Note 20 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest expense		$ (909)	$ (685)	$ (1,726)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(9,412)
Income (loss) before income taxes	34,026	38,012	52,666	60,598
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	(12,484)	186,897	(19,620)	186,827
Net income (loss)	21,542	224,909	33,046	247,425
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax	2,327	(1,995)	(1,719)	540
Comprehensive income	23,869	222,914	31,327	247,965
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues				(1,248)
Cost of Sales				1,248
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	(177)	(89)	(332)	(165)
Equity income (loss) of subsidiaries	(25,679)	(39,829)	(42,752)	(69,658)
Interest income	(13)		(23)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(25,869)	(39,918)	(43,107)	(69,823)
Homebuilding [Member] | MDC Holdings [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	(10,644)	(14,517)	(22,721)	(30,096)
Equity income (loss) of subsidiaries	25,679	39,829	42,752	69,658
Interest income	4,114	9,864	17,341	16,057
Interest expense		(909)	(685)	(1,726)
Other income (expense), net	(2)	(5)	(4)	(8)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(9,412)
Income (loss) before income taxes	19,147	34,262	27,271	53,885
Homebuilding [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	431,261	402,134	749,795	735,130
Cost of Sales	(356,697)	(329,362)	(616,175)	(604,686)
Inventory impairments	(850)		(850)
Gross margin	73,714	72,772	132,770	130,444
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	(38,977)	(37,299)	(75,087)	(69,845)
Interest income	506	336	835	692
Other income (expense), net	(1,078)	(361)	(1,689)	(714)
Income (loss) before income taxes	34,165	35,448	56,829	60,577
Homebuilding [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(3)		(3)
Interest income	6		9
Income (loss) before income taxes	6	(3)	9	(3)
Homebuilding [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	431,261	402,134	749,795	733,882
Cost of Sales	(356,697)	(329,362)	(616,175)	(603,438)
Inventory impairments	(850)		(850)
Gross margin	73,714	72,772	132,770	130,444
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	(49,798)	(51,908)	(98,140)	(100,109)
Interest income	4,613	10,200	18,162	16,749
Interest expense		(909)	(685)	(1,726)
Other income (expense), net	(1,080)	(366)	(1,693)	(722)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(9,412)
Income (loss) before income taxes	27,449	29,789	41,002	44,636
Financial Services [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	190	89	355	165
Financial Services [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	6,387	8,134	11,309	15,797
Financial Services [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	6,577	8,223	11,664	15,962
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	(25,679)	(39,829)	(42,752)	(69,658)
Net income (loss)	(25,679)	(39,829)	(42,752)	(69,658)
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax	(53)	196	(115)	292
Comprehensive income	(25,732)	(39,633)	(42,867)	(69,366)
MDC Holdings [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	19,147	34,262	27,271	53,885
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	2,395	190,647	5,775	193,540
Net income (loss)	21,542	224,909	33,046	247,425
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax	2,327	(1,995)	(1,719)	540
Comprehensive income	23,869	222,914	31,327	247,965
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	34,165	35,448	56,829	60,577
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	(12,494)	(748)	(21,171)	(826)
Net income (loss)	21,671	34,700	35,658	59,751
Comprehensive income	21,671	34,700	35,658	59,751
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	6,393	8,131	11,318	15,794
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	(2,385)	(3,002)	(4,224)	(5,887)
Net income (loss)	4,008	5,129	7,094	9,907
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax	53	(196)	115	(292)
Comprehensive income	$ 4,061	$ 4,933	$ 7,209	$ 9,615