Note 20 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Supplemental Condensed Combining Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 130,031	$ 199,338	$ 249,418	$ 160,095
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction	758,392	636,700
Land and land under development	837,889	774,961
Total inventories	1,596,281	1,411,661
Deferred tax asset	160,872	176,262
Total Assets	2,596,561	2,595,449
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	56,086	55,639
Total Liabilities	1,373,952	1,382,200
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	1,222,609	1,213,249
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	2,596,561	2,595,449
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Homebuilding:
Trade Receivables	(2,396)	(5,459)
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	(1,413,564)	(1,148,767)
Investment in subsidiaries	(225,275)	(335,870)
Deferred tax asset	3,035	3,287
Total Assets	(1,638,200)	(1,486,809)
Homebuilding:
Accrued liabilities	1,758	(1,207)
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	(1,450,569)	(1,156,941)
Total Liabilities	(1,448,811)	(1,158,148)
Homebuilding [Member] | MDC Holdings [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	97,014	145,180
Marketable securities	492,498	569,021
Trade Receivables	6,707	915
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	1,405,057	1,144,292
Investment in subsidiaries	225,275	335,870
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)	14,291	12,729
Deferred tax asset	157,837	172,975
Other assets, net	40,311	41,204
Total Assets	2,438,990	2,422,186
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable		13
Accrued liabilities	61,586	97,612
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	48,683	15,692
Revolving credit facility	10,000
Senior notes, net	1,096,112	1,095,620
Total Liabilities	1,216,381	1,208,937
Homebuilding [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	3,136	3,454
Restricted cash	2,188	2,195
Trade Receivables	22,939	27,951
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction	758,392	636,700
Land and land under development	837,889	774,961
Total inventories	1,596,281	1,411,661
Intercompany receivables	2,854	2,576
Other assets, net	55,828	43,569
Total Assets	1,683,226	1,491,406
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	34,266	15,033
Accrued liabilities	81,886	56,334
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	1,378,100	1,121,581
Total Liabilities	1,494,252	1,192,948
Homebuilding [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	5,653	1,899
Total Assets	5,653	1,899
Homebuilding:
Accrued liabilities	60	82
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	23,786	19,668
Total Liabilities	23,846	19,750
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	100,150	148,634
Marketable securities	492,498	569,021
Restricted cash	2,188	2,195
Trade Receivables	27,250	23,407
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction	758,392	636,700
Land and land under development	837,889	774,961
Total inventories	1,596,281	1,411,661
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)	14,291	12,729
Deferred tax asset	160,872	176,262
Other assets, net	96,139	84,773
Total Assets	2,489,669	2,428,682
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	34,266	15,046
Accrued liabilities	145,290	152,821
Revolving credit facility	10,000
Senior notes, net	1,096,112	1,095,620
Total Liabilities	1,285,668	1,263,487
Financial Services [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	(40,176)	(11,216)
Other assets, net	(3,035)	(3,287)
Total Assets	(43,211)	(14,503)
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(4,154)	(4,252)
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	(3,171)	(3,042)
Total Liabilities	(7,325)	(7,294)
Financial Services [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	29,881	50,704
Marketable securities	13,390	19,046
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	40,176	11,216
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	58,377	92,578
Other assets, net	8,279	7,726
Total Assets	150,103	181,270
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	60,240	59,891
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	3,171	3,042
Mortgage repurchase facility	32,198	63,074
Total Liabilities	95,609	126,007
Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	29,881	50,704
Marketable securities	13,390	19,046
Inventories:
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	58,377	92,578
Other assets, net	5,244	4,439
Total Assets	106,892	166,767
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	56,086	55,639
Mortgage repurchase facility	32,198	63,074
Total Liabilities	88,284	118,713
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Inventories:
Total Assets	(1,681,411)	(1,501,312)
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	(1,456,136)	(1,165,442)
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	(225,275)	(335,870)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	(1,681,411)	(1,501,312)
MDC Holdings [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	97,014	145,180	204,946	125,904
Inventories:
Total Assets	2,438,990	2,422,186
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	1,216,381	1,208,937
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	1,222,609	1,213,249
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	2,438,990	2,422,186
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	3,136	3,454	3,937	3,308
Inventories:
Total Assets	1,683,226	1,491,406
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	1,494,252	1,192,948
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	188,974	298,458
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	1,683,226	1,491,406
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	29,881	50,704	40,535	30,883
Inventories:
Total Assets	155,756	183,169
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	119,455	145,757
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	36,301	37,412
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$ 155,756	$ 183,169