Note 22 - Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	22. Subsequent Events On January 15, 2014, we completed a public offering of $250 million principal amount of 5½% senior notes due 2024 (the “5½% Notes”). The 5½% Notes, which pay interest semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 2014, are general unsecured obligations of MDC and rank equally and ratably with our other general unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. In addition, the 5½% Notes are fully guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by most of our homebuilding subsidiaries. We received proceeds of $248.4 million, net of underwriting fees of $1.6 million. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of our 5⅜% Senior Notes due 2014 and 5⅜% Senior Notes due 2015 in whole or in part.

Note 22 - Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

22. Subsequent Events

On January 15, 2014, we completed a public offering of $250 million principal amount of 5½% senior notes due 2024 (the “5½% Notes”). The 5½% Notes, which pay interest semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 2014, are general unsecured obligations of MDC and rank equally and ratably with our other general unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. In addition, the 5½% Notes are fully guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by most of our homebuilding subsidiaries. We received proceeds of $248.4 million, net of underwriting fees of $1.6 million. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of our 5⅜% Senior Notes due 2014 and 5⅜% Senior Notes due 2015 in whole or in part.