Commitments And Contingencies (Mortgage Loan Loss Reserve Activity) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Commitments And Contingencies
Balance at beginning of year	$ 7,636	$ 8,241	$ 6,881	$ 9,641
Expense provisions
Cash payments	(3,871)	(172)	(4,078)	(1,572)
Adjustments	335		1,297
Balance at end of period	$ 4,100	$ 8,069	$ 4,100	$ 8,069

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Name:	mdc_CommitmentsAndContingenciesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	mdc
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reserves established for potential losses associated with the sale of mortgage loans in the current period to third-parties.

+ Details

Name:	mdc_MortgageLoanLossExpenseProvision
Namespace Prefix:	mdc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Payments made against reserves established for potential losses associated with the sale of mortgage loans to third-parties.

+ Details

Name:	mdc_MortgageLoanLossPayments
Namespace Prefix:	mdc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Balance of reserves established for potential losses associated with the sale of mortgage loans to third-parties

+ Details

Name:	mdc_MortgageLoanLossReserves
Namespace Prefix:	mdc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects the net amount of other additions and reductions in the reserve for credit losses.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 114
-Paragraph 20

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph d
-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdjustmentsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration