Supplemental Guarantor Information - Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (50,455)	$ (80,743)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(7,069)	381,162
Extinguishment of senior notes		(254,903)
Mortgage repurchase facility	(1,814)	(14,726)
Dividend payments	(36,046)	(35,560)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	15,820	46
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(22,040)	(305,143)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(79,564)	(4,724)
Beginning of period	343,361	572,225
End of period	263,797	567,501
M D C Holdings [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	39,291	(39,482)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(8,106)	413,999
Extinguishment of senior notes		(254,903)
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	(92,930)	(86,833)
Dividend payments	(36,046)	(35,560)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	15,820	46
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(113,156)	(377,250)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(81,971)	(2,733)
Beginning of period	313,566	535,035
End of period	231,595	532,302
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(37,887)	(77,129)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(719)	(20)
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	39,310	75,707
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	39,310	75,707
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	704	(1,442)
Beginning of period	2,771	4,287
End of period	3,475	2,845
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(5,083)	12,567
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,756	(32,817)
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	6,844	34,427
Mortgage repurchase facility	(1,814)	(14,726)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	5,030	19,701
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,703	(549)
Beginning of period	27,024	32,903
End of period	28,727	32,354
Eliminations Entries [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(46,776)	23,301
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	46,776	(23,301)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	$ 46,776	$ (23,301)