QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per 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	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 33,159	$ 28,652	$ 18,966	$ 26,710	$ 33,701	$ 14,703	$ 28,366	$ 12,212		$ 107,487	$ 88,982	$ 59,138
Expenses	91,314	40,164	30,354	33,597	51,112	135,705	45,163	22,308		195,429	254,288	94,919
Equity earnings (losses) from unconsolidated entities	376	(38)	(43)	(36)	(72)	(341)	143	(128)		259	(398)	(276)
Loss before income taxes	(57,779)	(11,550)	(11,431)	(6,923)	(17,483)	(121,343)	(16,654)	(10,224)		(87,683)	(165,704)	(36,057)
Less: Net income (loss) and comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	1,077	33	(86)	1,528	(91)	132	128	127		(2,552)	296	574
Income tax (expense) benefit					(123)	(350)	0	0		0	(473)	375
Net loss and comprehensive loss attributable to AV Homes stockholders	(58,856)	(11,583)	(11,345)	(8,451)	(17,697)	(121,561)	(16,526)	(10,097)		(90,235)	(165,881)	(35,108)
Loss per share:
Basic and Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (4.67)	$ (0.92)	$ (0.91)	$ (0.68)	$ (1.42)	$ (9.76)	$ (1.33)	$ (0.81)		$ (7.19)	$ (13.33)	$ (3.07)
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment charges	51,679	3,784		3,428						59,043	129,947	660
Impairment of goodwill									17,215	0	17,215	0
Impairment expense for club amenities	0				0					0	0
Homes Completed or Under Construction [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment charges	95	807	152	581						1,635	1,527
Land Developed and or Held for Future Development or Sale [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment charges	43,925	2,977		2,847						49,749	107,981
Poinciana Parkway [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment charges	$ 7,659