Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (173,256)	$ (225,860)
Net cash used in investing activities	125,625	(51,590)
Financing activities:
Mortgage repurchase facility	(31,292)	(37,415)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	248,375	346,938
Repayment of senior notes	(259,118)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net	10,000
Dividend payments	(36,616)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	63	5,118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(68,588)	314,641
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(116,219)	37,191
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	199,338	160,095
End of period	83,119	197,286
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in investing activities	134,011	277,288
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	(134,011)	(277,288)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(134,011)	(277,288)
MDC Holdings [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(44,477)	5,851
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,675)	(338,320)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	248,375	346,938
Repayment of senior notes	(259,118)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net	10,000
Dividend payments	(36,616)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	63	5,118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(37,296)	352,056
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(91,448)	19,587
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	145,180	125,904
End of period	53,732	145,491
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(174,980)	(357,618)
Net cash used in investing activities	(428)	(881)
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	174,725	359,280
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	174,725	359,280
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(683)	781
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	3,454	3,308
End of period	2,771	4,089
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	46,201	125,907
Net cash used in investing activities	1,717	10,323
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	(40,714)	(81,992)
Mortgage repurchase facility	(31,292)	(37,415)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(72,006)	(119,407)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(24,088)	16,823
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	50,704	30,883
End of period	$ 26,616	$ 47,706