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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Summary of Activity for Metro Bonds (Metropolitan District Bond Securities [Member], USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Metropolitan District Bond Securities [Member]
   
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Summary of Activity for Metro Bonds [Line Items]    
Balance at beginning of period $ 12,729us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedStateAndMunicipalGovernmentObligationsAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mdc_MetropolitanDistrictBondSecuritiesMember
$ 5,818us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedStateAndMunicipalGovernmentObligationsAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mdc_MetropolitanDistrictBondSecuritiesMember
Increase in fair value (recorded in other comprehensive income) 6,114mdc_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDebtSecuritiesAdjustmentBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mdc_MetropolitanDistrictBondSecuritiesMember
6,373mdc_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDebtSecuritiesAdjustmentBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mdc_MetropolitanDistrictBondSecuritiesMember
Change due to accretion of principal 1,405mdc_DebtInstrumentFairValueAdjustments
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mdc_MetropolitanDistrictBondSecuritiesMember
1,192mdc_DebtInstrumentFairValueAdjustments
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mdc_MetropolitanDistrictBondSecuritiesMember
Cash receipts (2,045)mdc_DebtInstrumentCashReceipts
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mdc_MetropolitanDistrictBondSecuritiesMember
(654)mdc_DebtInstrumentCashReceipts
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mdc_MetropolitanDistrictBondSecuritiesMember
Balance at end of period $ 18,203us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedStateAndMunicipalGovernmentObligationsAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mdc_MetropolitanDistrictBondSecuritiesMember
$ 12,729us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedStateAndMunicipalGovernmentObligationsAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mdc_MetropolitanDistrictBondSecuritiesMember