Note 19 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ 44,509	$ (96,272)
Net cash used in investing activities	16,589	82,925
Financing activities:
Mortgage repurchase facility	(10,822)	(30,876)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		248,375
Repayment of senior notes		(259,118)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		10,000
Dividend payments	(24,425)	(24,412)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	612	71
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(34,635)	(55,960)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	26,463	(69,307)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	153,825	199,338
End of period	180,288	130,031
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in investing activities	2,346	74,094
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	(2,346)	(74,094)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(2,346)	(74,094)
MDC Holdings [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	35,266	(26,472)
Net cash used in investing activities	13,810	3,390
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		248,375
Repayment of senior notes		(259,118)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		10,000
Dividend payments	(24,425)	(24,412)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	612	71
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(23,813)	(25,084)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	25,263	(48,166)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	119,951	145,180
End of period	145,214	97,014
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(895)	(110,958)
Net cash used in investing activities	(265)	(223)
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	1,481	110,863
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,481	110,863
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	321	(318)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	2,691	3,454
End of period	3,012	3,136
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	10,138	41,158
Net cash used in investing activities	698	5,664
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	865	(36,769)
Mortgage repurchase facility	(10,822)	(30,876)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(9,957)	(67,645)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	879	(20,823)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	31,183	50,704
End of period	$ 32,062	$ 29,881