Segment Information - Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Operating income (loss):
Homebuilding revenues	$ 148,660	$ 121,233
Amenity and other	4,637	2,782
Land sales	2,251	75
Total revenues	155,548	124,090
Expenses
Homebuilding cost of revenues	122,865	98,997
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative	22,371	20,384
Amenity and other	4,330	2,586
Land sales	982	16
Unallocated income (expenses):
Interest income and other	5	24
Interest expense	(837)	(1,272)
Income (loss) before income taxes	4,168	859
Income tax expense (benefit)	(1,729)	(68)
Net income (loss) attributable to AV Homes stockholders and comprehensive income (loss)	2,439	791
Operating Segments
Expenses
Segment operating income (loss)	9,679	6,194
Corporate, Non-Segment
Unallocated income (expenses):
Corporate general and administrative expenses	(4,679)	(4,087)
Florida | Operating Segments
Operating income (loss):
Homebuilding revenues	70,487	66,047
Amenity and other	4,637	2,782
Land sales	1,469	75
Total revenues	76,593	68,904
Expenses
Homebuilding cost of revenues	55,994	51,917
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative	9,298	9,208
Amenity and other	4,307	2,554
Land sales	196	16
Segment operating income (loss)	6,798	5,209
Carolinas | Operating Segments
Operating income (loss):
Homebuilding revenues	46,845	33,512
Land sales	782	0
Total revenues	47,627	33,512
Expenses
Homebuilding cost of revenues	40,133	28,534
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative	5,023	4,047
Land sales	786	0
Segment operating income (loss)	1,685	931
Arizona | Operating Segments
Operating income (loss):
Homebuilding revenues	31,328	21,674
Total revenues	31,328	21,674
Expenses
Homebuilding cost of revenues	26,738	18,546
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative	3,371	3,042
Amenity and other	23	32
Segment operating income (loss)	$ 1,196	$ 54