Supplemental Guarantor Information - Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (108,819)	$ (80,284)	$ (209,081)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(21,781)	404,264	(644,466)
Extinguishment of senior notes		(537,724)
Proceeds from issuance of Senior notes			242,288
Mortgage repurchase facility	27,625	23,268	(3,681)
Dividend payments	(96,915)	(47,432)	(47,140)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	16,624	9,044	53
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(52,666)	(552,844)	191,520
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(183,266)	(228,864)	(662,027)
Beginning of period	343,361	572,225	1,234,252
End of period	160,095	343,361	572,225
M D C Holdings [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	83,797	(39,462)	36,971
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(22,999)	439,066	(613,377)
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	(168,169)	(44,961)	(293,883)
Extinguishment of senior notes		(537,724)
Proceeds from issuance of Senior notes			242,288
Dividend payments	(96,915)	(47,432)	(47,140)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	16,624	9,044	53
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(248,460)	(621,073)	(98,682)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(187,662)	(221,469)	(675,088)
Beginning of period	313,566	535,035	1,210,123
End of period	125,904	313,566	535,035
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(71,674)	(26,663)	(275,822)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(823)	(71)	(1,046)
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	73,034	25,218	277,897
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	73,034	25,218	277,897
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	537	(1,516)	1,029
Beginning of period	2,771	4,287	3,258
End of period	3,308	2,771	4,287
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(39,106)	(33,125)	1,123
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	2,041	(34,731)	(30,043)
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	13,299	38,709	44,633
Mortgage repurchase facility	27,625	23,268	(3,681)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	40,924	61,977	40,952
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,859	(5,879)	12,032
Beginning of period	27,024	32,903	20,871
End of period	30,883	27,024	32,903
Eliminations Entries [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(81,836)	18,966	28,647
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	81,836	(18,966)	(28,647)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	$ 81,836	$ (18,966)	$ (28,647)