Supplemental Guarantor Information (Supplemental Condensed Combining Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 567,501	$ 572,225	$ 688,561	$ 1,234,252
Marketable securities	535,494	968,729
Restricted cash	682	420
Receivables	19,414	20,010
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	42,301	65,114
Housing completed or under construction	333,350	372,422
Land and land under development	517,337	415,237
Other assets, net	98,890	133,612
Total Assets	2,114,969	2,547,769
Accounts payable and related party liabilities	27,365	35,108
Accrued liabilities	190,030	260,729
Mortgage repurchase facility	10,708	25,434
Senior notes, net	1,006,656	1,242,815
Total Liabilities	1,234,759	1,564,086
Stockholders' Equity	880,210	983,683
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	2,114,969	2,547,769
M D C Holdings [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	532,302	535,035	650,254	1,210,123
Marketable securities	503,828	938,471
Receivables	4,645	14,402
Investment in subsidiaries	123,615	110,065
Other assets, net	48,619	88,267
Total Assets	1,213,009	1,686,240
Accounts payable and related party liabilities	2,804	2,747
Accrued liabilities	69,904	130,960
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	(746,565)	(673,965)
Senior notes, net	1,006,656	1,242,815
Total Liabilities	332,799	702,557
Stockholders' Equity	880,210	983,683
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	1,213,009	1,686,240
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	2,845	4,287	4,903	3,258
Restricted cash	682	420
Receivables	12,499	8,071
Housing completed or under construction	318,737	372,422
Land and land under development	498,830	415,237
Other assets, net	38,722	42,288
Total Assets	872,315	842,725
Accounts payable and related party liabilities	24,731	34,553
Accrued liabilities	54,611	65,622
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	732,473	671,190
Total Liabilities	811,815	771,365
Stockholders' Equity	60,500	71,360
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	872,315	842,725
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	32,354	32,903	33,404	20,871
Marketable securities	31,666	30,258
Receivables	4,709	194
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	42,301	65,114
Housing completed or under construction	14,613
Land and land under development	18,507
Other assets, net	12,390	3,057
Total Assets	156,540	131,526
Accounts payable and related party liabilities	2,492	465
Accrued liabilities	66,133	64,147
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	14,092	2,775
Mortgage repurchase facility	10,708	25,434
Total Liabilities	93,425	92,821
Stockholders' Equity	63,115	38,705
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	156,540	131,526
Eliminating Entries [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Receivables	(2,439)	(2,657)
Investment in subsidiaries	(123,615)	(110,065)
Other assets, net	(841)
Total Assets	(126,895)	(112,722)
Accounts payable and related party liabilities	(2,662)	(2,657)
Accrued liabilities	(618)
Total Liabilities	(3,280)	(2,657)
Stockholders' Equity	(123,615)	(110,065)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ (126,895)	$ (112,722)