Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	$ 34,898	$ 28,526	$ 89,472	$ 73,765
Interest income	96	32	130	95
Other	5	94	73	468
Total revenues	34,999	28,652	89,675	74,328
Operating income (loss)	1,935	(4,975)	5,232	(6,661)
Unallocated income (expenses) [Abstract]
Interest income	96	32	130	95
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	(1,144)	0	(1,144)
Equity loss from unconsolidated entities	(7)	(38)	(84)	(117)
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	(899)	(33)	(899)	(1,475)
General and administrative expenses	(3,885)	(3,633)	(11,882)	(10,296)
Interest expense	1,020	(1,903)	(2,515)	(6,256)
Impairment of land developed or held for future development	958	(14)	958	(2,861)
Loss attributable to AV Homes	(978)	(11,550)	(10,402)	(29,904)
Active adult [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	19,097	9,376	41,259	29,272
Operating income (loss)	975	(5,802)	(1,458)	(11,060)
Primary residential [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	15,070	10,297	38,161	23,373
Operating income (loss)	442	292	2,293	(917)
Commercial and Industrial and Other Land Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	674	8,696	9,556	20,753
Operating income (loss)	579	448	4,204	5,161
Other Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate revenues	57	157	496	367
Operating income (loss)	(61)	87	193	155
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	96	32	130	95
Other	5	94	73	468
Total revenues	34,999	28,652	89,675	74,328
Unallocated income (expenses) [Abstract]
Equity loss from unconsolidated entities	(7)	(38)	(84)	(117)
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	(899)	(33)	(899)	(1,475)
General and administrative expenses	(3,885)	(3,633)	(11,882)	(10,296)
Interest expense	1,020	(1,903)	(2,515)	(6,256)
Other real estate expenses	(1,095)	125	(2,241)	(2,664)
Loss attributable to AV Homes	$ (1,877)	$ (11,583)	$ (11,301)	$ (31,379)