SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, PART THREE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Oct. 13, 2008	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2005
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration period after grant issued										10 years
Shares available for grant (in shares)	757,177									757,177
Retirement of Treasury Stock [Abstract]
Retired shares of treasury stock (in shares)				1,141,400							1,409,832
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Interest rate of notes repurchased (in hundredths)	7.50%				4.50%				4.50%	7.50%	4.50%
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount									$ 30,000						$ 9,864
Value of repurchased pricipal									35,920				14,076
Repurchase value of repurchased principal	3,019				45,924				28,112	3,019	45,924		11,696
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount										18,304				1,888
Loss Per Share [Abstract]
Interest rate on notes excluded from earnings per share calculation (in hundredths)	7.50%				4.50%				4.50%	7.50%	4.50%
Issuance of common stock (in shares)										122,388	140,143	1,135,903
Restricted shares issued excluded from weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)										209,270	439,000	537,267
Numerator: [Abstract]
Basic and diluted loss per share - net loss attributable to AV Homes	(58,856)	(11,583)	(11,345)	(8,451)	(17,697)	(121,561)	(16,526)	(10,097)		(90,235)	(165,881)	(35,108)
Denominator: [Abstract]
Basic and diluted weighted average shares										12,557,416	12,448,423	11,455,466
Common Stock [Member]
Retirement of Treasury Stock [Abstract]
Retired shares of treasury stock (in shares)										1,141,400	1,409,832
Retirement of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Reductions due to retirement of treasury stock										1,141	1,410
Numerator: [Abstract]
Basic and diluted loss per share - net loss attributable to AV Homes										0	0	0
Treasury Stock [Member]
Retirement of Treasury Stock [Abstract]
Retired shares of treasury stock (in shares)										(1,141,400)	(1,409,832)
Retirement of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Reductions due to retirement of treasury stock										(42,905)	(33,086)
Numerator: [Abstract]
Basic and diluted loss per share - net loss attributable to AV Homes										0	0	0
Retained Earnings [Member]
Retirement of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Reductions due to retirement of treasury stock										18,848	7,411
Numerator: [Abstract]
Basic and diluted loss per share - net loss attributable to AV Homes										(90,235)	(165,881)	(35,108)
Paid-in Capital [Member]
Retirement of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Reductions due to retirement of treasury stock										22,919	24,264
Numerator: [Abstract]
Basic and diluted loss per share - net loss attributable to AV Homes										$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Amended and Restated 1997 Incentive and Capital Accumulation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration period after grant issued										10 years
Shares available for grant (in shares)	757,177									757,177
Amended and Restated 1997 Incentive and Capital Accumulation Plan [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for grant (in shares)	1,128,201									1,128,201
Amended and Restated 1997 Incentive and Capital Accumulation Plan [Member] | Stock Options, Restricted Stock and RSU Granted [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for grant (in shares)	371,024									371,024