Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	$ 25,110	$ 26,640
Interest income	9	31
Other		39
Total revenues	25,119	26,710
Operating income (loss)	1,412	698
Unallocated income (expenses) [Abstract]
Equity loss from unconsolidated entities	(63)	(36)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	0	(1,528)
General and administrative expenses	(3,705)	(3,306)
Interest expense	(1,773)	(2,237)
Loss attributable to AV Homes	(4,759)	(6,923)
Active Adult Communities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	12,006	9,805
Operating income (loss)	(879)	(2,647)
Primary Residential [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	10,542	7,633
Operating income (loss)	662	204
Commercial and Industrial and Other Land Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	2,305	9,058
Operating income (loss)	1,440	3,091
Other Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	257	144
Operating income (loss)	189	50
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	9	31
Other	0	39
Total revenues	25,119	26,710
Unallocated income (expenses) [Abstract]
Interest income	9	31
Equity loss from unconsolidated entities	(63)	(36)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	0	(1,528)
General and administrative expenses	(3,705)	(3,306)
Interest expense	(1,773)	(2,237)
Other real estate expenses	(639)	(2,073)
Loss attributable to AV Homes	$ (4,759)	$ (8,451)