0	0
Financial Services									0	0	0
Total revenues									0	0	0
Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
Home sale cost of revenues									0	0	0
Land sale cost of revenues									0	0	0
Total cost of revenues									0	0	0
Financial Services expenses									784	832	379
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									0	0	0
Other expense, net									8,521	26,870	32,027
Interest income									-337	-349	-229
Interest expense									849	712	819
Intercompany interest									9,800	17,518	587,281
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities									-7	1,461	-1
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									-19,610	-47,044	-620,276
Income tax expense (benefit)									-7,473	-2,113,827	426
Income (loss) before equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									-12,137	2,066,783	-620,702
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									486,475	553,333	826,847
Net income									474,338	2,620,116	206,145
Other comprehensive income (loss)									105	197	314
Comprehensive income									474,443	2,620,313	206,459
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding
Home sale revenues									5,662,171	5,424,309	4,552,412
Land sale revenues									34,554	114,335	106,698
Total homebuilding revenues									5,696,725	5,538,644	4,659,110
Financial Services									889	2,353	2,082
Total revenues									5,697,614	5,540,997	4,661,192
Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
Home sale cost of revenues									4,343,249	4,310,528	3,833,451
Land sale cost of revenues									23,748	104,426	94,880
Total cost of revenues									4,366,997	4,414,954	3,928,331
Financial Services expenses									-130	970	567
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									661,308	573,904	515,283
Other expense, net									29,273	49,681	33,506
Interest income									-4,244	-3,954	-4,597
Interest expense									0	0	0
Intercompany interest									-90	-8,260	-573,852
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities									-8,182	-1,783	-3,555
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									652,682	515,485	765,509
Income tax expense (benefit)									201,332	-799	-22,299
Income (loss) before equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									451,350	516,284	787,808
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									38,534	35,086	34,596
Net income									489,884	551,370	822,404
Other comprehensive income (loss)									0	0	0
Comprehensive income									489,884	551,370	822,404
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding
Home sale revenues									0	0	0
Land sale revenues									0	0	0
Total homebuilding revenues									0	0	0
Financial Services									124,749	138,598	158,806
Total revenues									124,749	138,598	158,806
Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
Home sale cost of revenues									0	0	0
Land sale cost of revenues									0	0	0
Total cost of revenues									0	0	0
Financial Services expenses									70,585	90,577	134,565
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									6,507	-5,404	-826
Other expense, net									951	4,202	765
Interest income									-51	-92	-87
Interest expense									0	0	0
Intercompany interest									-9,710	-9,258	-13,429
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities									-219	-808	-503
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									56,686	59,381	38,321
Income tax expense (benefit)									21,561	22,332	-718
Income (loss) before equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									35,125	37,049	39,039
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									403,505	485,400	476,806
Net income									438,630	522,449	515,845
Other comprehensive income (loss)									0	0	0
Comprehensive income									438,630	522,449	515,845
Eliminating Entries [Member]
Homebuilding
Home sale revenues									0	0	0
Land sale revenues									0	0	0
Total homebuilding revenues									0	0	0
Financial Services									0	0	0
Total revenues									0	0	0
Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
Home sale cost of revenues									0	0	0
Land sale cost of revenues									0	0	0
Total cost of revenues									0	0	0
Financial Services expenses									0	0	0
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									0	0	0
Other expense, net									0	0	0
Interest income									0	0	0
Interest expense									0	0	0
Intercompany interest									0	0	0
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities									0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									0	0	0
Income tax expense (benefit)									0	0	0
Income (loss) before equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									0	0	0
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries									-928,514	-1,073,819	-1,338,249
Net income									-928,514	-1,073,819	-1,338,249
Other comprehensive income (loss)									0	0	0
Comprehensive income									($928,514)	($1,073,819)	($1,338,249)

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa4

Supplemental Guarantor Information (Statement Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$309,249,000	$881,136,000	$760,140,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	8,157,000	1,001,000	3,029,000
Investments in unconsolidated entities	-9,000	-1,677,000	-16,456,000
Net change in loans held for investment	335,000	-12,265,000	836,000
Change in restricted cash related to letters of credit	54,989,000	-4,152,000	28,653,000
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment	113,000	15,000	7,586,000
Capital expenditures	-48,790,000	-28,899,000	-13,942,000
Cash used for business acquisition	-82,419,000	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-67,624,000	-45,977,000	9,706,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Financial Services borrowings (repayments)	34,577,000	-33,131,000	138,795,000
Other borrowings (repayments)	-250,631,000	-479,827,000	-618,800,000
Stock option exercises	15,627,000	19,411,000	32,809,000
Stock repurchases	-253,019,000	-127,661,000	-961,000
Dividends paid	-75,646,000	-38,382,000	0
Intercompany activities, net	0	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-529,092,000	-659,590,000	-448,157,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	-287,467,000	175,569,000	321,689,000
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	1,580,329,000	1,404,760,000	1,083,071,000
Cash and equivalents at end of period	1,292,862,000	1,580,329,000	1,404,760,000
Parent Company [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	206,485,000	-41,000	-582,762,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	0	0	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0	0	0
Net change in loans held for investment	0	0	0
Change in restricted cash related to letters of credit	54,989,000	-4,152,000	28,653,000
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Cash used for business acquisition	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	54,989,000	-4,152,000	28,653,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Financial Services borrowings (repayments)	0	0	0
Other borrowings (repayments)	-249,765,000	-485,048,000	-620,700,000
Stock option exercises	15,627,000	19,411,000	32,809,000
Stock repurchases	-253,019,000	-127,661,000	-961,000
Dividends paid	-75,646,000	-38,382,000
Intercompany activities, net	46,419,000	752,069,000	1,169,842,000
Net cash used in financing activities	-516,384,000	120,389,000	580,990,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	-254,910,000	116,196,000	26,881,000
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	262,364,000	146,168,000	119,287,000
Cash and equivalents at end of period	7,454,000	262,364,000	146,168,000
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	175,415,000	865,267,000	1,332,342,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	8,161,000	1,001,000	3,029,000
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0	-1,677,000	-16,456,000
Net change in loans held for investment	0	0	0
Change in restricted cash related to letters of credit	0	0	0
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment	113,000	15,000	7,586,000
Capital expenditures	-44,956,000	-26,472,000	-10,831,000
Cash used for business acquisition	-82,419,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-119,101,000	-27,133,000	-16,672,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Financial Services borrowings (repayments)	0	0	0
Other borrowings (repayments)	-866,000	5,221,000	1,900,000
Stock option exercises	0	0	0
Stock repurchases	0	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Intercompany activities, net	-87,140,000	-718,299,000	-1,129,188,000
Net cash used in financing activities	-88,006,000	-713,078,000	-1,127,288,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	-31,692,000	125,056,000	188,382,000
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	1,188,999,000	1,063,943,000	875,561,000
Cash and equivalents at end of period	1,157,307,000	1,188,999,000	1,063,943,000
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-72,651,000	15,910,000	10,560,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	-4,000	0	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	-9,000	0	0
Net change in loans held for investment	335,000	-12,265,000	836,000
Change in restricted cash related to letters of credit	0	0	0
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	-3,834,000	-2,427,000	-3,111,000
Cash used for business acquisition	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-3,512,000	-14,692,000	-2,275,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Financial Services borrowings (repayments)	34,577,000	-33,131,000	138,795,000
Other borrowings (repayments)	0		0
Stock option exercises	0	0	0
Stock repurchases	0	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Intercompany activities, net	40,721,000	-33,770,000	-40,654,000
Net cash used in financing activities	75,298,000	-66,901,000	98,141,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	-865,000	-65,683,000	106,426,000
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	128,966,000	194,649,000	88,223,000
Cash and equivalents at end of period	128,101,000	128,966,000	194,649,000
Eliminating Entries [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	0	0	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0	0	0
Net change in loans held for investment	0	0	0
Change in restricted cash related to letters of credit	0	0	0
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Cash used for business acquisition	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Financial Services borrowings (repayments)	0		0
Other borrowings (repayments)	0		0
Stock option exercises	0	0	0
Stock repurchases	0	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Intercompany activities, net	0	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	0	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	0	0	0
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$0	$0	$0

Quarterly_Results_Unaudited_Na

Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			$8,584,000				$8,584,000	$26,930,000	$32,071,000
Charges included in homebuilding income before income taxes						66,600,000
Adjustment to self insurance reserves	-15,200,000	84,500,000					69,300,000
Loss Contingency Accrual, Period Increase (Decrease)			-18,600,000						49,000,000
Valuation allowance adjustment	$49,600,000			$73,700,000	$2,100,000,000		$45,600,000

Quarterly_Results_Unaudited_De

Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$1,786,464	$1,561,273	$1,254,989	$1,093,999	$1,624,959	$1,547,742	$1,240,060	$1,125,883	$5,696,725	$5,538,644	$4,659,110
Cost of revenues	1,374,951	1,198,908	959,524	833,614	1,249,868	1,230,070	1,011,528	923,488	4,366,997	4,414,954	3,928,331
Income before income taxes	254,118	214,051	58,573	108,435	225,511	163,594	21,971	68,037	635,177	479,113	157,991
Financial Services:
Revenues	36,093	33,452	31,198	24,895	30,380	34,336	39,362	36,873	125,638	140,951	160,888
Income (loss) before income taxes	13,002	10,877	9,108	21,594	6,909	11,128	16,359	14,313	54,581	48,709
Consolidated results:
Total revenues	1,822,557	1,594,725	1,286,187	1,118,894	1,655,339	1,582,078	1,279,422	1,162,756	5,822,363	5,679,595	4,819,998
Income before income taxes	267,120	224,928	67,681	130,029	232,420	174,722	38,330	82,350	689,758	527,822	183,554
Income tax expense (benefit)	50,025	84,383	25,801	55,210	12,367	-2,107,162	1,913	588	215,420	-2,092,294	-22,591
Net income	$217,095	$140,545	$41,880	$74,819	$220,053	$2,281,884	$36,417	$81,762	$474,338	$2,620,116	$206,145
Net income per share:
Basic (usd per share)	$0.58	$0.37	$0.11	$0.19	$0.58	$5.92	$0.09	$0.21	$1.27	$6.79	$0.54
Diluted (usd per share)	$0.58	$0.37	$0.11	$0.19	$0.57	$5.87	$0.09	$0.21	$1.26	$6.72	$0.54
Number of shares used in calculation:
Basic shares outstanding	369,533	373,531	376,072	383,991	379,879	382,883	385,389	384,228	370,377	383,077	381,562
Effect of dilutive securities (shares)	3,734	3,761	3,592	3,815	3,845	3,220	5,791	6,093	3,725	3,789	3,002
Diluted shares outstanding (shares)	373,267	377,292	379,664	387,806	383,724	386,103	391,180	390,321	374,102	386,866	384,564