Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Avatar Holdings Inc. and all subsidiaries, partnerships and other entities in which Avatar Holdings Inc. has a controlling interest (collectively “Avatar”, “we”, “us”, “our” or “the Company”). Our investments in unconsolidated entities in which we have less than a controlling interest are accounted for using the equity method. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of such financial statements have been included. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2010 was derived from audited consolidated financial statements included in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our December 31, 2010 audited consolidated financial statements in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the notes to the consolidated financial statements included therein. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. At September 30, 2011, Avatar designated certain land holdings totaling $30,117 as available for sale, these assets were carried in land and other inventories in the amount of $70,479 at December 31, 2011.

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Avatar Holdings Inc. and all subsidiaries, partnerships and other entities in which Avatar Holdings Inc. has a controlling interest (collectively “Avatar”, “we”, “us”, “our” or “the Company”). Our investments in unconsolidated entities in which we have less than a controlling interest are accounted for using the equity method. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of such financial statements have been included. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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.

The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2010 was derived from audited consolidated financial statements included in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our December 31, 2010 audited consolidated financial statements in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the notes to the consolidated financial statements included therein.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. At September 30, 2011, Avatar designated certain land holdings totaling $30,117 as available for sale, these assets were carried in land and other inventories in the amount of $70,479 at December 31, 2011.