Note 24 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Homebuilding:
Interest expense	$ (1,726)	$ (808)	$ (20,842)
Income (loss) before income taxes	129,825	61,115	(107,472)
Financial Services:
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	184,560	1,584	9,082
Net income (loss)	314,385	62,699	(98,390)
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax	6,737	12,078	(12,124)
Comprehensive income	321,122	74,777	(110,514)
Homebuilding [Member] \| Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Homebuilding:
Revenues	(1,248)	(6,534)	(9,633)
Cost of Sales	1,248	6,534	9,633
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	(353)
Equity income (loss) of subsidiaries	(163,157)	(81,836)	18,966
Other income (expense), net	(48)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(163,558)	(81,836)	18,966
Homebuilding [Member] \| MDC Holdings [Member]
Homebuilding:
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	(63,506)	(52,880)	(57,811)
Equity income (loss) of subsidiaries	163,157	81,836	(18,966)
Interest income	26,928	23,381	26,039
Interest expense	(1,726)	(778)	(20,687)
Other income (expense), net	1,387	528	(35,479)
Income (loss) before income taxes	126,240	52,087	(106,904)
Homebuilding [Member] \| Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Revenues	1,630,423	1,162,676	826,656
Cost of Sales	(1,340,187)	(984,477)	(707,576)
Inventory impairments	(919)	(1,105)	(12,965)
Gross margin	289,317	177,094	106,115
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	(149,424)	(119,135)	(123,095)
Interest income	10	16	29
Interest expense		(30)	(155)
Other income (expense), net	(2,276)	(306)	(7,894)
Income (loss) before income taxes	137,627	57,639	(25,000)
Homebuilding [Member] \| Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cost of Sales			486
Gross margin			486
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		4,720	1,801
Interest income		1
Other income (expense), net	14	6	23
Income (loss) before income taxes	14	4,727	2,310
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Revenues	1,629,175	1,156,142	817,023
Cost of Sales	(1,338,939)	(977,943)	(697,457)
Inventory impairments	(919)	(1,105)	(12,965)
Gross margin	289,317	177,094	106,601
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	(213,283)	(167,295)	(179,105)
Interest income	26,938	23,398	26,068
Interest expense	(1,726)	(808)	(20,842)
Other income (expense), net	(923)	228	(43,350)
Income (loss) before income taxes	100,323	32,617	(110,628)
Financial Services [Member] \| Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income (loss) before income taxes	401
Financial Services [Member] \| Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income (loss) before income taxes	29,101	28,498	3,156
Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Revenues	51,259	46,881	26,086
Income (loss) before income taxes	29,502	28,498	3,156
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income (loss) before income taxes	(163,157)	(81,836)	18,966
Financial Services:
Net income (loss)	(163,157)	(81,836)	18,966
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax	119	(100)	154
Comprehensive income	(163,038)	(81,936)	19,120
MDC Holdings [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income (loss) before income taxes	126,240	52,087	(106,904)
Financial Services:
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	188,145	10,612	8,514
Net income (loss)	314,385	62,699	(98,390)
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax	6,737	12,078	(12,124)
Comprehensive income	321,122	74,777	(110,514)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income (loss) before income taxes	137,627	57,639	(25,000)
Financial Services:
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	7,507	1,435	2,027
Net income (loss)	145,134	59,074	(22,973)
Comprehensive income	145,134	59,074	(22,973)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income (loss) before income taxes	29,115	33,225	5,466
Financial Services:
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	(11,092)	(10,463)	(1,459)
Net income (loss)	18,023	22,762	4,007
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax	(119)	100	(154)
Comprehensive income	$ 17,904	$ 22,862	$ 3,853

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services. Includes selling, general and administrative expense.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of appreciation (loss) in value of unsold available-for-sale securities. Excludes amounts related to other than temporary impairment (OTTI) loss.

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The net amount of other income and expense amounts, the components of which are not separately disclosed on the income statement, resulting from ancillary business-related activities (that is, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business) also known as other nonoperating income (expense) recognized for the period. Such amounts may include: (a) dividends, (b) interest on securities, (c) net gains or losses on securities, (d) unusual costs, (e) gains or losses on foreign exchange transactions, and (f) miscellaneous other income and expense items.

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Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

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The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

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