Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	$ 29,463	$ 18,599	$ 54,573	$ 45,239
Interest income	25	32	34	63
Other	68	335	68	374
Total revenues	29,556	18,966	54,675	45,676
Operating income (loss)	1,886	(2,384)	3,297	(1,687)
Unallocated income (expenses) [Abstract]
Interest income	25	32	34	63
Equity loss from unconsolidated entities	(15)	(43)	(78)	(79)
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	0	86	0	(1,442)
General and administrative expenses	(4,292)	(3,357)	(7,997)	(6,663)
Interest expense	(1,763)	(2,116)	(3,536)	(4,353)
Impairment of land developed or held for future development		(2,847)		(2,847)
Loss attributable to AV Homes	(4,668)	(11,431)	(9,427)	(18,354)
Active adult [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	10,156	10,091	22,162	19,896
Operating income (loss)	(1,554)	(2,611)	(2,433)	(5,258)
Primary residential [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	12,549	5,443	23,091	13,076
Operating income (loss)	1,189	(1,413)	1,851	(1,209)
Commercial and Industrial and Other Land Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	6,577	2,999	8,882	12,057
Operating income (loss)	2,185	1,622	3,625	4,713
Other Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	181	66	438	210
Operating income (loss)	66	18	254	67
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	25	32	34	63
Other	68	335	68	374
Total revenues	29,556	18,966	54,675	45,676
Unallocated income (expenses) [Abstract]
Equity loss from unconsolidated entities	(15)	(43)	(78)	(79)
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	0	86	0	(1,442)
General and administrative expenses	(4,292)	(3,357)	(7,996)	(6,663)
Interest expense	(1,763)	(2,116)	(3,536)	(4,353)
Other real estate expenses	(509)	(716)	(1,148)	(2,788)
Loss attributable to AV Homes	$ (4,668)	$ (11,345)	$ (9,427)	$ (19,796)