Segment Information - Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Operating income (loss):
Homebuilding revenues	$ 196,884	$ 184,605	$ 345,544	$ 305,838
Amenity and other	4,125	2,737	8,762	5,519
Land sales	185	754	2,436	829
Total revenues	201,194	188,096	356,742	312,186
Expenses
Homebuilding cost of revenues	162,600	151,382	285,465	250,379
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative	27,014	25,771	49,385	46,155
Amenity and other	3,566	2,370	7,896	4,956
Land sales	180	374	1,162	390
Unallocated income (expenses):
Interest income and other	253	(23)	258	1
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(2,933)		(2,933)	0
Interest expense	(3,685)	(880)	(4,522)	(2,152)
Income (loss) before income taxes	1,469	7,296	5,637	8,155
Income tax expense (benefit)	(822)	110,065	(2,551)	109,997
Net income (loss) attributable to AV Homes stockholders and comprehensive income (loss)	647	117,361	3,086	118,152
Operating Segments
Expenses
Segment operating income (loss)	12,820	12,382	22,499	18,576
Corporate, Non-Segment
Unallocated income (expenses):
Corporate general and administrative expenses	(4,986)	(4,183)	(9,665)	(8,270)
Florida | Operating Segments
Operating income (loss):
Homebuilding revenues	79,112	88,597	149,599	154,644
Amenity and other	4,125	2,737	8,762	5,519
Land sales		569	1,469	644
Total revenues	83,237	91,903	159,830	160,807
Expenses
Homebuilding cost of revenues	62,640	69,256	118,634	121,173
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative	9,106	11,977	18,404	21,185
Amenity and other	3,548	2,349	7,855	4,903
Land sales		203	196	219
Segment operating income (loss)	7,943	8,118	14,741	13,327
Carolinas | Operating Segments
Operating income (loss):
Homebuilding revenues	82,517	55,441	129,362	88,953
Land sales			782	0
Total revenues	82,517	55,441	130,144	88,953
Expenses
Homebuilding cost of revenues	70,048	48,236	110,181	76,770
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative	9,140	5,734	14,163	9,781
Land sales			786	0
Segment operating income (loss)	3,329	1,471	5,014	2,402
Arizona | Operating Segments
Operating income (loss):
Homebuilding revenues	35,255	40,567	66,583	62,241
Land sales	185	185	185	185
Total revenues	35,440	40,752	66,768	62,426
Expenses
Homebuilding cost of revenues	29,912	33,890	56,650	52,436
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative	3,782	3,877	7,153	6,919
Amenity and other	18	21	41	53
Land sales	180	171	180	171
Segment operating income (loss)	$ 1,548	$ 2,793	$ 2,744	$ 2,847