Note 21 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Supplemental Condensed Combining Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 83,119	$ 199,338	$ 197,286	$ 160,095
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction	836,520	636,700
Land and land under development	854,677	774,961
Total inventories	1,691,197	1,411,661
Deferred tax asset	154,542	176,262
Total Assets	2,588,215	2,595,449
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	56,270	55,639
Total Liabilities	1,362,640	1,382,200
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	1,225,575	1,213,249
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	2,588,215	2,595,449
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Homebuilding:
Trade Receivables	(2,411)	(5,459)
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	(1,477,008)	(1,148,767)
Investment in subsidiaries	(239,529)	(335,870)
Deferred tax asset	3,034	3,287
Total Assets	(1,715,914)	(1,486,809)
Homebuilding:
Accrued liabilities	1,664	(1,207)
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	(1,512,995)	(1,156,941)
Total Liabilities	(1,511,331)	(1,158,148)
Homebuilding [Member] | MDC Holdings [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	53,732	145,180
Marketable securities	437,444	569,021
Trade Receivables	7,622	915
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	1,468,682	1,144,292
Investment in subsidiaries	239,529	335,870
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)	15,379	12,729
Deferred tax asset	151,508	172,975
Other assets, net	41,720	41,204
Total Assets	2,415,616	2,422,186
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable		13
Accrued liabilities	36,701	97,612
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	47,071	15,692
Revolving credit facility	10,000
Senior notes, net	1,096,269	1,095,620
Total Liabilities	1,190,041	1,208,937
Homebuilding [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,771	3,454
Restricted cash	3,034	2,195
Trade Receivables	19,747	27,951
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction	836,520	636,700
Land and land under development	854,677	774,961
Total inventories	1,691,197	1,411,661
Intercompany receivables	2,854	2,576
Other assets, net	57,300	43,569
Total Assets	1,776,903	1,491,406
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	39,927	15,033
Accrued liabilities	90,001	56,334
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	1,442,113	1,121,581
Total Liabilities	1,572,041	1,192,948
Homebuilding [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	5,472	1,899
Total Assets	5,472	1,899
Homebuilding:
Accrued liabilities	26	82
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	23,811	19,668
Total Liabilities	23,837	19,750
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	56,503	148,634
Marketable securities	437,444	569,021
Restricted cash	3,034	2,195
Trade Receivables	24,958	23,407
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction	836,520	636,700
Land and land under development	854,677	774,961
Total inventories	1,691,197	1,411,661
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)	15,379	12,729
Deferred tax asset	154,542	176,262
Other assets, net	99,020	84,773
Total Assets	2,482,077	2,428,682
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	39,927	15,046
Accrued liabilities	128,392	152,821
Revolving credit facility	10,000
Senior notes, net	1,096,269	1,095,620
Total Liabilities	1,274,588	1,263,487
Financial Services [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	(38,744)	(11,216)
Other assets, net	(3,034)	(3,287)
Total Assets	(41,778)	(14,503)
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(4,075)	(4,252)
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	(2,757)	(3,042)
Total Liabilities	(6,832)	(7,294)
Financial Services [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	26,616	50,704
Marketable securities	17,195	19,046
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	38,744	11,216
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	58,132	92,578
Other assets, net	7,229	7,726
Total Assets	147,916	181,270
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	60,345	59,891
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	2,757	3,042
Mortgage repurchase facility	31,782	63,074
Total Liabilities	94,884	126,007
Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	26,616	50,704
Marketable securities	17,195	19,046
Inventories:
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	58,132	92,578
Other assets, net	4,195	4,439
Total Assets	106,138	166,767
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	56,270	55,639
Mortgage repurchase facility	31,782	63,074
Total Liabilities	88,052	118,713
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Inventories:
Total Assets	(1,757,692)	(1,501,312)
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	(1,518,163)	(1,165,442)
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	(239,529)	(335,870)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	(1,757,692)	(1,501,312)
MDC Holdings [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	53,732	145,180	145,491	125,904
Inventories:
Total Assets	2,415,616	2,422,186
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	1,190,041	1,208,937
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	1,225,575	1,213,249
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	2,415,616	2,422,186
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,771	3,454	4,089	3,308
Inventories:
Total Assets	1,776,903	1,491,406
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	1,572,041	1,192,948
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	204,862	298,458
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	1,776,903	1,491,406
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	26,616	50,704	47,706	30,883
Inventories:
Total Assets	153,388	183,169
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	118,721	145,757
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	34,667	37,412
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$ 153,388	$ 183,169