Debt Debt (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt [Abstract]
Note Payable - Homebuilding, borrowing availability under credit facility	$ 68,628
Letters of credit outstanding under credit facility	16,673
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Availability	51,956
Inventory Pledged as Collateral Under Line of Credit Facility	202,565
Letters of Credit Outstanding Under Letter of Credit Facilities	12,207
Restricted Cash for Secured Letter of Credit Agreements	12,550
Note payable bank - financial services operations	$ 46,343	$ 52,606

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Book Value of Inventory Pledged as Collateral Under the Company's Credit Facility

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mho_InventoryPledgedAsCollateralUnderLineOfCreditFacility
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of letters of credit outstanding under the Company's Credit Facility

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mho_LettersOfCreditOutstandingUnderCreditFacility
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Letters of Credit Outstanding Under the Company's Letter of Credit Facilities

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mho_LettersOfCreditOutstandingUnderLetterOfCreditFacilities
Namespace Prefix:	mho_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents restricted cash deposits maintained as collateral for outstanding letter of credit arrangements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mho_RestrictedCashForSecuredLetterOfCreditAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	mho_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of unused borrowing capacity under the long-term financing arrangement that is available to the entity as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Subparagraph b

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnusedBorrowingCapacityAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of other collateralized debt obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 470

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479118&loc=d3e64650-112822

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuredDebtOther
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant