Loss Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 7.50% Notes [Member]	Jul. 31, 2012 7.50% Notes [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 7.50% Senior Exchange Convertible Notes Member [Member]	Jul. 31, 2012 7.50% Senior Exchange Convertible Notes Member [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 4.50% Notes [Member]	Mar. 30, 2004 4.50% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on notes excluded from earnings per share calculation (percent)					7.50%	7.50%	7.50%	7.50%	4.50%	4.50%
Cancellation of common stock (in shares)	0	21,340	2,364	26,412
Issuance of common stock (in shares)	6,676,371	64,000	9,241,978	71,160
Numerator: [Abstract]
Basic and diluted loss per share - net loss	$ (1,877,000)	$ (11,583,000)	$ (11,301,000)	$ (31,379,000)
Deemed dividend related to beneficial conversion feature of convertible preferred stock (see Note A and Note J for additional information)	(11,894,000)	0.00	(11,894,000)	0.00
Loss attributable to AV Homes common stockholders	$ (13,771,000)	$ (11,583,000)	$ (23,195,000)	$ (31,379,000)
Denominator: [Abstract]
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	16,097,335	12,574,002	13,927,716	12,542,605
Preferred Stock Deemed Dividend from Beneficial Conversion Feature	$ (0.74)		$ (0.85)