Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements Of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (15,590)	$ (69,257)
Net cash used in investing activities	38,245	292,959
Mortgage repurchase facility	(16,042)	(16,446)
Dividend payments	(23,990)	(23,692)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	140	46
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(39,892)	(40,092)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(17,237)	183,610
Beginning of period	343,361	572,225
End of period	326,124	755,835
M D C Holdings [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	16,882	(25,813)
Net cash used in investing activities	36,475	321,930
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	(48,211)	(89,496)
Dividend payments	(23,990)	(23,692)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	140	46
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(72,061)	(113,142)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(18,704)	182,975
Beginning of period	313,566	535,035
End of period	294,862	718,010
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(26,747)	(83,489)
Net cash used in investing activities	(494)	(11)
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	27,792	82,235
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	27,792	82,235
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	551	(1,265)
Beginning of period	2,771	4,287
End of period	3,322	3,022
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	14,395	20,772
Net cash used in investing activities	2,264	(28,960)
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	299	26,534
Mortgage repurchase facility	(16,042)	(16,446)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(15,743)	10,088
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	916	1,900
Beginning of period	27,024	32,903
End of period	27,940	34,803
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(20,120)	19,273
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	20,120	(19,273)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	$ 20,120	$ (19,273)