Segment Information - Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating income (loss):
Homebuilding revenues										$ 764,041		$ 498,915	$ 243,171	$ 115,000
Amenity and other										11,698		12,385	10,146
Land sales										3,566		6,466	32,596
Total revenues	$ 261,692	$ 205,427	$ 188,096	$ 124,090	$ 225,720	$ 153,827	$ 79,389	$ 58,830		779,305		517,766	285,913
Expenses
Homebuilding cost of revenues										625,471		405,538	198,885
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative										100,219		79,586	50,305
Amenity and other										11,148		10,702	10,949
Land sales										1,230		823	22,003
Unallocated income (expenses):
Interest income and other										16		308	431
Corporate general and administrative expenses										(16,305)		(16,900)	(15,941)
Interest expense										(3,667)		(9,039)	(5,805)
Income (loss) before income taxes	17,496	11,935	7,296	859	16,340	5,520	(4,466)	(5,008)	$ 20,100	37,586	$ 30,000	12,386	(1,603)
Income tax expense (benefit)	438	38	(110,065)	68	436					109,521		(436)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities													329
Net income (loss) attributable to AV Homes stockholders and comprehensive income (loss)	$ 17,058	$ 11,897	$ 117,361	$ 791	$ 15,904	$ 5,520	$ (4,466)	$ (5,008)		147,107		11,950	(1,932)
Operating Segments
Expenses
Segment operating income (loss)										57,542		38,017	19,712
Florida | Operating Segments
Operating income (loss):
Homebuilding revenues										373,383		300,260	193,218
Amenity and other										11,698		12,385	10,140
Land sales										3,116		6,466	18,158
Total revenues										388,197		319,111	221,516
Expenses
Homebuilding cost of revenues										291,372		239,001	156,439
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative										46,113		38,500	24,388
Amenity and other										11,062		10,587	10,524
Land sales										770		823	10,316
Segment operating income (loss)										38,880		30,200	19,849
Unallocated income (expenses):
Interest expense										0		0	0
Carolinas | Operating Segments
Operating income (loss):
Homebuilding revenues										238,549		114,277	1,288
Land sales										265
Total revenues										238,814		114,277	1,288
Expenses
Homebuilding cost of revenues										205,348		95,232	1,183
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative										22,807		12,205	2,230
Land sales										289
Segment operating income (loss)										10,370		6,840	(2,125)
Unallocated income (expenses):
Interest expense										0		0	0
Arizona | Operating Segments
Operating income (loss):
Homebuilding revenues										152,109		84,378	48,665
Amenity and other													6
Land sales										185			14,438
Total revenues										152,294		84,378	63,109
Expenses
Homebuilding cost of revenues										128,751		71,305	41,261
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative										14,994		11,981	7,747
Amenity and other										86		115	425
Land sales										171			11,688
Segment operating income (loss)										8,292		977	1,988
Unallocated income (expenses):
Interest expense										$ 0		$ 0	$ 0