Commitments and Contingencies - Mortgage Loan Loss Reserve Activity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Receivables [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 805	$ 442
Expense provisions	250	294
Cash payments	(86)	(97)
Balance at end of period	$ 969	$ 639

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

No definition available.

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