10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

__________________

FORM 10-K

☒     ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

OR

☐     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition period from            to           

Commission file number 1-08951

_________________________

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	84-0622967
(State or other jurisdiction	(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

4350 South Monaco Street, Suite 500	80237
Denver, Colorado	(Zip code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

(303) 773-1100

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value	New York Stock Exchange
5⅝% Senior Notes due February 2020	New York Stock Exchange
5½% Senior Notes due January 2024
6% Senior Notes due January 2043	New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes X No     

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes     No X

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes X_  No__

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. X

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer_X_                              Accelerated Filer___

Non-Accelerated Filer __ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)          Smaller Reporting Company__

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes      No X

As of June 30, 2014, the aggregate market value of the Registrants' common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrants was $1.2 billion based on the closing sales price of $30.29 per share as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2014.

As of December 31, 2014, the number of shares outstanding of Registrant's common stock was 48,831,639.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of part III of this Form 10-K are incorporated by reference from the Registrant's 2014 definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of the Registrant's fiscal year.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

FORM 10-K

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

_______________

Table of Contents

		Page  No.
PART I
ITEM 1.	Business
	(a) General Development of Business	1
	(b) Available Information	1
	(c) Financial Information About Industry Segments	2
	(d) Narrative Description of Business	2
ITEM 1A.	Risk Factors	7
ITEM 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	13
ITEM 2.	Properties	13
ITEM 3.	Legal Proceedings	13
ITEM 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	13
PART II
ITEM 5.	Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	14
ITEM 6.	Selected Financial Data	16
ITEM 7.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	17
ITEM 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	43
ITEM 8.	Consolidated Financial Statements	F-1
ITEM 9.	Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	45
ITEM 9A.	Controls and Procedures	45
ITEM 9B.	Other Information	47
PART III
ITEM 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	47
ITEM 11.	Executive Compensation	47
ITEM 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	47
ITEM 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	47
ITEM 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	47
PART IV
ITEM 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	48
SIGNATURES		55

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

FORM 10-K

PART I

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as statements made by us in periodic press releases, oral statements made by our officials in the course of presentations about the Company and conference calls in connection with quarterly earnings releases, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows, strategies and prospects. These forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as “likely,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue,” or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this Report are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, any further disclosures made on related subjects in subsequent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K should be considered.

Item 1. Business.

(a) General Development of Business

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. is a Delaware corporation. We refer to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. as the “Company,” “MDC,” “we” or “our” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and these designations include our subsidiaries unless we state otherwise. We have two primary operations, homebuilding and financial services. Our homebuilding operations consist of wholly-owned subsidiary companies that generally purchase finished lots or develop lots to the extent necessary for the construction and sale primarily of single-family detached homes to first-time and first-time move-up homebuyers under the name “Richmond American Homes.” Our homebuilding operations are comprised of various homebuilding divisions that we consider to be our operating segments. For financial reporting, we have aggregated our homebuilding operating segments into reportable segments as follows: (1) West (Arizona, California, Nevada and Washington); (2) Mountain (Colorado and Utah); and (3) East (Virginia, Florida, Illinois and Maryland, which includes Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey).

Our financial services operations primarily consist of HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation (“HomeAmerican”), which originates mortgage loans primarily for our homebuyers; Allegiant Insurance Company, Inc., A Risk Retention Group (“Allegiant”), which provides insurance coverage primarily to our homebuilding subsidiaries and certain subcontractors for homes sold by our homebuilding subsidiaries and for work performed in completed subdivisions; StarAmerican Insurance Ltd., which is a re-insurer on Allegiant claims; American Home Insurance Agency, Inc., which offers third-party insurance products to our homebuyers; and American Home Title and Escrow Company, which provides title agency services to our homebuilding subsidiaries and our customers in certain states. For financial reporting, we have aggregated our financial services operating segments into reportable segments as follows: (1) mortgage operations (represents HomeAmerican only) and (2) other (all remaining operating segments).

(b) Available Information

We make our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file or furnish the materials electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). To obtain any of this information, go to our website, http://ir.richmondamerican.com, and select “SEC Filings.” Our website includes our: (1) Corporate Governance Guidelines; (2) Corporate Code of Conduct; (3) Rules for Senior Financial Officers; (4) Audit Committee Procedures for Handling Confidential Complaints; and (5) charters for the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance/Nominating Committees. These materials may also be obtained, free of charge, at http://ir.richmondamerican.com (select “Corporate Governance”).

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(c) Financial Information About Industry Segments

Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contains information regarding our reportable segments for each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

(d) Narrative Description of Business

Our business consists of two primary operations, homebuilding and financial services. Our homebuilding subsidiaries build and sell primarily single-family detached homes that are designed and built to meet local customer preferences. Each homebuilding subsidiary is the general contractor for its projects and retains subcontractors for land development and home construction. Our homebuilding subsidiaries build a variety of home styles in each of their markets, targeting primarily first-time and first-time move-up homebuyers.

For 2014, the percentage of our home deliveries and home sale and land sale revenues by state were as follows:

	Percentage			Percentage
	of			of Home Sale
	Deliveries			Revenues
Arizona		17	%		12	%
California		14	%		18	%
Nevada		13	%		11	%
Washington		6	%		6	%
West		50	%		47	%
Colorado		27	%		29	%
Utah		4	%		3	%
Mountain		31	%		32	%
Maryland		7	%		9	%
Virginia		5	%		7	%
Florida		7	%		5	%
East		19	%		21	%
Total		100	%		100	%

Our financial services operations include subsidiary companies that provide mortgage financing, place title insurance and homeowner insurance for our homebuyers, and provide general liability insurance for our subsidiaries and most of our subcontractors.

Homebuilding Operations

Operating Divisions. The primary functions of our homebuilding segments include land acquisition and development, home construction, sales and marketing, and customer service. Operating decisions are made by our local management teams under the oversight of our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), or decision-making group, defined as two key executives - our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Our organizational structure (i.e., the grouping and reporting of divisions) changes based upon the current needs of the Company. We had 10 active homebuilding operating divisions at the end of each year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Corporate Management. Our homebuilding business is managed primarily through members of senior management in our Corporate segment and our Asset Management Committees (“AMCs”). Each AMC is comprised of the Chief Operating Officer and three of our corporate officers. All real estate acquisition transactions are reviewed to ensure the transaction achieves the land strategies set forth by our CODM and must be approved by one of the AMCs. Generally, the role of our senior management team and/or AMC includes:

● review and approval of division business plans and budgets;

● oversight of land and home inventory levels;

● review of major personnel decisions; and

● review of capital allocation decisions.

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Additionally, our corporate executives and corporate departments generally are responsible for establishing and monitoring compliance with our policies and procedures. Among other things, the corporate office has primary responsibility for:

● asset management and capital allocation;

● treasury;

● insurance and risk management;

● merchandising and marketing;

● national purchasing contracts;

● accounting, tax and internal audit functions;

● legal matters;

● human resources and payroll;

● information technology; and

● training and development.

Housing.  Generally, our homebuilding subsidiaries build single-family detached homes in a number of standardized series, designed to provide variety in the size and style of homes for our potential homebuyers. In certain markets, our homebuilding subsidiaries build and sell attached townhomes. Within each series for our single-family detached homes, our homebuilding subsidiaries build several different floor plans offering standard and optional features (such as upgraded appliances, cabinetry, flooring, etc.). Differences in sales prices of similar models from market-to-market depend primarily upon homebuyer demand, home prices offered by our competitors, market conditions (such as home inventory supply levels), location, cost of land, optional features and design specifications. The series of homes offered at a particular location is based on perceived customer preferences, lot size, area demographics and, in certain cases, the requirements of major land sellers and local municipalities. We monitor levels of inventories of speculative homes (defined as homes under construction without a sales contract) in our markets in order to increase returns based on market demand. Speculative homes in various stages of completion allow us to meet the immediate and near-term demands of prospective homebuyers.

Land Acquisition and Development.  Our homebuilding subsidiaries acquire our lots with the intention of constructing and selling homes on the acquired land. Generally, we prefer to purchase finished lots using option contracts, in phases or in bulk for cash. However, we do acquire entitled land for development into finished lots when we believe that the risk is justified. In making land purchases, we consider a number of factors, including projected rates of return, estimated gross margins from home sales, sales prices of the homes to be built and mortgage loan limits within the respective county, population and employment growth patterns, proximity to developed areas, estimated cost and complexity of development including environmental and geological factors, quality of schools, estimated levels of competition and demographic trends. Our homebuilding subsidiaries attempt to maintain a supply of finished lots sufficient to enable them to start homes promptly after a contract for a home sale is executed. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above.

In their option contracts, our homebuilding subsidiaries generally obtain the right to purchase lots in consideration for an option deposit in the form of cash or letters of credit. In the event they elect not to purchase the lots within a specified period of time, they may be required to forfeit the option deposit. Our option contracts do not contain provisions requiring our specific performance.

Our homebuilding subsidiaries may own or have the right under option contracts to acquire undeveloped parcels of real estate that they intend to develop into finished lots. They generally develop our land in phases in order to limit our risk in a particular subdivision and to efficiently employ available capital resources. Generally, building permits and utilities are available and zoning is suitable for the current intended use of substantially all of our undeveloped land. When developed, these lots generally will be used in our homebuilding activities. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above.

Labor and Raw Materials.  Materials used in our homebuilding operations are mainly standard items carried by major suppliers. We generally contract for our materials and labor at a fixed price for the anticipated construction period of our homes. This allows us to mitigate the risks associated with increases in the cost of building materials and labor between the time construction begins on a home and the time it is closed. Increases in the cost of building materials and subcontracted labor may reduce gross margins from home sales to the extent that market conditions prevent the recovery of increased costs through higher home sales prices. From time to time and to varying degrees, we may experience shortages in the availability of building materials and/or labor in each of our markets. These shortages and delays may result in delays in the delivery of homes under construction, reduced gross margins from home sales, or both. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above.

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Warranty.  Our homebuilding subsidiaries sell their homes with limited third-party warranties that generally provide for ten years of structural coverage, two years of coverage for plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and one year of coverage for workmanship and materials. Under our agreement with the issuer of the third-party warranties, our homebuilding subsidiaries perform all of the work for the first two years of the warranty coverage and pay for substantially all of the work required to be performed during years three through ten of the warranties.

Seasonal Nature of Business.  The homebuilding industry can experience noticeable seasonality and quarter-to-quarter variability in homebuilding activity levels. The seasonal nature of our business is described in more detail in our description of Risk Factors under the heading “Because of the seasonal nature of our business, our quarterly operating results can fluctuate.”

Backlog.  At December 31, 2014 and 2013, homes under contract but not yet delivered (“backlog”) totaled 1,519 and 1,262, respectively, with an estimated sales value of $663 million and $506 million, respectively. We anticipate that homes in backlog at December 31, 2014 generally will close during 2015 under their existing home order contracts or through the replacement of an existing contract with a new home order contract. The estimated backlog sales value at December 31, 2014 may be impacted by, among other things, subsequent home order cancellations and incentives provided, and options and upgrades selected after December 31, 2014. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above.

Customer Service and Quality Control.  Our homebuilding divisions are responsible for pre-closing quality control inspections and responding to customers’ post-closing needs. We have a product service and quality control program, focused on improving and/or maintaining the quality of our customers’ complete home buying and homeownership experience.

Sales and Marketing. Our sales and marketing programs are designed to attract homebuyers in a cost effective manner. We have a centralized in-house advertising and marketing department that oversees our efforts to communicate the inherent value of our homes to our prospective homebuyers and distinguish our Richmond American Homes brand from our competitors or other home buying opportunities. The main objective of this team is to generate homebuyer leads, which are actively pursued by our community sales associates. Our in-house merchandising team furnishes our model homes and sales offices.

Another important part of our marketing presentation takes place in our design centers (also known as Home Galleries). Here, homebuyers are able to personalize their homes with a variety of options and upgrades. These locations also serve as an information center for prospective home buyers and real estate agents who may opt to receive personalized attention from one of our new home specialists, resulting in a more focused and efficient home search across all of our Richmond American communities in a given market place. We believe that the services provided by our Home Galleries represent a key competitive advantage in dealing with prospective homebuyers.

Competition. The homebuilding industry is fragmented and highly competitive. The competitive nature of our business is described in more detail in our description of Risk Factors.

Regulation. Our homebuilding operations are subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, which are described in more detail in our description of Risk Factors.

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Financial Services Operations

Mortgage Lending Operations

General. HomeAmerican is a full-service mortgage lender and the principal originator of mortgage loans for our homebuyers. HomeAmerican has a centralized loan processing center where it originates mortgage loans, primarily for our homebuyers.

HomeAmerican is authorized to originate Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) (together “the government-sponsored enterprises”), Federal Housing Administration-insured (“FHA”), and Veterans Administration-guaranteed (“VA”) mortgages and is an authorized issuer of Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) mortgage-backed securities. HomeAmerican also is an authorized loan servicer for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae and, as such, is subject to the rules and regulations of these entities. Additionally, HomeAmerican is approved to sell loans to various private investors.

HomeAmerican uses a mortgage repurchase facility, internally generated funds, and temporary financing provided by its parent, to finance the origination of mortgage loans until they are sold. HomeAmerican sells originated mortgage loans to third-party purchasers on either a bulk or flow basis. Mortgage loans sold on a bulk basis include the sale of a package of substantially similar originated mortgage loans, while sales of mortgage loans on a flow basis are completed as HomeAmerican originates each loan. Mortgage loans sold to third-party purchasers include HomeAmerican’s representations and warranties with respect to certain borrower payment defaults, credit quality issues and/or misrepresentations made by HomeAmerican or our homebuyers. Substantially all of the mortgage loans originated by HomeAmerican are sold to third-party purchasers generally within 15 to 40 days of origination.

Pipeline. HomeAmerican’s mortgage loans in process for which a rate and price commitment had been made to a borrower that had not closed (the “locked pipeline”) at December 31, 2014 and 2013 had an aggregate principal balance of approximately $42.8 million and $69.8 million, respectively, and were under interest rate lock commitments at an average interest rate of 3.69% and 4.13%, respectively.

Forward Sales Commitments.  HomeAmerican is exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates. HomeAmerican creates certain derivative instruments in the normal course of business, which primarily include commitments to originate mortgage loans (interest rate lock commitments or locked pipeline). HomeAmerican uses forward sales of mortgage-backed securities and commitments from third-parties to purchase loans to hedge the interest rate risk inherent with the locked pipeline, as well as its loan inventory held for sale. The market related risks in our business are described in more detail in our description of Risk Factors.

Competition. HomeAmerican competes with other mortgage bankers to arrange financing for our homebuyers. The significant decline in demand for re-financings during 2013 resulted in increased competition from other mortgage bankers for mortgage originations and this has continued during 2014.

The mortgage industry has been de-consolidating with a number of smaller non-bank entities entering the third-party purchaser space. These new entrants can offer HomeAmerican better prices and a potentially wider array of product options which has served to mitigate some of the competitive issues that HomeAmerican faced when the mortgage market was less fragmented. The competitive nature of our business is described in more detail in our description of Risk Factors.

Regulation. Our mortgage lending operations are subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, which are described in more detail in our description of Risk Factors.

Insurance Operations 

General. Our insurance operations consist of three business divisions: (1) Allegiant; (2) StarAmerican; and (3) American Home Insurance.

Allegiant and StarAmerican were formed to provide insurance coverage of homebuilding risks for our homebuilding subsidiaries and certain of our homebuilding subcontractors. Allegiant was organized as a risk retention group under the Federal Liability Risk Retention Act of 1981. Allegiant, which began operations in June of 2004, is licensed as a Class 3 Stock Insurance Company by the Division of Insurance of the State of Hawaii and is subject primarily to the regulations of its state of incorporation. StarAmerican is a single parent captive insurance company licensed by the Division of Insurance of the State of Hawaii and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MDC. Pursuant to agreements beginning in June 2004, StarAmerican re-insures Allegiant for all claims in excess of $50,000 per occurrence up to $3.0 million per occurrence, subject to various aggregate limits.

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Allegiant generates premium revenue generally by providing to its customers, comprised of the Company’s homebuilding subsidiaries and certain subcontractors of the Company’s homebuilding subsidiaries, general liability insurance on homes sold by our homebuilding subsidiaries and for work performed in completed subdivisions. Allegiant seeks to provide to its customers coverage and insurance rates that are competitive with other insurers. StarAmerican generates premium revenue by providing re-insurance coverage to Allegiant. Allegiant and StarAmerican incur expenses for actual losses and loss adjustment expenses and for reserves established based on actuarial studies including known facts, such as our experience with similar insurance cases and historical trends involving insurance claim payment patterns, pending levels of unpaid insurance claims, claim severity, claim frequency patterns and interpretations of circumstances including changing regulatory and legal environments.

Regulation. Allegiant and StarAmerican are licensed in the State of Hawaii and, therefore, are subject to regulation by the Hawaii Insurance Division. This regulation includes restrictions and oversight regarding: types of insurance provided; investment options; required capital and surplus; financial and information reporting; use of auditors, actuaries and other service providers; periodic examinations; and other operational items. Additionally, as a risk retention group, Allegiant also is registered in other states where certain MDC homebuilding subsidiaries do business.

American Home Insurance is an insurance agency that sells primarily personal property and casualty insurance products in the same markets as our homebuilding subsidiaries and primarily to our homebuyers.

Title Operations 

American Home Title provides title agency services to the Company and its homebuyers in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada and Virginia.

Employees.

The table below summarizes the approximate number of employees for our combined Homebuilding, combined Financial Services and Corporate segments at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

	December 31,
	2014		2013
Homebuilding		843		800
Financial Services		104		99
Corporate		193		212
Total		1,140		1,111

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Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Changes in general economic, real estate and other business conditions may have an adverse effect on the homebuilding and mortgage industries, which could have a negative impact on our business.

The homebuilding industry is cyclical and is significantly affected by changes in industry conditions, as well as in general economic conditions at a national, regional and local level, such as:

•      employment levels;

•      availability of financing for homebuyers;

•      interest rates;

•      consumer confidence;

•      levels of new and existing homes for sale;

•      cost of land, labor and construction materials;

•      demographic trends; and

•      housing demand.

These conditions may exist on a national level or may affect some of the regions or markets in which we operate more than others. When adverse conditions affect any of our larger markets, they could have a proportionately greater impact on us than on some other homebuilding companies.

Changes to monetary policy or other actions by the Federal Reserve could have an adverse effect on interest rates (including mortgage interest rates), equity markets and consumer confidence. Such effects could cause us to experience declines in the market value of our inventory and the demand for our homes, resulting in a negative impact to our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

An oversupply of alternatives to new homes, including foreclosed homes, homes held for sale by investors and speculators, other existing homes, and rental properties, can also reduce our ability to sell new homes, depress new home prices and reduce our margins on the sale of new homes. High levels of foreclosures and short-sales not only contribute to additional inventory available for sale, but also can reduce appraisal valuations for new homes, potentially resulting in lower sales prices.

Continued military deployments, terrorist attacks, other acts of violence or threats to national security, and any corresponding response by the United States or others, or related domestic or international instability, may adversely affect general economic conditions or cause a slowdown of the economy.

The impact of the Affordable Care Act remains uncertain and may adversely affect individuals and businesses, which could negatively impact homebuyer discretionary spending and demand for new homes.

As a result of the foregoing matters, potential customers may be less willing or able to buy our homes. In the future, our pricing strategies may continue to be limited by market conditions. We may be unable to change the mix of our home offerings, reduce the costs of the homes we build or offer more affordable homes to maintain our gross margins or satisfactorily address changing market conditions in other ways. In addition, cancellations of home sales contracts in backlog may increase as homebuyers choose to not honor their contracts.

Additionally, the factors discussed above may increase our counterparty risk, which may include, among others, banks under our credit facilities and mortgage purchasers who may not be willing or able to perform on obligations to us. To the extent a third-party is unable or unwilling to meet its obligations, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows could be negatively impacted.

Our financial services business is closely related to our homebuilding business, as it originates mortgage loans principally to purchasers of the homes we build. Therefore, a decrease in the demand for our homes because of the preceding matters may also adversely affect the financial results of this segment of our business. Furthermore, any adverse changes in the economic conditions discussed previously could increase the default rate on the mortgages we originate, which may adversely affect our ability to sell the mortgages, the pricing we receive upon the sale of mortgages, or our potential exposure to recourse regarding mortgage loan sales.

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These challenging conditions are complex and interrelated. We cannot predict their occurrence or severity, nor can we provide assurance that our responses would be successful.

Increased competition levels in the homebuilding and mortgage lending industries could have a negative impact on our homebuilding and mortgage operations.

The homebuilding industry is fragmented and highly competitive. Our homebuilding subsidiaries compete with numerous public and private homebuilders, including a number that are substantially larger than us and may have greater financial resources than we do. Our homebuilding subsidiaries also compete with subdivision developers and land development companies, some of which are themselves homebuilders or affiliates of homebuilders. Homebuilders compete for customers, land, building materials, subcontractor labor and desirable financing. Competition for home orders is based primarily on home sales price, location of property, home style, financing available to prospective homebuyers, quality of homes built, customer service and general reputation in the community, and may vary market-by-market and/or submarket-by-submarket. Additionally, competition within the homebuilding industry can be impacted by an excess supply of new and existing homes available for sale resulting from a number of factors, including, among other things, increases in the number of new home communities, increases in speculative homes available for sale and increases in home foreclosures. Increased competition can result in a decrease in our net new home orders, a decrease in our home sales prices and/or an increase in our home sales incentives in an effort to generate new home sales and maintain homes in backlog until they close. These competitive pressures may negatively impact our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Through our mortgage lending subsidiary, HomeAmerican, we have seen an increased level of competition with numerous banks and other mortgage bankers and brokers, many of which are larger than us and may have greater financial resources than we do. Competitive factors include pricing, mortgage loan terms, underwriting criteria and customer service. To the extent that we continue to see increased competition with other companies that originate mortgage loans, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of our mortgage operations may be negatively impacted.

If land is not available at reasonable prices or terms, we could be required to scale back our operations in a given market and/or we may operate at lower levels of profitability.

Our operations depend on our homebuilding subsidiaries’ ability to obtain land for the development of our residential communities at reasonable prices and with terms that meet our underwriting criteria. Our ability to obtain land for new residential communities may be adversely affected by changes in the general availability of land, the willingness of land sellers to sell land at reasonable prices, competition for available land, availability of financing to acquire land, zoning, regulations that limit housing density, and other market conditions. If the supply of land, and especially finished lots, appropriate for development of residential communities continues to be limited because of these factors, or for any other reason, the number of homes that our homebuilding subsidiaries build and sell may decline. To the extent that we are unable to timely purchase land or enter into new contracts for the purchase of land at reasonable prices, due to the lag time between the time we acquire land and the time we begin selling homes, we may be required to scale back our operations in a given market and/or we may operate at lower levels of profitability, and as a result our financial position, results of operations and cash flows could be negatively impacted.

Supply shortages and other risks related to the demand for skilled labor and building materials could increase costs and delay deliveries.

The residential construction industry experiences price fluctuations and shortages in labor and materials from time to time. Shortages in labor can be due to: work stoppages, labor disputes, shortages in qualified trades people, lack of availability of adequate utility infrastructure and services, or our need to rely on local subcontractors who may not be adequately capitalized or insured. Labor and material shortages can be more severe during periods of strong demand for housing or during periods in which the markets where we operate experience natural disasters that have a significant impact on existing residential and commercial structures. Additionally, we could experience labor shortages as a result of subcontractors going out of business or leaving the residential construction market due to low levels of housing production and volumes. Pricing for labor and materials can be affected by the factors discussed above, changes in energy prices, and various other national, regional and local economic factors. Any of these circumstances could give rise to delays in the start or completion of our residential communities, increase the cost of developing one or more of our residential communities and/or increase the construction cost of our homes.

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We generally are unable to pass on increases in construction costs to customers who have already entered into sales contracts, as those sales contracts fix the price of the homes at the time the contracts are signed, which may be in advance of the construction of the home. To the extent that market conditions prevent the recovery of increased costs, including, among other things, subcontracted labor, finished lots, building materials, and other resources, through higher selling prices, our financial position, cash flows and operating results, including our gross margin from home sales, could be negatively impacted.

If mortgage interest rates rise, if down payment requirements are increased, if loan limits are decreased, or if mortgage financing otherwise becomes less available, it could adversely affect our business.

Mortgage liquidity influenced by governmental entities or government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”) like the FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae continue to be an important factor in marketing our homes. Financial losses or other factors may limit, restrict or otherwise curtail their ability or willingness to insure mortgage loans, offer insurance at rates and on terms that are not prohibitive, or purchase mortgage loans. Should this occur, it may negatively impact the availability of mortgage financing and our sales of new homes.

Beginning in 2014, new regulations took effect that, among other things, capped the fees and placed additional restrictions on what our mortgage company and its affiliates may collect, limit the types of loans our mortgage company may originate and place additional restrictions on loans that are sold to entities such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae, insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA. The ultimate impact of these changes is uncertain and may have a negative impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

We believe that the liquidity provided by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae to the mortgage industry has been very important to the housing market. The future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in question and any reduction in the availability of the liquidity provided by these institutions could adversely affect interest rates, mortgage availability and our sales of new homes and mortgage loans.

Loans sold to or insured by the GSEs are subject to various loan limits. Decreases in these loan limits may require homebuyers to make larger down payments or obtain more restrictive non-conforming or “jumbo” mortgages, which could adversely impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Even if potential customers do not need financing, changes in the availability of mortgage products may make it harder for them to sell their current homes to potential buyers who need financing.

If interest rates increase, the costs of owning a home may be affected and could result in further reductions in the demand for our homes.

Expirations, amendments or changes to tax laws, incentives or credits currently available to our customers may negatively impact our business.

Many homeowners receive substantial tax benefits in the form of tax deductions against their personal taxable income for mortgage interest and property tax payments and the loss or reduction of these deductions could affect homeowners’ net cost of owning a home. Significant changes to existing tax laws that currently benefit homebuyers, such as the ability to deduct mortgage interest and real property taxes, may result in an increase in the total cost of home ownership and may make the purchase of a home less attractive to buyers. This could adversely impact demand for and/or sales prices of new homes, which would have a negative impact on our business.

Increases in our cancellations could have a negative impact on our business.

Home order cancellations can result from a number of factors, including declines in the market value of homes, increases in the supply of homes available to be purchased, increased competition, higher mortgage interest rates, homebuyers’ inability to sell their existing homes, homebuyers’ inability to obtain suitable financing, including providing sufficient down payments, and adverse changes in economic conditions.

Increased levels of home order cancellations could have a negative impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

9

A decline in the market value of our homes or carrying value of our land would have a negative impact on our business.

Our homebuilding subsidiaries acquire land for the replacement of land inventory and/or expansion within our current markets and may, from time to time, purchase land for expansion into new markets. The fair value of our land and land under development inventory and housing completed or under construction inventory depends on market conditions. Factors that can impact our determination of the fair value of our inventory primarily include home sales prices, levels of home sales incentives and home construction and land costs. Our home sales prices and/or levels of home sales incentives can be impacted by, among other things, uncertainty in the homebuilding and mortgage industries or the United States / global economy overall, decreased demand for new homes, decreased home prices offered by our competitors, home foreclosure and short-sale levels, decreased ability of our homebuyers to obtain suitable mortgage loan financing and high levels of home order cancellations. Under such circumstances, we may be required to record impairments of our inventory. Any such inventory impairments would have a negative impact on our financial position and results of operations.

Natural disasters could cause an increase in home construction costs, as well as delays, and could negatively impact our business.

The climates and geology of many of the markets in which we operate present increased risks of natural disasters. To the extent that hurricanes, severe storms, earthquakes, droughts, floods, heavy or prolonged precipitation, wildfires or other natural disasters or similar events occur, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of our business may be negatively impacted.

Change in energy prices may have an adverse effect on the economies in certain markets we operate in and our cost of building homes.

The economies of some of the markets in which we operate are impacted by the health of the energy industry. To the extent that energy prices significantly change, the economies of certain of our markets may be negatively impacted which may adversely impact the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of our business. Furthermore, pricing offered by our suppliers and subcontractors can be adversely affected by increases in various energy costs resulting in a negative impact to our financial position, results of operations and cash flows of our business.

We have financial needs that we meet through the capital markets, including the debt and secondary mortgage markets, and disruptions in these markets could have an adverse impact on the results of our business.

We have financial needs that we meet through the capital markets, including the debt and secondary mortgage markets. Our requirements for additional capital, whether to finance operations or to service or refinance our existing indebtedness, fluctuate as market conditions and our financial performance and operations change. We cannot provide assurance that we will maintain cash reserves and generate sufficient cash flow from operations in an amount to enable us to service our debt or to fund other liquidity needs.

The availability of additional capital, whether from private capital sources or the public capital markets, fluctuates as our financial condition and market conditions in general change. There may be times when the private capital markets and the public debt or equity markets lack sufficient liquidity or when our securities cannot be sold at attractive prices, in which case we would not be able to access capital from these sources. Our public debt was downgraded by a rating agency in 2014. This, combined with any further reduction in our credit rankings and/or a weakening of our financial condition, could adversely affect our ability to obtain necessary funds. Even if financing is available, it could be costly or have other adverse consequences.

In addition, the sources and terms and conditions of warehouse financing and mortgage repurchase arrangements and other lending arrangements for the mortgage lending industry are subject to change. These changes may impact, among other things, availability of capital, terms and structures for debt and line of credit agreements, collateral requirements and collateral advance rates.

Our business is subject to numerous federal, local and state laws and regulations concerning land development, construction of homes, sales, mortgage lending, environmental and other aspects of our business. These laws and regulations could give rise to additional liabilities or expenditures, or restrictions on our business.

Our operations are subject to continuing compliance requirements mandated by applicable federal, state and local statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations, including zoning and land use ordinances, building, plumbing and electrical codes, contractors’ licensing laws, state insurance laws, federal and state human resources laws and regulations and health and safety laws and regulations. Various localities in which we operate have imposed (or may impose in the future) fees on developers to fund schools, road improvements and low and moderate-income housing.

10

Availability of and costs related to permit, water/sewer tap, and impact fees can impact our homebuilding operations. From time to time, various municipalities in which our homebuilding subsidiaries operate restrict or place moratoria on the availability of utilities, including water and sewer taps. Additionally, certain jurisdictions in which our homebuilding subsidiaries operate have proposed or enacted “slow growth” or “no growth” initiatives and other measures that may restrict the number of building permits available in any given year. These initiatives or other slow or no growth measures could reduce our ability to open new subdivisions and build and sell homes in the affected markets. The availability issues previously discussed and any increases in costs of these fees may negatively impact our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Our homebuilding operations also are affected by environmental laws and regulations pertaining to availability of water, municipal sewage treatment capacity, stormwater discharges, land use, hazardous waste disposal, dust controls, building materials, population density and preservation of endangered species, natural terrain and vegetation.

The particular environmental laws and regulations that apply to any given homebuilding project vary greatly according to a particular site’s location, the site’s environmental conditions and the present and former uses. These environmental laws may result in project delays, cause us to incur substantial compliance and other costs and/or prohibit or severely restrict homebuilding activity in certain environmentally sensitive locations.

We also are subject to rules and regulations with respect to originating, processing, selling and servicing mortgage loans, which, among other things: prohibit discrimination and establish underwriting guidelines; provide for audits and inspections; require appraisals and/or credit reports on prospective borrowers and disclosure of certain information concerning credit and settlement costs; establish maximum loan amounts; prohibit predatory lending practices; and regulate the referral of business to affiliated entities. The turmoil caused by the increased number of defaults in subprime and other mortgages during the last industry downturn has encouraged ongoing consumer lawsuits and the investigation of financial services industry practices by governmental authorities. These investigations have included the examination of consumer lending practices, sales of mortgages to financial institutions and other investors and the practices in the financial services segments of homebuilding companies. New rules and regulations or revised interpretations of existing rules and regulations applicable to our mortgage lending operations could result in more stringent compliance standards, which may substantially increase costs of compliance.

In the ordinary course of business, we are required to obtain surety bonds, the unavailability of which could adversely affect our business.

As is customary in the homebuilding industry, we often are required to provide surety bonds to secure our performance under construction contracts, development agreements and other arrangements. Our ability to obtain surety bonds primarily depends upon our credit rating, capitalization, working capital, past performance, management expertise and certain external factors, including the overall capacity of the surety market and the underwriting practices of surety bond issuers. The ability to obtain surety bonds also can be impacted by the willingness of insurance companies to issue surety bonds. If we were unable to obtain surety bonds when required, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely impacted.

Decreases in the market value of our investments in marketable securities could have an adverse impact on our business.

We have a material amount of investments in marketable securities, the market value of which is subject to changes from period to period. Decreases in the market value of our marketable securities could have an adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Product liability litigation and warranty claims that arise in the ordinary course of business may be costly.

As a homebuilder, we are subject to construction defect and home warranty claims, as well as claims associated with the sale and financing of our homes arising in the ordinary course of business. These types of claims can be costly. The costs of insuring against or directly paying for construction defect and product liability claims can be high and the amount of coverage offered by insurance companies may be limited. If we are not able to obtain adequate insurance against these claims, we may incur additional expenses that would have a negative impact on our results of operations in future reporting periods. Additionally, changes in the facts and circumstances of our pending litigation matters could have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

11

Repurchase requirements associated with HomeAmerican’s sale of mortgage loans, could negatively impact our business.

We are subject to risks associated with mortgage loans, including conventional mortgage loans, FHA and VA mortgage loans, previously originated and sold Alt-A and sub-prime mortgage loans, second mortgage loans, high loan-to-value mortgage loans and jumbo mortgage loans (mortgage loans with principal balances that exceed various thresholds in our markets). These risks may include, among other things, compliance with mortgage loan underwriting criteria and the associated homebuyers’ performance, which could require HomeAmerican to repurchase certain of those mortgage loans or provide indemnification. Repurchased mortgage loans and/or the settlement of claims associated with such loans could have a negative impact on HomeAmerican’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Because of the seasonal nature of our business, our quarterly operating results can fluctuate.

We may experience noticeable seasonality and quarter-to-quarter variability in homebuilding activity levels. In general, the number of homes delivered and the associated home sale revenues increase during the third and fourth quarters, compared with the first and second quarters. We believe that this type of seasonality reflects the historical tendency of homebuyers to purchase new homes in the spring and summer with deliveries scheduled in the fall or winter, as well as the scheduling of construction to accommodate seasonal weather conditions in certain markets.

We are dependent on the services of key employees, and the loss of their services could hurt our business.

Although we believe that we have made provision for adequately staffing current operations, because of our efforts to “right-size” our organization in recent years, retaining our skilled people has become a critical area of focus. Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to attract, train and retain skilled personnel. If we are unable to retain our key employees or attract, train and retain other skilled personnel in the future, it could have an adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The interests of certain controlling shareholders may be adverse to investors

Larry A. Mizel and David D. Mandarich beneficially own, directly or indirectly through their affiliates, in the aggregate, approximately 25% of our common stock. To the extent they and their affiliates vote their shares in the same manner, their combined stock ownership may effectively give them the power to influence the election of members of our board of directors and other matters reserved for our shareholders. Circumstances may occur in which the interest of these shareholders could be in conflict with your interests. In addition, such persons may have an interest in pursuing transactions that, in their judgment, enhance the value of their equity investment in us, even though such transactions may involve risks to you.

Information technology failures and data security breaches could harm our business.

We and our financial services operations use information technology and other computer resources to carry out important operational activities and to maintain our business records. These information technology systems are dependent upon electronic systems and other aspects of the internet infrastructure. A material breach in the security of our information technology systems or other data security controls could result in third parties obtaining customer, employee or company data. Such occurrences could have a material and adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

12

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None

Item 2.    Properties.

Our corporate office is located at 4350 South Monaco Street, Denver, Colorado 80237, where we lease office space in a 144,000 square foot office building. In some markets, our homebuilding divisions and other MDC subsidiaries lease additional office space. The table below outlines the number of office facilities that are leased and the approximate square footage leased in each market at December 31, 2014. While currently we are satisfied with the suitability and capacity of our office locations, we continue to evaluate them in view of market conditions and the size of our operations.

			Total
	Number		Square
	of Leased		Footage
	Facilities		Leased
Arizona		2		18,000
California		2		22,000
Colorado		4		155,000
Florida		2		11,000
Maryland		2		18,000
Nevada		1		13,000
Utah		1		6,000
Virginia		3		13,000
Washington		2		22,000
Total		19		278,000

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.

Because of the nature of the homebuilding business, we and certain of our subsidiaries and affiliates have been named as defendants in various claims, complaints and other legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, including product liability claims and claims associated with the sale and financing of our homes. In the opinion of management, the outcome of these ordinary course matters will not have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.

   Not applicable.

13

PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

At December 31, 2014, we had 607 shareholders of record. The shares of our common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the closing price ranges of our common stock.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31		June 30		September 30		December 31
2014
High	$	32.04	$	30.29	$	30.42	$	26.66
Low		27.40		27.37		25.32		23.71
2013
High	$	41.76	$	39.71	$	34.00	$	32.24
Low		35.90		31.56		27.12		27.81

The table below sets forth the cash dividends declared and paid in 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2013 we did not declare or pay any dividends. We paid dividends of $2.00 per share during the year ended December 31, 2012. Of the $2.00 per share in dividends, $1.00 was in lieu of declaring and paying regular quarterly dividends in calendar year 2013.

					Total
	Date of	Date of	Dividend		Dividends
	Declaration	Payment	per Share		Paid
2014
First Quarter	01/27/14	02/26/14	$	0.25	$	12,207
Second Quarter	04/28/14	05/28/14		0.25		12,205
Third Quarter	07/21/14	08/20/14		0.25		12,204
Fourth Quarter	10/20/14	11/19/14		0.25		12,204
			$	1.00	$	48,820

There were no shares of MDC common stock repurchased during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012. At December 31, 2014, we were authorized to repurchase up to 4,000,000 shares of our common stock.

14

Performance Graph 

Set forth below is a graph comparing the yearly change in the cumulative total return of MDC's common stock with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and with that of a peer group of other homebuilders over the five-year period ending on December 31, 2014, weighted as of the beginning of that period.

It is assumed in the graph that $100 was invested (1) in our common stock; (2) in the stocks of the companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index; and (3) in the stocks of the peer group companies, just prior to the commencement of the period and that all dividends received within a quarter were reinvested in that quarter. The peer group index is composed of the following companies: Beazer Homes USA, Inc., D.R. Horton, Inc., Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., KB Home, Lennar Corporation, M/I Homes, Inc., Meritage Homes Corporation, NVR, Inc., Pulte Homes, Inc., The Ryland Group, Inc., Standard Pacific Corp. and Toll Brothers, Inc.

The stock price performance shown on the following graph is not indicative of future price performance.

15 

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.

The data in these tables and related footnotes should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our Consolidated Financial Statements.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012		2011			2010
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Income Statement Data
Home sale and land sale revenues	$	1,650,631	$	1,629,175	$	1,156,142	$	817,023		$	926,905
Financial services revenues		43,953		51,259		46,881		26,086			30,473
Total revenues	$	1,694,584	$	1,680,434	$	1,203,023	$	843,109		$	957,378
Homebuilding pretax income (loss) (1)(3)	$	75,804	$	100,323	$	32,617	$	(110,628	)	$	(80,896	)
Financial services pretax income		24,671		29,502		28,498		3,156			10,295
Total income (loss) before income taxes	$	100,475	$	129,825	$	61,115	$	(107,472	)	$	(70,601	)
Net income (loss) (1)(2)(3)	$	63,143	$	314,385	$	62,699	$	(98,390	)	$	(64,770	)
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	1.29	$	6.39	$	1.29	$	(2.12	)	$	(1.40	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	1.29	$	6.34	$	1.29	$	(2.12	)	$	(1.40	)
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic		48,615,541		48,453,119		47,660,629		46,796,334			46,627,815
Diluted		48,817,566		48,831,785		47,834,156		46,796,334			46,627,815
Balance Sheet Data
Cash and cash equivalents	$	153,825	$	199,338	$	160,095	$	343,361		$	572,225
Marketable securities	$	156,140	$	588,067	$	551,938	$	519,943		$	968,729
Total inventories	$	1,667,960	$	1,411,661	$	1,002,521	$	806,052		$	787,659
Total assets	$	2,358,438	$	2,595,449	$	1,945,441	$	1,858,725		$	2,547,769
Senior notes, net (1)(3)	$	846,450	$	1,095,620	$	744,842	$	744,108		$	1,242,815
Mortgage repurchase facility	$	60,822	$	63,074	$	76,327	$	48,702		$	25,434
Stockholders' equity	$	1,228,336	$	1,213,249	$	880,897	$	868,636		$	983,683
Stockholders' equity per common share	$	25.15	$	24.87	$	18.09	$	18.11		$	20.87
Cash dividends declared per share (4)	$	1.00	$	-	$	2.00	$	1.00		$	1.00
Operational Data
Homes delivered (units)		4,366		4,710		3,740		2,762			3,245
Average selling price	$	377	$	345	$	308	$	292		$	284
Net new orders (units)		4,623		4,327		4,342		2,887			3,261
Homes in backlog at period end (units)		1,519		1,262		1,645		1,043			842
Estimated backlog sales value at period end	$	663,000	$	506,000	$	579,000	$	330,000		$	269,000
Estimated average selling price of homes in backlog	$	437	$	401	$	352	$	316		$	320
Active subdivisions at period-end		159		146		148		187			148

(1) During 2014, we redeemed our 5⅜% Senior Notes due December 2014 and our 5⅜% Senior Notes due July 2015. As a result of these transactions, we paid $517.7 million to extinguish $500 million in debt principal and recorded a total of $18.2 million in losses from early extinguishments of debt. In addition, we recorded an other-than-temporary impairment of $4.3 million in connection with the sale of securities to fund the early redemption of the 5⅜% Senior Notes due July 2015.

(2) Net income for the year ended December 31, 2013 includes the impact of a $187.6 million reversal of the valuation allowance against our deferred tax asset in the 2013 second quarter.

(3) During 2011, we completed a debt tender offer and redemptions of our 7% Senior Notes due 2012 and 5½% Senior Notes due 2013. As a result of these transactions, we paid $537.7 million to extinguish $500 million in debt principal and recorded a $38.8 million expense for loss on extinguishment of debt.

(4) Total dividends declared per share for the year ended December 31, 2012 include $1.00 per share representing the accelerated payment of dividends for 2013.

16

Item 7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This item contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in “Item 1A, Risk Factors Relating to our Business.”

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Homebuilding:	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Home sale revenues	$	1,647,398		$	1,626,707		$	1,150,998
Land sale revenues		3,233			2,468			5,144
Total home and land sale revenues		1,650,631			1,629,175			1,156,142
Home cost of sales		(1,365,621	)		(1,336,978	)		(973,120	)
Land cost of sales		(2,559	)		(1,961	)		(4,823	)
Inventory impairments		(1,760	)		(919	)		(1,105	)
Total cost of sales		(1,369,940	)		(1,339,858	)		(979,048	)
Gross margin		280,691			289,317			177,094
Gross margin %		17.0	%		17.8	%		15.3	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(203,253	)		(213,283	)		(167,295	)
Interest and other income		26,310			29,798			24,998
Interest expense		(685	)		(1,726	)		(808	)
Other expense		(4,813	)		(3,783	)		(1,372	)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt		(18,153	)		-			-
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(4,293	)		-			-
Homebuilding pretax income		75,804			100,323			32,617
Financial Services:
Revenues		43,953			51,259			46,881
Expenses		(22,334	)		(25,271	)		(21,645	)
Interest and other income		3,052			3,514			3,262
Financial services pretax income		24,671			29,502			28,498
Income before income taxes		100,475			129,825			61,115
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		(37,332	)		184,560			1,584
Net income	$	63,143		$	314,385		$	62,699
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.29		$	6.39		$	1.29
Diluted	$	1.29		$	6.34		$	1.29
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		48,615,541			48,453,119			47,660,629
Diluted		48,817,566			48,831,785			47,834,156
Dividends declared per share	$	1.00		$	-		$	2.00
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating Activities	$	(163,647	)	$	(269,549	)	$	(108,819	)
Investing Activities	$	423,080		$	(30,402	)	$	(21,781	)
Financing Activities	$	(304,946	)	$	339,194		$	(52,666	)

17

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Overview

For the year ended December 31, 2014, our results were mixed as we worked through an uneven recovery for the homebuilding industry. Following a significant increase in home prices during the first half of 2013 and increased difficulty in homebuyers obtaining financing, resulting from more stringent underwriting standards established in 2014 and reductions to loan limits by the FHA in late 2013, the use of incentives to stimulate demand for new homes in certain markets became more prevalent in 2014. Combined with rising construction and land costs, the increased incentives placed pressure on our homebuilding gross margins during the year, though we were able to partially offset the impact of the margin pressure by reducing overhead expenses. Additionally, we increased our net new home orders and ending backlog for 2014 by expanding our community count, establishing a foundation for future improvement in both top and bottom line results. While we may continue to see some volatility in industry conditions and our operating results in the short-term, we believe that the longer-term trend will be positive, driven by continued progress toward more healthy levels of household formation, employment and consumer confidence. See "Forward-Looking Statements" above.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, we reported net income of $63.1 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, compared to net income of $314.4 million, or $6.34 per diluted share for the year earlier period. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $187.6 million benefit from the reversal of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the 2013 second quarter, while for 2014 we had no such benefit and recognized $37.3 million of income tax expense. Our results for the full year were also adversely impacted by $18.2 million of expense from the early extinguishments of debt, a $4.3 million other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on certain marketable securities sold to fund a portion of the early debt extinguishments, an 80 basis point decline in gross margin from home sales and a 16% decline in financial services income, due primarily to more competitive mortgage market conditions. These declines were slightly offset by a slight improvement in home sale revenues, due to a 9% increase in average selling price that was mostly offset by a 7% decline in home deliveries, and an 80 basis point improvement in our homebuilding selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses as a percentage of home sale revenues (“SG&A rate”), primarily due to lower compensation-related and legal expenses.

Our active community count as of December 31, 2014 was 159, a 9% increase from 146 a year ago. This increase was the result of our strong acquisition efforts during much of 2013, during which we purchased approximately 7,900 lots. During 2014, we somewhat tempered our acquisition efforts, purchasing just over 4,200 lots in 112 communities, and ended 2014 with approximately 15,300 lots, a slight decrease from December 31, 2013. While our monthly sales absorption pace was marginally weaker in 2014 when compared to 2013, our higher average active community count during 2014 drove a 7% increase in net new home orders to 4,623 from 4,327 in the prior year. We ended 2014 with backlog of 1,519, up 20% from 1,252 at December 31, 2013 and the dollar value of our backlog was up 31% to $663.2 million. With our higher backlog and active communities to start to 2015, we believe we are well positioned for growth in 2015. See "Forward-Looking Statements" above.

Our financial services pretax income was $24.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, down $4.8 million, or 16%, from $29.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decline in pretax income was driven by more competitive market conditions for our mortgage operations segment, which experienced reduced volumes of loans locked and sold, lower gains on loans locked and sold compared to a year ago and lower origination income due to fewer loan originations and other incentives. Our other financial services segment, which includes our insurance and title operations, experienced a $2.7 million year-over-year increase in pretax income, partially offsetting the decrease in our mortgage operations segment.

During 2014, we continued to maintain a balance sheet among the industry’s strongest through prudent inventory management and by opportunistically accessing the capital markets. We reduced interest costs and extended our closest senior note maturity to 2020 by extinguishing $500 million of existing senior notes during the year and issuing $250 million of new senior notes, due January 2024. Additionally, we increased our revolving credit facility from $450 million to $550 million and extended its maturity date by one year to December 2019.

18

Homebuilding

Pretax Income (Loss)

	Year Ended December 31,
				Change									Change
	2014			Amount			%			2013			Amount			%			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
West	$	63,071		$	(2,601	)		(4	)%	$	65,672		$	38,596			143	%	$	27,076
Mountain		39,343			(13,049	)		(25	)%		52,392			28,090			116	%		24,302
East		10,730			(8,860	)		(45	)%		19,590			8,579			78	%		11,011
Corporate		(37,340	)		(9	)		0	%		(37,331	)		(7,559	)		(25	)%		(29,772	)
Total homebuilding pretax income	$	75,804			(24,519	)		(24	)%	$	100,323		$	67,706			208	%	$	32,617

Homebuilding pretax income for 2014 was $75.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, a decrease of $24.5 million from $100.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease was primarily driven by an 80 basis point decline in our gross margin from home sales, debt extinguishment charges of $18.2 million, a $4.3 million OTTI and a $3.5 million reduction in interest and other income. These items were partially offset by an 80 basis point improvement in our SG&A rate.

The decline in pretax income for our East segment was primarily the result of a 17% year-over-year decline in the number of homes delivered, partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease in legal expenses, while the decline in our Mountain segment was primarily the result of a decrease in our gross margin from home sales and an 11% decline in deliveries. Our Corporate segment included $18.2 million in debt extinguishment charges, but was largely offset by $14.3 million in lower incentive-based compensation and post-retirement benefit expenses for certain of our executive officers.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the $67.7 million improvement in our homebuilding financial performance from 2012 was driven primarily by a 41% increase in home sale revenues, a 240 basis point improvement in our gross margin from home sales and a 140 basis point reduction in our SG&A rate.

Each of our homebuilding reportable segments, most notably our West and Mountain segments, showed substantial improvements in pretax income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 as compared with the same period in 2012, benefiting from significant increases in home sale revenues and gross margins from home sales. Also, excluding a $2.5 million legal recovery in 2012 for our East segment, our SG&A rates for all homebuilding segments showed improvements. Our pretax loss for our non-operating Corporate reportable segment for 2013 increased by $7.6 million primarily due to increases in our general and administrative expenses related to our accrual for higher incentive-based compensation and higher legal expenses, which were partially offset by reduced stock-based compensation expense. While the SG&A expenses increased during 2013 in the Corporate segment, the SG&A rate decreased due to increased homebuilding revenues.

19

Assets

	December 31,				Change
	2014		2013		Amount			%
	(Dollars in thousands)
West	$	893,970	$	760,450	$	133,520			18	%
Mountain		516,971		418,796		98,175			23	%
East		343,718		297,627		46,091			15	%
Corporate		465,368		951,809		(486,441	)		(51	)%
Total homebuilding assets	$	2,220,027	$	2,428,682	$	(208,655	)		(9	)%

Homebuilding assets decreased by $208.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 largely due to the decrease in cash and marketable securities in connection with the net payoff of $250 million in senior notes. Homebuilding assets in our West, Mountain and East segments increased from December 31, 2013 as incremental investments in both land and new construction drove an increase in our inventory balances and corresponding active community count. The funds for these investments came from our Corporate segment. In addition, our Corporate segment assets declined due to the net payoff of $250 million in our senior notes discussed above.

Revenues

	Year Ended December 31,
			Change								Change
	2014		Amount			%			2013		Amount		%			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
West	$	770,051	$	98,773			15	%	$	671,278	$	155,199		30	%	$	516,079
Mountain		534,244		(12,557	)		(2	)%		546,801		191,433		54	%		355,368
East		346,336		(64,760	)		(16	)%		411,096		126,401		44	%		284,695
Total home and land sale revenues	$	1,650,631	$	21,456			1	%	$	1,629,175	$	473,033		41	%	$	1,156,142

Home and land sale revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 were nearly flat compared to 2013 due to a 9% increase in the average selling price which was mostly offset by a 7% decrease in homes delivered. The increases in home and land sale revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013 was driven primarily by a 26% increase in new home deliveries and a 12% increase in average selling price.

20

New Home Deliveries:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014						2013						% Change
	Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Homes			Dollar Value			Average Price
	(Dollars in thousands)
Arizona		731	$	200,994	$	275.0		635	$	156,308	$	246.2		15	%		29	%		12	%
California		624		296,189		474.7		643		243,804		379.2		(3	)%		21	%		25	%
Nevada		564		176,371		312.7		593		163,127		275.1		(5	)%		8	%		14	%
Washington		267		96,496		361.4		333		108,038		324.4		(20	)%		(11	)%		11	%
West		2,186		770,050		352.3		2,204		671,277		304.6		(1	)%		15	%		16	%
Colorado		1,172		478,669		408.4		1,287		479,619		372.7		(9	)%		(0	)%		10	%
Utah		165		53,136		322.0		208		65,292		313.9		(21	)%		(19	)%		3	%
Mountain		1,337		531,805		397.8		1,495		544,911		364.5		(11	)%		(2	)%		9	%
Maryland		305		144,695		474.4		368		159,169		432.5		(17	)%		(9	)%		10	%
Virginia		234		115,001		491.5		355		177,142		499.0		(34	)%		(35	)%		(2	)%
Florida		304		85,847		282.4		288		74,208		257.7		6	%		16	%		10	%
East		843		345,543		409.9		1,011		410,519		406.1		(17	)%		(16	)%		1	%
Total		4,366	$	1,647,398	$	377.3		4,710	$	1,626,707	$	345.4		(7	)%		1	%		9	%

	Year Ended December 31,
	2013						2012						% Change
	Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Homes			Dollar Value			Average Price
	(Dollars in thousands)
Arizona		635	$	156,308	$	246.2		603	$	131,278	$	217.7		5	%		19	%		13	%
California		643		243,804		379.2		543		184,490		339.8		18	%		32	%		12	%
Nevada		593		163,127		275.1		604		125,725		208.2		(2	)%		30	%		32	%
Washington		333		108,038		324.4		247		73,074		295.8		35	%		48	%		10	%
West		2,204		671,277		304.6		1,997		514,567		257.7		10	%		30	%		18	%
Colorado		1,287		479,619		372.7		807		289,416		358.6		59	%		66	%		4	%
Utah		208		65,292		313.9		226		64,006		283.2		(8	)%		2	%		11	%
Mountain		1,495		544,911		364.5		1,033		353,422		342.1		45	%		54	%		7	%
Maryland		368		159,169		432.5		233		99,476		426.9		58	%		60	%		1	%
Virginia		355		177,142		499.0		280		135,067		482.4		27	%		31	%		3	%
Florida		288		74,208		257.7		195		47,915		245.7		48	%		55	%		5	%
Illinois		-		-		-		2		551		275.5	N/M			N/M			N/M
East		1,011		410,519		406.1		710		283,009		398.6		42	%		45	%		2	%
Total		4,710	$	1,626,707	$	345.4		3,740	$	1,150,998	$	307.8		26	%		41	%		12	%

N/M – Not meaningful

We experienced increases in the average selling price of new home deliveries for the year ended December 31, 2014 in nearly all of our markets. The improvement in each market’s average selling price was primarily the result of a mix shift to higher-priced communities, particularly in California, and, to a lesser extent, price increases implemented in 2013. However, the increases in average selling price for most of our markets were mostly offset by a decrease in the number of homes delivered, due primarily to lower year-over-year beginning backlog for each of those markets. In total, our beginning backlog for 2014 was 23% lower as compared to beginning backlog for 2013. Arizona and Florida were the only two markets which had a year-over-year increase in beginning backlog, resulting in the improvement in deliveries for those markets in 2014.

The dollar value of new home deliveries for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased significantly for all of our homebuilding operating segments and was primarily attributable to an increase of 76% in the dollar value of homes in backlog to start 2013 as compared to the beginning of 2012 coupled with significant price increases implemented throughout the year at many of our communities and more speculative home deliveries. Our West and Mountain segments had the strongest increases in beginning backlog due to improved market conditions, especially within each state within the West, and in Colorado in the Mountain segment.

21

Gross Margin

Gross margin from home sales for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 17.0%, down 80 basis points from 17.8% for 2013. The decrease in our gross margin percentage was primarily due to increased construction and land costs and increased incentive levels offered to stimulate demand, in light of the uneven homebuilding industry conditions.

Gross margin from home sales for the year ended December 31, 2013 was 17.8%, up 240 basis points from 15.4% for 2012. The increase in our gross margin percentage was primarily due to increased prices and reduced incentives as a percentage of home sales in all of our markets, as lower new and resale inventory supply levels, historically low lending rates and general improvements in the state of the U.S. economy improved homebuyer demand.

Excluding inventory impairments and interest in cost of sales, our adjusted gross margin percentage from home sales for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was 20.8%, 21.1% and 18.2%, respectively. The table set forth below is a reconciliation of our gross margin and gross margin percentage, as reported, to gross margin from home sales excluding inventory impairments and gross margin from home sales excluding inventory impairments and interest in home cost of sales, which are non-GAAP measures.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			Gross Margin %			2013			Gross Margin %			2012			Gross Margin %
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross Margin	$	280,691			17.0	%	$	289,317			17.8	%	$	177,094			15.3	%
Less: Land Sale Revenues		(3,233	)					(2,468	)					(5,144	)
Add: Land Cost of Sales		2,559						1,961						4,823
Gross Margin from Home Sales		280,017			17.0	%		288,810			17.8	%		176,773			15.4	%
Add: Inventory Impairments		1,760						919						1,105
Gross Margin from Home Sales
Excluding Impairments (1)		281,777			17.1	%		289,729			17.8	%		177,878			15.5	%
Add: Interest in Cost of Sales		60,508						54,261						31,106
Gross Margin from Home Sales
Excluding Impairments and
Interest in Cost of Sales (1)	$	342,285			20.8	%	$	343,990			21.1	%	$	208,984			18.2	%

(1) Gross Margin from Home Sales Excluding Impairments and Gross Margin from Home Sales Excluding Impairments and Interest in Cost of Sales are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe this information is meaningful as it isolates the impact that interest and impairments have on our Gross Margin from Home Sales and permits investors to make better comparisons with our competitors, who also break out and adjust gross margins in a similar fashion.

22

Inventory Impairments

Impairments recognized for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are shown in the table below:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Inventory Impairments
West	$	-	$	-	$	-
Mountains		760		-		-
East		1,000		919		1,105
Total	$	1,760	$	919	$	1,105

We recognized $1.8 million in inventory impairments on four projects in our Maryland and Colorado markets during the year ended December 31, 2014. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of inventory impairments related to three and two projects in our Maryland market, respectively. Based on the slow sales absorption rates experienced during each period and the estimated sales price reductions required to sell the remaining lots and houses in these communities, it was determined that the fair values were less than the carrying values.

The table below shows the number of subdivisions and carrying value of the inventory we tested for impairment during each quarter in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. The table also includes impairments that we recorded during such periods, as well as the quarter-end fair value, number of lots and number of subdivisions for the impaired inventories. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we used discount rates ranging from 10% to 18% for the subdivisions that were impaired.

Three Months Ended	Total Subdivisions Tested for Impairment During Quarter		Carrying Value of Inventory Tested for Impairment During Quarter		Carrying Value of Impaired Inventory Before Impairment at Quarter End		Inventory Impairments		Fair Value of Inventory After Impairments		Number of Subdivisions Impaired During the Quarter		Number of Lots Impaired During the Quarter
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2014		16	$	37,404	$	-	$	-	$	-		-		-
June 30, 2014		16		53,591		5,135		850		4,285		2		23
September 30, 2014		23		96,488		-		-		-		-		-
December 31, 2014		21		71,469		5,556		910		4,646		2		27
Total		76	$	258,952	$	10,691	$	1,760	$	8,931		4		50
March 31, 2013		17	$	42,919	$	-	$	-	$	-		-		-
June 30, 2013		23		48,329		-		-		-		-		-
September 30, 2013		8		14,731		2,326		350		1,976		1		9
December 31, 2013		17		51,043		3,446		569		2,877		2		18
Total		65	$	157,022	$	5,772	$	919	$	4,853		3		27
March 31, 2012		33	$	81,492	$	-	$	-	$	-		-		-
June 30, 2012		27		63,616		-		-		-		-		-
September 30, 2012		22		62,681		-		-		-		-		-
December 31, 2012		17		62,808		3,840		1,105		2,735		2		25
Total		99	$	270,597	$	3,840	$	1,105	$	2,735		2		25

23

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

For the year ended December 31, 2014, our SG&A expenses were $203.3 million, compared to $213.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decline in SG&A expenses was largely attributable to $14.3 million in lower incentive-based compensation and post-retirement benefit expense for certain of our executive officers, $3.5 million in lower stock-based compensation expense and a $7.8 million reduction in our legal expenses. The improvements were partially offset by an increase in marketing costs of $8.9 million incurred to support a larger number of active communities as compared with the prior year. These year-over-year improvements drove an improvement in our SG&A rate by 80 basis points from 13.1% in 2013 to 12.3% in 2014.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, our SG&A expenses were $213.3 million, compared to $167.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in SG&A expense was largely attributable to higher incentive-based compensation expense, due to increased profitably, higher commissions expense resulting from increased sales volume, and increased headcount due to our growth during the year. In addition, the year ended December 31, 2012 benefited from significant legal recoveries totaling $9.8 million, whereas 2013 did not benefit from any significant legal recoveries and included additional legal expense accruals for certain matters encountered in the normal course of business that totaled $5.9 million. These increases to our 2013 SG&A expense were slightly offset by lower stock-based compensation expense. Despite the above increases, our SG&A rate decreased 140 basis points from 14.5% in 2012 to 13.1% in 2013, driven primarily by improved operating leverage that resulted from higher revenues.

Early Extinguishments of Debt & Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Marketable Securities

During the 2014 first quarter, we redeemed our 5⅜% Senior Notes due December 2014 and, in the 2014 fourth quarter, we redeemed our 5⅜% Senior Notes due July 2015. As a result of these transactions, we paid $517.7 million to extinguish $500 million in debt principal and recorded a total of $18.2 million in losses on early extinguishments of debt. We used available cash balances to fund the Senior Notes due December 2014 and for the redemption of the Senior Notes due July 2015, we used available cash balances in addition to proceeds from the sale of marketable securities. As a result of the determination in the 2014 third quarter to sell certain marketable securities to fund a portion of the 2014 fourth quarter redemption of the Senior Notes due July 2015, we recorded an other-than-temporary impairment of $4.3 million.

Interest and Other Income

Our interest and other income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $26.3 million, $29.8 million and $25.0 million, respectively. The change in interest and other income between each period was attributable to the year-over-year changes in our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities balance, as well as changing yields.

Interest Expense

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we expensed $0.7 million, $1.7 million and $0.8 million of interest, respectively, related to the portion of our homebuilding debt that exceeded our qualified assets.

Other Expense

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, our other expense was $4.8 million, $3.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The increased other expense in 2013 and 2014 was due to a higher amount of abandoned project costs.

24

Other Homebuilding Operating Data

Net New Orders:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014								2013								% Change
	Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Monthly Absorption Rate *		Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Monthly Absorption Rate *		Homes			Dollar Value			Average Price			Monthly Absorption Rate *
	(Dollars in thousands)
Arizona		802	$	235,041	$	293.1		2.04		645	$	165,101	$	256.0		2.91		24	%		42	%		14	%		(30	)%
California		669		327,248		489.2		3.22		561		237,694		423.7		3.90		19	%		38	%		15	%		(17	)%
Nevada		579		192,708		332.8		2.93		529		162,270		306.7		3.47		9	%		19	%		9	%		(16	)%
Washington		276		102,795		372.4		2.30		300		98,156		327.2		2.19		(8	)%		5	%		14	%		5	%
West		2,326		857,792		368.8		2.54		2,035		663,221		325.9		3.11		14	%		29	%		13	%		(18	)%
Colorado		1,334		576,322		432.0		2.88		1,234		466,285		377.9		2.67		8	%		24	%		14	%		8	%
Utah		179		59,304		331.3		2.55		153		48,893		319.6		1.80		17	%		21	%		4	%		42	%
Mountain		1,513		635,626		420.1		2.84		1,387		515,178		371.4		2.53		9	%		23	%		13	%		12	%
Maryland		244		117,646		482.2		1.43		314		145,310		462.8		1.45		(22	)%		(19	)%		4	%		(1	)%
Virginia		221		111,068		502.6		1.96		273		136,054		498.4		2.07		(19	)%		(18	)%		1	%		(5	)%
Florida		319		109,141		342.1		1.85		318		84,897		267.0		2.09		0	%		29	%		28	%		(11	)%
East		784		337,855		430.9		1.72		905		366,261		404.7		1.81		(13	)%		(8	)%		6	%		(5	)%
Total		4,623	$	1,831,273	$	396.1		2.43		4,327	$	1,544,660	$	357.0		2.54		7	%		19	%		11	%		(4	)%

	Year Ended December 31,
	2013								2012								% Change
	Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Monthly Absorption Rate *		Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Monthly Absorption Rate *		Homes			Dollar Value			Average Price			Monthly Absorption Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
Arizona		645	$	165,101	$	256.0		2.91		625	$	137,159	$	219.5		2.93		3	%		20	%		17	%		(1	)%
California		561		237,694		423.7		3.90		654		225,174		344.3		3.11		(14	)%		6	%		23	%		25	%
Nevada		529		162,270		306.7		3.47		652		146,094		224.1		3.10		(19	)%		11	%		37	%		12	%
Washington		300		98,156		327.2		2.19		272		82,325		302.7		2.14		10	%		19	%		8	%		2	%
West		2,035		663,221		325.9		3.11		2,203		590,752		268.2		2.90		(8	)%		12	%		22	%		7	%
Colorado		1,234		466,285		377.9		2.67		1,044		364,056		348.7		1.90		18	%		28	%		8	%		41	%
Utah		153		48,893		319.6		1.80		239		71,080		297.4		1.19		(36	)%		(31	)%		7	%		51	%
Mountain		1,387		515,178		371.4		2.53		1,283		435,136		339.2		1.71		8	%		18	%		9	%		48	%
Maryland		314		145,310		462.8		1.45		303		129,891		428.7		1.39		4	%		12	%		8	%		4	%
Virginia		273		136,054		498.4		2.07		362		179,744		496.5		2.20		(25	)%		(24	)%		0	%		(6	)%
Florida		318		84,897		267.0		2.09		189		46,493		246.0		1.06		68	%		83	%		9	%		97	%
Illinois		-		-		-		-		2		550		275.0	N/M		N/M			N/M			N/M			N/M
East		905		366,261		404.7		1.81		856		356,678		416.7		1.52		6	%		3	%		(3	)%		19	%
Total		4,327	$	1,544,660	$	357.0		2.54		4,342	$	1,382,566	$	318.4		2.10		(0	)%		12	%		12	%		21	%

* Calculated as total net new orders in period ÷ average active communities during period ÷ number of months in period

N/M - Not meaningful

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the dollar value of net new orders increased 19%, as an 11% and 12% increase in our average price and average active subdivision count, respectively, more than offset a minor decline in our monthly absorption rate to 2.43. Our West and Mountain segments showed the most improvement for the year, increasing 29% and 23%, respectively, largely attributable to our California and Arizona markets and, to a lesser extent, our Colorado and Nevada markets. Each of these four markets experienced a significant increase in the average selling price of net new orders, driven by a combination of market appreciation and a shift in mix to higher-priced communities. All four markets also experienced significant increases in unit volume, driven by considerable increases in average active communities resulting from our substantial investment into these markets over the past two years or, for Colorado, a notable improvement of our monthly absorption rate due to strong demand. In Florida, the significant increase in the dollar value of net new orders for the year was due to a higher proportion of our new orders coming from the Orlando and South Florida markets, which have a much higher average selling price than our Jacksonville operation. However, the overall dollar value of net new orders from our East segment was down 8% due to a decrease in the number of net new orders in Virginia, where market demand has been particularly weak relative to our other markets, and Maryland, which experienced a 47% year-over-year decrease in active subdivisions during 2014.

25

Net new orders for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased slightly to 4,327 homes, compared with 4,342 homes for the year ended December 31, 2012, as a 21% increase in our monthly absorption rate to 2.54 per community was offset by an 18% decline in our average community count. The declines in our California, Nevada and Utah markets were driven by a decline in average active subdivisions during the year as monthly absorption rates were up in each of these markets. Virginia also saw a decline in net new orders resulting from a decline in average active subdivisions as well as monthly absorption rate. Substantial improvements in the monthly absorption rate for our Colorado and Florida markets sufficiently offset year-over-year declines in average active subdivisions driving increases in net new orders. The increase in the dollar value of new orders was due to higher average price per home, which was driven by price increases instituted at most of our communities and a shift in product mix to more move-up homes.

Active Subdivisions:

	December 31,
	2014		% Change			2013		% Change			2012
Arizona		36		44	%		25		108	%		12
California		19		73	%		11		(15	)%		13
Nevada		16		7	%		15		25	%		12
Washington		10		(23	)%		13		30	%		10
West		81		27	%		64		36	%		47
Colorado		40		5	%		38		(10	)%		42
Utah		6		20	%		5		(64	)%		14
Mountain		46		7	%		43		(23	)%		56
Maryland		9		(47	)%		17		(6	)%		18
Virginia		10		0	%		10		(17	)%		12
Florida		13		8	%		12		(20	)%		15
East		32		(18	)%		39		(13	)%		45
Total		159		9	%		146		(1	)%		148
Average for Year Ended		159		12	%		142		(18	)%		173

At December 31, 2014, we had 159 active subdivisions, a 9% increase from 146 active subdivisions at the end of 2013. The substantial increase in active subdivisions for 2014 was the result of significant land acquisition activity over the past two years, particularly in our West markets. In the East, our active community count declined during 2014, due to delays in the development of some new communities, particularly in our Maryland and Virginia markets.

We ended December 31, 2013 with 146 active communities, down slightly from 148 in 2012. Our average active communities, however, were down 18% year-over-year, as higher than expected sales in 2013 resulted in certain subdivisions selling out more quickly than anticipated. The effect of this decline in active communities during the middle of 2013 was mostly offset by the end of 2013 due to our significant land acquisition activity during the year and efforts to open communities.

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Cancellation Rate:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			Change			2013			Change			2012
Arizona		24	%		7	%		17	%		(4	)%		21	%
California		24	%		0	%		24	%		1	%		23	%
Nevada		20	%		(1	)%		21	%		4	%		17	%
Washington		20	%		2	%		18	%		(2	)%		20	%
West		23	%		3	%		20	%		0	%		20	%
Colorado		20	%		(2	)%		22	%		(1	)%		23	%
Utah		18	%		(4	)%		22	%		(1	)%		23	%
Mountain		20	%		(2	)%		22	%		(1	)%		23	%
Maryland		24	%		(1	)%		25	%		(9	)%		34	%
Virginia		27	%		1	%		26	%		1	%		25	%
Florida		26	%		4	%		22	%		(2	)%		24	%
East		26	%		1	%		25	%		(3	)%		28	%
Total		22	%		0	%		22	%		(1	)%		23	%

Our cancellation rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 was unchanged from 2013. The increase in our Arizona market was primarily due to potential buyers being unable to obtain financing, wavering homebuyer confidence in a more volatile market, and more contingent contracts being cancelled.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, our cancellation rate of 22% was slightly better than the prior year. Our cancellation rates were most improved in our Maryland market, primarily driven by various efforts to enhance the quality of our backlog, including reduced acceptance of contingencies and enhanced review of buyer creditworthiness before the ratification of sales contracts.

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Backlog:

	At December 31,
	2014						2013						% Change
	Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Homes			Dollar Value			Average Price
	(Dollars in thousands)
Arizona		231	$	75,419	$	326.5		160	$	43,184	$	269.9		44	%		75	%		21	%
California		192		98,057		510.7		147		71,855		488.8		31	%		36	%		4	%
Nevada		155		61,020		393.7		140		49,350		352.5		11	%		24	%		12	%
Washington		55		20,655		375.5		46		16,430		357.2		20	%		26	%		5	%
West		633		255,151		403.1		493		180,819		366.8		28	%		41	%		10	%
Colorado		579		266,280		459.9		417		171,688		411.7		39	%		55	%		12	%
Utah		40		13,580		339.5		26		8,422		323.9		54	%		61	%		5	%
Mountain		619		279,860		452.1		443		180,110		406.6		40	%		55	%		11	%
Maryland		68		34,293		504.3		129		65,435		507.2		(47	)%		(48	)%		(1	)%
Virginia		90		45,521		505.8		103		51,594		500.9		(13	)%		(12	)%		1	%
Florida		109		48,412		444.1		94		28,037		298.3		16	%		73	%		49	%
East		267		128,226		480.2		326		145,066		445.0		(18	)%		(12	)%		8	%
Total		1,519	$	663,237	$	436.6		1,262	$	505,995	$	400.9		20	%		31	%		9	%

	At December 31,
	2013						2012						% Change
	Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Homes			Dollar Value			Average Price
	(Dollars in thousands)
Arizona		160	$	43,184	$	269.9		150	$	35,064	$	233.8		7	%		23	%		15	%
California		147		71,855		488.8		229		78,400		342.4		(36	)%		(8	)%		43	%
Nevada		140		49,350		352.5		204		50,533		247.7		(31	)%		(2	)%		42	%
Washington		46		16,430		357.2		79		26,761		338.7		(42	)%		(39	)%		5	%
West		493		180,819		366.8		662		190,758		288.2		(26	)%		(5	)%		27	%
Colorado		417		171,688		411.7		470		174,280		370.8		(11	)%		(1	)%		11	%
Utah		26		8,422		323.9		81		25,058		309.4		(68	)%		(66	)%		5	%
Mountain		443		180,110		406.6		551		199,338		361.8		(20	)%		(10	)%		12	%
Maryland		129		65,435		507.2		183		79,162		432.6		(30	)%		(17	)%		17	%
Virginia		103		51,594		500.9		185		92,303		498.9		(44	)%		(44	)%		0	%
Florida		94		28,037		298.3		64		17,452		272.7		47	%		61	%		9	%
East		326		145,066		445.0		432		188,917		437.3		(25	)%		(23	)%		2	%
Total		1,262	$	505,995	$	400.9		1,645	$	579,013	$	352.0		(23	)%		(13	)%		14	%

At December 31, 2014 we had 1,519 homes in backlog with a total value of $663.2 million, a 20% increase in homes and a 31% increase in dollar value from 1,262 homes in backlog with a total value of $506.0 million at December 31, 2013. The increase in dollar value in backlog was driven by a year-over-year improvement of 11% in the average selling price of net new orders and a 7% year-over-year improvement in the number of net new orders for the year ended December 31, 2014. The lower dollar value in backlog in our Maryland and Virginia divisions was driven by weaker order trends experienced during 2014 as compared to the prior year period.

The dollar value of backlog at December 31, 2013 decreased in all segments and in total by 13% year-over-year. The decrease was driven by a 23% decrease in homes in the backlog, which was partially offset by a 14% increase in the average price of homes in backlog. Florida and Arizona were the only markets that showed increases. The increase in Florida was due to higher sales absorption rates generated in 2013 as compared to 2012 as well as our expansion into Orlando and South Florida in 2013. The increase in Arizona was due primarily to higher active subdivision counts during 2013 as compared to 2012. The decreases in all other markets were driven by lower sales activity, which was due to lower average active communities in the latter half of 2013 when compared to the same period in 2012.

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Homes Completed or Under Construction:

	December 31,
	2014		% Change			2013		% Change			2012
Unsold:
Completed		483		28	%		378		71	%		221
Under construction		583		(44	)%		1,038		72	%		604
Total unsold started homes (speculative homes)		1,066		(25	)%		1,416		72	%		825
Sold homes under construction or completed		1,089		11	%		981		(14	)%		1,147
Model homes under construction or completed		272		5	%		258		17	%		221
Total homes completed or under construction		2,427		(9	)%		2,655		21	%		2,193

Our total homes completed or under construction decreased from year end 2013 to 2014 primarily due to a 25% year-over-year decline in the number of speculative homes as a result of our ongoing efforts during 2014 to reduce our speculative home supply to meet current levels of demand. The decline in speculative homes was partially offset by an 11% increase in sold homes under construction or completed, primarily driven by a 7% year-over-year increase in net new orders during 2014 and higher homes in backlog as of December 31, 2014.

The increase in our total homes completed or under construction from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2013 was driven by our initiative to intentionally start more speculative homes during the latter half of 2013 in light of increased homebuyer demand and improving market conditions at such time, low levels of resale and new home inventories, and the higher gross margins we experienced on our speculative homes during the first half of 2013.

Lots Owned and Optioned (including homes completed or under construction): 

	December 31, 2014									December 31, 2013									December 31, 2012
	Lots Owned		Lots Optioned		Total		Total % Change			Lots Owned		Lots Optioned		Total		Total % Change			Lots Owned		Lots Optioned		Total
Arizona		2,266		45		2,311		(21	)%		2,838		74		2,912		58	%		1,763		80		1,843
California		1,600		94		1,694		(11	)%		1,765		129		1,894		75	%		1,080		-		1,080
Nevada		1,589		286		1,875		(1	)%		1,503		391		1,894		50	%		1,226		40		1,266
Washington		886		-		886		23	%		537		182		719		13	%		472		162		634
West		6,341		425		6,766		(9	)%		6,643		776		7,419		54	%		4,541		282		4,823
Colorado		4,083		929		5,012		(7	)%		4,292		1,093		5,385		40	%		3,335		508		3,843
Utah		598		-		598		7	%		538		19		557		2	%		532		13		545
Mountain		4,681		929		5,610		(6	)%		4,830		1,112		5,942		35	%		3,867		521		4,388
Maryland		417		417		834		11	%		446		304		750		(16	)%		577		315		892
Virginia		525		469		994		65	%		469		133		602		(26	)%		553		263		816
Florida		891		184		1,075		0	%		650		423		1,073		105	%		365		159		524
East		1,833		1,070		2,903		20	%		1,565		860		2,425		9	%		1,495		737		2,232
Total		12,855		2,424		15,279		(3	)%		13,038		2,748		15,786		38	%		9,903		1,540		11,443

Lots owned and optioned decreased by 3% from the prior year as we slowed our land acquisition activity during 2014, particularly in our West and Mountain segments, in response to the declines in demand which began during the latter half of 2013 and continued during 2014. We believe that our current supply levels will support expected growth in future periods. See "Forward-Looking Statements" above.

As a result of the significant increase in our land acquisition activity during 2013, we increased our owned and optioned lot supply as of December 31, 2013 by 38% year-over-year, even after a 26% year-over-year increase in new home deliveries in 2013.

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Financial Services

	Year Ended December 31,
			Change								Change
	2014		Amount			%			2013		Amount			%			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Financial services revenues
Mortgage operations	$	25,887	$	(9,089	)		(26	)%	$	34,976	$	(147	)		(0	)%	$	35,123
Other		18,066		1,783			11	%		16,283		4,525			38	%		11,758
Total financial services revenues	$	43,953	$	(7,306	)		(14	)%	$	51,259	$	4,378			9	%	$	46,881
Financial services pretax income
Mortgage operations	$	14,034	$	(7,574	)		(35	)%	$	21,608	$	(2,331	)		(10	)%	$	23,939
Other		10,637		2,743			35	%		7,894		3,335			73	%		4,559
Total financial services pretax income	$	24,671	$	(4,831	)		(16	)%	$	29,502	$	1,004			4	%	$	28,498

Our financial services pretax income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was down 16% from the prior year. The decrease was driven by a $7.6 million decrease in pretax income from our mortgage operations segment and was partially offset by a $2.7 million improvement in our other financial services segment, which consists of our insurance and title operations. The decrease in our mortgage operations segment was primarily due to: (1) reduced volumes of loans locked and sold; (2) lower gains on loans locked and sold compared to a year ago; and (3) lower origination income due to fewer loan originations. These results were caused primarily by a more competitive mortgage market, which also resulted in lower capture rates. The $2.7 million improvement in our other financial services segment was driven primarily by increased revenues from our insurance operations due to higher premiums, mostly due to a higher percentage of policies written in states where a higher premium is charged. “Capture rate” is defined as the number of mortgage loans originated by our mortgage operations for our homebuyers as a percent of our total home closings.

Our financial services pretax income for the year ended December 31, 2013 was up slightly over the prior year period. The increase was driven by a $3.3 million increase in our other financial services segment driven by improved revenue from our insurance operations, and was partially offset by a $2.3 million decrease in pretax income for our mortgage operations segment. The decline in pretax income for our mortgage operations segment was primarily due to per unit reduced origination income and gains on loans locked and sold compared to a year ago resulting largely from a more competitive mortgage market and higher interest rates. In addition, higher general and administrative expenses, due to added employees hired to handle additional loan volume, and higher loan loss reserve expenses, caused by a slight increase in claims activity from our third party loan purchasers, adversely impacted the profitability of our mortgage operations segment for the year ended December 31, 2013.

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The table below sets forth information for our mortgage operations relating to mortgage loans originated and capture rate.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			% or Percentage Change			2013			% or Percentage Change			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Total Originations (including transfer loans):
Loans		2,422			(18	)%		2,947			15	%		2,557
Principal	$	759,082			(15	)%	$	890,404			24	%	$	715,542
Capture Rate Data:
Capture rate as % of all homes delivered		55	%		(6	)%		61	%		(5	)%		66	%
Capture rate as % of all homes delivered (excludes cash sales)		59	%		(6	)%		65	%		(8	)%		73	%
Mortgage Loan Origination Product Mix:
FHA loans		15	%		(9	)%		24	%		(8	)%		32	%
Other government loans (VA & USDA)		29	%		(1	)%		30	%		0	%		30	%
Total government loans		44	%		(10	)%		54	%		(8	)%		62	%
Conventional loans		56	%		10	%		46	%		8	%		38	%
		100	%		0	%		100	%		0	%		100	%
Loan Type:
Fixed rate		93	%		(3	)%		96	%		(3	)%		99	%
ARM		7	%		3	%		4	%		3	%		1	%
Credit Quality:
Average FICO Score		738			1	%		733			0	%		730
Other Data:
Average Combined LTV ratio		85	%		(4	)%		89	%		(1	)%		90	%
Full documentation loans		100	%		0	%		100	%		0	%		100	%
Loans Sold to Third Parties:
Loans		2,453			(19	)%		3,035			24	%		2,457
Principal	$	762,633			(16	)%	$	913,309			35	%	$	675,422

During 2014 and 2013, we have continued to experience significant year-over-year declines in our originations of FHA loans as a percentage of our total loans originated as a result of: (1) increases in the amount that FHA charges to insure mortgages, (2) increases in home prices, coupled with decreases in FHA loan limits in certain markets, which can limit a borrower’s ability to use FHA insured mortgages in connection with the purchase of a home, and (3) structural changes in the FHA mortgage insurance program, which extended the period of time during which the borrower must pay a mortgage insurance premium. However, as a result of reductions made to the FHA’s annual mortgage insurance premium, set to take effect in the first quarter 2015, and increases in FHA loan limits in certain markets, we may experience an increase in the level of FHA loans originated during 2015. See "Forward-Looking Statements" above.

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Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense of $37.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to an income tax benefit of $184.6 and $1.6 million for the same periods in 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to positive operating results, resulting in an effective income tax rate of 37.2%.

The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2013 was due primarily to a $187.6 million reversal of a significant portion of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the 2013 second quarter in addition to a $6.5 million benefit from energy tax credits relating to current and prior years. These amounts were slightly offset by an $11.9 million write-off of a deferred tax asset as a result of the termination of certain post-retirement pension benefits contained in the employment agreements of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer in the 2013 fourth quarter. We concluded that the reversal of a portion of our valuation allowance was appropriate after determining that it was more likely than not, after our evaluation of all relevant positive and negative evidence, that we would be able to realize most of our deferred tax assets within the allowable carryforward periods.

The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2012 was due primarily to the release of reserves related to settlements with various taxing authorities.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We use our liquidity and capital resources to (1) support our operations, including the purchase of land, land development and construction of homes; (2) provide working capital; and (3) provide mortgage loans for our homebuyers. Our liquidity includes our cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) and Mortgage Repurchase Facility (as defined below). Additionally, we have an existing effective shelf registration statement that allows us to issue equity, debt or hybrid securities up to $1.25 billion. See Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

We have marketable debt and equity securities. Our debt securities consist primarily of floating and fixed rate interest earning debt securities, which may include, among others, corporate debt, United States government and government agency debt. Our equity securities consist of holdings in mutual fund securities, which invest mostly in debt securities and holdings in corporate equities.

Capital Resources.

Our capital structure is primarily a combination of (1) permanent financing, represented by stockholders’ equity; (2) long-term financing, represented by our 5⅝% senior notes due 2020, 5½% senior notes due 2024 and our 6% senior notes due 2043; (3) our Revolving Credit Facility and (4) our Mortgage Repurchase Facility. Because of our current balance of cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, ability to access the capital markets, and available capacity under both our Revolving Credit Facility and Mortgage Repurchase Facility, we believe that our capital resources are adequate to satisfy our short and long-term capital requirements, including meeting future payments on our senior notes as they become due. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above.

We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding senior notes through cash purchases, whether in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

Senior Notes, Revolving Credit Facility and Mortgage Repurchase Facility

Senior Notes.  Our senior notes are not secured and, while the senior note indentures contain some restrictions on secured debt and other transactions, they do not contain financial covenants. Our senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by most of our homebuilding segment subsidiaries. We believe that we are in compliance with the representations, warranties and covenants in the senior note indentures.

Revolving Credit Facility. On December 13, 2013, we entered into an unsecured revolving credit agreement (“Revolving Credit Facility”) with a group of lenders which may be used for general corporate purposes. This agreement was amended on December 17, 2014 to (1) increase the aggregate commitment amount by $100 million to $550 million (the “Commitment”) and (2) extend the maturity until December 13, 2019. Each lender may issue letters of credit in an amount up to 50% of its commitment. The facility permits an increase in the maximum Commitment amount to $1.0 billion upon our request, subject to receipt of additional commitments from existing or additional lenders and the consent of the designated agent and the co-administrative agent. Interest rates on outstanding borrowings are determined by reference to a specified London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a specified federal funds effective rate or a specified prime rate, plus a margin that is determined based on our credit ratings and leverage ratio, as defined in the facility agreement. At any time at which our leverage ratio, as of the last day of the most recent calendar quarter, exceeds 55%, the aggregate principal amount of all consolidated senior debt borrowings outstanding may not exceed the borrowing base. There is no borrowing base requirement if our leverage ratio, as of the last day of the most recent calendar quarter, is 55% or less.

The Revolving Credit Facility is fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by most of our homebuilding segment subsidiaries. The facility contains various representations, warranties and covenants that we believe are customary for agreements of this type. The financial covenants include a consolidated tangible net worth test and a leverage test, along with a consolidated tangible net worth covenant, all as defined in the facility agreement. A failure to satisfy the foregoing tests does not constitute an event of default, but can trigger a “term-out” of the facility. A breach of the consolidated tangible net worth covenant (but not the consolidated tangible net worth test) would result in an event of default.

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The Revolving Credit Facility is subject to acceleration upon certain specified events of default, including breach of the consolidated tangible net worth covenant, failure to make timely payments, breaches of certain representations or covenants, failure to pay other material indebtedness, or another person becoming beneficial owner of 50% or more of our outstanding common stock. We believe we were in compliance with the representations, warranties and covenants included in the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2014.

As of December 31, 2014, we had $15 million in borrowings and $10.5 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, leaving remaining borrowing capacity of $524.5 million.

Mortgage Repurchase Facility. HomeAmerican has a Master Repurchase Agreement (the “Mortgage Repurchase Facility”) with U.S. Bank National Association (“USBNA”) that will expire on September 18, 2015. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility provides liquidity to HomeAmerican by providing for the sale of eligible mortgage loans to USBNA with an agreement by HomeAmerican to repurchase the mortgage loans at a future date. Until such mortgage loans are transferred back to HomeAmerican, the documents relating to such loans are held by USBNA, as custodian, pursuant to the Custody Agreement (“Custody Agreement”), dated as of November 12, 2008, by and between HomeAmerican and USBNA. The maximum aggregate commitment of the Mortgage Repurchase Facility was temporarily increased on December 29, 2014 from $50 million to $80 million and expiring on January 28, 2015. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility also had a temporary increase in the maximum aggregate commitment from $50 million to $80 million from December 31, 2013 through January 30, 2014. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $60.8 million and $63.1 million, respectively, of mortgage loans that we were obligated to repurchase under our Mortgage Repurchase Facility. Mortgage loans that we are obligated to repurchase under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility are accounted for as a debt financing arrangement and are reported as mortgage repurchase facility in the consolidated balance sheets. Advances under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility carry a price range that is LIBOR-based. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility contains various representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants that we believe are customary for agreements of this type. The negative covenants include, among others, (i) a minimum Adjusted Tangible Net Worth requirement, (ii) a maximum Adjusted Tangible Net Worth Ratio, (iii) a minimum Adjusted Net Income requirement, and (iv) a minimum Liquidity requirement. The foregoing terms are defined in the Mortgage Repurchase Facility. We believe we were in compliance with the representations, warranties and covenants included in the Mortgage Repurchase Facility as of December 31, 2014.

Dividends

For the year ended December 31, 2014, we paid dividends of $1.00 per share. There were no dividends declared or paid for the year ended of December 31, 2013. We paid dividends of $2.00 per share during the year ended December 31, 2012. Of the $2.00 per share in dividends, $1.00 was in lieu of declaring and paying regular quarterly dividends in calendar year 2013.

MDC Common Stock Repurchase Program

At December 31, 2014, we were authorized to repurchase up to 4,000,000 shares of our common stock. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Consolidated Cash Flow

Our operating cash flows are primarily impacted by: (1) land purchases and construction of homes; (2) closing homes and the associated timing of collecting receivables from home closings; (3) sales of mortgage loans originated by HomeAmerican; (4) payments on accounts payables and accrued liabilities; and (5) funding for payroll. When we close on the sale of a house, our homebuilding subsidiaries will generally receive the proceeds from the sale of the homes within a few days of the home being closed. Therefore, our home sales receivable balance can increase or decrease from period to period based upon the timing of our home closings. Additionally, the amount of mortgage loans held-for-sale can be impacted period to period based upon the number of mortgage loans that were originated by HomeAmerican that have not been sold to third party purchasers and by the timing of fundings by third party mortgage purchasers. Accordingly, mortgage loans held-for-sale may increase if HomeAmerican originates more homes towards the end of one reporting period when compared with the same period in the previous year. HomeAmerican will generally sell mortgage loans it originates within 15 to 40 days after origination.

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Year Ended December 31, 2014. We used $163.6 million in cash for operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily resulting from increasing our inventory from December 31, 2013, which resulted in the use of $257.4 million in cash. This use of cash was partially offset by a $4.2 million decrease in mortgage loans held-for-sale, net income of $63.1 million, and the use of net operating loss carryforwards to reduce our current taxes payable.

We generated $423.1 million in cash from investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily attributable to the maturity and sale of marketable securities that increased our cash by $855.0 million. The cash generated was significantly offset by the purchasing of $428.7 million of marketable securities.

We used $305.0 million of cash from financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily attributable to the redemption of $500 million of Senior Notes for a total use of $517.7 million and from $48.8 million of dividend payments. The cash used was partially offset by $248.4 million generated from the issuance of our 10-year 5½% Senior Notes.

Year Ended December 31, 2013. We used $269.5 million in cash for operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily resulting from increasing our inventory from December 31, 2012, which resulted in the use of $409.3 million in cash. The use of cash was significantly offset by consolidated pretax income of $129.8 million and a decrease of $27.4 million in mortgage loans held-for-sale.

We used $30.4 million in cash from investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily attributable to purchasing $405.0 million of marketable securities. The use of cash was significantly offset by the maturity and sale of marketable securities that increased our cash by $376.3 million.

We generated $339.2 million of cash from financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily attributable to $346.9 million associated with the issuance of our 30-year 6% senior notes, which was partially offset by a $13.3 million net decrease from payment and advance activity on our mortgage repurchase facility.

Year Ended December 31, 2012. We used $108.8 million in cash for operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily resulting from: (1) increasing our inventory from December 31, 2011, which resulted in the use of $196.8 million in cash and (2) $41.6 million used in connection with originating mortgage loans held-for-sale. These items partially were offset by net income of $62.7 million and a $47.5 million increase in accounts payable.

We used $21.8 million in cash for investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily attributable to purchasing $478.7 million of marketable securities. These items were significantly offset by the maturity and sale of marketable securities that increased our cash by $458.2 million.

We used $52.7 million in cash for financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily resulting from $96.9 million of dividend payments. This was partially offset by net cash proceeds of $27.6 million from mortgage repurchase facility activity.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Lot Option Purchase Contracts. In the ordinary course of business, we enter into lot option purchase contracts in order to procure lots for the construction of homes. Lot option contracts enable us to control lot positions with a minimal capital investment, which substantially reduces the risks associated with land ownership and development. At December 31, 2014, we had deposits of $12.6 million in the form of cash and $3.1 million in the form of letters of credit that secured option contracts to purchase 2,424 lots for a total estimated purchase price of $225.6 million.

Surety Bonds and Letters of Credit. At December 31, 2014, we had issued and outstanding surety bonds and letters of credit totaling $145.2 million and $26.8 million, respectively, including $16.3 million in letters of credit issued by HomeAmerican. The estimated cost to complete obligations related to these bonds and letters of credit was approximately $56.1 million and $6.1 million, respectively. We expect that the obligations secured by these performance bonds and letters of credit generally will be performed in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the applicable contractual terms. To the extent that the obligations are performed, the related performance bonds and letters of credit should be released and we should not have any continuing obligations. However, in the event any such performance bonds or letters of credit are called, our indemnity obligations could require us to reimburse the issuer of the performance bond or letter of credit.

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We have made no material guarantees with respect to third-party obligations.

Contractual Obligations.

The table below summarizes our known contractual obligations at December 31, 2014.

	Payments due by Period (in thousands)
	Total		Less than 1 Year		1 - 3 Years		4 - 5 Years		After 5 Years
Senior notes	$	850,000	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	850,000
Interest on senior notes		806,469		48,813		97,625		97,625		562,406
Operating leases		53,022		4,922		9,560		8,863		29,677
Total (1)	$	1,709,491	$	53,735	$	107,185	$	106,488	$	1,442,083
_____________________

(1) The table above excludes $60.8 million of mortgage loans that we are obligated to repurchase under our Mortgage Repurchase Facility since it is not long-term indebtedness. Additionally, there were outstanding performance bonds and letters of credit totaling approximately $145.2 million and $26.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2014, which have been excluded from the table above due to the uncertainty as to whether any payments may be made.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting policies generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Management evaluates such estimates and judgments on an on-going basis and makes adjustments as deemed necessary. Actual results could differ from these estimates using different estimates and assumptions, or if conditions are significantly different in the future. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above.

Listed below are those estimates and policies that we believe are critical and require the use of complex judgment in their application. Our critical accounting estimates and policies are as follows and should be read in conjunction with the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Homebuilding Inventory Valuation.  Our inventories are primarily associated with communities where we intend to construct and sell homes, including models and speculative homes. Costs capitalized to land and land under development primarily include: (1) land costs; (2) land development costs; (3) entitlement costs; (4) capitalized interest; (5) engineering fees; and (6) title insurance, real property taxes and closing costs directly related to the purchase of the land parcel. Components of housing completed or under construction primarily include: (1) land costs transferred from land and land under development; (2) direct construction costs associated with a house; (3) real property taxes, engineering fees, permits and other fees; (4) capitalized interest; and (5) indirect construction costs, which include field construction management salaries and benefits, utilities and other construction related costs. Land costs are transferred from land and land under development to housing completed or under construction at the point in time that construction of a home on an owned lot begins.

Homebuilding inventories are carried at cost unless events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the underlying subdivision may not be recoverable. We determine impairments on a subdivision level basis as each such subdivision represents the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. In making this determination, we review, among other things, the following for each subdivision:

• actual and trending “Operating Margin” (which is defined as home sale revenues less home cost of sales and all direct incremental costs associated with the home closing) for homes closed;

• estimated future undiscounted cash flows and Operating Margin;

• forecasted Operating Margin for homes in backlog;

• actual and trending net and gross home orders;

• base sales price and home sales incentive information for homes closed, homes in backlog and homes available for sale;

• market information for each sub-market, including competition levels, home foreclosure levels, the size and style of homes currently being offered for sale and lot size; and

• known or probable events indicating that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

If events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our inventory may not be recoverable, assets are reviewed for impairment by comparing the undiscounted estimated future cash flows from an individual subdivision to its carrying value. We generally determine the estimated fair value of each subdivision by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows at discount rates that are commensurate with the risk of the subdivision under evaluation. The evaluation for the recoverability of the carrying value of the assets for each individual subdivision can be impacted significantly by the following:

• estimates of future base selling prices;

• estimates of future home sales incentives; and

• estimates of future home construction and land development costs.

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These estimates are dependent on specific market or sub-market conditions for each subdivision. While we consider available information to determine what we believe to be our best estimates as of the end of a reporting period, these estimates are subject to change in future reporting periods as facts and circumstances change. Local market-specific conditions that may impact these estimates for a subdivision include:

• historical subdivision results, and actual and trending Operating Margin, base selling prices and home sales incentives;

• forecasted Operating Margin for homes in backlog;

• the intensity of competition within a market or sub-market, including publicly available home sales prices and home sales incentives offered by our competitors;

• increased levels of home foreclosures;

• the current sales pace for active subdivisions;

• subdivision specific attributes, such as location, availability and size of lots in the sub-market, desirability and uniqueness of subdivision location and the size and style of homes currently being offered;

• potential for alternative home styles to respond to local market conditions;

• changes by management in the sales strategy of a given subdivision; and

• current local market economic and demographic conditions and related trends and forecasts.

These and other local market-specific conditions that may be present are considered by personnel in our homebuilding divisions as they prepare or update the forecasted assumptions for each subdivision. Quantitative and qualitative factors other than home sales prices could significantly impact the potential for future impairments. The sales objectives can differ among subdivisions, even within a given sub-market. For example, facts and circumstances in a given subdivision may lead us to price our homes with the objective of yielding a higher sales absorption pace, while facts and circumstances in another subdivision may lead us to price our homes to minimize deterioration in our gross margins from home sales, even though this could result in a slower sales absorption pace. Furthermore, the key assumptions included in our estimated future undiscounted cash flows may be interrelated. For example, a decrease in estimated base sales price or an increase in home sales incentives may result in a corresponding increase in sales absorption pace. Additionally, a decrease in the average sales price of homes to be sold and closed in future reporting periods for one subdivision that has not been generating what management believes to be an adequate sales absorption pace may impact the estimated cash flow assumptions of a nearby subdivision. Changes in our key assumptions, including estimated construction and land development costs, absorption pace and selling strategies could materially impact future cash flow and fair value estimates. Due to the number of possible scenarios that would result from various changes in these factors, we do not believe it is possible to develop a sensitivity analysis with a level of precision that would be meaningful to an investor.

If the undiscounted future cash flows of a subdivision are less than its carrying value, the carrying value of the subdivision is written down to its then estimated fair value.

We determine the estimated fair value of each subdivision either: (1) by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows at discount rates that are commensurate with the risk of the subdivision under evaluation; or (2) assessing the market value of the land in its current condition by considering the estimated price a willing buyer would pay for the land (other than in a forced liquidation), and recent land purchase transactions that we believe are indicators of fair value. The estimated future cash flows are the same for both our recoverability and fair value assessments. Factors we consider when determining the discount rate to be used for each subdivision include, among others:

• the number of lots in a given subdivision;

• the amount of future land development costs to be incurred;

• risks associated with the home construction process, including the stage of completion for the entire subdivision and the number of owned lots under construction; and

• the estimated remaining lifespan of the subdivision.

We allocate the impairments recorded between housing completed or under construction and land and land under development for each impaired subdivision based upon the status of construction of a home on each lot (i.e., if the lot is in housing completed or under construction, the impairment for that lot is recorded against housing completed or under construction). The allocation of impairment is the same with respect to each lot in a given subdivision. Changes in management’s estimates, particularly the timing and amount of the estimated future cash inflows and outflows and forecasted average selling prices of homes to be sold and closed can materially affect any impairment calculation. Because our forecasted cash flows are impacted significantly by changes in market conditions, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Please see the “Inventory Impairments” section for a detailed discussion and analysis of our asset impairments.

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Warranty Accrual. Our homes are sold with limited third-party warranties. We record expenses and warranty accruals for general and structural warranty claims, as well as accruals for known, unusual warranty-related expenditures. Warranty accrual is established based upon historical payment experience in an amount estimated to be adequate to cover expected costs of materials and outside labor during warranty periods. The establishment of warranty accrual for closed homes and the evaluation of our warranty accrual balance is based on an internally developed analysis that includes known facts and interpretations of circumstances, including, among other things, our trends in historical warranty payment levels and warranty payments for claims not considered to be normal and recurring.

Warranty accrual is included in accrued liabilities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets and adjustments to our warranty accrual is recorded as an increase or reduction to home cost of sales in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, it is possible that changes in the warranty payment experience used in estimating our ultimate warranty losses could have a material impact on our warranty accrual balances. Please see further discussion on the adjustments to our warranty accrual within our discussion of gross margin from home sales in the “Gross Margin” section. Also see “Forward-Looking Statements” above.

Insurance Reserves. The establishment of reserves for estimated losses associated with insurance policies issued by Allegiant and re-insurance agreements issued by StarAmerican are based on actuarial studies that include known facts and interpretations of circumstances, including our experience with similar cases and historical trends involving claim payment patterns, pending levels of unpaid claims, product mix or concentration, claim severity, frequency patterns depending on the business conducted, and changing regulatory and legal environments.

Litigation Accruals. In the normal course of business, we are a defendant in claims primarily relating to construction defects, product liability and personal injury claims. These claims seek relief from us under various theories, including breach of implied and express warranty, negligence, strict liability, misrepresentation and violation of consumer protection statutes. We have accrued for losses that may be incurred with respect to legal claims based upon information provided by our legal counsel, including counsel’s on-going evaluation of the merits of the claims and defenses and the level of estimated insurance coverage. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, actual results could vary from those accruals and could have a material impact on our results of operations.

Income Taxes—Valuation Allowance. A valuation allowance is recorded against a deferred tax asset if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The realization of a deferred tax asset ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income in either the carryback or carryforward periods under federal tax law (generally 2 and 20 years, respectively) or state tax law, which range depends on the state (generally 2 and 20 years, respectively). The four sources of taxable income to be considered in determining whether a valuation allowance is required include:

• future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;

• taxable income in prior carryback years;

• tax planning strategies; and

• future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards.

Determining whether a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is necessary requires an analysis of both positive and negative evidence regarding realization of the deferred tax assets. Examples of positive evidence may include:

• a strong earnings history exclusive of the loss that created the deductible temporary differences, coupled with evidence indicating that the loss is the result of an aberration rather than a continuing condition;

• an excess of appreciated asset value over the tax basis of a company’s net assets in an amount sufficient to realize the deferred tax asset; and

• existing backlog that will produce sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset based on existing sales prices and cost structures.

Examples of negative evidence may include:

• the existence of “cumulative losses” (generally defined as a pretax cumulative loss for the current and previous two years);

• an expectation of being in a cumulative loss position in a future reporting period;

• a carryback or carryforward period that is so brief that it would limit the realization of tax benefits;

• a history of operating loss or tax credit carryforwards expiring unused; and

• unsettled circumstances that, if unfavorably resolved, would adversely affect future operations and profit levels on a continuing basis.

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The weight given to the potential effect of negative and positive evidence should be commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. A company must use judgment in considering the relative impact of positive and negative evidence. In the future, changes in our valuation allowance may result from, among other things, additional pretax operating losses resulting in increases in our valuation allowance or pretax operating income resulting in decreases in our valuation allowance.

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue from home deliveries and land sales when: (1) the closing has occurred; (2) title has passed to the buyer; (3) possession and other attributes of ownership have been transferred to the buyer; (4) we are not obligated to perform significant additional activities after closing and delivery; and (5) the buyer demonstrates a commitment to pay for the property through an adequate initial and continuing investment. The buyer’s initial investment shall include: (1) cash paid as a down payment; (2) the buyer’s notes supported by irrevocable letters of credit; (3) payments made by the buyer to third-parties to reduce existing indebtedness on the property; and (4) other amounts paid by the buyer that are part of the sales value of the property. Revenue from a home delivery includes the base sales price and any purchased options and upgrades and is reduced for any sales price incentives.

Revenues recorded by HomeAmerican primarily include origination fees and the corresponding sale of a loan and either the release or retention of a loan’s servicing rights. Origination fees are recognized when a loan is originated. When an interest rate lock commitment is made to a customer, we record the expected gain on sale of the mortgage including servicing rights, adjusted for a pull-through percentage (which is defined as the likelihood that an interest rate lock commitment will be originated), as revenue. As the interest rate lock commitment gets closer to being originated, the expected gain on the sale of that loan plus its servicing rights is updated to reflect current market value and the increase or decrease in the fair value of that interest rate lock commitment is recorded through revenues. At the same time, the expected pull-through percentage of the interest rate lock commitment to be originated is updated (typically an increase as the interest lock commitment gets closer to origination) and, if there has been a change, revenues are adjusted as necessary. After origination, our mortgage loans, generally including their servicing rights, are sold to third-party purchasers in accordance with sale agreements entered into by us with a third-party purchaser of the loans. We make representations and warranties with respect to the status of loans transferred in the sale agreements. The sale agreements generally include statements acknowledging the transfer of the loans is intended by both parties to constitute a sale. Sale of a mortgage loan has occurred when the following criteria, among others, have been met: (1) fair consideration has been paid for transfer of the loan by a third party in an arms-length transaction, (2) all the usual risks and rewards of ownership that are in substance a sale have been transferred by us to the third party purchaser; and (3) we do not have a substantial continuing involvement with the mortgage loan.

We carry interest rate lock commitments and mortgage loans held-for-sale at fair value.

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Home Cost of Sales. Home cost of sales includes the specific construction costs of each home and all applicable land acquisition, land development and related costs, both incurred and estimated to be incurred, warranty costs and finance and closing costs. We use the specific identification method for the purpose of accumulating home construction costs and allocate costs to each lot within a subdivision associated with land acquisition and land development based upon relative fair value of the lots prior to home construction. Lots within a subdivision typically have comparable fair values, and, as such, we generally allocate costs equally to each lot within a subdivision. We record all home cost of sales when a home is closed on a house-by-house basis.

When a home is closed, we generally have not yet paid or incurred all costs necessary to complete the construction of the home and certain land development costs. At the time of a home closing, we compare the home construction budgets to actual recorded costs to determine the additional estimated costs remaining to be paid on each closed home. For amounts not incurred or paid as of the time of closing a home, we record an estimated accrual associated with certain home construction and land development costs. Generally, these accruals are established based upon contracted work that has yet to be paid, open work orders not paid at the time of home closing, as well as land completion costs more likely than not to be incurred, and represent estimates believed to be adequate to cover the expected remaining home construction and land development costs. We monitor the adequacy of these accruals on a house-by-house basis and in the aggregate on both a market-by-market and consolidated basis.

Mortgage Loan Loss Reserves. In the normal course of business, we establish reserves for potential losses associated with HomeAmerican’s sale of mortgage loans to third-parties. These reserves are created to address repurchase and indemnity claims by third-party purchasers of the mortgage loans, which claims arise primarily out of allegations of homebuyer fraud at the time of origination of the loan. These reserves are based upon, among other matters: (1) pending claims received from third-party purchasers associated with previously sold mortgage loans; (2) a current assessment of the potential exposure associated with future claims of homebuyer fraud in mortgage loans originated in prior periods; and (3) historical loss experience. Significant changes in the number and magnitude of claims to repurchase previously sold mortgage loans could have a material impact on our results of operations. Our mortgage loan reserves are reflected as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and the associated expenses are included in Expenses in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation. Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”) requires that share-based compensation expense be measured and recognized at an amount equal to the fair value of share-based payments granted under compensation arrangements. Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of stock option awards requires judgment, including estimating stock price volatility, annual forfeiture rates and the expected life of an award. We estimate the fair value for stock options granted using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model calculates the estimated fair value of stock options based upon the following inputs: (1) closing price of our common stock on the measurement date (generally the date of grant); (2) exercise price; (3) expected stock option life; (4) expected volatility; (5) risk-free interest rate; and (6) expected dividend yield rate. The expected life of employee stock options represents the period for which the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and is derived primarily from historical exercise patterns. The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility in the price of our common stock over the most recent period commensurate with the estimated expected life of our employee stock options, adjusted for the impact of unusual fluctuations not reasonably expected to recur and other relevant factors. The risk-free interest rate assumption is determined based upon observed interest rates appropriate for the expected term of our employee stock options. The expected dividend yield assumption is based on our historical dividend payouts. We determine the estimated fair value of the stock option awards on the date they were granted. The fair values of previously granted stock option awards are not adjusted as subsequent changes in the foregoing assumptions occur; for example, an increase or decrease in the price of our common stock. However, changes in the foregoing inputs, particularly the price of our common stock, expected stock option life and expected volatility, significantly change the estimated fair value of future grants of stock options.

An annual forfeiture rate is estimated at the time of grant, and revised if necessary, in subsequent periods if the actual forfeiture rate differs from our estimate.

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Segment Reporting. The application of segment reporting requires significant judgment in determining our operating segments. Operating segments are defined as a component of an enterprise for which discrete financial information is available and is reviewed regularly by the chief operating decision-maker, or decision-making group, to evaluate performance and make operating decisions. We have identified our Chief Operating Decision-Maker (“CODM”) as two key executives—the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer.

We have identified each homebuilding division as an operating segment as each homebuilding division engages in business activities from which it earns revenue, primarily from the sale of single-family detached homes, generally to first-time and first-time move-up homebuyers. Divisions in the reportable segments noted below have been aggregated because they are similar in the following regards: (1) economic characteristics; (2) housing products; (3) class of homebuyer; (4) regulatory environments; and (5) methods used to manage the construction and sale of homes. In making the determination of whether or not our markets demonstrate similar economic characteristics, we review, among other things, actual and trending gross margins from home sales for homes closed within each market and forecasted gross margins from home sales. Accordingly, we may be required to reclassify our reportable segments if markets that currently are being aggregated do not continue to demonstrate similar economic characteristics.

Our homebuilding reportable segments are as follows:

•     West (Arizona, California, Nevada and Washington);

•     Mountain (Colorado and Utah); and

•     East (Virginia, Florida, Illinois and Maryland, which includes Pennsylvania and New Jersey)

Our financial services operating segments are as follows: (1) HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation ("HomeAmerican"); (2) Allegiant Insurance Company, Inc., A Risk Retention Group (“Allegiant”); (3) StarAmerican Insurance Ltd. (“StarAmerican”); (4) American Home Insurance Agency, Inc.; and (5) American Home Title and Escrow Company. Due to its contributions to consolidated pretax income we consider HomeAmerican to be a reportable segment (“mortgage operations”). The remaining operating segments have been aggregated into one reportable segment (“other”) because they do not individually exceed 10 percent of: (1) consolidated revenue; (2) the greater of (A) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or (B) the positive value of the combined reported loss of all operating segments that reported losses; or (3) consolidated assets.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

See Note 1 in our accompanying consolidated financial statements.

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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Our cash and investment policy and strategy is to achieve an appropriate investment return while preserving principal and managing risk. Our cash and cash equivalents may include immediately available commercial bank deposits, commercial paper, money market funds, certificates of deposit and time deposits. Our marketable securities contain both debt and equity instruments, held directly or through mutual funds. Our debt securities consist primarily of floating and fixed rate interest earning debt securities, which may include, among others, United States government and government agency debt and corporate debt. Our equity securities consist of holdings in mutual fund securities, which invest mostly in debt securities and holdings in corporate equities. The remaining equity securities in our investment portfolio are holdings in corporate equities. The market value and/or income derived from our debt and equity securities can be negatively impacted by a number of market risk factors, including changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and equity markets. As of December 31, 2014, we had marketable securities in unrealized loss positions totaling $3.1 million. There can be no assurances that the cost basis of these securities will be recovered in the future. If we elect to sell, or are otherwise were required to sell these securities, we could be required to record losses if the market values do not increase prior to any sales. Such losses, if any, would be recorded as a component of our results of operations.

We are exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates on mortgage loans held-for-sale, mortgage interest rate lock commitments and debt. Derivative instruments utilized in the normal course of business by HomeAmerican include interest rate lock commitments and forward sales of mortgage-backed securities, which are used to manage the price risk on fluctuations in interest rates on our mortgage loans in inventory and interest rate locked commitments to originate mortgage loans. Such contracts are the only significant financial derivative instruments utilized by MDC. HomeAmerican’s mortgage loans in process for which a rate and price commitment had been made to a borrower that had not closed at December 31, 2014 had an aggregate principal balance of approximately $42.8 million, all of which were under interest rate lock commitments at an average interest rate of 3.69%. In addition, HomeAmerican had mortgage loans held-for-sale with an aggregate principal balance of $85.9 million at December 31, 2014, of which $13.6 million had not yet been committed to a mortgage purchaser and had an average interest rate of 3.65%. In order to hedge the changes in fair value of interest rate lock commitments and mortgage loans held-for-sale which had not yet been committed to a mortgage purchaser, HomeAmerican had forward sales of securities totaling $41.0 million and $74.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

HomeAmerican provides mortgage loans that generally are sold forward and subsequently delivered to a third-party purchaser between 15 and 40 days. Forward commitments are used for non-trading purposes to sell mortgage loans and hedge price risk due to fluctuations in interest rates on rate-locked mortgage loans in process that have not closed. Due to this economic hedging philosophy, the market risk associated with these mortgages is limited. For forward sales commitments, as well as commitments to originate mortgage loans that are still outstanding at the end of a reporting period, we record the fair value of the derivatives in the consolidated statements of operations with an offset to either derivative assets or liabilities, depending on the nature of the change.

We utilize our Revolving Credit Facility, our Mortgage Repurchase Facility and senior notes in our financing strategy. For fixed rate debt, changes in interest rates generally affect the fair value of the debt instrument, but not our earnings or cash flows. We do not have an obligation to prepay our senior notes prior to maturity and, as a result, interest rate risk and changes in fair value do not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above.

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At December 31, 2014, we had $60.8 million of mortgage loans that HomeAmerican is obligated to repurchase under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility. Mortgage loans that HomeAmerican is obligated to repurchase under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility are accounted for as a debt financing arrangement and are reported under Mortgage Repurchase Facility in the consolidated balance sheets. The following table provides the maturities, average interest rate and estimated fair value of significant financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates at December 31, 2014.

	Maturities through December 31,																	Estimated
	2015			2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter			Total			Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Mortgage loans held for sale (1)
Fixed Rate	$	80,182		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	80,182		$	82,524
Average interest rate		3.78	%													3.78	%
Variable Interest Rate		5,717		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	5,717		$	5,841
Average interest rate		3.13	%													3.13	%
Liabilities:
Fixed rate debt	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	850,000		$	850,000		$	797,113
Average interest rate													5.74	%		5.74	%
Mortgage facility	$	60,822		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	60,822		$	60,822
Average interest rate		2.50	%													2.50	%
Derivative Financial Instruments:
Commitments to originate mortgage loans
Notional amount	$	42,765		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	42,765		$	1,003
Average interest rate		3.69	%													3.69	%
Forward sales of mortgage backed securities
Notional amount	$	41,000		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	41,000		$	(207	)
Average interest rate		3.18	%													3.18	%
____________________

(1) All the amounts in this line reflect the expected 2015 disposition of these loans rather than the actual scheduled maturity dates of these mortgages.

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Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Page
Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2014	F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2014	F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2014	F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	F-7

F-1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated January 28, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Irvine, California

January 28, 2015

F-2

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

	December 31,		December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands, except
	per share amounts)
ASSETS
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	122,642	$	148,634
Marketable securities		140,878		569,021
Restricted cash		2,816		2,195
Trade and other receivables		28,555		23,407
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction		732,692		636,700
Land and land under development		935,268		774,961
Total inventories		1,667,960		1,411,661
Property and equipment, net		30,491		31,248
Deferred tax asset, net		140,486		176,262
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		18,203		12,729
Prepaid and other assets		67,996		53,525
Total homebuilding assets		2,220,027		2,428,682
Financial Services:
Cash and cash equivalents		31,183		50,704
Marketable securities		15,262		19,046
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		88,392		92,578
Other assets		3,574		4,439
Total financial services assets		138,411		166,767
Total Assets	$	2,358,438	$	2,595,449
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	$	35,445	$	15,046
Accrued liabilities		115,117		152,821
Revolving credit facility		15,000		-
Senior notes, net		846,450		1,095,620
Total homebuilding liabilities		1,012,012		1,263,487
Financial Services:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		57,268		55,639
Mortgage repurchase facility		60,822		63,074
Total financial services liabilities		118,090		118,713
Total Liabilities		1,130,102		1,382,200
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding		-		-
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 48,831,639 and 48,788,887 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively		488		488
Additional paid-in-capital		909,974		908,090
Retained earnings		307,419		293,096
Accumulated other comprehensive income		10,455		11,575
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,228,336		1,213,249
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,358,438	$	2,595,449

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-3

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Homebuilding:
Home sale revenues	$	1,647,398		$	1,626,707		$	1,150,998
Land sale revenues		3,233			2,468			5,144
Total home and land sale revenues		1,650,631			1,629,175			1,156,142
Home cost of sales		(1,365,621	)		(1,336,978	)		(973,120	)
Land cost of sales		(2,559	)		(1,961	)		(4,823	)
Inventory impairments		(1,760	)		(919	)		(1,105	)
Total cost of sales		(1,369,940	)		(1,339,858	)		(979,048	)
Gross margin		280,691			289,317			177,094
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(203,253	)		(213,283	)		(167,295	)
Interest and other income		26,310			29,798			24,998
Interest expense		(685	)		(1,726	)		(808	)
Other expense		(4,813	)		(3,783	)		(1,372	)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt		(18,153	)		-			-
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(4,293	)		-			-
Homebuilding pretax income		75,804			100,323			32,617
Financial Services:
Revenues		43,953			51,259			46,881
Expenses		(22,334	)		(25,271	)		(21,645	)
Interest and other income		3,052			3,514			3,262
Financial services pretax income		24,671			29,502			28,498
Income before income taxes		100,475			129,825			61,115
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		(37,332	)		184,560			1,584
Net income	$	63,143		$	314,385		$	62,699
Other comprehensive income (loss) related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		(1,120	)		6,737			12,078
Comprehensive income	$	62,023		$	321,122		$	74,777
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.29		$	6.39		$	1.29
Diluted	$	1.29		$	6.34		$	1.29
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic		48,615,541			48,453,119			47,660,629
Diluted		48,817,566			48,831,785			47,834,156

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-4

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

										Retained			Accumulated
							Additional			Earnings			Other
	Common Stock						Paid-in			(Accumulated			Comprehensive			Treasury
	Shares			Amount			Capital			Deficit)			Income (Loss)			Shares			Amount			Total
Balance at December 31, 2011		48,017,108		$	480		$	863,128		$	12,927		$	(7,240	)		(59,912	)	$	(659	)	$	868,636
Net Income		-			-			-			62,699			-			-			-			62,699
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		-			-			-			-			12,078			-			-			12,078
Total comprehensive income																							74,777
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock		752,855			8			16,616			-			-			-			-			16,624
Dividends declared		-			-			-			(96,915	)		-			-			-			(96,915	)
Stock-based compensation expense		-			-			16,225			-			-			-			-			16,225
Reversal of uncertain tax positions due to statute of limitations		-			-			1,551			-			-			-			-			1,551
Retirement of treasury stock		(62,230	)		(1	)		(659	)		-			-			62,230			659			(1	)
Forfeiture of restricted stock		(8,976	)		-			-			-			-			(2,318	)		-			-
Balance at December 31, 2012		48,698,757			487			896,861			(21,289	)		4,838			-			-			880,897
Net Income		-			-			-			314,385			-			-			-			314,385
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		-			-			-			-			6,737			-			-			6,737
Total comprehensive income																							321,122
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock		178,737			2			5,116			-			-			-			-			5,118
Stock-based compensation expense		-			-			9,652			-			-			-			-			9,652
Forfeiture of restricted stock		(88,607	)		(1	)		1			-			-			-			-			-
Net income tax deficiency from share-based compensation		-			-			(3,540	)		-			-			-			-			(3,540	)
Balance at December 31, 2013		48,788,887			488			908,090			293,096			11,575			-			-			1,213,249
Net Income		-			-			-			63,143			-			-			-			63,143
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		-			-			-			-			(1,120	)		-			-			(1,120	)
Total comprehensive income																							62,023
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock		57,021			0			374			-			-			-			-			374
Dividends declared		-			-			-			(48,820	)		-			-			-			(48,820	)
Stock-based compensation expense		-			-			5,979			-			-			-			-			5,979
Forfeiture of restricted stock		(14,269	)		0			0			-			-			-			-			0
Net income tax deficiency from share-based compensation		-			-			(4,469	)		-			-			-			-			(4,469	)
Balance at December 31, 2014		48,831,639		$	488		$	909,974		$	307,419		$	10,455			-		$	-		$	1,228,336

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-5

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	63,143		$	314,385		$	62,699
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Losses from early extinguishments of debt		18,153			-			-
Stock-based compensation expense		5,978			9,652			16,225
Depreciation and amortization		3,928			3,864			4,766
Inventory impairments		1,760			919			1,105
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		4,293			-			-
Net loss on sale of marketable securities		(7,310	)		-			-
Amortization of discount / premiums on marketable debt securities		566			219			596
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)		34,226			(187,171	)		-
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		(26	)		(391	)		-
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash		(621	)		(336	)		(1,192	)
Trade and other receivables		(6,638	)		4,186			(6,223	)
Mortgage loans held-for-sale		4,186			27,375			(41,618	)
Housing completed or under construction		(96,936	)		(124,211	)		(212,154	)
Land and land under development		(160,463	)		(285,070	)		15,314
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(11,873	)		(13,562	)		4,388
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(16,013	)		(19,408	)		47,275
Net cash used in operating activities		(163,647	)		(269,549	)		(108,819	)
Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable securities		(428,709	)		(404,965	)		(478,701	)
Maturities of marketable securities		167,339			159,592			108,250
Sales of marketable securities		687,692			216,756			349,938
Purchases of property and equipment		(3,242	)		(1,785	)		(1,268	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		423,080			(30,402	)		(21,781	)
Financing Activities:
Advances (payments) on mortgage repurchase facility, net		(2,252	)		(13,253	)		27,625
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		248,375			346,938			-
Repayment of senior notes		(517,650	)		-			-
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		15,000			-			-
Dividend payments		(48,820	)		-			(96,915	)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		26			391			-
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		375			5,118			16,624
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(304,946	)		339,194			(52,666	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(45,513	)		39,243			(183,266	)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		199,338			160,095			343,361
End of period	$	153,825		$	199,338		$	160,095

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-6

1.             Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation.  The Consolidated Financial Statements of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. ("MDC," “the Company," “we,” “us,” or “our” which refers to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries) include the accounts of MDC and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Description of Business.  We have homebuilding operations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, (which includes Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey), Nevada, Utah, Virginia and Washington. The primary functions of our homebuilding operations include land acquisition and development, home construction, purchasing, marketing, merchandising, sales and customer service. We build and sell primarily single-family detached homes, which are designed and built to meet local customer preferences. We are the general contractor for all of our projects and retain subcontractors for site development and home construction.

Our financial services operations consist of HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation (“HomeAmerican”), which originates mortgage loans, primarily for our homebuyers, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc. (“American Home Insurance”), which offers third-party insurance products to our homebuyers, and American Home Title and Escrow Company (“American Home Title”), which provides title agency services to the Company and our homebuyers in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada and Virginia. The financial services operations also include Allegiant Insurance Company, Inc., A Risk Retention Group (“Allegiant”), which provides insurance coverage primarily to our homebuilding subsidiaries and certain subcontractors for homes sold by our homebuilding subsidiaries and for work performed in completed subdivisions, and StarAmerican Insurance Ltd. (“StarAmerican”), a wholly owned subsidiary of MDC, which is a re-insurer of Allegiant claims.

Presentation.  Our balance sheet presentation is unclassified due to the fact that certain assets and liabilities have both short and long-term characteristics.

Use of Accounting Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents.  The Company periodically invests funds in highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, such as commercial paper, money market funds and time deposits, which are included in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows.

Marketable Securities. We have marketable debt and equity securities and as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, all of our marketable securities were treated as available-for-sale investments. As such, we have recorded all of our marketable securities at fair value with changes in fair value being recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). When a security is sold, we use the first-in first-out method to determine the cost of the security sold or the amount reclassified out of AOCI.

Restricted Cash.  We receive cash earnest money deposits from our customers who enter into home sale contracts. In certain states we are restricted from using such deposits for general purposes, unless we take measures to release state imposed restrictions on such deposits received from homebuyers, which may include posting blanket surety bonds. We had $2.8 million and $2.2 million in restricted cash related to homebuyer deposits at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Home Sale Receivables.  Home sale receivables primarily consist of cash to be received from title companies or outside brokers associated with closed homes. Generally, we will receive cash from title companies and outside brokers within a few days of the home being closed.

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale, net.  Mortgage loans held-for-sale are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices and estimated market prices received from an outside third-party. Using fair value allows an offset of the changes in fair values of the mortgage loans and the derivative instruments used to hedge them without the burden of complying with the requirements for hedge accounting.

F-7

Inventories. Our inventories are primarily associated with communities where we intend to construct and sell homes, including models and speculative homes. Costs capitalized to land and land under development primarily include: (1) land costs; (2) land development costs; (3) entitlement costs; (4) capitalized interest; (5) engineering fees; and (6) title insurance, real property taxes and closing costs directly related to the purchase of the land parcel. Components of housing completed or under construction primarily include: (1) land costs transferred from land and land under development; (2) direct construction costs associated with a house; (3) real property taxes, engineering fees, permits and other fees; (4) capitalized interest; and (5) indirect construction costs, which include field construction management salaries and benefits, utilities and other construction related costs. Land costs are transferred from land and land under development to housing completed or under construction at the point in time that construction of a home on an owned lot begins.

In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (“ASC 360”), homebuilding inventories are carried at cost unless events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the underlying subdivision may not be recoverable. We evaluate inventories for impairment at each quarter end on a subdivision level basis as each such subdivision represents the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. In making this determination, we review, among other things, the following for each subdivision:

• actual and trending “Operating Margin” (which is defined as home sale revenues less home cost of sales and all direct incremental costs associated with the home closing, including sales commissions) for homes closed;

• estimated future undiscounted cash flows and Operating Margin;

• forecasted Operating Margin for homes in backlog;

• actual and trending net and gross home orders;

• base sales price and home sales incentive information for homes closed, homes in backlog and homes available for sale;

• market information for each sub-market, including competition levels, home foreclosure levels, the size and style of homes currently being offered for sale and lot size; and

• known or probable events indicating that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

If events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our inventory may not be recoverable, assets are reviewed for impairment by comparing the undiscounted estimated future cash flows from an individual subdivision (including capitalized interest) to its carrying value. If the undiscounted future cash flows are less than the subdivision’s carrying value, the carrying value of the subdivision is written down to its then estimated fair value. We generally determine the estimated fair value of each subdivision by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows at discount rates that are commensurate with the risk of the subdivision under evaluation.

Property and Equipment, net.   Property and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from 2 to 29 years. Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment was $3.8 million, $3.7 million and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

F-8

The following table sets forth the cost and carrying value of our property and equipment by major asset category.

			Accumulated
			Depreciation and		Carrying
	Cost		Amortization		Value
December 31, 2014:	(Dollars in thousands)
Airplane	$	28,997	$	7,152	$	21,845
Computer software and equipment		20,594		14,084		6,510
Leasehold improvements		9,617		7,590		2,027
Other		1,989		1,880		109
Total	$	61,197	$	30,706	$	30,491
December 31, 2013:
Airplane	$	28,997	$	6,604	$	22,393
Computer software and equipment		18,436		11,780		6,656
Leasehold improvements		8,793		6,787		2,006
Other		2,048		1,855		193
Total	$	58,274	$	27,026	$	31,248

Deferred Tax Asset, net.   Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between (1) the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and (2) the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using current enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded against a deferred tax asset if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Deferred Marketing Costs. Certain marketing costs related to model homes and sales offices are capitalized as they are: (1) reasonably expected to be recovered from the sale of the project; and (2) incurred for (a) tangible assets that are used directly throughout the selling period to aid in the sale of the project or (b) services that have been performed to obtain regulatory approval of sales. Capitalized marketing costs are included in prepaid and other assets in the homebuilding section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the associated amortization expense is included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) in the homebuilding section of the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as the homes in the related subdivision are delivered. We allocate all capitalized marketing costs equally to each house within a subdivision and record expense as homes close over the life of a subdivision. All other marketing costs are expensed as incurred.

Variable Interest Entities.  In accordance with ASC Topic 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), we analyze our land option contracts and other contractual arrangements to determine whether the corresponding land sellers are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and, if so, whether we are the primary beneficiary. Although we do not have legal title to the optioned land, ASC 810 requires a company to consolidate a VIE if the company is determined to be the primary beneficiary. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary, we consider, among other things, whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact VIE’s economic performance, including, but not limited to, determining or limiting the scope or purpose of the VIE, selling or transferring property owned or controlled by the VIE, or arranging financing for the VIE. We also consider whether we have the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. We have concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, we were not the primary beneficiary of any VIEs from which we are purchasing land under land option contracts.

Related Party Assets. Our related party assets are debt security bonds acquired from a quasi-municipal corporation in the state of Colorado. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-9

Goodwill. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles–Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), we evaluate goodwill for possible impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We use a three step process to assess the realizability of goodwill. The first step is a qualitative assessment that analyzes current economic indicators associated with a particular reporting unit. For example, we analyze changes in economic, market and industry conditions, business strategy, cost factors, and financial performance, among others, to determine if there would be a significant decline to the fair value of a particular reporting unit. If the qualitative assessment indicates a stable or improved fair value, no further testing is required.

If a qualitative assessment indicates that a significant decline to fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not, or if a reporting unit’s fair value has historically been closer to its carrying value, we will proceed to the second step where we calculate the fair value of a reporting unit based on discounted future probability-weighted cash flows. If this step indicates that the carrying value of a reporting unit is in excess of its fair value, we will proceed to the third step where the fair value of the reporting unit will be allocated to assets and liabilities as they would in a business combination. Impairment occurs when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value calculated in the third step.

Based on our analysis, we have concluded as of December 31, 2014, our goodwill was not impaired.

Liability for Unrecognized Tax Benefits. ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, regarding liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits provides guidance for the recognition and measurement in financial statements of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.

The evaluation of a tax position is a two-step process, the first step being recognition. We determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon tax examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation, based on the technical merits of the position. The technical merits of a tax position derive from both statutory and judicial authority (legislation and statutes, legislative intent, regulations, rulings, and case law) and their applicability to the facts and circumstances of the tax position. If a tax position does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the benefit of that position is not recognized in the financial statements.

The second step is measurement. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate resolution with a taxing authority. Once the gross unrecognized tax benefit is determined, we also accrue for any interest and penalties, as well as any offsets expected from resultant amendments to federal or state tax returns. We record the aggregate effect of these items in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. To the extent this tax position would be offset against a similar deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed, the liability is treated as a reduction to the related deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward. Otherwise, we record the corresponding liability in accrued liabilities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets.

Warranty Accrual. Our homes are sold with limited third-party warranties. Under our agreement with the issuer of the third-party warranties, we are responsible for performing all of the work for the first two years of the warranty coverage and paying for substantially all of the work required to be performed during years three through ten of the warranties. We record accruals for general and structural warranty claims, as well as accruals for known, unusual warranty-related expenditures. Warranty accrual is recorded based upon historical payment experience in an amount estimated to be adequate to cover expected costs of materials and outside labor during warranty periods. The determination of the warranty accrual rate for closed homes and the evaluation of our warranty accrual balance at period end are based on an internally developed analysis that includes known facts and interpretations of circumstances, including, among other things, our trends in historical warranty payment levels and warranty payments for claims not considered to be normal and recurring.

Warranty payments are recorded against the warranty accrual. Additional reserves may be established for known, unusual warranty-related expenditures not covered through the independent warranty accrual analysis performed by us. Warranty payments incurred for an individual house may differ from the related reserve established for the home at the time it was closed. The actual disbursements for warranty claims are evaluated in the aggregate to determine if an adjustment to the historical warranty accrual should be recorded.

F-10

We assess the reasonableness and adequacy of the reserve and the per-unit reserve amount originally included in home cost of sales, as well as the timing of the reversal of any excess reserve on a quarterly basis, using historical payment data and other relevant information. Warranty accrual is included in accrued liabilities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets and adjustments to our warranty accrual is recorded as an increase or reduction to home cost of sales in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations.

Insurance Reserves. The establishment of reserves for estimated losses associated with insurance policies issued by Allegiant and re-insurance agreements issued by StarAmerican are based on actuarial developed studies that include known facts and interpretations of circumstances, including our experience with similar cases and historical trends involving claim payment patterns, pending levels of unpaid claims, product mix or concentration, claim severity, frequency patterns depending on the business conducted, and changing regulatory and legal environments.

Mortgage Loan Loss Reserves.  In the normal course of business, we establish reserves for potential losses associated with HomeAmerican’s sale of mortgage loans to third-parties. These reserves are created to address repurchase and indemnity claims by third-party purchasers of the mortgage loans, which claims arise primarily out of, but not limited to, allegations of homebuyer fraud at the time of origination of the loan, missing documentation, loan processing defects or defective appraisals. These reserves are based upon, among other matters: (1) pending claims received from third-party purchasers associated with previously sold mortgage loans; (2) a current assessment of the potential exposure associated with future claims of loan processing defects or homebuyer fraud in mortgage loans originated in prior periods; and (3) historical loss experience.

In addition to reserves established for mortgage loans previously sold to third-parties, we establish reserves for loans that we have repurchased if we believe the loss is likely and estimable. Our mortgage loan reserves are reflected as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and the associated expenses are included in expenses in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Litigation Reserves. We and certain of our subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various cases. We reserve for estimated exposure with respect to these cases based upon currently available information on each case. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments. The derivative instruments we utilize in the normal course of business are interest rate lock commitments and forward sales of mortgage-backed securities, both of which typically are short-term in nature. Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities are utilized to hedge changes in fair value of our interest rate lock commitments as well as mortgage loans held-for-sale not under commitments to sell. For forward sales of securities, as well as interest rate lock commitments that are still outstanding at the end of a reporting period, we record the changes in fair value of the derivatives in revenues in the financial services section of our consolidated statements of operations with an offset to prepaid expenses and other assets or accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the financial services section of our accompanying consolidated balance sheets, depending on the nature of the change.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had interest rate lock commitments with aggregate principal balances of approximately $42.8 million and $69.8 million, respectively, at average interest rates of 3.69% and 4.13%, respectively. In addition, we had $13.6 million and $25.9 million of mortgage loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, that had not yet been committed to a mortgage purchaser. In order to hedge the changes in fair value of our interest rate lock commitments and mortgage loans held-for-sale which had not yet been committed to a mortgage purchaser, we had forward sales of securities totaling $41.0 million and $74.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we recorded net gains (losses) on our derivatives of $(0.8) million, $(0.1) million and $1.1 million, respectively. For further discussion of our policies regarding interest rate lock commitments, see our “Revenue Recognition for HomeAmerican” accounting policy section below.

Revenue Recognition for Homebuilding Segments.  Revenue from home closings and land sales is recognized when the closing has occurred, title has passed, adequate initial and continuing investment by the buyer is received, possession and other attributes of ownership have been transferred to the buyer and we are not obligated to perform significant additional activities after closing and delivery. If the buyer has provided sufficient initial and continuing investment, and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met, revenue is recognized on the date of closing. Revenue from a home closing includes the base sales price and any purchased options and upgrades and is reduced for any sales price incentives.

F-11

We defer Operating Margin related to the sale of a home if all of the following criteria are present: (1) HomeAmerican originates the mortgage loan; (2) HomeAmerican has not sold the mortgage loan, or loans, as of the end of the pertinent reporting period; and (3) the homebuyer’s down payment does not meet the initial or continuing investment criteria. The deferral is subsequently recognized at the time HomeAmerican sells the homebuyer’s mortgage loan, or loans, to a third-party purchaser. In the event the Operating Margin is a loss, we recognize such loss at the time the home is closed. We did not have any homes that closed during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012 that failed to meet the continuing investment criteria.

Revenue Recognition for HomeAmerican.  Revenues recorded by HomeAmerican primarily include origination fees and the corresponding sale of a loan and either the release or retention of a loan’s servicing rights. Origination fees are recognized when a loan is originated. When an interest rate lock commitment is made to a customer, we record the expected gain on sale of the mortgage including servicing rights, adjusted for a pull-through percentage (which is defined as the likelihood that an interest rate lock commitment will be originated), as revenue. As the interest rate lock commitment gets closer to being originated, the expected gain on the sale of that loan plus its servicing rights is updated to reflect current market value and the increase or decrease in the fair value of that interest rate lock commitment is recorded through revenues. At the same time, the expected pull-through percentage of the interest rate lock commitment to be originated is updated (typically an increase as the interest lock commitment gets closer to origination) and, if there has been a change, revenues are adjusted as necessary. After origination, our mortgage loans, generally including their servicing rights, are sold to third-party purchasers in accordance with sale agreements entered into by us with a third-party purchaser of the loans. We make representations and warranties with respect to the status of loans transferred in the sale agreements. The sale agreements generally include statements acknowledging the transfer of the loans is intended by both parties to constitute a sale. Sale of a mortgage loan has occurred when the following criteria, among others, have been met: (1) fair consideration has been paid for transfer of the loan by a third party in an arms-length transaction, (2) all the usual risks and rewards of ownership that are in substance a sale have been transferred by us to the third party purchaser; and (3) we do not have a substantial continuing involvement with the mortgage loan.

We measure mortgage loans held-for-sale at fair value with the changes in fair value being reported in earnings at each reporting date. The impact of recording changes in fair value to earnings did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012. Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net, were $15.5 million, $28.7 million and $21.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and are included as a component of revenues in the financial services section of the consolidated statements of operations.

Home Cost of Sales. Home cost of sales includes the specific construction costs of each home and all applicable land acquisition, land development and related costs, both incurred and estimated to be incurred, warranty costs and finance and closing costs, including closing cost incentives. We use the specific identification method for the purpose of accumulating home construction costs and allocate costs to each lot within a subdivision associated with land acquisition and land development based upon relative fair value of the lots prior to home construction. Lots within a subdivision typically have comparable fair values, and, as such, we generally allocate costs equally to each lot within a subdivision. We record all home cost of sales when a home is closed on a house-by-house basis.

When a home is closed, we generally have not yet paid and recorded all costs necessary to complete the construction of the home and certain land development costs. At the time of a home closing, we compare the home construction budgets to actual recorded costs to determine the additional costs remaining to be paid on each closed home. For amounts not incurred or paid as of the time of closing a home, we record an estimated accrual associated with certain home construction and land development costs. Generally, these accruals are established based upon contracted work which has yet to be paid, open work orders not paid at the time of home closing, as well as land completion costs more likely than not to be incurred, and represent estimates believed to be adequate to cover the expected remaining home construction and land development costs. We monitor the adequacy of these accruals on a house-by-house basis and in the aggregate on a subdivision-by-subdivision basis. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had $10.1 million and $9.6 million, respectively, of land development and home construction accruals for closed homes. Actual results could differ from such estimates.

F-12

Stock-Based Compensation Expense. Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards is based on the grant date fair value. The grant date fair value for stock option awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the grant date fair value for restricted stock awards is based upon the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. We recognize these compensation costs net of estimated forfeitures. For stock option awards with service conditions only, we recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is currently the vesting term of up to seven years. For our stock option awards with performance conditions, we recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis for each performance criteria tranche (if applicable) over the period between the date that it is determined the performance conditions related to each tranche (if applicable) are probable to be met and the date the option vests.

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share. For purposes of calculating earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”), a company that has participating security holders (for example, unvested restricted stock that has nonforfeitable dividend rights) is required to utilize the two-class method for calculating earnings per share unless the treasury stock method results in lower EPS. The two-class method is an allocation of earnings/(loss) between the holders of common stock and a company’s participating security holders. Under the two-class method, earnings/(loss) for the reporting period are allocated between common shareholders and other security holders based on their respective rights to receive distributed earnings (i.e., dividends) and undistributed earnings (i.e., net income/(loss)). Currently, we have one class of security and we have participating security holders consisting of shareholders of unvested restricted stock. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing income or loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. To calculate diluted EPS, basic EPS is further adjusted to include the effect of potential dilutive stock options outstanding.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards. In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists ("ASU 2013-11"). This update requires companies to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, unless certain conditions exist. ASU 2013-11 was effective for our interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2014. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"), which is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model. Under ASU 2014-09, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and is to be applied retrospectively, with early application not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the pronouncement will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures ("ASU 2014-11"), which makes limited amendments to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 860, "Transfers and Servicing." ASU 2014-11 requires entities to account for repurchase-to-maturity transactions as secured borrowings, eliminates accounting guidance on linked repurchase financing transactions, and expands disclosure requirements related to certain transfers of financial assets. ASU 2014-11 is effective for our fiscal periods beginning January 1, 2015 and interim periods beginning April 1, 2015. Early adoption is not permitted. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financialstatements.

F-13

2.             Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure

The table below sets forth supplemental disclosures of cash flow information and non-cash investing and financing activities.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash paid for:
Interest, net of interest capitalized	$	1,843		$	-	$	1,083
Income taxes	$	2,793		$	5,161	$	577
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities	$	(1,120	)	$	6,737	$	12,078

3. Segment Reporting

Our operating segments are defined as a component of an enterprise for which discrete financial information is available and is reviewed regularly by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), or decision-making group, to evaluate performance and make operating decisions. We have identified our CODM as two key executives—the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer.

We have identified each homebuilding division as an operating segment. Our operating segments have been aggregated into the reportable segments noted below because they are similar in the following regards: (1) economic characteristics; (2) housing products; (3) class of homebuyer; (4) regulatory environments; and (5) methods used to construct and sell homes. Our homebuilding reportable segments are as follows:

● West (Arizona, California, Nevada and Washington)

● Mountain (Colorado and Utah)

● East (Virginia, Florida, Illinois and Maryland, which includes Pennsylvania and New Jersey)

Our financial services business consists of the operations of the following operating segments: (1)  HomeAmerican; (2) Allegiant; (3) StarAmerican; (4) American Home Insurance Agency, Inc.; and (5) American Home Title and Escrow Company. Due to its contributions to consolidated pretax income we consider HomeAmerican to be a reportable segment, mortgage operations. The remaining operating segments have been aggregated into one reportable segment, other, because they do not individually exceed 10 percent of: (1) consolidated revenue; (2) the greater of (A) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or (B) the positive value of the combined reported loss of all operating segments that reported losses; or (3) consolidated assets.

Corporate is a non-operating segment that develops and implements strategic initiatives and supports our operating divisions by centralizing key administrative functions such as finance and treasury, information technology, insurance and risk management, litigation and human resources. Corporate also provides the necessary administrative functions to support MDC as a publicly traded company. A portion of the expenses incurred by Corporate are allocated to the homebuilding operating segments based on their respective percentages of assets, and to a lesser degree, a portion of Corporate expenses are allocated to the financial services segments. A majority of Corporate’s personnel and resources are primarily dedicated to activities relating to the homebuilding segments, and, therefore, the balance of any unallocated Corporate expenses is included in the homebuilding segment.

F-14

The following table summarizes home and land sale revenues for our homebuilding operations and revenues for our financial services operations.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding
West	$	770,051	$	671,278	$	516,079
Mountain		534,244		546,801		355,368
East		346,336		411,096		284,695
Total home and land sale revenues	$	1,650,631	$	1,629,175	$	1,156,142
Financial Services
Mortgage operations	$	25,887	$	34,976	$	35,123
Other		18,066		16,283		11,758
Total financial services revenues	$	43,953	$	51,259	$	46,881
Total revenues	$	1,694,584	$	1,680,434	$	1,203,023

The following table summarizes pretax income (loss) for our homebuilding and financial services operations.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding
West	$	63,071		$	65,672		$	27,076
Mountain		39,343			52,392			24,302
East		10,730			19,590			11,011
Corporate		(37,340	)		(37,331	)		(29,772	)
Total homebuilding pretax income	$	75,804		$	100,323		$	32,617
Financial Services
Mortgage operations	$	14,034		$	21,608		$	23,939
Other		10,637			7,894			4,559
Total financial services pretax income	$	24,671		$	29,502		$	28,498
Total pretax income	$	100,475		$	129,825		$	61,115

The following table summarizes total assets for our homebuilding and financial services operations. The assets in our West, Mountain and East segments consist primarily of inventory while the assets in our Corporate segment primarily include cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and our deferred tax asset. The assets in our financial services segment consist mostly of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and mortgage loans held-for-sale.

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding assets
West	$	893,970	$	760,450
Mountain		516,971		418,796
East		343,718		297,627
Corporate		465,368		951,809
Total homebuilding assets	$	2,220,027	$	2,428,682
Financial services assets
Mortgage operations	$	94,265	$	99,065
Other		44,146		67,702
Total financial services assets	$	138,411	$	166,767
Total assets	$	2,358,438	$	2,595,449

F-15

4.             Earnings Per Share

The following table shows our basic and diluted EPS calculations:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Numerator
Net income	$	63,143		$	314,385		$	62,699
Less: distributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(196	)		-			(1,101	)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(60	)		(4,917	)		-
Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic earnings per share)		62,887			309,468			61,598
Add back: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		60			4,917			-
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities		(60	)		(4,879	)		-
Numerator for diluted earnings per share under two class method	$	62,887		$	309,506		$	61,598
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		48,615,541			48,453,119			47,660,629
Add: dilutive effect of stock options		202,025			378,666			173,527
Denominator for diluted earnings per share under two class method		48,817,566			48,831,785			47,834,156
Basic Earnings Per Common Share	$	1.29		$	6.39		$	1.29
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	$	1.29		$	6.34		$	1.29

Diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 excluded options to purchase approximately 4.3 million, 3.8 million and 4.7 million shares, respectively, of common stock because the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

F-16

5.             Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table sets forth our changes in accumulated other comprehensive income:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities (1) :
Beginning balance	$	7,655		$	4,838		$	(7,240	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(3,025	)		3,255			12,473
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2)		(1,855	)		(438	)		(395	)
Ending balance	$	2,775		$	7,655		$	4,838
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale metropolitan district bond securities (1) :
Beginning balance	$	3,920		$	-		$	-
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		3,760			3,920			-
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		-			-			-
Ending balance	$	7,680		$	3,920		$	-
Total ending AOCI	$	10,455		$	11,575		$	4,838
_______________________

(1)  All amounts net-of-tax.

(2) See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.

The following table sets forth the activity related to reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to available for sale securities:

	Year Ended December 31,
Affected Line Item in the Statements of Operations	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding interest and other income	$	7,210		$	580		$	823
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(4,293	)		-			-
Financial services interest and other income		100			133			(181	)
Income before income taxes		3,017			713			642
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		(1,162	)		(275	)		(247	)
Net income	$	1,855		$	438		$	395

F-17

6.             Fair Value Measurements

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”), defines fair value, establishes guidelines for measuring fair value and expands disclosures regarding fair value measurements. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The following table sets forth the fair values and methods used for measuring the fair values of financial instruments on a recurring basis: 

		Fair Value
Financial Instrument	Hierarchy	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Equity securities	Level 1	$	129,560	$	389,323
Debt securities - maturity less than 1 year	Level 2		1,511		72,577
Debt securities - maturity 1 to 5 years	Level 2		7,643		106,566
Debt securities - maturity greater than 5 years	Level 2		17,426		19,601
Total available-for-sale securities		$	156,140	$	588,067
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	Level 2	$	88,392	$	92,578
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party) (available-for-sale)	Level 3	$	18,203	$	12,729

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.

Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, trade and other receivables, prepaid and other assets, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities. Fair value approximates carrying value.

Marketable Securities.  We have marketable debt and equity securities. Our equity securities consist of holdings in mutual fund securities, which invest in debt securities and holdings in corporate equities. Our debt securities consist primarily of fixed and floating rate interest earning debt securities, which may include, among others, United States government and government agency debt and corporate debt. We measure the fair value of our debt securities using a third party pricing service that either provides quoted prices in less active markets for identical or similar securities or uses observable inputs for their pricing, both of which are level 2 inputs.As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, all of our marketable securities were treated as available-for-sale investments and, as such, we have recorded all of our marketable securities at fair value with changes in fair value being recorded as a component AOCI.

Each quarter we assess all of our securities in an unrealized loss position for potential other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). Our assessment includes a consideration of many factors, both qualitative and quantitative, including the amount of the unrealized loss, the period of time the security has been in a loss position, the financial condition of the issuer and whether we have the intent and ability to hold the securities, among other factors. During third quarter of 2014, we recorded a pre-tax OTTI of $4.3 million for certain of our mutual funds that were in a loss position as of quarter end. The OTTI is included in other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations.

F-18

The following tables set forth the amortized cost and estimated fair value of our available-for-sale marketable securities. 

	December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Equity securities	$	116,009	$	120,274	$	375,142	$	385,303
Debt securities		20,660		20,604		181,635		183,718
Total homebuilding available-for-sale marketable securities	$	136,669	$	140,878	$	556,777	$	569,021
Financial Services:
Equity securities	$	9,028	$	9,286	$	4,000	$	4,020
Debt securities		5,930		5,976		14,721		15,026
Total financial services available-for-sale marketable securities	$	14,958	$	15,262	$	18,721	$	19,046
Total available-for-sale marketable securities	$	151,627	$	156,140	$	575,498	$	588,067

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, our marketable securities were in a net unrealized gain position totaling $4.5 million and $12.6 million, respectively. Our marketable securities which were in unrealized loss positions aggregated to unrealized losses of $3.1 million and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The table below sets forth the debt and equity securities that were in an aggregate loss position. We do not believe that the aggregate unrealized loss related to our debt or equity securities as of December 31, 2014 is material to our operations.

	December 31, 2014							December 31, 2013
	Number of Securities in Loss Position		Aggregate Loss Position			Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in a Loss Position		Number of Securities in Loss Position		Aggregate Loss Position			Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in a Loss Position
	(Dollars in thousands)
Type of Investment
Debt		52	$	(359	)	$	14,536		72	$	(430	)	$	46,440
Equity		6		(2,738	)		74,999		7		(713	)		14,174
Total		58	$	(3,097	)	$	89,535		79	$	(1,143	)	$	60,614

The following tables set forth gross realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale marketable securities, which were included in either interest and other income in the homebuilding section or interest and other income in the financial services section of our consolidated statements of operations.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	$	7,719		$	1,251		$	-
Debt securities		2,432			83			608
Total	$	10,151		$	1,334		$	608
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	$	(6,183	)	$	-		$	-
Debt securities		(952	)		(3,794	)		(1,287	)
Total	$	(7,135	)	$	(3,794	)	$	(1,287	)
Net realized gain (loss) on sales of available-for-sale securities	$	3,016		$	(2,460	)	$	(679	)

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale, Net.  As of December 31, 2014, the primary components of our mortgage loans held-for-sale that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are: (1) mortgage loans held-for-sale under commitments to sell; and (2) mortgage loans held-for-sale not under commitments to sell. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $72.3 million and $65.1 million, respectively, of mortgage loans held-for-sale under commitments to sell for which fair value was based upon Level 2 inputs, which were the quoted market prices for those mortgage loans. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $13.6 million and $25.9 million, respectively, of mortgage loans held-for-sale that were not under commitments to sell. The fair value for those loans was primarily based upon the estimated market price received from an outside party, which is a Level 2 fair value input.   

F-19

Metro District Bond Securities (Related Party).  The Metro District Bond Securities (“Metro Bonds”) are included in the homebuilding section of our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Cash flows received by the Company from these securities reflect principal and interest payments from the quasi-municipal corporation in the state of Colorado (the “Metro District”) that are supported by an annual levy on the taxable value of real estate and personal property within the Metro District’s boundaries and a one-time fee assessed on permits obtained by MDC in the Metro District. The stated year of maturity for the Metro Bonds is 2037. However, if the unpaid principal and all accrued interest are not paid off by the year 2037, the Company will continue to receive principal and interest payments in perpetuity until the unpaid principal and accrued interest is paid in full. Since 2007 and through the first quarter of 2013, we accounted for these securities under the cost recovery method and they were not carried at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“ASC 310-30”).

In the second quarter of 2013, we determined that these securities no longer were required to be accounted for under the cost recovery method due to an increase in the number of new homes delivered in the community coupled with the stabilization of property values within the Metro District. In accordance with ASC 310-30, we now adjust the bond principal balance on a prospective basis using an interest accretion model that utilizes future cash flows expected to be collected. Furthermore, as this investment is accounted for as an available-for-sale asset, we update its fair value on a quarterly basis, with the adjustment being recorded through AOCI. The fair value is based upon a discounted future cash flow model, which uses Level 3 inputs. The two primary unobservable inputs used in our discounted cash flow model are the forecasted number of homes to be closed, as they drive any increases to the tax base for the Metro District, and the discount rate. The table below provides quantitative data, as of December 31, 2014, regarding each unobservable input and the sensitivity of fair value to potential changes in those unobservable inputs.

	Quantitative Data				Sensitivity Analysis
Unobservable Input	Range		Weighted Average		Movement in Fair Value from Increase in Input	Movement in Fair Value from Decrease in Input
Number of homes closed per year		0 to 123		93	Increase	Decrease
Discount rate		5.2% to 14%		10.2%	Decrease	Increase

The table set forth below summarizes the activity for our Metro Bonds.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	12,729		$	5,818
Increase in fair value (recorded in other comprehensive income)		6,114			6,373
Change due to accretion of principal		1,405			1,192
Cash receipts		(2,045	)		(654	)
Balance at end of period	$	18,203		$	12,729

Mortgage Repurchase Facility. The debt associated with our Mortgage Repurchase Facility (see Note 16 for further discussion) is at floating rates or at fixed rates that approximate current market rates and have relatively short-term maturities, generally within 30 days. The fair value approximates carrying value and is based on Level 2 inputs.

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Senior Notes. The estimated values of the senior notes in the following table are based on Level 2 inputs, including market prices of other homebuilder bonds.

	December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
5⅜% Senior Notes due December 2014, net	$	-	$	-	$	249,814	$	258,750
5⅜% Senior Notes due July 2015, net		-		-		249,935		262,562
5⅝% Senior Notes due February 2020, net		246,450		257,950		245,871		259,688
5½% Senior Notes due January 2024		250,000		242,608		-		-
6% Senior Notes due January 2043		350,000		296,555		350,000		305,083
Total	$	846,450	$	797,113	$	1,095,620	$	1,086,083

Inventories.  The table below sets forth the carrying value, at each year end, of all inventories that were impaired during each year presented.

	Carrying Value of
	Impaired Inventory at
	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
West	$	-	$	-
Mountain		4,378		-
East		2,331		4,187
Total	$	6,709	$	4,187

Inventories with carrying values prior to impairment of $10.7 million and $5.8 million were determined to be impaired during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The carrying value for some of these inventories at their respective year ends may not represent the fair value they were impaired to due to activities that occurred subsequent to the measurement date. The fair values of impaired inventories were determined using Level 3 inputs. We generally determine the estimated fair value of each subdivision by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows at discount rates that are commensurate with the risk of the subdivision under evaluation.

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7.             Inventories

The following table sets forth, by reportable segment, information relating to our homebuilding inventories: 

	December 31,		December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
West	$	343,134	$	270,778
Mountain		220,489		194,101
East		169,069		171,821
Subtotal		732,692		636,700
Land and Land Under Development:
West		507,252		459,512
Mountain		277,583		211,526
East		150,433		103,923
Subtotal		935,268		774,961
Total Inventories	$	1,667,960	$	1,411,661

In accordance with ASC 360, homebuilding inventories are carried at cost unless events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the underlying subdivision may not be recoverable. We evaluate inventories for impairment at each quarter end. Please see “Inventories” in Note 1 and the discussion below for more detail on the methods and assumptions that were used to estimate the fair value of our inventories.

Inventory impairments recognized by segment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are shown in the table below:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
West	$	-	$	-	$	-
Mountain		234		-		-
East		1,000		802		295
Subtotal		1,234		802		295
Land and Land Under Development:
West		-		-		-
Mountain		526		-		-
East		-		117		810
Subtotal		526		117		810
Total Inventories	$	1,760	$	919	$	1,105

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded $1.8 million of inventory impairments related to four projects; three in our Maryland division in our East segment and one in our Colorado division in our Mountain segment. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $0.9 million of inventory impairments related to three projects in Maryland. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we recorded $1.1 million of inventory impairments related to two projects in Maryland. These communities were all impaired based on their slow sales absorption rates experienced during each of 2014, 2013 and 2012 as well as the estimated or actual sales price reductions required to sell the remaining lots and houses.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we used discount rates ranging from 10% to 18% for the subdivisions that were impaired.

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8.             Capitalization of Interest

We capitalize interest to inventories during the period of development in accordance with ASC Topic 835, Interest (“ASC 835”). Homebuilding interest capitalized as a cost of inventories is included in cost of sales as related units or lots are sold. To the extent our homebuilding debt exceeds our qualified assets as defined in ASC 835, we expense a portion of the interest incurred. Qualified homebuilding assets consist of all lots and homes, excluding finished unsold homes or finished models, within projects that are actively selling or under development. The table set forth below summarizes homebuilding interest activity.

The homebuilding interest expensed in the table below relates to the portion of interest incurred where our homebuilding debt exceeded our qualified inventory for such periods in accordance with ASC 835.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding interest incurred	$	66,269		$	61,634		$	42,315
Less: Interest capitalized		(65,584	)		(59,908	)		(41,507	)
Homebuilding interest expensed	$	685		$	1,726		$	808
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$	74,155		$	68,508		$	58,107
Plus: Interest capitalized during period		65,584			59,908			41,507
Less: Previously capitalized interest included in home cost of sales		(60,508	)		(54,261	)		(31,106	)
Interest capitalized, end of period	$	79,231		$	74,155		$	68,508

9.             Homebuilding Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

The following table sets forth the components of homebuilding prepaid and other assets.

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Land option deposits	$	12,895	$	15,221
Deferred marketing costs		29,231		15,830
Prepaid expenses		5,104		4,349
Goodwill		6,008		6,008
Deferred debt issuance costs, net		13,004		11,527
Other		1,754		590
Total	$	67,996	$	53,525

We experienced a significant increase in our deferred marking costs from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014 due primarily to the increase in our active community count between those two years. 

F-23

10.          Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

The following table sets forth information relating to homebuilding accrued liabilities.

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Accrued compensation and related expenses	$	27,541	$	35,990
Accrued interest		23,234		24,198
Warranty accrual		18,346		22,238
Customer and escrow deposits		16,728		10,759
Land development and home construction accruals		10,108		9,592
Accrued executive deferred compensation		-		30,796
Other accrued liabilities		19,160		19,248
Total accrued liabilities	$	115,117	$	152,821

The following table sets forth information relating to financial services accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Insurance reserves	$	50,470	$	49,637
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		6,798		6,002
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	57,268	$	55,639

11.          Warranty Accrual

The table set forth below summarizes accrual, adjustment and payment activity related to our warranty accrual for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. As a result of favorable warranty payment experience relative to our estimates at the time of home closing, we reduced our warranty accrual by $2.6 million in 2014. We had no adjustments during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. Additionally, from time to time, we change our warranty accrual rates based on payment trends. Any changes made to those rates did not materially affect our warranty expense or gross margin from home sales for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	22,238		$	23,151		$	25,525
Expense provisions		4,834			5,562			4,216
Cash payments		(6,126	)		(6,475	)		(6,590	)
Adjustments		(2,600	)		-			-
Balance at end of period	$	18,346		$	22,238		$	23,151

12.           Insurance Reserves

The following table summarizes the insurance reserve activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. The insurance reserve is included as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

	December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	49,637		$	47,852		$	49,376
Expense provisions		6,316			7,065			4,565
Cash payments, net of recoveries		(5,483	)		(5,280	)		(8,020	)
Adjustments		-			-			1,931
Balance at end of period	$	50,470		$	49,637		$	47,852

F-24

The $1.9 million adjustment to increase our insurance reserve during the year ended December 31, 2012 primarily resulted from an increase in the severity and frequency of insurance claim experience relative to prior period estimates. No such adjustments were required for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

In the ordinary course of business, we make payments from our insurance reserves to settle litigation claims arising primarily from our homebuilding activities. These payments are irregular in both their timing and their magnitude. As a result, the cash payments, net of recoveries shown for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, are not necessarily indicative of what future cash payments will be for subsequent periods.

13.          Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans

Effective August 1, 2008, the Company entered into amended and restated employment agreements (as amended on March 8, 2012, the “Employment Agreements”) with Larry A. Mizel, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and David D. Mandarich, President and Chief Operating Officer (collectively, the “Executive Officers”), which provided certain annual post-retirement pension benefits (the “Retirement Benefits”) depending on the year of retirement. In response to concerns expressed by significant institutional investors, and in accordance with the recommendation of an independent compensation consultant to the Company’s Compensation Committee, the Company announced that it had reached agreements (collectively, the “Second Amendments”) with the Executive Officers for the early termination, effective on October 18, 2013, of the Retirement Benefits contained in their respective Employment Agreements. Pursuant to the Second Amendments, on October 20, 2014, the Company paid each of Mr. Mizel and Mr. Mandarich a deferred lump sum in the amount of $14.8 million and $16.0 million, respectively, in full satisfaction of their past, present and future Retirement Benefits. The Company’s termination of the Retirement Benefits is irrevocable. As a result of the termination of the Retirement Benefits, the Company will no longer incur ongoing Retirement Benefit accruals.

Because the Company believed that it was more likely than not that the Second Amendment payments would not be deductible for tax purposes under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 162(m), we wrote off approximately $11.9 million of our deferred tax asset in 2013.

14.           Income Taxes

Our provision for (benefit from) income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Current tax provision (benefit)
Federal	$	1,631	$	2,611		$	(374	)
State		1,475		-			(1,210	)
Total current		3,106		2,611			(1,584	)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)
Federal		28,630		(171,037	)		-
State		5,596		(16,134	)		-
Total deferred		34,226		(187,171	)		-
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	37,332	$	(184,560	)	$	(1,584	)

F-25

The provision for (benefit from) income taxes differs from the amount that would be computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% to income before income taxes as a result of the following:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tax expense computed at federal statutory rate	$	35,166		$	45,439		$	21,390
State income tax expense, net of federal benefit		3,340			4,544			2,139
Permanent differences		(1,435	)		(358	)		1,771
Expiration of state net operating loss		3,030			3,874			2,634
Tax expense (benefit) related to an increase (decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits		559			(552	)		(1,857	)
Write-off of deferred tax asset for deferred compensation retirement plans		-			11,856			-
Charitable contributions statute expiration		181			-			-
Federal energy credits		(1,131	)		(6,530	)		-
Rate changes		866			-			-
Change in valuation allowance		(1,665	)		(242,833	)		(27,661	)
Other		(1,579	)		-			-
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	37,332		$	(184,560	)	$	(1,584	)
Effective tax (benefit) rate		37.2%			(142.2%	)		(2.6%	)

We recorded income tax expense of $37.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 while we recorded income tax benefits of $184.6 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2013 was due primarily to a $187.6 million reversal of a portion of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the 2013 second quarter in addition to a $6.5 million benefit from energy credits relating to current and prior years. These amounts were slightly offset by an $11.9 million write-off of a deferred tax asset related to the termination of certain post-retirement pension benefits contained in the employment agreements of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer as discussed in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We concluded that the reversal of a portion of our valuation allowance during the 2013 second quarter was appropriate after determining that it was more likely than not, after our evaluation of all relevant positive and negative evidence, that we would be able to realize most of our deferred tax assets within the applicable carry forward periods.

The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2012 was due primarily to the release of reserves related to settlements with various taxing authorities.

Due to the effects of the deferred tax valuation allowance and changes in unrecognized tax benefits, our effective tax rates in 2013 and 2012 were not meaningful as the income tax benefit is not directly correlated to the amount of pretax income or loss generated in such periods.

At December 31, 2014 we had a valuation allowance of $13.0 million. $6.7 million of the total valuation allowance is related to various state net operating loss carryforwards where realization is more uncertain at this time due to the more limited carryforward periods that exist in certain states. The remaining $6.3 million is related to the amount by which the carrying value of our Metro Bonds for tax purposes exceeds our carrying value for book purposes that we believe realization is more uncertain at this time.

F-26

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The tax effects of significant temporary differences that give rise to the net deferred tax asset are as follows: 

	December 31,
	2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	47,200		$	72,700
State net operating loss carryforwards		36,100			38,082
Alternative minimum tax and other tax credit carryforwards		27,582			24,196
Stock-based compensation expense		22,545			26,651
Warranty, litigation and other reserves		12,364			15,543
Receivables from related party		10,273			12,132
Accrued compensation		6,442			11,136
Asset impairment charges		2,785			5,496
Inventory, additional costs capitalized for tax purposes		3,257			1,700
Other, net		1,806			3,446
Total deferred tax assets		170,354			211,082
Valuation allowance		(13,027	)		(14,669	)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		157,327			196,413
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, equipment and other assets		5,025			5,512
Discount on notes receivable		4,149			4,204
Deferred revenue		4,306			3,985
Unrealized gain on marketable securities		1,737			4,915
Other, net		1,624			1,535
Total deferred tax liabilities		16,841			20,151
Net deferred tax asset	$	140,486		$	176,262

At December 31, 2014, we had $47.2 million in tax effected federal net operating loss carryforwards. These operating loss carryforwards, if unused, will begin to expire in 2030. Additionally, we had $36.1 million in tax-effected state net operating loss carryforwards and $0.2 million of these operating loss carryforwards are at risk to expire in 2015 if they remain unused. The remaining operating loss carryforwards, if unused, will begin to expire in 2018.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, our total liability for uncertain tax positions was $0.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively, which has been either included in accrued liabilities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets or, in accordance with ASU 2013-11, offset against our state net operating loss carryforward deferred tax asset. The following table summarizes activity for the gross unrecognized tax benefit component of our total liability for uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	371		$	575		$	2,712
Increases related to prior year tax positions		633			124			63
Decreases related to prior year tax positions		(85	)		(53	)		(84	)
Increases related to current year tax positions		-			-			-
Decreases related to current year tax positions		-			-			-
Settlements with taxing authorities		-			-			-
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations		(14	)		(275	)		(2,116	)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	905		$	371		$	575

Our liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits was $0.9million and $0.4 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, all of which, if recognized, would reduce our effective tax rate.

F-27

The net expense (benefit) for interest and penalties reflected in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0.2 million, $0 and ($0.4) million, respectively. The corresponding liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets were $0.3 million and $0.3 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

We have taken positions in certain taxing jurisdictions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits may decrease within the next twelve months. The possible decrease could result from the expiration of various statutes of limitation and the finalization of various state income tax matters. The estimated range of the reasonably possible decrease is $0 to $0.2 million.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. We are subject to U.S. federal income tax examination for calendar tax years ending 2011 through 2014. Additionally, we are subject to various state income tax examinations for the 2010 through 2014 calendar tax years.

15.           Related Party Transactions

We previously entered into a transaction (the “Transaction”) with the Villages at Castle Rock Metropolitan District No. 6 (the “District”). The District is a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Colorado. The Board of Directors of the District currently is comprised of employees of the Company. The District was formed to provide funding for certain land development costs associated with the construction of homes in our Cobblestone subdivision. Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction, the District sold to the Company approximately $22.5 million in Limited Tax General Obligation Capital Appreciation Bonds Series 2007 (the “2007 Bonds”) and a $1.6 million Limited Tax General Obligation Subordinate Bond (the “Subordinate Bond”) in exchange for title to approximately $28.6 million in land development improvements to the District.

We initially recorded the 2007 Bonds and Subordinate Bond at an estimated $8.9 million and $0 fair value, respectively, based upon discounted cash flows. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we updated our evaluation of the estimated fair value of the 2007 Bonds and through this evaluation, we determined there was a decrease in the estimated cash flows from this asset and, as a result, recorded a $1.0 million OTTI associated with the 2007 Bonds in 2009. As discussed in Note 6, in the second quarter of 2013 we determined the 2007 Bonds were no longer required to be accounted for under the cost recovery method. We adjusted the bond principal balance based on the valuation to $18.2 million as of December 31, 2014.

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we received payments from the District in the amount of $2.0 million, $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively. In 2012, these payments were recorded as a reduction to the carrying value of the 2007 Bonds. As discussed in Note 6, the principal payments going forward are included in an interest accretion model with the appropriate interest income and increase or decrease to the carrying value being recorded. We recorded $1.4 million and $1.2 million in interest income for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and these amounts are included in interest and other income in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

We contributed $1 million in cash to the MDC/Richmond American Homes Foundation (the “Foundation”) for each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. The Foundation is a Delaware non-profit corporation that was incorporated on September 30, 1999.

The Foundation is a non-profit organization operated exclusively for charitable, educational and other purposes beneficial to social welfare within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The following Directors and/or officers of the Company are the trustees of the Foundation at December 31, 2014, all of whom serve without compensation:

Name	MDC Title
Larry A. Mizel	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
David D. Mandarich	President
Raymond T. Baker	Director
Herbert T. Buchwald	Director

F-28

16.          Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations

Revolving Credit Facility. On December 13, 2013, we entered into an unsecured revolving credit agreement (“Revolving Credit Facility”) with a group of lenders which may be used for general corporate purposes. This agreement was amended on December 17, 2014 to (1) increase the aggregate commitment amount by $100 million to $550 million (the “Commitment”) and (2) extend the maturity until December 13, 2019. Each lender may issue letters of credit in an amount up to 50% of its commitment. The facility permits an increase in the maximum Commitment amount to $1.0 billion upon our request, subject to receipt of additional commitments from existing or additional lenders and the consent of the designated agent and the co-administrative agent. Interest rates on outstanding borrowings are determined by reference to a specified London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a specified federal funds effective rate or a specified prime rate, plus a margin that is determined based on our credit ratings and leverage ratio, as defined in the facility agreement. At any time at which our leverage ratio, as of the last day of the most recent calendar quarter, exceeds 55%, the aggregate principal amount of all consolidated senior debt borrowings outstanding may not exceed the borrowing base. There is no borrowing base requirement if our leverage ratio, as of the last day of the most recent calendar quarter, is 55% or less.

The Revolving Credit Facility is fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by most of our homebuilding segment subsidiaries. The facility contains various representations, warranties and covenants that we believe are customary for agreements of this type. The financial covenants include a consolidated tangible net worth test and a leverage test, along with a consolidated tangible net worth covenant, all as defined in the facility agreement. A failure to satisfy the foregoing tests does not constitute an event of default, but can trigger a “term-out” of the facility. A breach of the consolidated tangible net worth covenant (but not the consolidated tangible net worth test) would result in an event of default.

The Revolving Credit Facility is subject to acceleration upon certain specified events of default, including breach of the consolidated tangible net worth covenant, failure to make timely payments, breaches of certain representations or covenants, failure to pay other material indebtedness, or another person becoming beneficial owner of 50% or more of our outstanding common stock. We believe we were in compliance with the representations, warranties and covenants included in the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2014.

We incur costs associated with unused commitment fees pursuant to the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were $10.5 million and $14.9 million, respectively, in letters of credit outstanding, which reduced the amounts available to be borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014 we had $15.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and no outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2014, availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $524.5 million.

Mortgage Repurchase Facility. HomeAmerican has a Master Repurchase Agreement (the “Mortgage Repurchase Facility”) with U.S. Bank National Association (“USBNA”) that will expire on September 18, 2015. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility provides liquidity to HomeAmerican by providing for the sale of eligible mortgage loans to USBNA with an agreement by HomeAmerican to repurchase the mortgage loans at a future date. Until such mortgage loans are transferred back to HomeAmerican, the documents relating to such loans are held by USBNA, as custodian, pursuant to the Custody Agreement (“Custody Agreement”), dated as of November 12, 2008, by and between HomeAmerican and USBNA. The maximum aggregate commitment of the Mortgage Repurchase Facility was temporarily increased on December 29, 2014 from $50 million to $80 million, expiring on January 28, 2015. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility also had a temporary increase in the maximum aggregate commitment from $50 million to $80 million from December 31, 2013 through January 30, 2014. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $60.8 million and $63.1 million, respectively, of mortgage loans that we were obligated to repurchase under our Mortgage Repurchase Facility. Mortgage loans that we are obligated to repurchase under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility are accounted for as a debt financing arrangement and are reported as mortgage repurchase facility in the consolidated balance sheets. Advances under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility carry a price range that is LIBOR-based. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility contains various representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants that we believe are customary for agreements of this type. The negative covenants include, among others, (i) a minimum Adjusted Tangible Net Worth requirement, (ii) a maximum Adjusted Tangible Net Worth Ratio, (iii) a minimum Adjusted Net Income requirement, and (iv) a minimum Liquidity requirement. The foregoing terms are defined in the Mortgage Repurchase Facility. We believe we were in compliance with the representations, warranties and covenants included in the Mortgage Repurchase Facility as of December 31, 2014.

F-29

Senior Notes. Our senior notes are not secured and, while the senior note indentures contain some restrictions on secured debt and other transactions, they do not contain financial covenants. Our senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by most of our homebuilding segment subsidiaries. We believe that we are in compliance with the representations, warranties and covenants in the senior note indentures.

On January 15, 2014, we issued $250 million 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, with payments commencing July 15, 2014, are general unsecured obligations of MDC and rank equally and ratably with our other general unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. We received proceeds of $248.4 million, net of underwriting fees of $1.6 million.

During the 2014 first quarter, we redeemed our 5⅜% Senior Notes due December 2014 and, in the 2014 fourth quarter, we redeemed our 5⅜% Senior Notes due July 2015. As a result of these transactions, we paid $517.7 million to extinguish $500 million in debt principal and recorded a total of $18.2 million in losses on early extinguishments of debt.

On January 10, 2013, we issued $250 million of 6% Senior Notes due 2043. On May 8, 2013, we issued an additional $100 million of 6% Senior Notes due 2043, which are of the same series and have the same terms as the notes issued on January 10, 2013 (collectively the “6% Notes”). The 6% Notes, which pay interest semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 2013, are general unsecured obligations of MDC and rank equally and ratably with our other general unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. We received total proceeds of $346.9 million, net of underwriting fees of $3.1 million.

Our debt obligations at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
5⅜% Senior Notes due December 2014, net	$	-	$	249,814
5⅜% Senior Notes due July 2015, net		-		249,935
5⅝% Senior Notes due February 2020, net		246,450		245,871
5½% Senior Notes due January 2024		250,000		-
6% Senior Notes due January 2043		350,000		350,000
Total	$	846,450	$	1,095,620

17.          Commitments and Contingencies

Surety Bonds and Letter of Credit Facilities. We are required to obtain surety bonds and letters of credit in support of our obligations for land development and subdivision improvements, homeowner association dues, warranty work, contractor license fees and earnest money deposits. At December 31, 2014, we had issued and outstanding surety bonds and letters of credit totaling $145.2 million and $26.8 million, respectively, including $16.3 in letters of credit issued by HomeAmerican. The estimated cost to complete obligations related to these bonds and letters of credit was approximately $56.1 million and $6.1 million, respectively. The letters of credit as of December 31, 2014, excluding those issued by HomeAmerican, were outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit facility (see Note 16 for further discussion of the revolving credit facility). We expect that the obligations secured by these performance bonds and letters of credit generally will be performed in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the applicable contractual terms. To the extent that the obligations are performed, the related performance bonds and letters of credit should be released and we should not have any continuing obligations. However, in the event any such performance bonds or letters of credit are called, our indemnity obligations could require us to reimburse the issuer of the performance bond or letter of credit.

We have made no material guarantees with respect to third-party obligations.

Mortgage Loan Loss Reserves.  In the normal course of business, we establish reserves for potential losses associated with HomeAmerican’s sale of mortgage loans to third-parties. These reserves are created to address repurchase and indemnity claims by third-party purchasers of the mortgage loans, which claims arise primarily out of, but not limited to, allegations of homebuyer fraud at the time of origination of the loan, missing documentation, loan processing defects or defective appraisals. These reserves are based upon, among other things: (1) pending claims received from third-party purchasers associated with previously sold mortgage loans; (2) a current assessment of the potential exposure associated with future claims of homebuyer fraud in mortgage loans originated in prior periods; and (3) historical loss experience.In addition to reserves established for mortgage loans previously sold to third-parties, we establish reserves for loans that we have been required to repurchase. Our mortgage loan reserves are reflected as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and the associated expenses are included in expenses in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

F-30

The following table summarizes the mortgage loan loss reserve activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,370		$	976		$	830
Expense provisions		298			1,172			437
Cash payments		-			(734	)		(226	)
Adjustments		(858	)		(44	)		(65	)
Balance at end of year	$	810		$	1,370		$	976

Legal Reserves. Because of the nature of the homebuilding business, we have been named as defendants in various claims, complaints and other legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, including product liability claims and claims associated with the sale and financing of homes. In the opinion of management, the outcome of these ordinary course matters will not have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, we had $3.1 million and $5.9 million of legal accruals.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, we had various significant legal recoveries totaling $9.8 million that were included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations. These recoveries were realized primarily from prior claims we had made in connection with various construction defect cases. We did not have any material legal recoveries during the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013.

Operating Leases.  We have non-cancelable operating leases primarily associated with our office facilities. Rent expense under cancelable and non-cancelable operating leases totaled $4.9 million, $5.2 million and $6.6 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and is included in either selling, general and administrative expenses in the homebuilding section or expenses in the financial services section of our consolidated statements of operations. The table below shows the future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2014.

	Year Ended
	December 31,
	(Dollars in
	thousands)
2015	$	4,922
2016		4,493
2017		5,067
2018		4,617
2019		4,246
Thereafter		29,677
Total	$	53,022

F-31

18. Concentration of Third-Party Mortgage Purchasers

The following table sets forth the percent of mortgage loans sold by HomeAmerican to its primary third party purchasers during 2014, 2013 and 2012. No other third parties purchased greater than 10 percent of our mortgage loans during 2014, 2013 or 2012.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Wells Fargo Funding, Inc.		37	%		40	%		58	%
PennyMac Loan Services, LLC		23	%		7	%		0	%
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.		20	%		46	%		36	%
Fannie Mae		10	%		4	%		4	%

19. Stockholders' Equity

Common Stock Repurchase Program. At December 31, 2014, we were authorized to repurchase up to 4,000,000 shares of our common stock. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012. We did not hold any treasury stock at December 31, 2014.

20.      Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans

A summary of our equity incentive plans follows.

Employee Equity Incentive Plans. Effective March 2001, we adopted the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2001 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2001 Equity Incentive Plan”). Non-qualified option awards previously granted generally vested over periods of up to seven years and expire ten years after the date of grant. Restricted stock awards generally were granted with vesting terms of up to five years. On March 26, 2011, the 2001 Equity Incentive Plan terminated and all stock option grants and restricted stock awards outstanding at the time of the plan termination may continue to be exercised, or become free of restrictions, in accordance with their terms. A total of 2.5 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2001 Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2014.

On April 27, 2011, our shareholders approved the M.D.C Holdings, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Equity Incentive Plan”), which provides for the grant of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other equity awards to employees of the Company. Stock options granted under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan have an exercise price that is at least equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date the stock option is granted, generally vest in periods up to five years and expire ten years after the date of grant. At December 31, 2014, a total of 2.5 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, of which 1.1 million shares remained available for grant under this plan as of December 31, 2014.

Director Equity Incentive Plans. Effective March 2001, we adopted the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “2001 Director Stock Option Plan”). Each option granted under the Director Stock Option Plan vested immediately and expires ten years from the date of grant. The 2001 Director Stock Option Plan terminated on May 21, 2012 and stock options outstanding at the time of plan termination may continue to be exercised in accordance with their terms. A total of 0.7 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2001 Director Stock Option Plan as of December 31, 2014.

Effective April 27, 2011, our shareholders approved the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “2011 Director Stock Option Plan”). Under the 2011 Director Stock Option Plan, non-employee directors of the Company are granted non-qualified stock options. Pursuant to the 2011 Director Stock Option Plan, on August 1 of each year, each non-employee director is granted options to purchase 25,000 shares of MDC common stock. Each option granted under the 2011 Director Stock Option Plan vests immediately, becomes exercisable six months after grant, and expires ten years from the date of grant. The option exercise price must be equal to the fair market value (as defined in the plan) of our common stock on the date of grant of the option. At December 31, 2014, a total of 0.8 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2011 Director Stock Option Plan and 0.4 million shares remained available for grant under this plan as of December 31, 2014.

F-32

Employee Benefit Plan. We have a defined contribution plan pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code where each employee may elect to make before-tax contributions up to the current tax limits. We match employee contributions on a discretionary basis and, as of December 31, 2014 we had accrued $0.9 million related to the match that is expected to be contributed in the first quarter of 2015 for 2014 activity. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 we contributed $0.9 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

21.      Stock Based Compensation

Determining Fair Value of Share-Based Payment Awards. We examine our historical pattern of option exercises in an effort to determine if there are any discernable activity patterns based on certain employee and non-employee populations. Based upon this evaluation, we have identified three distinct populations: (1) executives currently consisting of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and General Counsel (collectively, the “Executives”); (2) Non-Executive employees (“Non-Executives”); and (3) non-employee members of our board of directors (“Directors”). Accordingly, during 2014, 2013 and 2012 the Company used separate Black-Scholes option pricing model assumptions for each of the aforementioned employee and non-employee populations. The fair values for stock options granted for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	2013	2012
Expected lives of options (in years)	4.0	4.0	7.8
Expected volatility	43.2%	45.3%	44.6%
Risk free interest rate	1.3%	0.8%	1.7%
Dividend yield rate	3.5%	3.0%	4.0%

Based on calculations using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, the weighted-average grant date fair values of stock options granted during 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $7.48, $9.75 and $7.54, respectively. No stock options were granted to our CEO and COO during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. As a result, the weighted average expected life of our options are higher in 2012 when compared to 2014 and 2013 as options were granted to our CEO and COO in 2012.

The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted-average period for which the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and are derived primarily from historical exercise patterns. The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility in the price of our common stock over the most recent period commensurate with the estimated expected life of our stock options. The risk-free interest rate assumption is determined based upon observed interest rates appropriate for the expected term of our employee stock options. The dividend yield assumption is based on our history of dividend payouts.

An annual forfeiture rate is estimated at the time of grant for all share-based payment awards with service conditions only. That rate is revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if the actual forfeiture rate differs from our estimate. For grants made in the year ended December 31, 2014, we estimated a forfeiture rate between 30% and 45% for those share-based payment awards granted to Non-Executives. We estimate the annual forfeiture rate to be 0% for share-based payment awards with service conditions only granted to our Executives. Additionally, we estimate the annual forfeiture rate to be 0% for share-based payment awards granted to our Directors as those grants vest immediately upon grant.

F-33

Stock Option Award Activity.  Stock option activity under our option plans for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014					2013					2012
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
				Average					Average					Average
	Number of			Exercise		Number of			Exercise		Number of			Exercise
	Shares			Price		Shares			Price		Shares			Price
Outstanding Stock Option Activity
Outstanding, beginning of year		5,282,366		$	40.83		5,879,573		$	41.29		5,306,506		$	42.69
Granted (1)		257,500			28.18		237,500			33.82		1,382,500			25.33
Exercised		(18,000	)		20.82		(153,665	)		32.94		(704,242	)		23.69
Forfeited		(23,750	)		25.16		(10,000	)		37.25		(55,710	)		27.46
Cancelled		(642,200	)		62.43		(671,042	)		44.25		(49,481	)		44.75
Outstanding, end of year		4,855,916		$	37.45		5,282,366		$	40.83		5,879,573		$	41.29

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014					2013					2012
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
	Number of			Average		Number of			Average		Number of			Average
	Shares			Fair Value		Shares			Fair Value		Shares			Fair Value
Unvested Stock Option Activity
Outstanding, beginning of year		838,541		$	9.50		2,045,000		$	8.63		1,251,328		$	10.74
Granted (1)		257,500			7.48		237,500			9.75		1,382,500			7.54
Vested		(604,583	)		7.77		(1,433,959	)		8.28		(533,118	)		8.61
Forfeited		(23,750	)		7.60		(10,000	)		12.72		(55,710	)		8.45
Unvested, end of year		467,708		$	9.51		838,541		$	9.50		2,045,000		$	8.63
___________________________

(1) Total shares granted in 2012 include 1,000,000 performance based options granted to our CEO and COO. See further discussion regarding these grants in the “Performance Based Stock Award Activity” section below.

The total intrinsic value of options (difference between price per share as of the exercise date and the strike price, times the number of options outstanding) exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0.1 million, $1.1 million and $7.0 million, respectively.

The following table provides data for our stock options that are vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2014.

Exercisable or expected to vest
Number outstanding		4,810,204
Weighted-average exercise price	$	37.51
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	2,780
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)		4.49
Exercisable
Number outstanding		4,129,875
Weighted-average exercise price	$	38.74
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	2,173
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)		4.59

The aggregate intrinsic values in the tables above represent the total pretax intrinsic values (the difference between the closing price of MDC’s common stock on the last trading day of fiscal 2014 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock option shares) that would have been received by the option holders had all in-the-money outstanding stock options been exercised on December 31, 2014.

F-34

The following table summarizes information associated with outstanding and exercisable stock options at December 31, 2014.

		Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
				Weighted-						Weighted-
				Average						Average
				Remaining		Weighted-				Remaining		Weighted-
				Contractual		Average				Contractual		Average
Range of		Number		Life (in		Exercise		Number		Life (in		Exercise
Exercise Price		Outstanding		years)		Price		Outstanding		years)		Price
$	15.84 - $ 23.77		142,500		7.00	$	20.94		42,500		6.79	$	21.83
$	23.78 - $ 39.61		3,230,416		6.14		29.61		2,912,708		6.01		29.51
$	39.62 - $ 47.53		578,000		2.88		42.88		528,000		2.39		43.17
$	55.45 - $ 63.38		600,000		1.65		60.49		600,000		1.65		60.49
$	63.39 - $ 71.30		180,000		1.00		68.18		180,000		1.00		68.18
$	71.31 - $ 100		125,000		0.75		78.89		125,000		0.75		78.89
Total			4,855,916		4.89	$	37.45		4,388,208		4.63	$	38.31

Total compensation expense relating to stock options was $3.3 million, $5.6 million and $10.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our recognized tax benefit from this expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively. We did not have any recognized tax benefits from compensation expense for stock options for the year ended December 31, 2012 as we were in a full valuation allowance position.

As of December 31, 2014, $2.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options was expected to be recognized as an expense by the Company in the future over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.1 years.

Our realized tax benefit from stock options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0, $0.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

Performance Based Stock Award Activity. On March 8, 2012, we granted a long term performance-based non-qualified stock option to each of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Operating Officer for 500,000 shares of common stock under our 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. In accordance with ASC 718, the performance-based awards were assigned a fair value of $7.42 per share on the date of grant and, as of December 31, 2012, all performance targets had been achieved. Therefore, $6.2 million of compensation expense was recognized related to the grant of these awards during the year ended December 31, 2012 with the remaining balance of the unamortized stock-based compensation expense being amortized during the first two months of 2013, based on a vesting date of March 1, 2013.

Restricted and Unrestricted Stock Award Activity. Non-vested restricted stock awards at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and changes during those years were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014					2013					2012
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
				Average					Average					Average
	Number of			Grant Date		Number of			Grant Date		Number of			Grant Date
	Shares			Fair Value		Shares			Fair Value		Shares			Fair Value
Unvested, beginning of year		298,991		$	32.87		507,367		$	31.69		667,849		$	33.19
Granted		39,021		$	30.85		25,072			37.52		48,613			27.85
Vested		(141,454	)	$	33.08		(144,841	)		31.88		(197,801	)		35.88
Forfeited		(12,717	)	$	33.05		(88,607	)		29.02		(11,294	)		30.62
Unvested, end of year		183,841		$	32.27		298,991		$	32.87		507,367		$	31.69

Total compensation expense relating to restricted stock awards was $2.7 million, $4.0 million and $5.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our recognized tax benefit from this expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1.0 million $1.6 million, respectively. We did not have any recognized tax benefits from compensation expense for restricted stock awards for the year ended December 31, 2012 as we were in a full valuation allowance position.

F-35

At December 31, 2014, there was $3.4 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized as an expense by us in the future over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.1 years. The total intrinsic value of unvested restricted stock awards (the closing price of MDC’s common stock on the last trading day of fiscal 2014 multiplied by the number of unvested awards) at December 31, 2014 was $4.7 million. The total intrinsic value of restricted stock which vested during each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $4.2 million, $5.5 million and $5.9 million, respectively.

22.      Results of Quarterly Operations (Unaudited)

	Quarter
	First			Second			Third			Fourth
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
2014
Total revenue	$	327,757		$	442,752		$	418,403		$	505,672
Home sales revenue	$	318,534		$	430,743		$	405,051		$	493,070
Asset impairments	$	-		$	(850	)	$	-		$	(910	)
Gross margin from home sales (including impairments)		18.5	%		17.1	%		16.5	%		16.3	%
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses	$	48,341		$	49,798		$	50,512		$	54,602
Income before income taxes	$	18,640		$	34,026		$	23,924		$	23,885
Net income	$	11,504		$	21,542		$	15,458		$	14,639
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.24		$	0.44		$	0.32		$	0.30
Diluted	$	0.23		$	0.44		$	0.32		$	0.30

2013
Total revenue	$	344,254		$	416,018		$	448,000		$	472,162
Home sales revenue	$	331,748		$	400,327		$	433,693		$	460,939
Asset impairments	$	-		$	-		$	(350	)	$	(569	)
Gross margin from home sales (including impairments)		17.4	%		18.1	%		18.1	%		17.4	%
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses	$	48,201		$	51,908		$	57,753		$	55,421
Income before income taxes	$	22,586		$	38,012		$	34,909		$	34,318
Net income	$	22,516		$	224,909		$	36,251		$	30,709
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.46		$	4.60		$	0.73		$	0.62
Diluted	$	0.45		$	4.56		$	0.73		$	0.62

F-36

23.           Supplemental Guarantor Information

Our senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by the following subsidiaries (collectively, the "Guarantor Subsidiaries"), which are 100%-owned subsidiaries of the Company.

● M.D.C. Land Corporation

● RAH of Florida, Inc.

● Richmond American Construction, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Arizona, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Colorado, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Delaware, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Florida, LP

● Richmond American Homes of Illinois, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Maryland, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Nevada, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of New Jersey, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Pennsylvania, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Utah, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Virginia, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Washington, Inc.

The senior note indentures do not provide for a suspension of the guarantees, but do provide that any Guarantor may be released from its guarantee so long as (1) no default or event of default exists or would result from release of such guarantee, (2) the Guarantor being released has consolidated net worth of less than 5% of the Company’s consolidated net worth as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter, (3) the Guarantors released from their guarantees in any year-end period comprise in the aggregate less than 10% (or 15% if and to the extent necessary to permit the cure of a default) of the Company’s consolidated net worth as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter, (4) such release would not have a material adverse effect on the homebuilding business of the Company and its subsidiaries and (5) the Guarantor is released from its guarantee(s) under all Specified Indebtedness (other than by reason of payment under its guarantee of Specified Indebtedness). Upon delivery of an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the indenture relating to such transactions have been complied with and the release is authorized, the guarantee will be automatically and unconditionally released. “Specified Indebtedness” means indebtedness under the senior notes, the Company’s Indenture dated as of December 3, 2002, the Revolving Credit Facility, and any refinancing, extension, renewal or replacement of any of the foregoing.

We have determined that separate, full financial statements of the Guarantor Subsidiaries would not be material to investors and, accordingly, supplemental financial information for the Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries is presented below. As a result of our Richmond American Homes of Washington, Inc. subsidiary becoming a guarantor subsidiary in 2013, we have revised the 2012 Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Operations and Cash Flows to reflect this subsidiary’s results in the guarantor column.

F-37

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Balance Sheet

	December 31, 2014
					Non-
			Guarantor		Guarantor		Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC		Subsidiaries		Subsidiaries		Entries			MDC
	Dollars in thousands
ASSETS
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	119,951	$	2,691	$	-	$	-		$	122,642
Marketable securities		140,878		-		-		-			140,878
Restricted cash		-		2,816		-		-			2,816
Trade and other receivables		6,573		24,449		-		(2,467	)		28,555
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction		-		732,692		-		-			732,692
Land and land under development		-		935,268		-		-			935,268
Total inventories		-		1,667,960		-		-			1,667,960
Intercompany receivables		1,418,705		2,854		5,295		(1,426,854	)		-
Investment in subsidiaries		260,874		-		-		(260,874	)		-
Deferred tax asset, net		137,529		-		-		2,957			140,486
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		18,203		-		-		-			18,203
Other assets		41,743		56,744		-		-			98,487
Total Homebuilding Assets		2,144,456	$	1,757,514		5,295		(1,687,238	)		2,220,027
Financial Services:
Cash and cash equivalents		-		-		31,183		-			31,183
Marketable securities		-		-		15,262		-			15,262
Intercompany receivables		-		-		39,513		(39,513	)		-
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		-		-		88,392		-			88,392
Other assets		-		-		6,531		(2,957	)		3,574
Total Financial Services Assets		-		-		180,881		(42,470	)		138,411
Total Assets	$	2,144,456	$	1,757,514	$	186,176	$	(1,729,708	)	$	2,358,438
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	$	-	$	35,445	$	-	$	-		$	35,445
Accrued liabilities		7,007		105,529		67		2,514			115,117
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		47,663		1,392,111		23,809		(1,463,583	)		-
Revolving credit facility		15,000		-		-		-			15,000
Senior notes, net		846,450		-		-		-			846,450
Total Homebuilding Liabilities		916,120		1,533,085		23,876		(1,461,069	)		1,012,012
Financial Services:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		-		-		62,249		(4,981	)		57,268
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		-		-		2,784		(2,784	)		-
Mortgage repurchase facility		-		-		60,822		-			60,822
Total Financial Services Liabilities		-		-		125,855		(7,765	)		118,090
Total Liabilities		916,120		1,533,085		149,731		(1,468,834	)		1,130,102
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,228,336		224,429		36,445		(260,874	)		1,228,336
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,144,456	$	1,757,514	$	186,176	$	(1,729,708	)	$	2,358,438

F-38

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Balance Sheet

	December 31, 2013
					Non-
			Guarantor		Guarantor		Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC		Subsidiaries		Subsidiaries		Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	145,180	$	3,454	$	-	$	-		$	148,634
Marketable securities		569,021		-		-		-			569,021
Restricted cash		-		2,195		-		-			2,195
Trade and other receivables		915		27,951		-		(5,459	)		23,407
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction		-		636,700		-		-			636,700
Land and land under development		-		774,961		-		-			774,961
Total inventories		-		1,411,661		-		-			1,411,661
Intercompany receivables		1,144,292		2,576		1,899		(1,148,767	)		-
Investment in subsidiaries		335,870		-		-		(335,870	)		-
Deferred tax asset, net		172,975		-		-		3,287			176,262
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		12,729		-		-		-			12,729
Other assets, net		41,204		43,569		-		-			84,773
Total Homebuilding Assets		2,422,186		1,491,406		1,899		(1,486,809	)		2,428,682
Financial Services:
Cash and cash equivalents		-		-		50,704		-			50,704
Marketable securities		-		-		19,046		-			19,046
Intercompany receivables		-		-		11,216		(11,216	)		-
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		-		-		92,578		-			92,578
Other assets, net		-		-		7,726		(3,287	)		4,439
Total Financial Services Assets		-		-		181,270		(14,503	)		166,767
Total Assets	$	2,422,186	$	1,491,406	$	183,169	$	(1,501,312	)	$	2,595,449
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	$	13	$	15,033	$	-	$	-		$	15,046
Accrued liabilities		97,612		56,334		82		(1,207	)		152,821
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		15,692		1,121,581		19,668		(1,156,941	)		-
Senior notes, net		1,095,620		-		-		-			1,095,620
Total Homebuilding Liabilities		1,208,937		1,192,948		19,750		(1,158,148	)		1,263,487
Financial Services:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		-		-		59,891		(4,252	)		55,639
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		-		-		3,042		(3,042	)		-
Mortgage repurchase facility		-		-		63,074		-			63,074
Total Financial Services Liabilities		-		-		126,007		(7,294	)		118,713
Total Liabilities		1,208,937		1,192,948		145,757		(1,165,442	)		1,382,200
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,213,249		298,458		37,412		(335,870	)		1,213,249
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,422,186	$	1,491,406	$	183,169	$	(1,501,312	)	$	2,595,449

F-39

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statement of Comprehensive Income

	Year Ended December 31, 2014
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$	-		$	1,650,631		$	-		$	-		$	1,650,631
Cost of Sales		-			(1,368,140	)		(40	)		-			(1,368,180	)
Inventory impairments		-			(1,760	)		-			-			(1,760	)
Gross margin		-			280,731			(40	)		-			280,691
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(38,290	)		(164,287	)		-			(676	)		(203,253	)
Equity income of subsidiaries		86,223			-			-			(86,223	)		-
Interest and other income		24,824			1,517			15			(46	)		26,310
Interest expense		(685	)		-			-			-			(685	)
Other expense		(8	)		(4,805	)		-			-			(4,813	)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt		(18,153	)		-			-			-			(18,153	)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(4,293	)		-			-			-			(4,293	)
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)		49,618			113,156			(25	)		(86,945	)		75,804
Financial Services:
Financial services pretax income		-			-			23,949			722			24,671
Income before income taxes		49,618			113,156			23,924			(86,223	)		100,475
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		13,525			(42,044	)		(8,813	)		-			(37,332	)
Net income	$	63,143		$	71,112		$	15,111		$	(86,223	)	$	63,143
Other comprehensive income related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		(1,120	)		-			(22	)		22			(1,120	)
Comprehensive income	$	62,023		$	71,112		$	15,089		$	(86,201	)	$	62,023

	Year Ended December 31, 2013
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$	-		$	1,630,423		$	-		$	(1,248	)	$	1,629,175
Cost of Sales		-			(1,340,187	)		-			1,248			(1,338,939	)
Inventory impairments		-			(919	)		-			-			(919	)
Gross margin		-			289,317			-			-			289,317
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(63,506	)		(149,424	)		-			(353	)		(213,283	)
Equity income of subsidiaries		163,157			-			-			(163,157	)		-
Interest and other income		28,329			1,503			14			(48	)		29,798
Interest expense		(1,726	)		-			-			-			(1,726	)
Other expense		(14	)		(3,769	)		-			-			(3,783	)
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)		126,240			137,627			14			(163,558	)		100,323
Financial Services:
Financial services pretax income		-			-			29,101			401			29,502
Income before income taxes		126,240			137,627			29,115			(163,157	)		129,825
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		188,145			7,507			(11,092	)		-			184,560
Net income	$	314,385		$	145,134		$	18,023		$	(163,157	)	$	314,385
Other comprehensive income related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		6,737			-			(119	)		119			6,737
Comprehensive income	$	321,122		$	145,134		$	17,904		$	(163,038	)	$	321,122

F-40

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statement of Comprehensive Income

	Year Ended December 31, 2012
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$	-		$	1,162,676		$	-		$	(6,534	)	$	1,156,142
Cost of Sales		-			(984,477	)		-			6,534			(977,943	)
Inventory impairments		-			(1,105	)		-			-			(1,105	)
Gross margin		-			177,094			-			-			177,094
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(52,880	)		(119,135	)		4,720			-			(167,295	)
Equity income of subsidiaries		81,836			-			-			(81,836	)		-
Interest and other income		24,035			949			14			-			24,998
Interest expense		(778	)		(30	)		-			-			(808	)
Other expense		(126	)		(1,239	)		(7	)		-			(1,372	)
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)		52,087			57,639			4,727			(81,836	)		32,617
Financial Services:
Financial services pretax income		-			-			28,498			-			28,498
Income before income taxes		52,087			57,639			33,225			(81,836	)		61,115
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		10,612			1,435			(10,463	)		-			1,584
Net income	$	62,699		$	59,074		$	22,762		$	(81,836	)	$	62,699
Other comprehensive income related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		12,078			-			100			(100	)		12,078
Comprehensive income	$	74,777		$	59,074		$	22,862		$	(81,936	)	$	74,777

F-41

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statement of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31, 2014
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(62,289	)		(124,317	)		22,959			-		$	(163,647	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		339,754			(1,093	)		3,692			80,727			423,080
Financing activities:
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		-			124,647			(43,920	)		(80,727	)		-
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net		-			-			(2,252	)		-			(2,252	)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		248,375			-			-			-			248,375
Repayment of senior notes		(517,650	)		-			-			-			(517,650	)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		15,000			-			-			-			15,000
Dividend payments		(48,820	)		-			-			-			(48,820	)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		26			-			-			-			26
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		375			-			-			-			375
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(302,694	)		124,647			(46,172	)		(80,727	)		(304,946	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(25,229	)		(763	)		(19,521	)		-			(45,513	)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		145,180			3,454			50,704			-			199,338
End of period	$	119,951		$	2,691		$	31,183		$	-		$	153,825

	Year Ended December 31, 2013
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	11,994		$	(324,812	)	$	43,269		$	-		$	(269,549	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(345,165	)		(1,260	)		13,151			302,872			(30,402	)
Financing activities:
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		-			325,895			(23,023	)		(302,872	)		-
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net		-			-			(13,253	)		-			(13,253	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards		391			-			-			-			391
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes		346,938			-			-			-			346,938
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		5,118			-			-			-			5,118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		352,447			325,895			(36,276	)		(302,872	)		339,194
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		19,276			(177	)		20,144			-			39,243
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		125,904			3,631			30,560			-			160,095
End of period	$	145,180		$	3,454		$	50,704		$	-		$	199,338

F-42

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statement of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31, 2012
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	1,961		$	(96,947	)	$	(13,833	)	$	-		$	(108,819	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(109,332	)		(841	)		2,059			86,333			(21,781	)
Financing activities:
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		-			98,567			(12,234	)		(86,333	)		-
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net		-			-			27,625			-			27,625
Dividend Payments		(96,915	)		-			-			-			(96,915	)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		16,624			-			-			-			16,624
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(80,291	)		98,567			15,391			(86,333	)		(52,666	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(187,662	)		779			3,617			-			(183,266	)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		313,566			2,852			26,943			-			343,361
End of period	$	125,904		$	3,631		$	30,560		$	-		$	160,095

F-43

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures was performed under the supervision, and with the participation, of our management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in the Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013 framework) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under this framework, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective at December 31, 2014.

Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

45

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

We have audited M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December  31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. as of December  31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, and our report dated January 28, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Irvine, California

January 28, 2015

46

Item 9B. Other Information.

None

PART III

Item 10. Directors. Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

Information not disclosed below that is required with respect to directors, executive officers, filings under Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and corporate governance is incorporated herein by reference, when filed, from our proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on or about March 23, 2015, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.

We will provide to any shareholders or other person without charge, upon request, a copy of our Corporate Code of Conduct, Corporate Governance Guidelines, code of ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions (collectively “senior financial officers”) and the charters for our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee. You may obtain these documents on our website at http://www.richmondamerican.com, under our Investor Relations section or by contacting our Investor Relations department at 1-866-424-3395. Our intention is to post on our website any amendments to or waivers from our code of ethics applicable to our senior financial officers if such disclosure is required.

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

Information required to be set forth hereunder has been omitted and will be incorporated by reference, when filed, from our Proxy Statement.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

Information required to be set forth hereunder has been omitted and will be incorporated by reference, when filed, from our Proxy Statement 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

Information required to be set forth hereunder has been omitted and will be incorporated by reference, when filed, from our Proxy Statement.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Information required to be set forth hereunder has been omitted and will be incorporated by reference, when filed, from our Proxy Statement.

47

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)(1) Financial Statements.

The following Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and its subsidiaries are included in Part II, Item 8.

	Page
M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2014	F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2014	F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2014	F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	F-7

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules.

All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not material, not required or the required information is included in the applicable Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

(a)(3) Exhibits.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Description
3.1	Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "MDC", the "Company" or the "Registrant"), filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 27, 2006, and Certificate of Incorporation, dated May 17, 1985, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2006). *
3.2	Form of Bylaws of MDC, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2(b) of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 1987). *
3.3	Form of Amendment to the Bylaws of MDC regarding indemnification adopted by its board of directors and effective as of March 20, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2(a) of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 1987). *
4.1	Indenture dated as of December 3, 2002, by and among MDC and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Form S-3/A filed September 1, 2004). *
4.2	Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 6, 2004, by and among MDC, the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, with respect to MDC's Medium-Term Senior Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 7, 2004). *

48

4.3	Pricing Supplement No. 1, dated December 6, 2004, with respect to MDC's 5.375% Medium-Term Senior Notes due 2014 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Rule 424(b)(2) filing on December 8, 2004). *
4.4	Pricing Supplement No. 2, dated June 28, 2005, with respect to MDC's 5.375% Medium-Term Senior Notes due July 1, 2015 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Rule 424(b)(2) filing on June 29, 2005). *
4.5	Amendment No. 1 dated as of July 20, 2005 to Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 6, 2004, with respect to MDC's Medium-Term Senior Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 20, 2005). *
4.6	Amendment No. 2 dated as of January 9, 2006 to Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 6, 2004, with respect to MDC's Medium-Term Senior Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 9, 2006). *
4.7	Second Supplemental Indenture (5.375% Senior Notes due 2014 and 2015), dated as of January 3, 2013, by and among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, and Richmond American Homes of Washington, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, as Additional Guarantor, including the form of Guaranty signed by the Additional Guarantor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2012). *
4.8	Supplemental Indenture (5.625% Senior Notes due 2020), dated as of January 15, 2010, among the Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 15, 2010). *
4.9	Second Supplemental Indenture (5.625% Senior Notes due 2020), dated as of January 3, 2013, by and among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, and Richmond American Homes of Washington, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, as Additional Guarantor, including the form of Guaranty signed by the Additional Guarantor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2012). *
4.10	Supplemental Indenture (6.000% Senior Notes due 2043), dated as of January 10, 2013, among the Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2013). *
4.11	Supplemental Indenture (5.500% Senior Notes due 2024), dated as of January 15, 2014, among the Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 15, 2014). *
10.1	Credit Agreement by and among M.D.C. Holding, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association, as designated agent and co-administrative agent, Citibank, N.A., as co-administrative agent, and the other Lenders identified therein, dated as of December 13, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed December 16, 2013). *
10.2	First Amendment to Credit Agreement and Increasing Lenders Supplement among M.D.C. Holding, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association, as designated agent, and the other Lenders identified therein, dated as of December 17, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed December 17, 2014). *
10.3	Master Repurchase Agreement among HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, U.S. Bank National Association as Agent, and the other Buyers party thereto, dated as of November 12, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed November 17, 2008). *

49

10.4	First Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of October 29, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company'sQuarterly Report onForm 10-Q dated September 30, 2009). *
10.5	Second Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of October 21, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 25, 2010). *
10.6	Third Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of September 14, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2011). *
10.7	Fourth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of September 29, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed September 30, 2011).*
10.8	Fifth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of January 31, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2012). *
10.9	Sixth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of September 21, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 24, 2012).*
10.10	Seventh Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of December 21, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2012). *
10.11	Eight Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of September 20, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 20, 2013). *
10.12	Ninth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of December 31, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2013). *
10.13	Tenth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of September 19, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 22, 2014). *
10.14	Eleventh Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of December 19, 2014.

50

10.15	Custody Agreement by and between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association as Agent and Custodian, dated as of November 12, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filed November 17, 2008). *
10.16	M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2001 Equity Incentive Plan Effective March 26, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B of the Company's Proxy Statement dated March 31, 2001 relating to the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders). *
10.17	First Amendment to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, effective April 28, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2003). *
10.18	Second Amendment to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, effective April 29, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filed May 1, 2008). *
10.19	Third Amendment to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, effective April 29, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Form 8-K filed May 1, 2008). *
10.20	Fourth Amendment to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, dated December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2008). *
10.21	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Certificate (2001 Equity Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2004). *
10.22	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (2001 Equity Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2004). *
10.23	M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors Effective March 26, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit C of the Company's Proxy Statement dated March 31, 2001 relating to the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders). *
10.24	First Amendment to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, October 20, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2004). *
10.25	Second Amendment to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, dated December 16, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2008). *
10.26	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2004). *
10.27	M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, effective April 27, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed April 29, 2011). *

51

10.28	First Amendment to the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 19, 2013).*
10.29	Form of 2011 Stock Option Agreement (2011 Equity Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2011). *
10.30	Form of 2011 Restricted Stock Agreement (2011 Equity Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2011). *
10.31	Form of Executive Officer Stock Option Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 9, 2012).*
10.32	M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors effective April 27, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed April 29, 2011). *
10.33	Form of 2011 Stock Option Agreement (2011 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2011). *
10.34	Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between the Company and members of its Board of Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 26, 2006).*
10.35	Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between the Company and certain of its officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 26, 2006).*
10.36	M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2013 Executive Officer Performance-Based Compensation Plan, approved March 18, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 19, 2013). *
10.37	Employment Agreement, Larry A. Mizel, amended and restated as of August 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 26, 2008). *
10.38	Amendment to Employment Agreement of Larry A. Mizel, dated March 8, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 9, 2012).*
10.39	Second Amendment to Employment Agreement of Larry A. Mizel, dated October 18, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 18, 2013).*
10.40	Employment Agreement, David D. Mandarich, amended and restated as of August 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 26, 2008). *
10.41	Amendment to Employment Agreement of David D. Mandarich, dated March 8, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 9, 2012).*

52

10.42	Second Amendment to Employment Agreement of David D. Mandarich, dated October 18, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 18, 2013).*
10.43	Employment offer letter by the Company to John M. Stephens, dated January 27, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 30, 2012). *
10.44	Lease Agreement among MDC, Richmond American Homes of Colorado, Inc. and Larry A. Mizel, August 2, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2007). *
10.45	Lease Agreement among MDC, Richmond American Homes of Colorado, Inc. and David D. Mandarich, August 2, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2007). *
10.46	Change in Control and Separation Agreement between the Company and John M. Stephens, dated as of February 1, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 30, 2012).*
10.47	Change in Control and Separation Agreement between the Company and Michael Touff, dated as of July 30, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed July 31, 2008). *
10.48	Form of Change in Control Agreement between the Company and certain employees of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 27, 1998). *
10.49	Independent Contractor Agreement between Mizel Design and Decorating Company and the Company effective as of January 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2004). *
10.50	Sub-Sublease agreement between MDC and CVentures, Inc., executed July 25, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 27, 2005). *
10.51	First Amendment to Sub-Sublease agreement between MDC and CVentures, Inc., executed on March 28, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 29, 2006). *
12	Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges Schedule.
21	Subsidiaries of the Company.
23	Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
31.1	Certification of principal executive officer required by 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of principal financial officer required by 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of principal executive officer required by 17 CFR 240.13a-14(b), pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

53

32.2

Certification of principal financial officer required by 17 CFR 240.13a-14(b), pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101

The following financial statements filed on January 28, 2015, formatted in XBRL(Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014; and (iv) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

*Incorporated by reference.

54

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
	(Registrant)
Date: January 28, 2015	By:	/s/ John M. Stephens
		John M. Stephens
		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer (duly authorized officer)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned officers and/or directors of the Registrant, by virtue of their signatures to this report, appearing below, hereby constitute and appoint Larry A. Mizel and David D. Mandarich, or any one of them, with full power of substitution, as attorneys-in-fact in their names, places and steads to execute any and all amendments to this report in the capacities set forth opposite their names and hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact do by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Larry A. Mizel	Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer	January 28, 2015
Larry A. Mizel	(principal executive officer)
/s/ David D. Mandarich	Director, President and Chief Operating Officer	January 28, 2015
David D. Mandarich
/s/ John M. Stephens	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Principal Accounting Officer	January 28, 2015
John M. Stephens	(principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)
/s/ Raymond T. Baker	Director	January 28, 2015
Raymond T. Baker
/s/ Michael A. Berman	Director	January 28, 2015
Michael A. Berman
/s/ David E. Blackford	Director	January 28, 2015
David E. Blackford
/s/ Herbert T. Buchwald	Director	January 28, 2015
Herbert T. Buchwald
/s/ Paris G. Reece III	Director	January 28, 2015
Paris G. Reece III
/s/ David Siegel	Director	January 28, 2015
David Siegel

55

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number	Description
3.1	Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "MDC", the "Company" or the "Registrant"), filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 27, 2006, and Certificate of Incorporation, dated May 17, 1985, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2006). *
3.2	Form of Bylaws of MDC, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2(b) of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 1987). *
3.3	Form of Amendment to the Bylaws of MDC regarding indemnification adopted by its board of directors and effective as of March 20, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2(a) of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 1987). *
4.1	Indenture dated as of December 3, 2002, by and among MDC and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Form S-3/A filed September 1, 2004). *
4.2	Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 6, 2004, by and among MDC, the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, with respect to MDC's Medium-Term Senior Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 7, 2004). *
4.3	Pricing Supplement No. 1, dated December 6, 2004, with respect to MDC's 5.375% Medium-Term Senior Notes due 2014 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Rule 424(b)(2) filing on December 8, 2004). *
4.4	Pricing Supplement No. 2, dated June 28, 2005, with respect to MDC's 5.375% Medium-Term Senior Notes due July 1, 2015 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Rule 424(b)(2) filing on June 29, 2005). *
4.5	Amendment No. 1 dated as of July 20, 2005 to Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 6, 2004, with respect to MDC's Medium-Term Senior Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 20, 2005). *
4.6	Amendment No. 2 dated as of January 9, 2006 to Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 6, 2004, with respect to MDC's Medium-Term Senior Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 9, 2006). *
4.7	Second Supplemental Indenture (5.375% Senior Notes due 2014 and 2015), dated as of January 3, 2013, by and among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, and Richmond American Homes of Washington, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, as Additional Guarantor, including the form of Guaranty signed by the Additional Guarantor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2012). *
4.8	Supplemental Indenture (5.625% Senior Notes due 2020), dated as of January 15, 2010, among the Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 15, 2010). *
4.9	Second Supplemental Indenture (5.625% Senior Notes due 2020), dated as of January 3, 2013, by and among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, and Richmond American Homes of Washington, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, as Additional Guarantor, including the form of Guaranty signed by the Additional Guarantor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2012). *

56

4.10	Supplemental Indenture (6.000% Senior Notes due 2043), dated as of January 10, 2013, among the Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2013). *
4.11	Supplemental Indenture (5.500% Senior Notes due 2024), dated as of January 15, 2014, among the Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 15, 2014). *
10.1	Credit Agreement by and among M.D.C. Holding, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association, as designated agent and co-administrative agent, Citibank, N.A., as co-administrative agent, and the other Lenders identified therein, dated as of December 13, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed December 16, 2013). *
10.2	First Amendment to Credit Agreement and Increasing Lenders Supplement among M.D.C. Holding, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association, as designated agent, and the other Lenders identified therein, dated as of December 17, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed December 17, 2014). *
10.3	Master Repurchase Agreement among HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, U.S. Bank National Association as Agent, and the other Buyers party thereto, dated as of November 12, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed November 17, 2008). *
10.4	First Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of October 29, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2009). *
10.5	Second Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of October 21, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 25, 2010). *
10.6	Third Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of September 14, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2011). *
10.7	Fourth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of September 29, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed September 30, 2011).*
10.8	Fifth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of January 31, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2012). *
10.9	Sixth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of September 21, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 24, 2012).*

57

10.10	Seventh Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of December 21, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2012). *
10.11	Eight Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of September 20, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 20, 2013). *
10.12	Ninth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of December 31, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2013). *
10.13	Tenth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of September 19, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 22, 2014). *
10.14	Eleventh Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, as Seller, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and Buyer, dated as of December 19, 2014.
10.15	Custody Agreement by and between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association as Agent and Custodian, dated as of November 12, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filed November 17, 2008). *
10.16	M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2001 Equity Incentive Plan Effective March 26, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B of the Company's Proxy Statement dated March 31, 2001 relating to the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders). *
10.17	First Amendment to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, effective April 28, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2003). *
10.18	Second Amendment to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, effective April 29, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filed May 1, 2008). *
10.19	Third Amendment to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, effective April 29, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Form 8-K filed May 1, 2008). *
10.20	Fourth Amendment to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, dated December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2008). *
10.21	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Certificate (2001 Equity Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2004). *
10.22	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (2001 Equity Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2004). *
10.23	M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors Effective March 26, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit C of the Company's Proxy Statement dated March 31, 2001 relating to the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders). *

58

10.24	First Amendment to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, October 20, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2004). *
10.25	Second Amendment to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, dated December 16, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2008). *
10.26	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2004). *
10.27	M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, effective April 27, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed April 29, 2011). *
10.28	First Amendment to the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 19, 2013).*
10.29	Form of 2011 Stock Option Agreement (2011 Equity Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2011). *
10.30	Form of 2011 Restricted Stock Agreement (2011 Equity Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2011). *
10.31	Form of Executive Officer Stock Option Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 9, 2012).*
10.32	M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors effective April 27, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed April 29, 2011). *
10.33	Form of 2011 Stock Option Agreement (2011 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2011). *
10.34	Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between the Company and members of its Board of Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 26, 2006).*
10.35	Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between the Company and certain of its officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 26, 2006).*
10.36	M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2013 Executive Officer Performance-Based Compensation Plan, approved March 18, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 19, 2013). *

59

10.37	Employment Agreement, Larry A. Mizel, amended and restated as of August 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 26, 2008). *
10.38	Amendment to Employment Agreement of Larry A. Mizel, dated March 8, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 9, 2012).*
10.39	Second Amendment to Employment Agreement of Larry A. Mizel, dated October 18, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 18, 2013).*
10.40	Employment Agreement, David D. Mandarich, amended and restated as of August 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 26, 2008). *
10.41	Amendment to Employment Agreement of David D. Mandarich, dated March 8, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 9, 2012).*
10.42	Second Amendment to Employment Agreement of David D. Mandarich, dated October 18, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 18, 2013).*
10.43	Employment offer letter by the Company to John M. Stephens, dated January 27, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 30, 2012). *
10.44	Lease Agreement among MDC, Richmond American Homes of Colorado, Inc. and Larry A. Mizel, August 2, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2007). *
10.45	Lease Agreement among MDC, Richmond American Homes of Colorado, Inc. and David D. Mandarich, August 2, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2007). *
10.46	Change in Control and Separation Agreement between the Company and John M. Stephens, dated as of February 1, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 30, 2012).*
10.47	Change in Control and Separation Agreement between the Company and Michael Touff, dated as of July 30, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed July 31, 2008). *
10.48	Form of Change in Control Agreement between the Company and certain employees of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 27, 1998). *
10.49	Independent Contractor Agreement between Mizel Design and Decorating Company and the Company effective as of January 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2004). *
10.50	Sub-Sublease agreement between MDC and CVentures, Inc., executed July 25, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 27, 2005). *
10.51	First Amendment to Sub-Sublease agreement between MDC and CVentures, Inc., executed on March 28, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 29, 2006). *

60

12	Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges Schedule.
21	Subsidiaries of the Company.
23	Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
31.1	Certification of principal executive officer required by 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of principal financial officer required by 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of principal executive officer required by 17 CFR 240.13a-14(b), pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of principal financial officer required by 17 CFR 240.13a-14(b), pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101	The following financial statements filed on January 28, 2015, formatted in XBRL(Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014; and (iv) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.
____________________
*Incorporated by reference.

61

EX-10

Exhibit 10.14

ELEVENTH AMENDMENT TO MASTER REPURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS ELEVENTH AMENDMENT TO MASTER REPURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), dated as of December 19, 2014, is made and entered into between and among HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, a Colorado corporation (the “Seller”), and U.S. Bank National Association, as administrative agent and representative of itself as a Buyer and the other Buyers (in such capacity, the “Agent”) and as a Buyer (in such capacity, “U.S. Bank”).

RECITALS:

A.     The Seller, U.S. Bank, and the Agent are parties to a Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of November 12, 2008, as amended by a First Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of October 29, 2009, a Second Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of October 21, 2010, a Third Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of September 14, 2011, a Fourth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of September 29, 2011, a Fifth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of January 31, 2012, a Sixth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of September 21, 2012, a Seventh Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of December 21, 2012, an Eighth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of September 20, 2013, a Ninth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of December 31, 2013 and a Tenth Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of September 19, 2014 (as further amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Repurchase Agreement”).

B.     The Seller and the Agent now desire to amend certain provisions of the Repurchase Agreement as set forth herein.

AGREEMENT:

In consideration of the premises herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1.     Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Amendment have the meanings specified in the Repurchase Agreement.

Section 2.     Amendments.

2.1.     The following definition set forth in Section 1.2 of the Repurchase Agreement is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

“Maximum Aggregate Commitment” means the maximum Aggregate Outstanding Purchase Price that is allowed to be outstanding under this Agreement on any day, being the amount set forth in Schedule BC in effect for that day, as it may be decreased under Section 2.6 or increased under Section 2.7.

2.2.     Increase of Maximum Aggregate Commitment. Section 2.7 is added following Section 2.6 of the Repurchase Agreement and shall read as follows:

 1

Section 2.7     Increase to Maximum Aggregate Commitment. The Seller may, from time to time, by giving advance written notice of at least two (2) Business Days to the Agent in the form of Exhibit A to the Eleventh Amendment hereof, request that the Buyers increase the Maximum Aggregate Commitment, in increments of $5,000,000, with a minimum increase of $25,000,000 up to a total increase of $50,000,000, for a period for such increase being designated by the Seller (but not less than 30 days, or if less, the time remaining until the Termination Date). Any increase under this Section 2.7 shall be in the sole discretion of the Agent and the Buyers and shall require the consent of each Buyer. The consent of the Agent and the Buyers to an increase under this Section 2.7 shall be evidenced by the Agent providing to the parties to this Agreement an updated Schedule BC; provided that if an updated Schedule BC is not delivered by the Agent within two (2) Business Days of the requested increase, such request shall be deemed to have been denied.

2.3.     Facility Fee. Section 9.1 is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

9.1.     Facility Fee. The Seller agrees to pay to the Agent (for Pro Rata distribution to the Buyers) monthly, in arrears, a facility fee (the “Facility Fee”) in an amount equal to the sum of one quarter of one percent (0.25%) per annum of the Maximum Aggregate Commitment, as in effect from time to time, for the period from the date of the First Amendment hereto to the Termination Date, computed for each calendar month or portion thereof from the date of the First Amendment hereto to the Termination Date. The Facility Fee shall be payable monthly in arrears and shall be due and payable no later than the ninth (9th) day of each month (or if such day is not a Business Day, on the first Business Day thereafter). The Facility Fee is compensation to the Buyers for committing to make funds available for revolving purchases of Eligible Loans on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, and are not compensation for the use or forbearance or detention of money. Each calculation by the Agent of the amount of the Facility Fee shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error.

Section 3.             Conditions Precedent and Effectiveness. This Amendment shall be effective as of the date first above written, upon the occurrence of the following events:

3.1.     delivery to the Agent of this Amendment duly executed by the Seller in a quantity sufficient that the Agent and the Seller may each have a fully executed original;

3.2.     delivery to the Agent of a certificate of the corporate secretary of the Seller certifying (a) that the resolutions adopted by the Seller’s board of directors on November 18, 2005, authorizing execution, delivery and performance of the credit facilities, remain in full force and effect and that no further approval of the Seller’s board of directors is required in connection with the execution, delivery, and performance of this Amendment, (b) as to the incumbency of the officers executing this Amendment on behalf of the Seller, and (c) that there has been no change to the Seller’s articles of incorporation or bylaws since copies of the same were delivered to the Agent on or about November 12, 2008; and

 2

3.3.     delivery to the Agent of such other documents as it may reasonably request.

Section 4.             Miscellaneous.

4.1.     Ratifications. The terms and provisions of this Amendment shall modify and supersede all inconsistent terms and provisions of the Repurchase Agreement and the other Repurchase Documents, and, except as expressly modified and superseded by this Amendment, the terms and provisions of the Repurchase Agreement and each other Repurchase Document are ratified and confirmed and shall continue in full force and effect.

4.2.     Seller Representations and Warranties. The Seller hereby represents and warrants that (a) the representations and warranties in Article 15 of the Repurchase Agreement and in the other Repurchase Documents are true and correct in all material respects with the same force and effect on and as of the date hereof as though made as of the date hereof, and (b) after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

4.3.     Survival. The representations and warranties made by the Seller in this Amendment shall survive the execution and delivery of this Amendment.

4.4.     Reference to Repurchase Agreement. Each of the Repurchase Documents, including the Repurchase Agreement and any and all other agreements, documents, or instruments now or hereafter executed and delivered pursuant to the terms hereof or pursuant to the terms of the Repurchase Agreement as amended hereby, is hereby amended so that any reference in such Repurchase Document to the Repurchase Agreement refers to the Repurchase Agreement as amended and modified hereby.

4.5.     Applicable Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

4.6.     Successors and Assigns. This Amendment is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Agent, the Buyers, the Seller, and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Seller may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Agent.

4.7.     Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

4.8.     Headings. The headings, captions, and arrangements used in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Amendment.

4.9.     ENTIRE AGREEMENT. THIS AMENDMENT AND THE OTHER REPURCHASE DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR THERETO.

[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

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In witness whereof the parties have caused this Amendment to be executed as of the date first written above.

SELLER AND SERVICER:
	HOMEAMERICAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, as Seller and Servicer
	By:	/s/ John J. Heaney
	Name:	John J. Heaney
	Title:	Senior Vice President and Treasurer

AGENT AND BUYER:
	U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent and Buyer
	By:	/s/ Edwin D. Jenkins
	Name:	Edwin D. Jenkins
	Title:	Senior Vice President

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EXHIBIT A
TO ELEVENTH AMENDMENT

Form of Request for Increase

U.S. Bank National Association

Mortgage Banking Services

U.S. Bancorp Center

800 Nicollet Mall

Mail Station BC-MN-H03B

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-7020

Attention: Edwin Jenkins

Re: Increase to Maximum Aggregate Commitment

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Master Repurchase Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2008 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Repurchase Agreement”), between HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Repurchase Agreement.

This letter constitutes a request by the Seller to increase the Maximum Aggregate Commitment by the amount of $__________ [complete in increments of $5,000,000 from $25,000,000 up to a total increase of $50,000,000] on ________, 20__ [complete with date not less than 2 Business Days after the date of this letter]. Such increase shall terminate on ______, 20__ [not less than 30 days after commencement date, or if less than 30 days, the Termination Date].

HOMEAMERICAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION
By:	/s/
Title:

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EX-12

Exhibit 12

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
RATIO OF EARNINGS (LOSS) TO FIXED CHARGES
	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Earnings	$	163,686		$	187,953		$	95,914		$	(62,329	)	$	(5,268	)
Fixed charges	$	68,287		$	63,775		$	45,200		$	65,439		$	75,440
Earnings to fixed charges	$	2.40		$	2.95		$	2.12		$	(0.95	)	$	(0.07	)
Earnings (Loss):
Income before income taxes	$	100,475		$	129,825		$	61,115		$	(107,472	)	$	(70,601	)
Add: fixed charges		68,287			63,775			45,200			65,439			75,440
Less: capitalized interest		(65,584	)		(59,908	)		(41,507	)		(41,448	)		(33,919	)
Add: amortization of previously capitalized interest		60,508			54,261			31,106			21,152			23,812
Total earnings	$	163,686		$	187,953		$	95,914		$	(62,329	)	$	(5,268	)
Fixed Charges:
Homebuilding and corporate interest expense (1)	$	685		$	1,726		$	808		$	20,842		$	38,157
Mortgage lending interest expense		200			282			607			442			466
Interest component of rent expense		1,818			1,859			2,278			2,707			2,898
Capitalized interest		65,584			59,908			41,507			41,448			33,919
Total fixed charges	$	68,287		$	63,775		$	45,200		$	65,439		$	75,440

_____________________________________________

(1) Includes the amortization and expensing of debt expenses that were not capitalized during period

In computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, fixed charges consist of homebuilding and corporate interest expense which includes the amortization and expensing of debt expenses that were not capitalized during period, mortgage lending interest expense, interest component of rent expense, and capitalized interest. Earnings are computed by adding fixed charges (except capitalized interest) and amortization of previously capitalized interest during the period to (loss) earnings before income taxes. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company generated losses which exceeded fixed charges of $127.8 million and $80.7 million, respectively.

EX-21

Exhibit 21

SUBSIDIARIES OF M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Name	State of Organization	Doing Business As
Allegiant Insurance Company, Inc., A Risk Retention Group	Hawaii
American Home Insurance Agency, Inc.	Colorado	AHI Insurance Agency AH Insurance Agency, Inc.
American Home Title and Escrow Company	Colorado	AHT Title Company of Texas
HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation	Colorado	Home American Mortgage Corporation
M.D.C. Land Corporation	Colorado	MDC Land Flight Operations Co. Richmond Developments Limited
MDC/Wood, Inc.	Delaware
NDC HVAC, Inc.	Colorado
RAH of Florida, Inc.	Colorado
RAH of Texas, LP	Colorado	Richmond American Homes of Texas
RAH Texas Holdings, LLC	Colorado
Richmond American Construction, Inc.	Delaware
Richmond American Homes Corporation	Colorado
Richmond American Homes of Arizona, Inc.	Delaware
Richmond American Homes of Colorado, Inc.	Delaware
Richmond American Homes of Delaware, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond American Homes of Florida, LP	Colorado
Richmond American Homes of Illinois, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond American Homes of Maryland, Inc.	Maryland	Richmond American Homes of California, Inc.
Richmond American Homes of Nevada, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond American Homes of New Jersey, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond American Homes of Pennsylvania, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond American Homes of Texas, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond American Homes of Utah, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond American Homes of Virginia, Inc.	Virginia
Richmond American Homes of Washington, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond American Homes of West Virginia, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond American Homes Three, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond American Homes Four, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond American Homes Five, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond American Homes Six, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond American Homes Seven, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond Realty, Inc.	Colorado
Richmond Realty of Washington, Inc.	Colorado
StarAmerican Insurance Ltd.	Hawaii
Sterling Ranch II, LLC	Colorado
Yosemite Financial, Inc.	Colorado

EX-23

Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

(1) Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-190359) of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and related Prospectus for the registration of $1,500,000,000 in common stock, preferred stock, and debt securities; and

(2) Registration Statements (Form S-8 No. 333-67894, Form S-8 No. 333-103192 and Form S-8 No. 333-145066) pertaining to the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2001 Equity Incentive Plan and M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors; and

(3) Registration Statements (Form S-8 No. 333-174110 and Form S-8 No. 333-188311) pertaining to the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan and the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors;

of our reports dated January 28, 2015, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2014.

	/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Irvine, California
January 28, 2015

EX-31

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Larry A. Mizel, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: January 28, 2015	By:	/s/ Larry A. Mizel
		Chairman of the Board of Directors
		and Chief Executive Officer
		(principal executive officer)

EX-31

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, John M. Stephens, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: January 28, 2015	By:	/s/ John M. Stephens
		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
		and Principal Accounting Officer
		(principal financial officer)

EX-32

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned Chief Executive Officer of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") hereby certifies that the Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the period ended December 31, 2014 accompanying this certification, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in the periodic report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: January 28, 2015	/s/ Larry A. Mizel
	Larry A. Mizel
	Chief Executive Officer
	(principal executive officer)

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 1350 of Title 18, United States Code, and is not being filed as part of the report or as a separate disclosure document.

EX-32

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned Chief Financial Officer of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") hereby certifies that the Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the period ended December 31, 2014 accompanying this certification, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in the periodic report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: January 28, 2015	/s/ John M. Stephens
	John M. Stephens
	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
	(principal financial officer)

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 1350 of Title 18, United States Code, and is not being filed as part of the report or as a separate disclosure document.

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Note 9 - Homebuilding Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Assets [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Land option deposits	$	12,895	$	15,221
Deferred marketing costs		29,231		15,830
Prepaid expenses		5,104		4,349
Goodwill		6,008		6,008
Deferred debt issuance costs, net		13,004		11,527
Other		1,754		590
Total	$	67,996	$	53,525

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Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 493,070	$ 405,051	$ 430,743	$ 318,534	$ 460,939	$ 433,693	$ 400,327	$ 331,748	$ 1,694,584	$ 1,680,434	$ 1,203,023
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Homebuilding Revenues									770,051	671,278	516,079
Homebuilding [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Homebuilding Revenues									534,244	546,801	355,368
Homebuilding [Member] | East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Homebuilding Revenues									346,336	411,096	284,695
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Homebuilding Revenues									1,650,631	1,629,175	1,156,142
Total revenues									1,650,631	1,629,175	1,156,142
Financial Services [Member] | Mortgage Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Financial Services Revenues									25,887	34,976	35,123
Financial Services [Member] | Other Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Financial Services Revenues									18,066	16,283	11,758
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Financial Services Revenues									$ 43,953	$ 51,259	$ 46,881

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Note 22 - Results of Quarterly Operations (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]

	Quarter
	First			Second			Third			Fourth
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
2014
Total revenue	$	327,757		$	442,752		$	418,403		$	505,672
Home sales revenue	$	318,534		$	430,743		$	405,051		$	493,070
Asset impairments	$	-		$	(850	)	$	-		$	(910	)
Gross margin from home sales (including impairments)		18.5	%		17.1	%		16.5	%		16.3	%
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses	$	48,341		$	49,798		$	50,512		$	54,602
Income before income taxes	$	18,640		$	34,026		$	23,924		$	23,885
Net income	$	11,504		$	21,542		$	15,458		$	14,639
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.24		$	0.44		$	0.32		$	0.30
Diluted	$	0.23		$	0.44		$	0.32		$	0.30

2013
Total revenue	$	344,254		$	416,018		$	448,000		$	472,162
Home sales revenue	$	331,748		$	400,327		$	433,693		$	460,939
Asset impairments	$	-		$	-		$	(350	)	$	(569	)
Gross margin from home sales (including impairments)		17.4	%		18.1	%		18.1	%		17.4	%
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses	$	48,201		$	51,908		$	57,753		$	55,421
Income before income taxes	$	22,586		$	38,012		$	34,909		$	34,318
Net income	$	22,516		$	224,909		$	36,251		$	30,709
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.46		$	4.60		$	0.73		$	0.62
Diluted	$	0.45		$	4.56		$	0.73		$	0.62

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Carrying Value of Impaired Inventories (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Carrying Value of Impaired Inventories [Line Items]
Carrying Value of Impaired Inventory	$ 6,709	$ 4,187
Mountain [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Carrying Value of Impaired Inventories [Line Items]
Carrying Value of Impaired Inventory	4,378
East [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Carrying Value of Impaired Inventories [Line Items]
Carrying Value of Impaired Inventory	$ 2,331	$ 4,187

XML

Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Reconciliation of Pretax Operating Income from Segments to Consolidated (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	$ 23,885	$ 23,924	$ 34,026	$ 18,640	$ 34,318	$ 34,909	$ 38,012	$ 22,586	$ 100,475	$ 129,825	$ 61,115
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes									63,071	65,672	27,076
Homebuilding [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes									39,343	52,392	24,302
Homebuilding [Member] | East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes									10,730	19,590	11,011
Homebuilding [Member] | Corporate Subsegment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes									(37,340)	(37,331)	(29,772)
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes									75,804	100,323	32,617
Financial Services [Member] | Mortgage Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes									14,034	21,608	23,939
Financial Services [Member] | Other Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes									10,637	7,894	4,559
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes									$ 24,671	$ 29,502	$ 28,498

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Note 11 - Warranty Accrual (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Product Warranty Accrual, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ (2,600)	$ 0	$ 0

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Restricted and Unrestricted Stock Award Activity (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted and Unrestricted Stock Award Activity [Abstract]
Unvested, beginning of year	298,991	507,367	667,849
Unvested, beginning of year	$ 32.87	$ 31.69	$ 33.19
Granted	39,021	25,072	48,613
Granted	$ 30.85	$ 37.52	$ 27.85
Vested	(141,454)	(144,841)	(197,801)
Vested	$ 33.08	$ 31.88	$ 35.88
Forfeited	(12,717)	(88,607)	(11,294)
Forfeited	$ 33.05	$ 29.02	$ 30.62
Unvested, end of year	183,841	298,991	507,367
Unvested, end of year	$ 32.27	$ 32.87	$ 31.69

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Note 18 - Concentration of Third-Party Mortgage Purchasers (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Wells Fargo Funding, Inc.		37	%		40	%		58	%
PennyMac Loan Services, LLC		23	%		7	%		0	%
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.		20	%		46	%		36	%
Fannie Mae		10	%		4	%		4	%

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Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding
West	$	770,051	$	671,278	$	516,079
Mountain		534,244		546,801		355,368
East		346,336		411,096		284,695
Total home and land sale revenues	$	1,650,631	$	1,629,175	$	1,156,142
Financial Services
Mortgage operations	$	25,887	$	34,976	$	35,123
Other		18,066		16,283		11,758
Total financial services revenues	$	43,953	$	51,259	$	46,881
Total revenues	$	1,694,584	$	1,680,434	$	1,203,023

Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding
West	$	63,071		$	65,672		$	27,076
Mountain		39,343			52,392			24,302
East		10,730			19,590			11,011
Corporate		(37,340	)		(37,331	)		(29,772	)
Total homebuilding pretax income	$	75,804		$	100,323		$	32,617
Financial Services
Mortgage operations	$	14,034		$	21,608		$	23,939
Other		10,637			7,894			4,559
Total financial services pretax income	$	24,671		$	29,502		$	28,498
Total pretax income	$	100,475		$	129,825		$	61,115

Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding assets
West	$	893,970	$	760,450
Mountain		516,971		418,796
East		343,718		297,627
Corporate		465,368		951,809
Total homebuilding assets	$	2,220,027	$	2,428,682
Financial services assets
Mortgage operations	$	94,265	$	99,065
Other		44,146		67,702
Total financial services assets	$	138,411	$	166,767
Total assets	$	2,358,438	$	2,595,449

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Note 11 - Warranty Accrual (Details) - Warranty Accrual and Payment Activity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Warranty Accrual and Payment Activity [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 22,238	$ 23,151	$ 25,525
Expense provisions	4,834	5,562	4,216
Cash payments	(6,126)	(6,475)	(6,590)
Adjustments	(2,600)	0	0
Balance at end of period	$ 18,346	$ 22,238	$ 23,151

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Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Summary of Inventory Impairments, by Segment (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairments	$ 1,760	$ 919	$ 1,105
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairments	234
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member] | East [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairments	1,000	802	295
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairments	1,234	802	295
Land And Land Under Development [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairments	526
Land And Land Under Development [Member] | East [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairments		117	810
Land And Land Under Development [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairments	$ 526	$ 117	$ 810

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Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 15, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	May 08, 2013	Jan. 10, 2013	Dec. 17, 2014	Dec. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Jan. 30, 2014
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 26,800,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	248,375,000	346,938,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	(18,153,000)
Upon Request [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,000,000,000
Borrowing Base is Required [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Leverage Ratio	55.00%
Borrowing Base Is Not Required [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Leverage Ratio	55.00%
Subject to Acceleration [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
5.5% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			250,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt			248,400,000
Debt Issuance Cost			1,600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.50%
5.375% Senior Notes Due December 2014 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				500,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount				517,700,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt				18,200,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.375%
5.375% Senior Notes Due July 2015 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.375%
6.000% Senior Notes Due January 2043 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					100,000,000	250,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt		346,900,000
Debt Issuance Cost		3,100,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.00%	6.00%				6.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		100,000,000					550,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 13, 2019
Long-term Line of Credit	15,000,000	0
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	524,500,000
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Percentage	50.00%
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	10,500,000	14,900,000
Mortgage Repurchase Facility [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		50,000,000						80,000,000	50,000,000	80,000,000
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 60,800,000	$ 63,100,000

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Note 4 - Earnings Per Share (Details) (Equity Option [Member]) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity Option [Member]
Note 4 - Earnings Per Share (Details) [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	4.3	3.8	4.7

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Note 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (163,647)	$ (269,549)	$ (108,819)
Net cash used in investing activities	423,080	(30,402)	(21,781)
Financing activities:
Mortgage repurchase facility	(2,252)	(13,253)	27,625
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	248,375	346,938
Repayment of senior notes	(517,650)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net	15,000
Dividend payments	(48,820)		(96,915)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	26	391
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	375	5,118	16,624
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(304,946)	339,194	(52,666)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(45,513)	39,243	(183,266)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	199,338	160,095	343,361
End of period	153,825	199,338	160,095
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in investing activities	80,727	302,872	86,333
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	(80,727)	(302,872)	(86,333)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(80,727)	(302,872)	(86,333)
MDC Holdings [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(62,289)	11,994	1,961
Net cash used in investing activities	339,754	(345,165)	(109,332)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	248,375	346,938
Repayment of senior notes	(517,650)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net	15,000
Dividend payments	(48,820)		(96,915)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	26	391
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	375	5,118	16,624
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(302,694)	352,447	(80,291)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(25,229)	19,276	(187,662)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	145,180	125,904	313,566
End of period	119,951	145,180	125,904
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(124,317)	(324,812)	(96,947)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,093)	(1,260)	(841)
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	124,647	325,895	98,567
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	124,647	325,895	98,567
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(763)	(177)	779
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	3,454	3,631	2,852
End of period	2,691	3,454	3,631
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	22,959	43,269	(13,833)
Net cash used in investing activities	3,692	13,151	2,059
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	(43,920)	(23,023)	(12,234)
Mortgage repurchase facility	(2,252)	(13,253)	27,625
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(46,172)	(36,276)	15,391
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(19,521)	20,144	3,617
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	50,704	30,560	26,943
End of period	$ 31,183	$ 50,704	$ 30,560

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Note 10 - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Note 10 - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Warranty accrual	$ 18,346	$ 22,238	$ 23,151	$ 25,525
Homebuilding [Member] | Land Development And Home Construction Accruals [Member]
Note 10 - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities current and non-current	10,108	9,592
Homebuilding [Member]
Note 10 - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued compensation and related expenses	27,541	35,990
Accrued interest	23,234	24,198
Warranty accrual	18,346	22,238
Customer and escrow deposits	16,728	10,759
Accrued liabilities current and non-current	115,117	152,821
Accrued executive deferred compensation		30,796
Other accrued liabilities	$ 19,160	$ 19,248

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Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$ 47,200	$ 72,700
State net operating loss carryforwards	36,100	38,082
Alternative minimum tax and other tax credit carryforwards	27,582	24,196
Stock-based compensation expense	22,545	26,651
Warranty, litigation and other reserves	12,364	15,543
Receivables from related party	10,273	12,132
Accrued compensation	6,442	11,136
Asset impairment charges	2,785	5,496
Inventory, additional costs capitalized for tax purposes	3,257	1,700
Other, net	1,806	3,446
Total deferred tax assets	170,354	211,082
Valuation allowance	(13,027)	(14,669)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	157,327	196,413
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, equipment and other assets	5,025	5,512
Discount on notes receivable	4,149	4,204
Deferred revenue	4,306	3,985
Unrealized gain on marketable securities	1,737	4,915
Other, net	1,624	1,535
Total deferred tax liabilities	16,841	20,151
Net deferred tax asset	$ 140,486	$ 176,262

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Note 12 - Insurance Reserves (Details) - Insurance Reserves (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Insurance Reserves [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 49,637,000	$ 47,852,000	$ 49,376,000
Balance at end of period	50,470,000	49,637,000	47,852,000
Expense provisions	6,316,000	7,065,000	4,565,000
Cash payments, net of recoveries	(5,483,000)	(5,280,000)	(8,020,000)
Adjustments	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,931,000

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Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Liability Associated with Unrecognized Tax Benefits (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Liability Associated with Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Abstract]
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$ 371	$ 575	$ 2,712
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	905	371	575
Increases related to prior year tax positions	633	124	63
Decreases related to prior year tax positions	(85)	(53)	(84)
Increases related to current year tax positions	0	0	0
Decreases related to current year tax positions	0	0	0
Settlements with taxing authorities	0	0	0
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations	$ (14)	$ (275)	$ (2,116)

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Note 10 - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Insurance reserves	$ 50,470	$ 49,637	$ 47,852	$ 49,376
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	6,798	6,002
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 57,268	$ 55,639

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Note 7 - Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory Write-down (in Dollars)	1,800		1,100
Maryland Division [Member] | East [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Projects		3
Maryland Division [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory Write-down (in Dollars)		900
Number of Projects		3	2
Colorado Division [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Projects		1
Inventory Impairments [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Inventory Impairments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	18.00%	18.00%	18.00%
Minimum [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	5.20%
Maximum [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	14.00%

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Note 19 - Stockholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

19. Stockholders' Equity

Common Stock Repurchase Program. At December 31, 2014, we were authorized to repurchase up to 4,000,000 shares of our common stock. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012. We did not hold any treasury stock at December 31, 2014.

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Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Earnest Money Deposits	$ 2,800,000	$ 2,200,000
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	3,800,000	3,700,000	4,400,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Mortgage Loans	13,600,000	25,900,000
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	(800,000)	(100,000)	1,100,000
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Mortgage Loans	15,500,000	28,700,000	21,700,000
Land Development And Home Construction Accruals Current And Noncurrent	10,100,000	9,600,000
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	42,800,000	69,800,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	3.69%	4.13%
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	7 years
Forward Sales of Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 41,000,000	$ 74,500,000
Minimum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	2 years
Maximum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	29 years

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Note 12 - Insurance Reserves (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Insurance Loss Reserves [Abstract]

Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	49,637		$	47,852		$	49,376
Expense provisions		6,316			7,065			4,565
Cash payments, net of recoveries		(5,483	)		(5,280	)		(8,020	)
Adjustments		-			-			1,931
Balance at end of period	$	50,470		$	49,637		$	47,852

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Note 9 - Homebuilding Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets (Details) - Summary of Homebuilding Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Homebuilding Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets [Abstract]
Land option deposits	$ 12,895	$ 15,221
Deferred marketing costs	29,231	15,830
Prepaid expenses	5,104	4,349
Goodwill	6,008	6,008
Deferred debt issuance costs, net	13,004	11,527
Other	1,754	590
Total	$ 67,996	$ 53,525

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Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 0.9
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount		$ 0.9	$ 0.2
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Equity Incentive Plan 2001 [Member]
Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	5 years
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	7 years
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Two Thousand Eleven Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Equity Incentive Plan 2001 [Member]
Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	7 years
Equity Incentive Plan 2001 [Member]
Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	2,500,000
Two Thousand Eleven Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	2,500,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	1,100,000
Director Stock Option Plan 2001 [Member]
Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	700,000
Director Stock Option Plan 2011 [Member]
Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	800,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	400,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee	25,000
ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardExercisablePeriod	6 months

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Note 7 - Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule Of Inventory [Table Text Block]

	December 31,		December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
West	$	343,134	$	270,778
Mountain		220,489		194,101
East		169,069		171,821
Subtotal		732,692		636,700
Land and Land Under Development:
West		507,252		459,512
Mountain		277,583		211,526
East		150,433		103,923
Subtotal		935,268		774,961
Total Inventories	$	1,667,960	$	1,411,661

Schedule Of Asset Impairment By Reportable Segment [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
West	$	-	$	-	$	-
Mountain		234		-		-
East		1,000		802		295
Subtotal		1,234		802		295
Land and Land Under Development:
West		-		-		-
Mountain		526		-		-
East		-		117		810
Subtotal		526		117		810
Total Inventories	$	1,760	$	919	$	1,105

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Note 2 - Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure (Details) - Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Investing (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash paid for:
Interest, net of interest capitalized	$ 1,843		$ 1,083
Income taxes	2,793	5,161	577
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities	$ (1,120)	$ 6,737	$ 12,078

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Summary of Activity for Metro Bonds (Metropolitan District Bond Securities [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Metropolitan District Bond Securities [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Summary of Activity for Metro Bonds [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 12,729	$ 5,818
Increase in fair value (recorded in other comprehensive income)	6,114	6,373
Change due to accretion of principal	1,405	1,192
Cash receipts	(2,045)	(654)
Balance at end of period	$ 18,203	$ 12,729

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 4,293,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss) Accumulated in AOCI	4,500,000		12,600,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated in AOCI	3,100,000		1,100,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Mortgage Loans	13,600,000		25,900,000
Carrying Value of Impaired Inventory	6,709,000		4,187,000
Under Commitment To Sell [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Mortgage Loans	72,300,000		65,100,000
Not Under Commitment To Sell [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Mortgage Loans	13,600,000		25,900,000
Homebuilding [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	4,293,000	4,300,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Mortgage Loans	88,392,000		92,578,000
Minimum [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Short Term Borrowings Maturity Period	30 days
Inventories [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Carrying Value of Impaired Inventory	$ 10,700,000		$ 5,800,000

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	2013	2012
Expected lives of options (in years)	4.0	4.0	7.8
Expected volatility	43.2%	45.3%	44.6%
Risk free interest rate	1.3%	0.8%	1.7%
Dividend yield rate	3.5%	3.0%	4.0%

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014					2013					2012
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
				Average					Average					Average
	Number of			Exercise		Number of			Exercise		Number of			Exercise
	Shares			Price		Shares			Price		Shares			Price
Outstanding Stock Option Activity
Outstanding, beginning of year		5,282,366		$	40.83		5,879,573		$	41.29		5,306,506		$	42.69
Granted (1)		257,500			28.18		237,500			33.82		1,382,500			25.33
Exercised		(18,000	)		20.82		(153,665	)		32.94		(704,242	)		23.69
Forfeited		(23,750	)		25.16		(10,000	)		37.25		(55,710	)		27.46
Cancelled		(642,200	)		62.43		(671,042	)		44.25		(49,481	)		44.75
Outstanding, end of year		4,855,916		$	37.45		5,282,366		$	40.83		5,879,573		$	41.29

Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014					2013					2012
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
	Number of			Average		Number of			Average		Number of			Average
	Shares			Fair Value		Shares			Fair Value		Shares			Fair Value
Unvested Stock Option Activity
Outstanding, beginning of year		838,541		$	9.50		2,045,000		$	8.63		1,251,328		$	10.74
Granted (1)		257,500			7.48		237,500			9.75		1,382,500			7.54
Vested		(604,583	)		7.77		(1,433,959	)		8.28		(533,118	)		8.61
Forfeited		(23,750	)		7.60		(10,000	)		12.72		(55,710	)		8.45
Unvested, end of year		467,708		$	9.51		838,541		$	9.50		2,045,000		$	8.63
___________________________

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding and Exercisable [Table Text Block]

Exercisable or expected to vest
Number outstanding		4,810,204
Weighted-average exercise price	$	37.51
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	2,780
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)		4.49
Exercisable
Number outstanding		4,129,875
Weighted-average exercise price	$	38.74
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	2,173
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)		4.59

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]

		Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
				Weighted-						Weighted-
				Average						Average
				Remaining		Weighted-				Remaining		Weighted-
				Contractual		Average				Contractual		Average
Range of		Number		Life (in		Exercise		Number		Life (in		Exercise
Exercise Price		Outstanding		years)		Price		Outstanding		years)		Price
$	15.84 - $ 23.77		142,500		7.00	$	20.94		42,500		6.79	$	21.83
$	23.78 - $ 39.61		3,230,416		6.14		29.61		2,912,708		6.01		29.51
$	39.62 - $ 47.53		578,000		2.88		42.88		528,000		2.39		43.17
$	55.45 - $ 63.38		600,000		1.65		60.49		600,000		1.65		60.49
$	63.39 - $ 71.30		180,000		1.00		68.18		180,000		1.00		68.18
$	71.31 - $ 100		125,000		0.75		78.89		125,000		0.75		78.89
Total			4,855,916		4.89	$	37.45		4,388,208		4.63	$	38.31

Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014					2013					2012
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
				Average					Average					Average
	Number of			Grant Date		Number of			Grant Date		Number of			Grant Date
	Shares			Fair Value		Shares			Fair Value		Shares			Fair Value
Unvested, beginning of year		298,991		$	32.87		507,367		$	31.69		667,849		$	33.19
Granted		39,021		$	30.85		25,072			37.52		48,613			27.85
Vested		(141,454	)	$	33.08		(144,841	)		31.88		(197,801	)		35.88
Forfeited		(12,717	)	$	33.05		(88,607	)		29.02		(11,294	)		30.62
Unvested, end of year		183,841		$	32.27		298,991		$	32.87		507,367		$	31.69

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Note 3 - Segment Reporting

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

3. Segment Reporting

Our operating segments are defined as a component of an enterprise for which discrete financial information is available and is reviewed regularly by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), or decision-making group, to evaluate performance and make operating decisions. We have identified our CODM as two key executives—the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer.

We have identified each homebuilding division as an operating segment. Our operating segments have been aggregated into the reportable segments noted below because they are similar in the following regards: (1) economic characteristics; (2) housing products; (3) class of homebuyer; (4) regulatory environments; and (5) methods used to construct and sell homes. Our homebuilding reportable segments are as follows:

● West (Arizona, California, Nevada and Washington)

● Mountain (Colorado and Utah)

● East (Virginia, Florida, Illinois and Maryland, which includes Pennsylvania and New Jersey)

Our financial services business consists of the operations of the following operating segments: (1)  HomeAmerican; (2) Allegiant; (3) StarAmerican; (4) American Home Insurance Agency, Inc.; and (5) American Home Title and Escrow Company. Due to its contributions to consolidated pretax income we consider HomeAmerican to be a reportable segment, mortgage operations. The remaining operating segments have been aggregated into one reportable segment, other, because they do not individually exceed 10 percent of: (1) consolidated revenue; (2) the greater of (A) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or (B) the positive value of the combined reported loss of all operating segments that reported losses; or (3) consolidated assets.

Corporate is a non-operating segment that develops and implements strategic initiatives and supports our operating divisions by centralizing key administrative functions such as finance and treasury, information technology, insurance and risk management, litigation and human resources. Corporate also provides the necessary administrative functions to support MDC as a publicly traded company. A portion of the expenses incurred by Corporate are allocated to the homebuilding operating segments based on their respective percentages of assets, and to a lesser degree, a portion of Corporate expenses are allocated to the financial services segments. A majority of Corporate’s personnel and resources are primarily dedicated to activities relating to the homebuilding segments, and, therefore, the balance of any unallocated Corporate expenses is included in the homebuilding segment.

The following table summarizes home and land sale revenues for our homebuilding operations and revenues for our financial services operations.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding
West	$	770,051	$	671,278	$	516,079
Mountain		534,244		546,801		355,368
East		346,336		411,096		284,695
Total home and land sale revenues	$	1,650,631	$	1,629,175	$	1,156,142
Financial Services
Mortgage operations	$	25,887	$	34,976	$	35,123
Other		18,066		16,283		11,758
Total financial services revenues	$	43,953	$	51,259	$	46,881
Total revenues	$	1,694,584	$	1,680,434	$	1,203,023

The following table summarizes pretax income (loss) for our homebuilding and financial services operations.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding
West	$	63,071		$	65,672		$	27,076
Mountain		39,343			52,392			24,302
East		10,730			19,590			11,011
Corporate		(37,340	)		(37,331	)		(29,772	)
Total homebuilding pretax income	$	75,804		$	100,323		$	32,617
Financial Services
Mortgage operations	$	14,034		$	21,608		$	23,939
Other		10,637			7,894			4,559
Total financial services pretax income	$	24,671		$	29,502		$	28,498
Total pretax income	$	100,475		$	129,825		$	61,115

The following table summarizes total assets for our homebuilding and financial services operations. The assets in our West, Mountain and East segments consist primarily of inventory while the assets in our Corporate segment primarily include cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and our deferred tax asset. The assets in our financial services segment consist mostly of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and mortgage loans held-for-sale.

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding assets
West	$	893,970	$	760,450
Mountain		516,971		418,796
East		343,718		297,627
Corporate		465,368		951,809
Total homebuilding assets	$	2,220,027	$	2,428,682
Financial services assets
Mortgage operations	$	94,265	$	99,065
Other		44,146		67,702
Total financial services assets	$	138,411	$	166,767
Total assets	$	2,358,438	$	2,595,449

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value Methods Used for Measuring Fair Values of Financial Instruments on Recurring Basis (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Total available-for-sale securities	$ 156,140	$ 588,067
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	13,600	25,900
Metropolitan District Bond Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party) (available-for-sale)	18,203	12,729
Metropolitan District Bond Securities [Member]
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party) (available-for-sale)	18,203	12,729	5,818
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Equity securities	129,560	389,323
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Debt securities - maturity less than 1 year	1,511	72,577
Debt securities - maturity 1 to 5 years	7,643	106,566
Debt securities - maturity greater than 5 years	17,426	19,601
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	$ 88,392	$ 92,578

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Note 14 - Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Current tax provision (benefit)
Federal	$	1,631	$	2,611		$	(374	)
State		1,475		-			(1,210	)
Total current		3,106		2,611			(1,584	)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)
Federal		28,630		(171,037	)		-
State		5,596		(16,134	)		-
Total deferred		34,226		(187,171	)		-
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	37,332	$	(184,560	)	$	(1,584	)

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tax expense computed at federal statutory rate	$	35,166		$	45,439		$	21,390
State income tax expense, net of federal benefit		3,340			4,544			2,139
Permanent differences		(1,435	)		(358	)		1,771
Expiration of state net operating loss		3,030			3,874			2,634
Tax expense (benefit) related to an increase (decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits		559			(552	)		(1,857	)
Write-off of deferred tax asset for deferred compensation retirement plans		-			11,856			-
Charitable contributions statute expiration		181			-			-
Federal energy credits		(1,131	)		(6,530	)		-
Rate changes		866			-			-
Change in valuation allowance		(1,665	)		(242,833	)		(27,661	)
Other		(1,579	)		-			-
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	37,332		$	(184,560	)	$	(1,584	)
Effective tax (benefit) rate		37.2%			(142.2%	)		(2.6%	)

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	47,200		$	72,700
State net operating loss carryforwards		36,100			38,082
Alternative minimum tax and other tax credit carryforwards		27,582			24,196
Stock-based compensation expense		22,545			26,651
Warranty, litigation and other reserves		12,364			15,543
Receivables from related party		10,273			12,132
Accrued compensation		6,442			11,136
Asset impairment charges		2,785			5,496
Inventory, additional costs capitalized for tax purposes		3,257			1,700
Other, net		1,806			3,446
Total deferred tax assets		170,354			211,082
Valuation allowance		(13,027	)		(14,669	)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		157,327			196,413
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, equipment and other assets		5,025			5,512
Discount on notes receivable		4,149			4,204
Deferred revenue		4,306			3,985
Unrealized gain on marketable securities		1,737			4,915
Other, net		1,624			1,535
Total deferred tax liabilities		16,841			20,151
Net deferred tax asset	$	140,486		$	176,262

Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	371		$	575		$	2,712
Increases related to prior year tax positions		633			124			63
Decreases related to prior year tax positions		(85	)		(53	)		(84	)
Increases related to current year tax positions		-			-			-
Decreases related to current year tax positions		-			-			-
Settlements with taxing authorities		-			-			-
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations		(14	)		(275	)		(2,116	)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	905		$	371		$	575

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Note 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Supplemental Guarantor Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Guarantor Information [Text Block]

23.           Supplemental Guarantor Information

Our senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by the following subsidiaries (collectively, the "Guarantor Subsidiaries"), which are 100%-owned subsidiaries of the Company.

● M.D.C. Land Corporation

● RAH of Florida, Inc.

● Richmond American Construction, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Arizona, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Colorado, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Delaware, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Florida, LP

● Richmond American Homes of Illinois, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Maryland, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Nevada, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of New Jersey, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Pennsylvania, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Utah, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Virginia, Inc.

● Richmond American Homes of Washington, Inc.

The senior note indentures do not provide for a suspension of the guarantees, but do provide that any Guarantor may be released from its guarantee so long as (1) no default or event of default exists or would result from release of such guarantee, (2) the Guarantor being released has consolidated net worth of less than 5% of the Company’s consolidated net worth as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter, (3) the Guarantors released from their guarantees in any year-end period comprise in the aggregate less than 10% (or 15% if and to the extent necessary to permit the cure of a default) of the Company’s consolidated net worth as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter, (4) such release would not have a material adverse effect on the homebuilding business of the Company and its subsidiaries and (5) the Guarantor is released from its guarantee(s) under all Specified Indebtedness (other than by reason of payment under its guarantee of Specified Indebtedness). Upon delivery of an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the indenture relating to such transactions have been complied with and the release is authorized, the guarantee will be automatically and unconditionally released. “Specified Indebtedness” means indebtedness under the senior notes, the Company’s Indenture dated as of December 3, 2002, the Revolving Credit Facility, and any refinancing, extension, renewal or replacement of any of the foregoing.

We have determined that separate, full financial statements of the Guarantor Subsidiaries would not be material to investors and, accordingly, supplemental financial information for the Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries is presented below. As a result of our Richmond American Homes of Washington, Inc. subsidiary becoming a guarantor subsidiary in 2013, we have revised the 2012 Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Operations and Cash Flows to reflect this subsidiary’s results in the guarantor column.

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental CondensedCombining Balance Sheet

	December 31, 2014
					Non-
			Guarantor		Guarantor		Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC		Subsidiaries		Subsidiaries		Entries			MDC
	Dollars in thousands
ASSETS
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	119,951	$	2,691	$	-	$	-		$	122,642
Marketable securities		140,878		-		-		-			140,878
Restricted cash		-		2,816		-		-			2,816
Trade and other receivables		6,573		24,449		-		(2,467	)		28,555
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction		-		732,692		-		-			732,692
Land and land under development		-		935,268		-		-			935,268
Total inventories		-		1,667,960		-		-			1,667,960
Intercompany receivables		1,418,705		2,854		5,295		(1,426,854	)		-
Investment in subsidiaries		260,874		-		-		(260,874	)		-
Deferred tax asset, net		137,529		-		-		2,957			140,486
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		18,203		-		-		-			18,203
Other assets		41,743		56,744		-		-			98,487
Total Homebuilding Assets		2,144,456	$	1,757,514		5,295		(1,687,238	)		2,220,027
Financial Services:
Cash and cash equivalents		-		-		31,183		-			31,183
Marketable securities		-		-		15,262		-			15,262
Intercompany receivables		-		-		39,513		(39,513	)		-
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		-		-		88,392		-			88,392
Other assets		-		-		6,531		(2,957	)		3,574
Total Financial Services Assets		-		-		180,881		(42,470	)		138,411
Total Assets	$	2,144,456	$	1,757,514	$	186,176	$	(1,729,708	)	$	2,358,438
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	$	-	$	35,445	$	-	$	-		$	35,445
Accrued liabilities		7,007		105,529		67		2,514			115,117
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		47,663		1,392,111		23,809		(1,463,583	)		-
Revolving credit facility		15,000		-		-		-			15,000
Senior notes, net		846,450		-		-		-			846,450
Total Homebuilding Liabilities		916,120		1,533,085		23,876		(1,461,069	)		1,012,012
Financial Services:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		-		-		62,249		(4,981	)		57,268
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		-		-		2,784		(2,784	)		-
Mortgage repurchase facility		-		-		60,822		-			60,822
Total Financial Services Liabilities		-		-		125,855		(7,765	)		118,090
Total Liabilities		916,120		1,533,085		149,731		(1,468,834	)		1,130,102
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,228,336		224,429		36,445		(260,874	)		1,228,336
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,144,456	$	1,757,514	$	186,176	$	(1,729,708	)	$	2,358,438

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental CondensedCombining Balance Sheet

	December 31, 2013
					Non-
			Guarantor		Guarantor		Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC		Subsidiaries		Subsidiaries		Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	145,180	$	3,454	$	-	$	-		$	148,634
Marketable securities		569,021		-		-		-			569,021
Restricted cash		-		2,195		-		-			2,195
Trade and other receivables		915		27,951		-		(5,459	)		23,407
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction		-		636,700		-		-			636,700
Land and land under development		-		774,961		-		-			774,961
Total inventories		-		1,411,661		-		-			1,411,661
Intercompany receivables		1,144,292		2,576		1,899		(1,148,767	)		-
Investment in subsidiaries		335,870		-		-		(335,870	)		-
Deferred tax asset, net		172,975		-		-		3,287			176,262
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		12,729		-		-		-			12,729
Other assets, net		41,204		43,569		-		-			84,773
Total Homebuilding Assets		2,422,186		1,491,406		1,899		(1,486,809	)		2,428,682
Financial Services:
Cash and cash equivalents		-		-		50,704		-			50,704
Marketable securities		-		-		19,046		-			19,046
Intercompany receivables		-		-		11,216		(11,216	)		-
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		-		-		92,578		-			92,578
Other assets, net		-		-		7,726		(3,287	)		4,439
Total Financial Services Assets		-		-		181,270		(14,503	)		166,767
Total Assets	$	2,422,186	$	1,491,406	$	183,169	$	(1,501,312	)	$	2,595,449
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	$	13	$	15,033	$	-	$	-		$	15,046
Accrued liabilities		97,612		56,334		82		(1,207	)		152,821
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		15,692		1,121,581		19,668		(1,156,941	)		-
Senior notes, net		1,095,620		-		-		-			1,095,620
Total Homebuilding Liabilities		1,208,937		1,192,948		19,750		(1,158,148	)		1,263,487
Financial Services:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		-		-		59,891		(4,252	)		55,639
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		-		-		3,042		(3,042	)		-
Mortgage repurchase facility		-		-		63,074		-			63,074
Total Financial Services Liabilities		-		-		126,007		(7,294	)		118,713
Total Liabilities		1,208,937		1,192,948		145,757		(1,165,442	)		1,382,200
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,213,249		298,458		37,412		(335,870	)		1,213,249
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,422,186	$	1,491,406	$	183,169	$	(1,501,312	)	$	2,595,449

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental CondensedCombining Statement of Comprehensive Income

	Year Ended December 31, 2014
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$	-		$	1,650,631		$	-		$	-		$	1,650,631
Cost of Sales		-			(1,368,140	)		(40	)		-			(1,368,180	)
Inventory impairments		-			(1,760	)		-			-			(1,760	)
Gross margin		-			280,731			(40	)		-			280,691
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(38,290	)		(164,287	)		-			(676	)		(203,253	)
Equity income of subsidiaries		86,223			-			-			(86,223	)		-
Interest and other income		24,824			1,517			15			(46	)		26,310
Interest expense		(685	)		-			-			-			(685	)
Other expense		(8	)		(4,805	)		-			-			(4,813	)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt		(18,153	)		-			-			-			(18,153	)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(4,293	)		-			-			-			(4,293	)
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)		49,618			113,156			(25	)		(86,945	)		75,804
Financial Services:
Financial services pretax income		-			-			23,949			722			24,671
Income before income taxes		49,618			113,156			23,924			(86,223	)		100,475
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		13,525			(42,044	)		(8,813	)		-			(37,332	)
Net income	$	63,143		$	71,112		$	15,111		$	(86,223	)	$	63,143
Other comprehensive income related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		(1,120	)		-			(22	)		22			(1,120	)
Comprehensive income	$	62,023		$	71,112		$	15,089		$	(86,201	)	$	62,023

	Year Ended December 31, 2013
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$	-		$	1,630,423		$	-		$	(1,248	)	$	1,629,175
Cost of Sales		-			(1,340,187	)		-			1,248			(1,338,939	)
Inventory impairments		-			(919	)		-			-			(919	)
Gross margin		-			289,317			-			-			289,317
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(63,506	)		(149,424	)		-			(353	)		(213,283	)
Equity income of subsidiaries		163,157			-			-			(163,157	)		-
Interest and other income		28,329			1,503			14			(48	)		29,798
Interest expense		(1,726	)		-			-			-			(1,726	)
Other expense		(14	)		(3,769	)		-			-			(3,783	)
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)		126,240			137,627			14			(163,558	)		100,323
Financial Services:
Financial services pretax income		-			-			29,101			401			29,502
Income before income taxes		126,240			137,627			29,115			(163,157	)		129,825
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		188,145			7,507			(11,092	)		-			184,560
Net income	$	314,385		$	145,134		$	18,023		$	(163,157	)	$	314,385
Other comprehensive income related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		6,737			-			(119	)		119			6,737
Comprehensive income	$	321,122		$	145,134		$	17,904		$	(163,038	)	$	321,122

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental CondensedCombining Statement of Comprehensive Income

	Year Ended December 31, 2012
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$	-		$	1,162,676		$	-		$	(6,534	)	$	1,156,142
Cost of Sales		-			(984,477	)		-			6,534			(977,943	)
Inventory impairments		-			(1,105	)		-			-			(1,105	)
Gross margin		-			177,094			-			-			177,094
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(52,880	)		(119,135	)		4,720			-			(167,295	)
Equity income of subsidiaries		81,836			-			-			(81,836	)		-
Interest and other income		24,035			949			14			-			24,998
Interest expense		(778	)		(30	)		-			-			(808	)
Other expense		(126	)		(1,239	)		(7	)		-			(1,372	)
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)		52,087			57,639			4,727			(81,836	)		32,617
Financial Services:
Financial services pretax income		-			-			28,498			-			28,498
Income before income taxes		52,087			57,639			33,225			(81,836	)		61,115
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		10,612			1,435			(10,463	)		-			1,584
Net income	$	62,699		$	59,074		$	22,762		$	(81,836	)	$	62,699
Other comprehensive income related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		12,078			-			100			(100	)		12,078
Comprehensive income	$	74,777		$	59,074		$	22,862		$	(81,936	)	$	74,777

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statement of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31, 2014
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(62,289	)		(124,317	)		22,959			-		$	(163,647	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		339,754			(1,093	)		3,692			80,727			423,080
Financing activities:
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		-			124,647			(43,920	)		(80,727	)		-
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net		-			-			(2,252	)		-			(2,252	)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		248,375			-			-			-			248,375
Repayment of senior notes		(517,650	)		-			-			-			(517,650	)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		15,000			-			-			-			15,000
Dividend payments		(48,820	)		-			-			-			(48,820	)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		26			-			-			-			26
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		375			-			-			-			375
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(302,694	)		124,647			(46,172	)		(80,727	)		(304,946	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(25,229	)		(763	)		(19,521	)		-			(45,513	)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		145,180			3,454			50,704			-			199,338
End of period	$	119,951		$	2,691		$	31,183		$	-		$	153,825

	Year Ended December 31, 2013
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	11,994		$	(324,812	)	$	43,269		$	-		$	(269,549	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(345,165	)		(1,260	)		13,151			302,872			(30,402	)
Financing activities:
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		-			325,895			(23,023	)		(302,872	)		-
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net		-			-			(13,253	)		-			(13,253	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards		391			-			-			-			391
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes		346,938			-			-			-			346,938
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		5,118			-			-			-			5,118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		352,447			325,895			(36,276	)		(302,872	)		339,194
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		19,276			(177	)		20,144			-			39,243
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		125,904			3,631			30,560			-			160,095
End of period	$	145,180		$	3,454		$	50,704		$	-		$	199,338

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statement of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31, 2012
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	1,961		$	(96,947	)	$	(13,833	)	$	-		$	(108,819	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(109,332	)		(841	)		2,059			86,333			(21,781	)
Financing activities:
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		-			98,567			(12,234	)		(86,333	)		-
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net		-			-			27,625			-			27,625
Dividend Payments		(96,915	)		-			-			-			(96,915	)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		16,624			-			-			-			16,624
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(80,291	)		98,567			15,391			(86,333	)		(52,666	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(187,662	)		779			3,617			-			(183,266	)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		313,566			2,852			26,943			-			343,361
End of period	$	125,904		$	3,631		$	30,560		$	-		$	160,095

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Note 22 - Results of Quarterly Operations (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]

22.      Results of Quarterly Operations (Unaudited)

	Quarter
	First			Second			Third			Fourth
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
2014
Total revenue	$	327,757		$	442,752		$	418,403		$	505,672
Home sales revenue	$	318,534		$	430,743		$	405,051		$	493,070
Asset impairments	$	-		$	(850	)	$	-		$	(910	)
Gross margin from home sales (including impairments)		18.5	%		17.1	%		16.5	%		16.3	%
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses	$	48,341		$	49,798		$	50,512		$	54,602
Income before income taxes	$	18,640		$	34,026		$	23,924		$	23,885
Net income	$	11,504		$	21,542		$	15,458		$	14,639
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.24		$	0.44		$	0.32		$	0.30
Diluted	$	0.23		$	0.44		$	0.32		$	0.30

2013
Total revenue	$	344,254		$	416,018		$	448,000		$	472,162
Home sales revenue	$	331,748		$	400,327		$	433,693		$	460,939
Asset impairments	$	-		$	-		$	(350	)	$	(569	)
Gross margin from home sales (including impairments)		17.4	%		18.1	%		18.1	%		17.4	%
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses	$	48,201		$	51,908		$	57,753		$	55,421
Income before income taxes	$	22,586		$	38,012		$	34,909		$	34,318
Net income	$	22,516		$	224,909		$	36,251		$	30,709
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.46		$	4.60		$	0.73		$	0.62
Diluted	$	0.45		$	4.56		$	0.73		$	0.62

XML

Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Stock Option Award Activity (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Outstanding Stock Option Activity
Outstanding, beginning of year	5,282,366		5,879,573		5,306,506
Outstanding, beginning of year	$ 40.83		$ 41.29		$ 42.69
Outstanding, end of year	4,855,916		5,282,366		5,879,573
Outstanding, end of year	$ 37.45		$ 40.83		$ 41.29
Granted (1)	257,500	[1]	237,500	[1]	1,382,500	[1]
Granted (1)	$ 28.18	[1]	$ 33.82	[1]	$ 25.33	[1]
Exercised	(18,000)		(153,665)		(704,242)
Exercised	$ 20.82		$ 32.94		$ 23.69
Forfeited	(23,750)		(10,000)		(55,710)
Forfeited	$ 25.16		$ 37.25		$ 27.46
Cancelled	(642,200)		(671,042)		(49,481)
Cancelled	$ 62.43		$ 44.25		$ 44.75

[1] Total shares granted in 2012 include 1,000,000 performance based options granted to our CEO and COO. See further discussion regarding these grants in the "Performance Based Stock Award Activity" section below.

XML

Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Total Assets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 2,358,438	$ 2,595,449
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	893,970	760,450
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	516,971	418,796
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	343,718	297,627
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Corporate Subsegment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	465,368	951,809
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	2,220,027	2,428,682
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Mortgage Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	94,265	99,065
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Other Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	44,146	67,702
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	138,411	166,767
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	2,220,027	2,428,682
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 138,411	$ 166,767

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Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
5⅜% Senior Notes due December 2014, net	$	-	$	249,814
5⅜% Senior Notes due July 2015, net		-		249,935
5⅝% Senior Notes due February 2020, net		246,450		245,871
5½% Senior Notes due January 2024		250,000		-
6% Senior Notes due January 2043		350,000		350,000
Total	$	846,450	$	1,095,620

XML

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation.  The Consolidated Financial Statements of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. ("MDC," “the Company," “we,” “us,” or “our” which refers to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries) include the accounts of MDC and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Presentation.  Our balance sheet presentation is unclassified due to the fact that certain assets and liabilities have both short and long-term characteristics.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Accounting Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents.  The Company periodically invests funds in highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, such as commercial paper, money market funds and time deposits, which are included in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows.

Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Marketable Securities. We have marketable debt and equity securities and as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, all of our marketable securities were treated as available-for-sale investments. As such, we have recorded all of our marketable securities at fair value with changes in fair value being recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). When a security is sold, we use the first-in first-out method to determine the cost of the security sold or the amount reclassified out of AOCI.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Restricted Cash.  We receive cash earnest money deposits from our customers who enter into home sale contracts. In certain states we are restricted from using such deposits for general purposes, unless we take measures to release state imposed restrictions on such deposits received from homebuyers, which may include posting blanket surety bonds. We had $2.8 million and $2.2 million in restricted cash related to homebuyer deposits at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Home Sale Receivables.  Home sale receivables primarily consist of cash to be received from title companies or outside brokers associated with closed homes. Generally, we will receive cash from title companies and outside brokers within a few days of the home being closed.

Finance, Loan and Lease Receivables, Held-for-sale, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale, net.  Mortgage loans held-for-sale are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices and estimated market prices received from an outside third-party. Using fair value allows an offset of the changes in fair values of the mortgage loans and the derivative instruments used to hedge them without the burden of complying with the requirements for hedge accounting.

Inventory, Real Estate, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories. Our inventories are primarily associated with communities where we intend to construct and sell homes, including models and speculative homes. Costs capitalized to land and land under development primarily include: (1) land costs; (2) land development costs; (3) entitlement costs; (4) capitalized interest; (5) engineering fees; and (6) title insurance, real property taxes and closing costs directly related to the purchase of the land parcel. Components of housing completed or under construction primarily include: (1) land costs transferred from land and land under development; (2) direct construction costs associated with a house; (3) real property taxes, engineering fees, permits and other fees; (4) capitalized interest; and (5) indirect construction costs, which include field construction management salaries and benefits, utilities and other construction related costs. Land costs are transferred from land and land under development to housing completed or under construction at the point in time that construction of a home on an owned lot begins.

In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (“ASC 360”), homebuilding inventories are carried at cost unless events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the underlying subdivision may not be recoverable. We evaluate inventories for impairment at each quarter end on a subdivision level basis as each such subdivision represents the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. In making this determination, we review, among other things, the following for each subdivision:

• actual and trending “Operating Margin” (which is defined as home sale revenues less home cost of sales and all direct incremental costs associated with the home closing, including sales commissions) for homes closed;

• estimated future undiscounted cash flows and Operating Margin;

• forecasted Operating Margin for homes in backlog;

• actual and trending net and gross home orders;

• base sales price and home sales incentive information for homes closed, homes in backlog and homes available for sale;

• market information for each sub-market, including competition levels, home foreclosure levels, the size and style of homes currently being offered for sale and lot size; and

• known or probable events indicating that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

If events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our inventory may not be recoverable, assets are reviewed for impairment by comparing the undiscounted estimated future cash flows from an individual subdivision (including capitalized interest) to its carrying value. If the undiscounted future cash flows are less than the subdivision’s carrying value, the carrying value of the subdivision is written down to its then estimated fair value. We generally determine the estimated fair value of each subdivision by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows at discount rates that are commensurate with the risk of the subdivision under evaluation.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment, net.   Property and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from 2 to 29 years. Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment was $3.8 million, $3.7 million and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The following table sets forth the cost and carrying value of our property and equipment by major asset category.

			Accumulated
			Depreciation and		Carrying
	Cost		Amortization		Value
December 31, 2014:	(Dollars in thousands)
Airplane	$	28,997	$	7,152	$	21,845
Computer software and equipment		20,594		14,084		6,510
Leasehold improvements		9,617		7,590		2,027
Other		1,989		1,880		109
Total	$	61,197	$	30,706	$	30,491
December 31, 2013:
Airplane	$	28,997	$	6,604	$	22,393
Computer software and equipment		18,436		11,780		6,656
Leasehold improvements		8,793		6,787		2,006
Other		2,048		1,855		193
Total	$	58,274	$	27,026	$	31,248

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Deferred Tax Asset, net.   Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between (1) the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and (2) the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using current enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded against a deferred tax asset if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Deferred Marketing Costs [Policy Text Block]

Deferred Marketing Costs. Certain marketing costs related to model homes and sales offices are capitalized as they are: (1) reasonably expected to be recovered from the sale of the project; and (2) incurred for (a) tangible assets that are used directly throughout the selling period to aid in the sale of the project or (b) services that have been performed to obtain regulatory approval of sales. Capitalized marketing costs are included in prepaid and other assets in the homebuilding section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the associated amortization expense is included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) in the homebuilding section of the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as the homes in the related subdivision are delivered. We allocate all capitalized marketing costs equally to each house within a subdivision and record expense as homes close over the life of a subdivision. All other marketing costs are expensed as incurred.

Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Variable Interest Entities.  In accordance with ASC Topic 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), we analyze our land option contracts and other contractual arrangements to determine whether the corresponding land sellers are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and, if so, whether we are the primary beneficiary. Although we do not have legal title to the optioned land, ASC 810 requires a company to consolidate a VIE if the company is determined to be the primary beneficiary. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary, we consider, among other things, whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact VIE’s economic performance, including, but not limited to, determining or limiting the scope or purpose of the VIE, selling or transferring property owned or controlled by the VIE, or arranging financing for the VIE. We also consider whether we have the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. We have concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, we were not the primary beneficiary of any VIEs from which we are purchasing land under land option contracts.

Related Party Assets [Policy Text Block]

Related Party Assets. Our related party assets are debt security bonds acquired from a quasi-municipal corporation in the state of Colorado. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles–Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), we evaluate goodwill for possible impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We use a three step process to assess the realizability of goodwill. The first step is a qualitative assessment that analyzes current economic indicators associated with a particular reporting unit. For example, we analyze changes in economic, market and industry conditions, business strategy, cost factors, and financial performance, among others, to determine if there would be a significant decline to the fair value of a particular reporting unit. If the qualitative assessment indicates a stable or improved fair value, no further testing is required.

If a qualitative assessment indicates that a significant decline to fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not, or if a reporting unit’s fair value has historically been closer to its carrying value, we will proceed to the second step where we calculate the fair value of a reporting unit based on discounted future probability-weighted cash flows. If this step indicates that the carrying value of a reporting unit is in excess of its fair value, we will proceed to the third step where the fair value of the reporting unit will be allocated to assets and liabilities as they would in a business combination. Impairment occurs when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value calculated in the third step.

Based on our analysis, we have concluded as of December 31, 2014, our goodwill was not impaired.

Income Tax Uncertainties, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Liability for Unrecognized Tax Benefits. ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, regarding liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits provides guidance for the recognition and measurement in financial statements of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.

The evaluation of a tax position is a two-step process, the first step being recognition. We determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon tax examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation, based on the technical merits of the position. The technical merits of a tax position derive from both statutory and judicial authority (legislation and statutes, legislative intent, regulations, rulings, and case law) and their applicability to the facts and circumstances of the tax position. If a tax position does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the benefit of that position is not recognized in the financial statements.

The second step is measurement. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate resolution with a taxing authority. Once the gross unrecognized tax benefit is determined, we also accrue for any interest and penalties, as well as any offsets expected from resultant amendments to federal or state tax returns. We record the aggregate effect of these items in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. To the extent this tax position would be offset against a similar deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed, the liability is treated as a reduction to the related deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward. Otherwise, we record the corresponding liability in accrued liabilities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets.

Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Warranty Accrual. Our homes are sold with limited third-party warranties. Under our agreement with the issuer of the third-party warranties, we are responsible for performing all of the work for the first two years of the warranty coverage and paying for substantially all of the work required to be performed during years three through ten of the warranties. We record accruals for general and structural warranty claims, as well as accruals for known, unusual warranty-related expenditures. Warranty accrual is recorded based upon historical payment experience in an amount estimated to be adequate to cover expected costs of materials and outside labor during warranty periods. The determination of the warranty accrual rate for closed homes and the evaluation of our warranty accrual balance at period end are based on an internally developed analysis that includes known facts and interpretations of circumstances, including, among other things, our trends in historical warranty payment levels and warranty payments for claims not considered to be normal and recurring.

Warranty payments are recorded against the warranty accrual. Additional reserves may be established for known, unusual warranty-related expenditures not covered through the independent warranty accrual analysis performed by us. Warranty payments incurred for an individual house may differ from the related reserve established for the home at the time it was closed. The actual disbursements for warranty claims are evaluated in the aggregate to determine if an adjustment to the historical warranty accrual should be recorded.

We assess the reasonableness and adequacy of the reserve and the per-unit reserve amount originally included in home cost of sales, as well as the timing of the reversal of any excess reserve on a quarterly basis, using historical payment data and other relevant information. Warranty accrual is included in accrued liabilities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets and adjustments to our warranty accrual is recorded as an increase or reduction to home cost of sales in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations.

Liability Reserve Estimate, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Insurance Reserves. The establishment of reserves for estimated losses associated with insurance policies issued by Allegiant and re-insurance agreements issued by StarAmerican are based on actuarial developed studies that include known facts and interpretations of circumstances, including our experience with similar cases and historical trends involving claim payment patterns, pending levels of unpaid claims, product mix or concentration, claim severity, frequency patterns depending on the business conducted, and changing regulatory and legal environments.

Mortgage Loan Loss Reserves [Policy Text Block]

Mortgage Loan Loss Reserves.  In the normal course of business, we establish reserves for potential losses associated with HomeAmerican’s sale of mortgage loans to third-parties. These reserves are created to address repurchase and indemnity claims by third-party purchasers of the mortgage loans, which claims arise primarily out of, but not limited to, allegations of homebuyer fraud at the time of origination of the loan, missing documentation, loan processing defects or defective appraisals. These reserves are based upon, among other matters: (1) pending claims received from third-party purchasers associated with previously sold mortgage loans; (2) a current assessment of the potential exposure associated with future claims of loan processing defects or homebuyer fraud in mortgage loans originated in prior periods; and (3) historical loss experience.

In addition to reserves established for mortgage loans previously sold to third-parties, we establish reserves for loans that we have repurchased if we believe the loss is likely and estimable. Our mortgage loan reserves are reflected as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and the associated expenses are included in expenses in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Litigation Reserves. We and certain of our subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various cases. We reserve for estimated exposure with respect to these cases based upon currently available information on each case. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Financial Instruments. The derivative instruments we utilize in the normal course of business are interest rate lock commitments and forward sales of mortgage-backed securities, both of which typically are short-term in nature. Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities are utilized to hedge changes in fair value of our interest rate lock commitments as well as mortgage loans held-for-sale not under commitments to sell. For forward sales of securities, as well as interest rate lock commitments that are still outstanding at the end of a reporting period, we record the changes in fair value of the derivatives in revenues in the financial services section of our consolidated statements of operations with an offset to prepaid expenses and other assets or accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the financial services section of our accompanying consolidated balance sheets, depending on the nature of the change.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had interest rate lock commitments with aggregate principal balances of approximately $42.8 million and $69.8 million, respectively, at average interest rates of 3.69% and 4.13%, respectively. In addition, we had $13.6 million and $25.9 million of mortgage loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, that had not yet been committed to a mortgage purchaser. In order to hedge the changes in fair value of our interest rate lock commitments and mortgage loans held-for-sale which had not yet been committed to a mortgage purchaser, we had forward sales of securities totaling $41.0 million and $74.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we recorded net gains (losses) on our derivatives of $(0.8) million, $(0.1) million and $1.1 million, respectively. For further discussion of our policies regarding interest rate lock commitments, see our “Revenue Recognition for HomeAmerican” accounting policy section below.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition for Homebuilding Segments.  Revenue from home closings and land sales is recognized when the closing has occurred, title has passed, adequate initial and continuing investment by the buyer is received, possession and other attributes of ownership have been transferred to the buyer and we are not obligated to perform significant additional activities after closing and delivery. If the buyer has provided sufficient initial and continuing investment, and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met, revenue is recognized on the date of closing. Revenue from a home closing includes the base sales price and any purchased options and upgrades and is reduced for any sales price incentives.

We defer Operating Margin related to the sale of a home if all of the following criteria are present: (1) HomeAmerican originates the mortgage loan; (2) HomeAmerican has not sold the mortgage loan, or loans, as of the end of the pertinent reporting period; and (3) the homebuyer’s down payment does not meet the initial or continuing investment criteria. The deferral is subsequently recognized at the time HomeAmerican sells the homebuyer’s mortgage loan, or loans, to a third-party purchaser. In the event the Operating Margin is a loss, we recognize such loss at the time the home is closed. We did not have any homes that closed during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012 that failed to meet the continuing investment criteria.

Revenue Recognition for HomeAmerican.  Revenues recorded by HomeAmerican primarily include origination fees and the corresponding sale of a loan and either the release or retention of a loan’s servicing rights. Origination fees are recognized when a loan is originated. When an interest rate lock commitment is made to a customer, we record the expected gain on sale of the mortgage including servicing rights, adjusted for a pull-through percentage (which is defined as the likelihood that an interest rate lock commitment will be originated), as revenue. As the interest rate lock commitment gets closer to being originated, the expected gain on the sale of that loan plus its servicing rights is updated to reflect current market value and the increase or decrease in the fair value of that interest rate lock commitment is recorded through revenues. At the same time, the expected pull-through percentage of the interest rate lock commitment to be originated is updated (typically an increase as the interest lock commitment gets closer to origination) and, if there has been a change, revenues are adjusted as necessary. After origination, our mortgage loans, generally including their servicing rights, are sold to third-party purchasers in accordance with sale agreements entered into by us with a third-party purchaser of the loans. We make representations and warranties with respect to the status of loans transferred in the sale agreements. The sale agreements generally include statements acknowledging the transfer of the loans is intended by both parties to constitute a sale. Sale of a mortgage loan has occurred when the following criteria, among others, have been met: (1) fair consideration has been paid for transfer of the loan by a third party in an arms-length transaction, (2) all the usual risks and rewards of ownership that are in substance a sale have been transferred by us to the third party purchaser; and (3) we do not have a substantial continuing involvement with the mortgage loan.

We measure mortgage loans held-for-sale at fair value with the changes in fair value being reported in earnings at each reporting date. The impact of recording changes in fair value to earnings did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012. Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net, were $15.5 million, $28.7 million and $21.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and are included as a component of revenues in the financial services section of the consolidated statements of operations.

Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Home Cost of Sales. Home cost of sales includes the specific construction costs of each home and all applicable land acquisition, land development and related costs, both incurred and estimated to be incurred, warranty costs and finance and closing costs, including closing cost incentives. We use the specific identification method for the purpose of accumulating home construction costs and allocate costs to each lot within a subdivision associated with land acquisition and land development based upon relative fair value of the lots prior to home construction. Lots within a subdivision typically have comparable fair values, and, as such, we generally allocate costs equally to each lot within a subdivision. We record all home cost of sales when a home is closed on a house-by-house basis.

When a home is closed, we generally have not yet paid and recorded all costs necessary to complete the construction of the home and certain land development costs. At the time of a home closing, we compare the home construction budgets to actual recorded costs to determine the additional costs remaining to be paid on each closed home. For amounts not incurred or paid as of the time of closing a home, we record an estimated accrual associated with certain home construction and land development costs. Generally, these accruals are established based upon contracted work which has yet to be paid, open work orders not paid at the time of home closing, as well as land completion costs more likely than not to be incurred, and represent estimates believed to be adequate to cover the expected remaining home construction and land development costs. We monitor the adequacy of these accruals on a house-by-house basis and in the aggregate on a subdivision-by-subdivision basis. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had $10.1 million and $9.6 million, respectively, of land development and home construction accruals for closed homes. Actual results could differ from such estimates.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation Expense. Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards is based on the grant date fair value. The grant date fair value for stock option awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the grant date fair value for restricted stock awards is based upon the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. We recognize these compensation costs net of estimated forfeitures. For stock option awards with service conditions only, we recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is currently the vesting term of up to seven years. For our stock option awards with performance conditions, we recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis for each performance criteria tranche (if applicable) over the period between the date that it is determined the performance conditions related to each tranche (if applicable) are probable to be met and the date the option vests.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share. For purposes of calculating earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”), a company that has participating security holders (for example, unvested restricted stock that has nonforfeitable dividend rights) is required to utilize the two-class method for calculating earnings per share unless the treasury stock method results in lower EPS. The two-class method is an allocation of earnings/(loss) between the holders of common stock and a company’s participating security holders. Under the two-class method, earnings/(loss) for the reporting period are allocated between common shareholders and other security holders based on their respective rights to receive distributed earnings (i.e., dividends) and undistributed earnings (i.e., net income/(loss)). Currently, we have one class of security and we have participating security holders consisting of shareholders of unvested restricted stock. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing income or loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. To calculate diluted EPS, basic EPS is further adjusted to include the effect of potential dilutive stock options outstanding.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recently Issued Accounting Standards. In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists ("ASU 2013-11"). This update requires companies to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, unless certain conditions exist. ASU 2013-11 was effective for our interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2014. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"), which is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model. Under ASU 2014-09, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and is to be applied retrospectively, with early application not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the pronouncement will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures ("ASU 2014-11"), which makes limited amendments to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 860, "Transfers and Servicing." ASU 2014-11 requires entities to account for repurchase-to-maturity transactions as secured borrowings, eliminates accounting guidance on linked repurchase financing transactions, and expands disclosure requirements related to certain transfers of financial assets. ASU 2014-11 is effective for our fiscal periods beginning January 1, 2015 and interim periods beginning April 1, 2015. Early adoption is not permitted. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

			Accumulated
			Depreciation and		Carrying
	Cost		Amortization		Value
December 31, 2014:	(Dollars in thousands)
Airplane	$	28,997	$	7,152	$	21,845
Computer software and equipment		20,594		14,084		6,510
Leasehold improvements		9,617		7,590		2,027
Other		1,989		1,880		109
Total	$	61,197	$	30,706	$	30,491
December 31, 2013:
Airplane	$	28,997	$	6,604	$	22,393
Computer software and equipment		18,436		11,780		6,656
Leasehold improvements		8,793		6,787		2,006
Other		2,048		1,855		193
Total	$	58,274	$	27,026	$	31,248

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Note 2 - Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]

2.             Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure

The table below sets forth supplemental disclosures of cash flow information and non-cash investing and financing activities.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash paid for:
Interest, net of interest capitalized	$	1,843		$	-	$	1,083
Income taxes	$	2,793		$	5,161	$	577
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities	$	(1,120	)	$	6,737	$	12,078

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Note 2 - Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash paid for:
Interest, net of interest capitalized	$	1,843		$	-	$	1,083
Income taxes	$	2,793		$	5,161	$	577
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities	$	(1,120	)	$	6,737	$	12,078

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Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent		35.00%
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		$ 37,332,000	$ (184,560,000)	$ (1,584,000)
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount	187,600,000		11,900,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance		13,027,000	14,669,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Domestic		47,200,000	72,700,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, State and Local		36,100,000	38,082,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Subject to Expiration		200,000
Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions, Current		800,000	300,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate		900,000	400,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense		200,000	0	(400,000)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued		300,000	300,000
Significant (Increase) Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Lower Bound		0
Significant (Increase) Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Upper Bound		200,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year		2011
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year		2014
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year		2010
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year		2014
Energy Credits [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Other Tax Expense (Benefit)			(6,500,000)
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance		6,700,000
Metropolitan District Bond Securities [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance		$ 6,300,000

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Note 10 - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Accrued compensation and related expenses	$	27,541	$	35,990
Accrued interest		23,234		24,198
Warranty accrual		18,346		22,238
Customer and escrow deposits		16,728		10,759
Land development and home construction accruals		10,108		9,592
Accrued executive deferred compensation		-		30,796
Other accrued liabilities		19,160		19,248
Total accrued liabilities	$	115,117	$	152,821

Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Insurance reserves	$	50,470	$	49,637
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		6,798		6,002
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	57,268	$	55,639

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Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Details) (Other Segments [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Segments [Member]
Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	1

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Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Summary of Inventory (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Housing Completed or Under Construction	$ 732,692	$ 636,700
Land and Land Under Development:
Land and Land Under Development	935,268	774,961
Total Inventories	1,667,960	1,411,661
West [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Housing Completed or Under Construction	343,134	270,778
Land and Land Under Development:
Land and Land Under Development	507,252	459,512
Mountain [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Housing Completed or Under Construction	220,489	194,101
Land and Land Under Development:
Land and Land Under Development	277,583	211,526
East [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Housing Completed or Under Construction	169,069	171,821
Land and Land Under Development:
Land and Land Under Development	$ 150,433	$ 103,923

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 153,825,000		$ 199,338,000
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	13,600,000		25,900,000
Housing completed or under construction	732,692,000		636,700,000
Land and land under development	935,268,000		774,961,000
Total inventories	1,667,960,000		1,411,661,000
Property and equipment, net	30,491,000		31,248,000
Deferred tax asset, net	140,486,000		176,262,000
Prepaid and other assets	67,996,000		53,525,000
Total Assets	2,358,438,000		2,595,449,000
Total Liabilities	1,130,102,000		1,382,200,000
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	0		0
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 48,831,639 and 48,788,887 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	488,000		488,000
Additional paid-in-capital	909,974,000		908,090,000
Retained earnings	307,419,000		293,096,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income	10,455,000	[1]	11,575,000	[1]
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,228,336,000		1,213,249,000
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	2,358,438,000		2,595,449,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	57,268,000		55,639,000
Homebuilding [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	122,642,000		148,634,000
Marketable securities	140,878,000		569,021,000
Restricted cash	2,816,000		2,195,000
Trade and other receivables	28,555,000		23,407,000
Housing completed or under construction	732,692,000		636,700,000
Land and land under development	935,268,000		774,961,000
Total inventories	1,667,960,000		1,411,661,000
Property and equipment, net	30,491,000		31,248,000
Deferred tax asset, net	140,486,000		176,262,000
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)	18,203,000		12,729,000
Prepaid and other assets	67,996,000		53,525,000
Total Assets	2,220,027,000		2,428,682,000
Accounts payable	35,445,000		15,046,000
Accrued liabilities	115,117,000		152,821,000
Revolving credit facility	15,000,000
Senior notes, net	846,450,000		1,095,620,000
Total Liabilities	1,012,012,000		1,263,487,000
Financial Services [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	31,183,000		50,704,000
Marketable securities	15,262,000		19,046,000
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	88,392,000		92,578,000
Other assets	3,574,000		4,439,000
Total Assets	138,411,000		166,767,000
Total Liabilities	118,090,000		118,713,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	57,268,000		55,639,000
Mortgage repurchase facility	$ 60,822,000		$ 63,074,000

[1] All amounts net-of-tax.

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Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule Of Mortgage Loan Loss Reserve Activity [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,370		$	976		$	830
Expense provisions		298			1,172			437
Cash payments		-			(734	)		(226	)
Adjustments		(858	)		(44	)		(65	)
Balance at end of year	$	810		$	1,370		$	976

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended
	December 31,
	(Dollars in
	thousands)
2015	$	4,922
2016		4,493
2017		5,067
2018		4,617
2019		4,246
Thereafter		29,677
Total	$	53,022

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Note 19 - Stockholders' Equity (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	4,000,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	0	0	0
Treasury Stock, Number of Shares Held	0

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 63,143	$ 314,385	$ 62,699
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Losses from early extinguishments of debt	18,153
Stock-based compensation expense	5,978	9,652	16,225
Depreciation and amortization	3,928	3,864	4,766
Inventory impairments	1,760	919	1,105
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities	4,293
Net loss on sale of marketable securities	(7,310)
Amortization of discount / premiums on marketable debt securities	566	219	596
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	34,226	(187,171)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(26)	(391)
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	(621)	(336)	(1,192)
Trade and other receivables	(6,638)	4,186	(6,223)
Mortgage loans held-for-sale	4,186	27,375	(41,618)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(11,873)	(13,562)	4,388
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(16,013)	(19,408)	47,275
Net cash used in operating activities	(163,647)	(269,549)	(108,819)
Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable securities	(428,709)	(404,965)	(478,701)
Maturities of marketable securities	167,339	159,592	108,250
Sales of marketable securities	687,692	216,756	349,938
Purchases of property and equipment	(3,242)	(1,785)	(1,268)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	423,080	(30,402)	(21,781)
Financing Activities:
Advances (payments) on mortgage repurchase facility, net	(2,252)	(13,253)	27,625
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	248,375	346,938
Repayment of senior notes	(517,650)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net	15,000
Dividend payments	(48,820)		(96,915)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	26	391
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	375	5,118	16,624
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(304,946)	339,194	(52,666)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(45,513)	39,243	(183,266)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	199,338	160,095	343,361
End of period	153,825	199,338	160,095
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member]
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Land and Housing Inventories	(96,936)	(124,211)	(212,154)
Land And Land Under Development [Member]
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Land and Housing Inventories	$ (160,463)	$ (285,070)	$ 15,314

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Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Summary of Non-Cancelable Operating Leases (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Non-Cancelable Operating Leases [Abstract]
2015	$ 4,922
2016	4,493
2017	5,067
2018	4,617
2019	4,246
Thereafter	29,677
Total	$ 53,022

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Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities (1) :
Ending balance	$ 10,455	[1]	$ 11,575	[1]	$ 4,838	[1]
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Metropolitan District Bond Securities [Member]
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities (1) :
Beginning balance	3,920	[1]		[1]		[1]
Ending balance	7,680	[1]	3,920	[1]		[1]
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	3,760	[1]	3,920	[1]		[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities (1) :
Beginning balance	7,655	[1]	4,838	[1]	(7,240)	[1]
Ending balance	2,775	[1]	7,655	[1]	4,838	[1]
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(3,025)	[1]	3,255	[1]	12,473	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	$ (1,855)	[1],[2]	$ (438)	[1],[2]	$ (395)	[1],[2]

[1] All amounts net-of-tax.

[2] See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Fair Value of Share-Based Payment Awards	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value of Share-Based Payment Awards [Abstract]
Expected lives of options (in years)	4 years	4 years	7 years 292 days
Expected volatility	43.20%	45.30%	44.60%
Risk free interest rate	1.30%	0.80%	1.70%
Dividend yield rate	3.50%	3.00%	4.00%

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Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities (1) :
Beginning balance	$	7,655		$	4,838		$	(7,240	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(3,025	)		3,255			12,473
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2)		(1,855	)		(438	)		(395	)
Ending balance	$	2,775		$	7,655		$	4,838
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale metropolitan district bond securities (1) :
Beginning balance	$	3,920		$	-		$	-
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		3,760			3,920			-
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		-			-			-
Ending balance	$	7,680		$	3,920		$	-
Total ending AOCI	$	10,455		$	11,575		$	4,838
_______________________

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
Affected Line Item in the Statements of Operations	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding interest and other income	$	7,210		$	580		$	823
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(4,293	)		-			-
Financial services interest and other income		100			133			(181	)
Income before income taxes		3,017			713			642
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		(1,162	)		(275	)		(247	)
Net income	$	1,855		$	438		$	395

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Gross Realized Gains and Gross Realized Losses (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 10,151	$ 1,334	$ 608
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities	(7,135)	(3,794)	(1,287)
Net realized gain (loss) on sales of available-for-sale securities	3,016	(2,460)	(679)
Equity Securities [Member]
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities	7,719	1,251
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities	(6,183)
Debt Securities [Member]
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities	2,432	83	608
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (952)	$ (3,794)	$ (1,287)

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Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

16.          Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations

Revolving Credit Facility. On December 13, 2013, we entered into an unsecured revolving credit agreement (“Revolving Credit Facility”) with a group of lenders which may be used for general corporate purposes. This agreement was amended on December 17, 2014 to (1) increase the aggregate commitment amount by $100 million to $550 million (the “Commitment”) and (2) extend the maturity until December 13, 2019. Each lender may issue letters of credit in an amount up to 50% of its commitment. The facility permits an increase in the maximum Commitment amount to $1.0 billion upon our request, subject to receipt of additional commitments from existing or additional lenders and the consent of the designated agent and the co-administrative agent. Interest rates on outstanding borrowings are determined by reference to a specified London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a specified federal funds effective rate or a specified prime rate, plus a margin that is determined based on our credit ratings and leverage ratio, as defined in the facility agreement. At any time at which our leverage ratio, as of the last day of the most recent calendar quarter, exceeds 55%, the aggregate principal amount of all consolidated senior debt borrowings outstanding may not exceed the borrowing base. There is no borrowing base requirement if our leverage ratio, as of the last day of the most recent calendar quarter, is 55% or less.

The Revolving Credit Facility is fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by most of our homebuilding segment subsidiaries. The facility contains various representations, warranties and covenants that we believe are customary for agreements of this type. The financial covenants include a consolidated tangible net worth test and a leverage test, along with a consolidated tangible net worth covenant, all as defined in the facility agreement. A failure to satisfy the foregoing tests does not constitute an event of default, but can trigger a “term-out” of the facility. A breach of the consolidated tangible net worth covenant (but not the consolidated tangible net worth test) would result in an event of default.

The Revolving Credit Facility is subject to acceleration upon certain specified events of default, including breach of the consolidated tangible net worth covenant, failure to make timely payments, breaches of certain representations or covenants, failure to pay other material indebtedness, or another person becoming beneficial owner of 50% or more of our outstanding common stock. We believe we were in compliance with the representations, warranties and covenants included in the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2014.

We incur costs associated with unused commitment fees pursuant to the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were $10.5 million and $14.9 million, respectively, in letters of credit outstanding, which reduced the amounts available to be borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014 we had $15.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and no outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2014, availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $524.5 million.

Mortgage Repurchase Facility. HomeAmerican has a Master Repurchase Agreement (the “Mortgage Repurchase Facility”) with U.S. Bank National Association (“USBNA”) that will expire on September 18, 2015. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility provides liquidity to HomeAmerican by providing for the sale of eligible mortgage loans to USBNA with an agreement by HomeAmerican to repurchase the mortgage loans at a future date. Until such mortgage loans are transferred back to HomeAmerican, the documents relating to such loans are held by USBNA, as custodian, pursuant to the Custody Agreement (“Custody Agreement”), dated as of November 12, 2008, by and between HomeAmerican and USBNA. The maximum aggregate commitment of the Mortgage Repurchase Facility was temporarily increased on December 29, 2014 from $50 million to $80 million, expiring on January 28, 2015. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility also had a temporary increase in the maximum aggregate commitment from $50 million to $80 million from December 31, 2013 through January 30, 2014. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $60.8 million and $63.1 million, respectively, of mortgage loans that we were obligated to repurchase under our Mortgage Repurchase Facility. Mortgage loans that we are obligated to repurchase under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility are accounted for as a debt financing arrangement and are reported as mortgage repurchase facility in the consolidated balance sheets. Advances under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility carry a price range that is LIBOR-based. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility contains various representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants that we believe are customary for agreements of this type. The negative covenants include, among others, (i) a minimum Adjusted Tangible Net Worth requirement, (ii) a maximum Adjusted Tangible Net Worth Ratio, (iii) a minimum Adjusted Net Income requirement, and (iv) a minimum Liquidity requirement. The foregoing terms are defined in the Mortgage Repurchase Facility. We believe we were in compliance with the representations, warranties and covenants included in the Mortgage Repurchase Facility as of December 31, 2014.

Senior Notes. Our senior notes are not secured and, while the senior note indentures contain some restrictions on secured debt and other transactions, they do not contain financial covenants. Our senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by most of our homebuilding segment subsidiaries. We believe that we are in compliance with the representations, warranties and covenants in the senior note indentures.

On January 15, 2014, we issued $250 million 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, with payments commencing July 15, 2014, are general unsecured obligations of MDC and rank equally and ratably with our other general unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. We received proceeds of $248.4 million, net of underwriting fees of $1.6 million.

During the 2014 first quarter, we redeemed our 5⅜% Senior Notes due December 2014 and, in the 2014 fourth quarter, we redeemed our 5⅜% Senior Notes due July 2015. As a result of these transactions, we paid $517.7 million to extinguish $500 million in debt principal and recorded a total of $18.2 million in losses on early extinguishments of debt.

On January 10, 2013, we issued $250 million of 6% Senior Notes due 2043. On May 8, 2013, we issued an additional $100 million of 6% Senior Notes due 2043, which are of the same series and have the same terms as the notes issued on January 10, 2013 (collectively the “6% Notes”). The 6% Notes, which pay interest semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 2013, are general unsecured obligations of MDC and rank equally and ratably with our other general unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. We received total proceeds of $346.9 million, net of underwriting fees of $3.1 million.

Our debt obligations at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
5⅜% Senior Notes due December 2014, net	$	-	$	249,814
5⅜% Senior Notes due July 2015, net		-		249,935
5⅝% Senior Notes due February 2020, net		246,450		245,871
5½% Senior Notes due January 2024		250,000		-
6% Senior Notes due January 2043		350,000		350,000
Total	$	846,450	$	1,095,620

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

		Fair Value
Financial Instrument	Hierarchy	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Equity securities	Level 1	$	129,560	$	389,323
Debt securities - maturity less than 1 year	Level 2		1,511		72,577
Debt securities - maturity 1 to 5 years	Level 2		7,643		106,566
Debt securities - maturity greater than 5 years	Level 2		17,426		19,601
Total available-for-sale securities		$	156,140	$	588,067
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	Level 2	$	88,392	$	92,578
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party) (available-for-sale)	Level 3	$	18,203	$	12,729

Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block]

	December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Equity securities	$	116,009	$	120,274	$	375,142	$	385,303
Debt securities		20,660		20,604		181,635		183,718
Total homebuilding available-for-sale marketable securities	$	136,669	$	140,878	$	556,777	$	569,021
Financial Services:
Equity securities	$	9,028	$	9,286	$	4,000	$	4,020
Debt securities		5,930		5,976		14,721		15,026
Total financial services available-for-sale marketable securities	$	14,958	$	15,262	$	18,721	$	19,046
Total available-for-sale marketable securities	$	151,627	$	156,140	$	575,498	$	588,067

Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]

	December 31, 2014							December 31, 2013
	Number of Securities in Loss Position		Aggregate Loss Position			Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in a Loss Position		Number of Securities in Loss Position		Aggregate Loss Position			Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in a Loss Position
	(Dollars in thousands)
Type of Investment
Debt		52	$	(359	)	$	14,536		72	$	(430	)	$	46,440
Equity		6		(2,738	)		74,999		7		(713	)		14,174
Total		58	$	(3,097	)	$	89,535		79	$	(1,143	)	$	60,614

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	$	7,719		$	1,251		$	-
Debt securities		2,432			83			608
Total	$	10,151		$	1,334		$	608
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	$	(6,183	)	$	-		$	-
Debt securities		(952	)		(3,794	)		(1,287	)
Total	$	(7,135	)	$	(3,794	)	$	(1,287	)
Net realized gain (loss) on sales of available-for-sale securities	$	3,016		$	(2,460	)	$	(679	)

Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Table Text Block]

	Quantitative Data				Sensitivity Analysis
Unobservable Input	Range		Weighted Average		Movement in Fair Value from Increase in Input	Movement in Fair Value from Decrease in Input
Number of homes closed per year		0 to 123		93	Increase	Decrease
Discount rate		5.2% to 14%		10.2%	Decrease	Increase

Schedule Of Principal Amounts And Fair Values Of Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	12,729		$	5,818
Increase in fair value (recorded in other comprehensive income)		6,114			6,373
Change due to accretion of principal		1,405			1,192
Cash receipts		(2,045	)		(654	)
Balance at end of period	$	18,203		$	12,729

Fair Value of Senior Notes [Table Text Block]

	December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
5⅜% Senior Notes due December 2014, net	$	-	$	-	$	249,814	$	258,750
5⅜% Senior Notes due July 2015, net		-		-		249,935		262,562
5⅝% Senior Notes due February 2020, net		246,450		257,950		245,871		259,688
5½% Senior Notes due January 2024		250,000		242,608		-		-
6% Senior Notes due January 2043		350,000		296,555		350,000		305,083
Total	$	846,450	$	797,113	$	1,095,620	$	1,086,083

Schedule Of Carrying Value Impaired Of Inventory [Table Text Block]

	Carrying Value of
	Impaired Inventory at
	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
West	$	-	$	-
Mountain		4,378		-
East		2,331		4,187
Total	$	6,709	$	4,187

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Mar. 08, 2012
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in Dollars per share)	$ 7.48	[1]	$ 9.75	[1]	$ 7.54	[1]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in Shares)	257,500	[1]	237,500	[1]	1,382,500	[1]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value	$ 100,000		$ 1,100,000		$ 7,000,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options	2,700,000
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	3,300,000		5,600,000		10,600,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	1,300,000		2,200,000		0
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	2 years 36 days
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	0		400,000		1,700,000
Performance Shares [Member] | 2011 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense					6,200,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	2,700,000		4,000,000		5,600,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	1,000,000		1,600,000		0
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 36 days
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 3,400,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Intrinsic Value, Amount Per Share (in Dollars per share)	$ 4,700,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Intrinsic Value, Amount Per Share (in Dollars per share)	$ 4,200,000		$ 5,500,000		$ 5,900,000
Minimum [Member] | Non-Executives [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Annual Forfeiture Rate	30.00%
Maximum [Member] | Non-Executives [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Annual Forfeiture Rate	45.00%
Executives [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Annual Forfeiture Rate	0.00%
Director [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Annual Forfeiture Rate	0.00%
CEO and COO [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in Shares)					1,000,000
Chief Executive Officer [Member] | 2011 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in Shares)							500,000
Chief Operating Officer [Member] | 2011 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in Shares)							500,000
2011 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in Dollars per share)							7.42

[1] Total shares granted in 2012 include 1,000,000 performance based options granted to our CEO and COO. See further discussion regarding these grants in the "Performance Based Stock Award Activity" section below.

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Note 18 - Concentration of Third-Party Mortgage Purchasers

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]

18. Concentration of Third-Party Mortgage Purchasers

The following table sets forth the percent of mortgage loans sold by HomeAmerican to its primary third party purchasers during 2014, 2013 and 2012. No other third parties purchased greater than 10 percent of our mortgage loans during 2014, 2013 or 2012.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Wells Fargo Funding, Inc.		37	%		40	%		58	%
PennyMac Loan Services, LLC		23	%		7	%		0	%
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.		20	%		46	%		36	%
Fannie Mae		10	%		4	%		4	%

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	$ 846,450	$ 1,095,620
Fair Value	797,113	1,086,083
5.375% Senior Notes Due December 2014 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Carrying Amount		249,814
Fair Value		258,750
5.375% Senior Notes Due July 2015 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Carrying Amount		249,935
Fair Value		262,562
5.625% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	246,450	245,871
Fair Value	257,950	259,688
5.5% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	250,000
Fair Value	242,608
6.000% Senior Notes Due January 2043 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	350,000	350,000
Fair Value	$ 296,555	$ 305,083

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Note 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 493,070	$ 405,051	$ 430,743	$ 318,534	$ 460,939	$ 433,693	$ 400,327	$ 331,748	$ 1,694,584	$ 1,680,434	$ 1,203,023
Inventory impairments	(910)		(850)		(569)	(350)
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	(54,602)	(50,512)	(49,798)	(48,341)	(55,421)	(57,753)	(51,908)	(48,201)
Interest expense									(685)	(1,726)	(808)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt									(18,153)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities									(4,293)
Income (loss) before income taxes									100,475	129,825	61,115
(Provision) benefit for income taxes									(37,332)	184,560	1,584
Net income (loss)	14,639	15,458	21,542	11,504	30,709	36,251	224,909	22,516	63,143	314,385	62,699
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax									(1,120)	6,737	12,078
Comprehensive income									62,023	321,122	74,777
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues										(1,248)	(6,534)
Cost of Sales										1,248	6,534
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									(676)	(353)
Equity income (loss) of subsidiaries									(86,223)	(163,157)	(81,836)
Interest income									(46)	(48)
Income (loss) before income taxes									(86,945)	(163,558)	(81,836)
Homebuilding [Member] | MDC Holdings [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									(38,290)	(63,506)	(52,880)
Equity income (loss) of subsidiaries									86,223	163,157	81,836
Interest income									24,824	28,329	24,035
Interest expense									(685)	(1,726)	(778)
Other income (expense), net									(8)	(14)	(126)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt									(18,153)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities									(4,293)
Income (loss) before income taxes									49,618	126,240	52,087
Homebuilding [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues									1,650,631	1,630,423	1,162,676
Cost of Sales									(1,368,140)	(1,340,187)	(984,477)
Inventory impairments									(1,760)	(919)	(1,105)
Gross margin									280,731	289,317	177,094
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									(164,287)	(149,424)	(119,135)
Interest income									1,517	1,503	949
Interest expense											(30)
Other income (expense), net									(4,805)	(3,769)	(1,239)
Income (loss) before income taxes									113,156	137,627	57,639
Homebuilding [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cost of Sales									(40)
Gross margin									(40)
Selling, general, and administrative expenses											4,720
Interest income									15	14	14
Other income (expense), net											(7)
Income (loss) before income taxes									(25)	14	4,727
Homebuilding [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues									1,650,631	1,629,175	1,156,142
Cost of Sales									(1,368,180)	(1,338,939)	(977,943)
Inventory impairments									(1,760)	(919)	(1,105)
Gross margin									280,691	289,317	177,094
Selling, general, and administrative expenses									(203,253)	(213,283)	(167,295)
Interest income									26,310	29,798	24,998
Interest expense									(685)	(1,726)	(808)
Other income (expense), net									(4,813)	(3,783)	(1,372)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt									(18,153)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(4,300)							(4,293)
Income (loss) before income taxes									75,804	100,323	32,617
Financial Services [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes									722	401
Financial Services [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes									23,949	29,101	28,498
Financial Services [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes									24,671	29,502	28,498
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes									(86,223)	(163,157)	(81,836)
Net income (loss)									(86,223)	(163,157)	(81,836)
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax									22	119	(100)
Comprehensive income									(86,201)	(163,038)	(81,936)
MDC Holdings [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes									49,618	126,240	52,087
(Provision) benefit for income taxes									13,525	188,145	10,612
Net income (loss)									63,143	314,385	62,699
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax									(1,120)	6,737	12,078
Comprehensive income									62,023	321,122	74,777
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes									113,156	137,627	57,639
(Provision) benefit for income taxes									(42,044)	7,507	1,435
Net income (loss)									71,112	145,134	59,074
Comprehensive income									71,112	145,134	59,074
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes									23,924	29,115	33,225
(Provision) benefit for income taxes									(8,813)	(11,092)	(10,463)
Net income (loss)									15,111	18,023	22,762
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax									(22)	(119)	100
Comprehensive income									$ 15,089	$ 17,904	$ 22,862

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Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

1.             Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation.  The Consolidated Financial Statements of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. ("MDC," “the Company," “we,” “us,” or “our” which refers to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries) include the accounts of MDC and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Description of Business.  We have homebuilding operations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, (which includes Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey), Nevada, Utah, Virginia and Washington. The primary functions of our homebuilding operations include land acquisition and development, home construction, purchasing, marketing, merchandising, sales and customer service. We build and sell primarily single-family detached homes, which are designed and built to meet local customer preferences. We are the general contractor for all of our projects and retain subcontractors for site development and home construction.

Our financial services operations consist of HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation (“HomeAmerican”), which originates mortgage loans, primarily for our homebuyers, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc. (“American Home Insurance”), which offers third-party insurance products to our homebuyers, and American Home Title and Escrow Company (“American Home Title”), which provides title agency services to the Company and our homebuyers in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada and Virginia. The financial services operations also include Allegiant Insurance Company, Inc., A Risk Retention Group (“Allegiant”), which provides insurance coverage primarily to our homebuilding subsidiaries and certain subcontractors for homes sold by our homebuilding subsidiaries and for work performed in completed subdivisions, and StarAmerican Insurance Ltd. (“StarAmerican”), a wholly owned subsidiary of MDC, which is a re-insurer of Allegiant claims.

Presentation.  Our balance sheet presentation is unclassified due to the fact that certain assets and liabilities have both short and long-term characteristics.

Use of Accounting Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents.  The Company periodically invests funds in highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, such as commercial paper, money market funds and time deposits, which are included in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows.

Marketable Securities. We have marketable debt and equity securities and as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, all of our marketable securities were treated as available-for-sale investments. As such, we have recorded all of our marketable securities at fair value with changes in fair value being recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). When a security is sold, we use the first-in first-out method to determine the cost of the security sold or the amount reclassified out of AOCI.

Restricted Cash.  We receive cash earnest money deposits from our customers who enter into home sale contracts. In certain states we are restricted from using such deposits for general purposes, unless we take measures to release state imposed restrictions on such deposits received from homebuyers, which may include posting blanket surety bonds. We had $2.8 million and $2.2 million in restricted cash related to homebuyer deposits at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Home Sale Receivables.  Home sale receivables primarily consist of cash to be received from title companies or outside brokers associated with closed homes. Generally, we will receive cash from title companies and outside brokers within a few days of the home being closed.

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale, net.  Mortgage loans held-for-sale are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices and estimated market prices received from an outside third-party. Using fair value allows an offset of the changes in fair values of the mortgage loans and the derivative instruments used to hedge them without the burden of complying with the requirements for hedge accounting.

Inventories. Our inventories are primarily associated with communities where we intend to construct and sell homes, including models and speculative homes. Costs capitalized to land and land under development primarily include: (1) land costs; (2) land development costs; (3) entitlement costs; (4) capitalized interest; (5) engineering fees; and (6) title insurance, real property taxes and closing costs directly related to the purchase of the land parcel. Components of housing completed or under construction primarily include: (1) land costs transferred from land and land under development; (2) direct construction costs associated with a house; (3) real property taxes, engineering fees, permits and other fees; (4) capitalized interest; and (5) indirect construction costs, which include field construction management salaries and benefits, utilities and other construction related costs. Land costs are transferred from land and land under development to housing completed or under construction at the point in time that construction of a home on an owned lot begins.

In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (“ASC 360”), homebuilding inventories are carried at cost unless events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the underlying subdivision may not be recoverable. We evaluate inventories for impairment at each quarter end on a subdivision level basis as each such subdivision represents the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. In making this determination, we review, among other things, the following for each subdivision:

• actual and trending “Operating Margin” (which is defined as home sale revenues less home cost of sales and all direct incremental costs associated with the home closing, including sales commissions) for homes closed;

• estimated future undiscounted cash flows and Operating Margin;

• forecasted Operating Margin for homes in backlog;

• actual and trending net and gross home orders;

• base sales price and home sales incentive information for homes closed, homes in backlog and homes available for sale;

• market information for each sub-market, including competition levels, home foreclosure levels, the size and style of homes currently being offered for sale and lot size; and

• known or probable events indicating that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

If events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our inventory may not be recoverable, assets are reviewed for impairment by comparing the undiscounted estimated future cash flows from an individual subdivision (including capitalized interest) to its carrying value. If the undiscounted future cash flows are less than the subdivision’s carrying value, the carrying value of the subdivision is written down to its then estimated fair value. We generally determine the estimated fair value of each subdivision by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows at discount rates that are commensurate with the risk of the subdivision under evaluation.

Property and Equipment, net.   Property and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from 2 to 29 years. Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment was $3.8 million, $3.7 million and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The following table sets forth the cost and carrying value of our property and equipment by major asset category.

			Accumulated
			Depreciation and		Carrying
	Cost		Amortization		Value
December 31, 2014:	(Dollars in thousands)
Airplane	$	28,997	$	7,152	$	21,845
Computer software and equipment		20,594		14,084		6,510
Leasehold improvements		9,617		7,590		2,027
Other		1,989		1,880		109
Total	$	61,197	$	30,706	$	30,491
December 31, 2013:
Airplane	$	28,997	$	6,604	$	22,393
Computer software and equipment		18,436		11,780		6,656
Leasehold improvements		8,793		6,787		2,006
Other		2,048		1,855		193
Total	$	58,274	$	27,026	$	31,248

Deferred Tax Asset, net.   Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between (1) the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and (2) the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using current enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded against a deferred tax asset if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Deferred Marketing Costs. Certain marketing costs related to model homes and sales offices are capitalized as they are: (1) reasonably expected to be recovered from the sale of the project; and (2) incurred for (a) tangible assets that are used directly throughout the selling period to aid in the sale of the project or (b) services that have been performed to obtain regulatory approval of sales. Capitalized marketing costs are included in prepaid and other assets in the homebuilding section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the associated amortization expense is included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) in the homebuilding section of the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as the homes in the related subdivision are delivered. We allocate all capitalized marketing costs equally to each house within a subdivision and record expense as homes close over the life of a subdivision. All other marketing costs are expensed as incurred.

Variable Interest Entities.  In accordance with ASC Topic 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), we analyze our land option contracts and other contractual arrangements to determine whether the corresponding land sellers are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and, if so, whether we are the primary beneficiary. Although we do not have legal title to the optioned land, ASC 810 requires a company to consolidate a VIE if the company is determined to be the primary beneficiary. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary, we consider, among other things, whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact VIE’s economic performance, including, but not limited to, determining or limiting the scope or purpose of the VIE, selling or transferring property owned or controlled by the VIE, or arranging financing for the VIE. We also consider whether we have the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. We have concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, we were not the primary beneficiary of any VIEs from which we are purchasing land under land option contracts.

Related Party Assets. Our related party assets are debt security bonds acquired from a quasi-municipal corporation in the state of Colorado. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles–Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), we evaluate goodwill for possible impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We use a three step process to assess the realizability of goodwill. The first step is a qualitative assessment that analyzes current economic indicators associated with a particular reporting unit. For example, we analyze changes in economic, market and industry conditions, business strategy, cost factors, and financial performance, among others, to determine if there would be a significant decline to the fair value of a particular reporting unit. If the qualitative assessment indicates a stable or improved fair value, no further testing is required.

If a qualitative assessment indicates that a significant decline to fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not, or if a reporting unit’s fair value has historically been closer to its carrying value, we will proceed to the second step where we calculate the fair value of a reporting unit based on discounted future probability-weighted cash flows. If this step indicates that the carrying value of a reporting unit is in excess of its fair value, we will proceed to the third step where the fair value of the reporting unit will be allocated to assets and liabilities as they would in a business combination. Impairment occurs when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value calculated in the third step.

Based on our analysis, we have concluded as of December 31, 2014, our goodwill was not impaired.

Liability for Unrecognized Tax Benefits. ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, regarding liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits provides guidance for the recognition and measurement in financial statements of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.

The evaluation of a tax position is a two-step process, the first step being recognition. We determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon tax examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation, based on the technical merits of the position. The technical merits of a tax position derive from both statutory and judicial authority (legislation and statutes, legislative intent, regulations, rulings, and case law) and their applicability to the facts and circumstances of the tax position. If a tax position does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the benefit of that position is not recognized in the financial statements.

The second step is measurement. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate resolution with a taxing authority. Once the gross unrecognized tax benefit is determined, we also accrue for any interest and penalties, as well as any offsets expected from resultant amendments to federal or state tax returns. We record the aggregate effect of these items in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. To the extent this tax position would be offset against a similar deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed, the liability is treated as a reduction to the related deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward. Otherwise, we record the corresponding liability in accrued liabilities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets.

Warranty Accrual. Our homes are sold with limited third-party warranties. Under our agreement with the issuer of the third-party warranties, we are responsible for performing all of the work for the first two years of the warranty coverage and paying for substantially all of the work required to be performed during years three through ten of the warranties. We record accruals for general and structural warranty claims, as well as accruals for known, unusual warranty-related expenditures. Warranty accrual is recorded based upon historical payment experience in an amount estimated to be adequate to cover expected costs of materials and outside labor during warranty periods. The determination of the warranty accrual rate for closed homes and the evaluation of our warranty accrual balance at period end are based on an internally developed analysis that includes known facts and interpretations of circumstances, including, among other things, our trends in historical warranty payment levels and warranty payments for claims not considered to be normal and recurring.

Warranty payments are recorded against the warranty accrual. Additional reserves may be established for known, unusual warranty-related expenditures not covered through the independent warranty accrual analysis performed by us. Warranty payments incurred for an individual house may differ from the related reserve established for the home at the time it was closed. The actual disbursements for warranty claims are evaluated in the aggregate to determine if an adjustment to the historical warranty accrual should be recorded.

We assess the reasonableness and adequacy of the reserve and the per-unit reserve amount originally included in home cost of sales, as well as the timing of the reversal of any excess reserve on a quarterly basis, using historical payment data and other relevant information. Warranty accrual is included in accrued liabilities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets and adjustments to our warranty accrual is recorded as an increase or reduction to home cost of sales in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations.

Insurance Reserves. The establishment of reserves for estimated losses associated with insurance policies issued by Allegiant and re-insurance agreements issued by StarAmerican are based on actuarial developed studies that include known facts and interpretations of circumstances, including our experience with similar cases and historical trends involving claim payment patterns, pending levels of unpaid claims, product mix or concentration, claim severity, frequency patterns depending on the business conducted, and changing regulatory and legal environments.

Mortgage Loan Loss Reserves.  In the normal course of business, we establish reserves for potential losses associated with HomeAmerican’s sale of mortgage loans to third-parties. These reserves are created to address repurchase and indemnity claims by third-party purchasers of the mortgage loans, which claims arise primarily out of, but not limited to, allegations of homebuyer fraud at the time of origination of the loan, missing documentation, loan processing defects or defective appraisals. These reserves are based upon, among other matters: (1) pending claims received from third-party purchasers associated with previously sold mortgage loans; (2) a current assessment of the potential exposure associated with future claims of loan processing defects or homebuyer fraud in mortgage loans originated in prior periods; and (3) historical loss experience.

In addition to reserves established for mortgage loans previously sold to third-parties, we establish reserves for loans that we have repurchased if we believe the loss is likely and estimable. Our mortgage loan reserves are reflected as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and the associated expenses are included in expenses in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Litigation Reserves. We and certain of our subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various cases. We reserve for estimated exposure with respect to these cases based upon currently available information on each case. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments. The derivative instruments we utilize in the normal course of business are interest rate lock commitments and forward sales of mortgage-backed securities, both of which typically are short-term in nature. Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities are utilized to hedge changes in fair value of our interest rate lock commitments as well as mortgage loans held-for-sale not under commitments to sell. For forward sales of securities, as well as interest rate lock commitments that are still outstanding at the end of a reporting period, we record the changes in fair value of the derivatives in revenues in the financial services section of our consolidated statements of operations with an offset to prepaid expenses and other assets or accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the financial services section of our accompanying consolidated balance sheets, depending on the nature of the change.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had interest rate lock commitments with aggregate principal balances of approximately $42.8 million and $69.8 million, respectively, at average interest rates of 3.69% and 4.13%, respectively. In addition, we had $13.6 million and $25.9 million of mortgage loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, that had not yet been committed to a mortgage purchaser. In order to hedge the changes in fair value of our interest rate lock commitments and mortgage loans held-for-sale which had not yet been committed to a mortgage purchaser, we had forward sales of securities totaling $41.0 million and $74.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we recorded net gains (losses) on our derivatives of $(0.8) million, $(0.1) million and $1.1 million, respectively. For further discussion of our policies regarding interest rate lock commitments, see our “Revenue Recognition for HomeAmerican” accounting policy section below.

Revenue Recognition for Homebuilding Segments.  Revenue from home closings and land sales is recognized when the closing has occurred, title has passed, adequate initial and continuing investment by the buyer is received, possession and other attributes of ownership have been transferred to the buyer and we are not obligated to perform significant additional activities after closing and delivery. If the buyer has provided sufficient initial and continuing investment, and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met, revenue is recognized on the date of closing. Revenue from a home closing includes the base sales price and any purchased options and upgrades and is reduced for any sales price incentives.

We defer Operating Margin related to the sale of a home if all of the following criteria are present: (1) HomeAmerican originates the mortgage loan; (2) HomeAmerican has not sold the mortgage loan, or loans, as of the end of the pertinent reporting period; and (3) the homebuyer’s down payment does not meet the initial or continuing investment criteria. The deferral is subsequently recognized at the time HomeAmerican sells the homebuyer’s mortgage loan, or loans, to a third-party purchaser. In the event the Operating Margin is a loss, we recognize such loss at the time the home is closed. We did not have any homes that closed during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012 that failed to meet the continuing investment criteria.

Revenue Recognition for HomeAmerican.  Revenues recorded by HomeAmerican primarily include origination fees and the corresponding sale of a loan and either the release or retention of a loan’s servicing rights. Origination fees are recognized when a loan is originated. When an interest rate lock commitment is made to a customer, we record the expected gain on sale of the mortgage including servicing rights, adjusted for a pull-through percentage (which is defined as the likelihood that an interest rate lock commitment will be originated), as revenue. As the interest rate lock commitment gets closer to being originated, the expected gain on the sale of that loan plus its servicing rights is updated to reflect current market value and the increase or decrease in the fair value of that interest rate lock commitment is recorded through revenues. At the same time, the expected pull-through percentage of the interest rate lock commitment to be originated is updated (typically an increase as the interest lock commitment gets closer to origination) and, if there has been a change, revenues are adjusted as necessary. After origination, our mortgage loans, generally including their servicing rights, are sold to third-party purchasers in accordance with sale agreements entered into by us with a third-party purchaser of the loans. We make representations and warranties with respect to the status of loans transferred in the sale agreements. The sale agreements generally include statements acknowledging the transfer of the loans is intended by both parties to constitute a sale. Sale of a mortgage loan has occurred when the following criteria, among others, have been met: (1) fair consideration has been paid for transfer of the loan by a third party in an arms-length transaction, (2) all the usual risks and rewards of ownership that are in substance a sale have been transferred by us to the third party purchaser; and (3) we do not have a substantial continuing involvement with the mortgage loan.

We measure mortgage loans held-for-sale at fair value with the changes in fair value being reported in earnings at each reporting date. The impact of recording changes in fair value to earnings did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012. Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net, were $15.5 million, $28.7 million and $21.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and are included as a component of revenues in the financial services section of the consolidated statements of operations.

Home Cost of Sales. Home cost of sales includes the specific construction costs of each home and all applicable land acquisition, land development and related costs, both incurred and estimated to be incurred, warranty costs and finance and closing costs, including closing cost incentives. We use the specific identification method for the purpose of accumulating home construction costs and allocate costs to each lot within a subdivision associated with land acquisition and land development based upon relative fair value of the lots prior to home construction. Lots within a subdivision typically have comparable fair values, and, as such, we generally allocate costs equally to each lot within a subdivision. We record all home cost of sales when a home is closed on a house-by-house basis.

When a home is closed, we generally have not yet paid and recorded all costs necessary to complete the construction of the home and certain land development costs. At the time of a home closing, we compare the home construction budgets to actual recorded costs to determine the additional costs remaining to be paid on each closed home. For amounts not incurred or paid as of the time of closing a home, we record an estimated accrual associated with certain home construction and land development costs. Generally, these accruals are established based upon contracted work which has yet to be paid, open work orders not paid at the time of home closing, as well as land completion costs more likely than not to be incurred, and represent estimates believed to be adequate to cover the expected remaining home construction and land development costs. We monitor the adequacy of these accruals on a house-by-house basis and in the aggregate on a subdivision-by-subdivision basis. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had $10.1 million and $9.6 million, respectively, of land development and home construction accruals for closed homes. Actual results could differ from such estimates.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense. Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards is based on the grant date fair value. The grant date fair value for stock option awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the grant date fair value for restricted stock awards is based upon the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. We recognize these compensation costs net of estimated forfeitures. For stock option awards with service conditions only, we recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is currently the vesting term of up to seven years. For our stock option awards with performance conditions, we recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis for each performance criteria tranche (if applicable) over the period between the date that it is determined the performance conditions related to each tranche (if applicable) are probable to be met and the date the option vests.

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share. For purposes of calculating earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”), a company that has participating security holders (for example, unvested restricted stock that has nonforfeitable dividend rights) is required to utilize the two-class method for calculating earnings per share unless the treasury stock method results in lower EPS. The two-class method is an allocation of earnings/(loss) between the holders of common stock and a company’s participating security holders. Under the two-class method, earnings/(loss) for the reporting period are allocated between common shareholders and other security holders based on their respective rights to receive distributed earnings (i.e., dividends) and undistributed earnings (i.e., net income/(loss)). Currently, we have one class of security and we have participating security holders consisting of shareholders of unvested restricted stock. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing income or loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. To calculate diluted EPS, basic EPS is further adjusted to include the effect of potential dilutive stock options outstanding.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards. In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists ("ASU 2013-11"). This update requires companies to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, unless certain conditions exist. ASU 2013-11 was effective for our interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2014. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"), which is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model. Under ASU 2014-09, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and is to be applied retrospectively, with early application not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the pronouncement will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures ("ASU 2014-11"), which makes limited amendments to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 860, "Transfers and Servicing." ASU 2014-11 requires entities to account for repurchase-to-maturity transactions as secured borrowings, eliminates accounting guidance on linked repurchase financing transactions, and expands disclosure requirements related to certain transfers of financial assets. ASU 2014-11 is effective for our fiscal periods beginning January 1, 2015 and interim periods beginning April 1, 2015. Early adoption is not permitted. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Preferred stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	48,831,639	48,788,887
Common stock, shares outstanding	48,831,639	48,788,887

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Note 11 - Warranty Accrual

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]

Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block]

11.          Warranty Accrual

The table set forth below summarizes accrual, adjustment and payment activity related to our warranty accrual for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. As a result of favorable warranty payment experience relative to our estimates at the time of home closing, we reduced our warranty accrual by $2.6 million in 2014. We had no adjustments during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. Additionally, from time to time, we change our warranty accrual rates based on payment trends. Any changes made to those rates did not materially affect our warranty expense or gross margin from home sales for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	22,238		$	23,151		$	25,525
Expense provisions		4,834			5,562			4,216
Cash payments		(6,126	)		(6,475	)		(6,590	)
Adjustments		(2,600	)		-			-
Balance at end of period	$	18,346		$	22,238		$	23,151

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Outstanding and Exercisable Stock Options (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding (in Shares)	4,855,916
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 324 days
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 37.45
Options Exercisable - Number Outstanding (in Shares)	4,388,208
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 229 days
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 38.31
Range 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price - Minimum	$ 15.84
Range of Exercise Price - Maximum	$ 23.77
Options Outstanding (in Shares)	142,500
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	7 years
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 20.94
Options Exercisable - Number Outstanding (in Shares)	42,500
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	6 years 288 days
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 21.83
Range 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price - Minimum	$ 23.78
Range of Exercise Price - Maximum	$ 39.61
Options Outstanding (in Shares)	3,230,416
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	6 years 51 days
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 29.61
Options Exercisable - Number Outstanding (in Shares)	2,912,708
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	6 years 3 days
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 29.51
Range 3 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price - Minimum	$ 39.62
Range of Exercise Price - Maximum	$ 47.53
Options Outstanding (in Shares)	578,000
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 321 days
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 42.88
Options Exercisable - Number Outstanding (in Shares)	528,000
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 142 days
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 43.17
Range 4 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price - Minimum	$ 55.45
Range of Exercise Price - Maximum	$ 63.38
Options Outstanding (in Shares)	600,000
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 237 days
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 60.49
Options Exercisable - Number Outstanding (in Shares)	600,000
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 237 days
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 60.49
Range 5 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price - Minimum	$ 63.39
Range of Exercise Price - Maximum	$ 71.30
Options Outstanding (in Shares)	180,000
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 68.18
Options Exercisable - Number Outstanding (in Shares)	180,000
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 68.18
Range 6 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price - Minimum	$ 71.31
Range of Exercise Price - Maximum	$ 100
Options Outstanding (in Shares)	125,000
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	9 months
Options Outstanding - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 78.89
Options Exercisable - Number Outstanding (in Shares)	125,000
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life	9 months
Options Exercisable - Weighted-average Exercise Price	$ 78.89

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Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Mortgage Loan Loss Reserve Activity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Mortgage Loan Loss Reserve Activity [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 1,370	$ 976	$ 830
Expense provisions	298	1,172	437
Cash payments		(734)	(226)
Adjustments	(858)	(44)	(65)
Balance at end of year	$ 810	$ 1,370	$ 976

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Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes (Parentheticals)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 10, 2013
5.375% Senior Notes Due December 2014 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate		5.375%
5.375% Senior Notes Due July 2015 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate		5.375%
5.625% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	5.625%	5.625%
5.5% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	5.50%
6.000% Senior Notes Due January 2043 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%

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Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MDC HOLDINGS INC
Document Type	10-K
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	48,831,639
Entity Public Float		$ 1,200,000,000
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000773141
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

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Note 12 - Insurance Reserves

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Insurance Loss Reserves [Abstract]

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block]

12.           Insurance Reserves

The following table summarizes the insurance reserve activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. The insurance reserve is included as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

	December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	49,637		$	47,852		$	49,376
Expense provisions		6,316			7,065			4,565
Cash payments, net of recoveries		(5,483	)		(5,280	)		(8,020	)
Adjustments		-			-			1,931
Balance at end of period	$	50,470		$	49,637		$	47,852

The $1.9 million adjustment to increase our insurance reserve during the year ended December 31, 2012 primarily resulted from an increase in the severity and frequency of insurance claim experience relative to prior period estimates. No such adjustments were required for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

In the ordinary course of business, we make payments from our insurance reserves to settle litigation claims arising primarily from our homebuilding activities. These payments are irregular in both their timing and their magnitude. As a result, the cash payments, net of recoveries shown for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, are not necessarily indicative of what future cash payments will be for subsequent periods.

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Note 12 - Insurance Reserves (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Insurance Loss Reserves [Abstract]
Increase (Decrease) in Self Insurance Reserve	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,931,000

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Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount	$ 846,450	$ 1,095,620
5.375% Senior Notes Due December 2014 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount		249,814
5.375% Senior Notes Due July 2015 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount		249,935
5.625% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount	246,450	245,871
5.5% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount	250,000
6.000% Senior Notes Due January 2043 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount	$ 350,000	$ 350,000

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Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory impairments	$ (1,800)		$ (1,100)
Interest expense	(685)	(1,726)	(808)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt	(18,153)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities	(4,293)
Income (loss) before income taxes	100,475	129,825	61,115
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	(37,332)	184,560	1,584
Net income	63,143	314,385	62,699
Other comprehensive income (loss) related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(1,120)	6,737	12,078
Comprehensive income	62,023	321,122	74,777
Basic (in Dollars per share)	$ 1.29	$ 6.39	$ 1.29
Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ 1.29	$ 6.34	$ 1.29
Basic (in Shares)	48,615,541	48,453,119	47,660,629
Diluted (in Shares)	48,817,566	48,831,785	47,834,156
Homebuilding [Member]
Home sale revenues	1,647,398	1,626,707	1,150,998
Land sale revenues	3,233	2,468	5,144
Total home and land sale revenues	1,650,631	1,629,175	1,156,142
Home cost of sales	(1,365,621)	(1,336,978)	(973,120)
Land cost of sales	(2,559)	(1,961)	(4,823)
Inventory impairments	(1,760)	(919)	(1,105)
Total cost of sales	(1,369,940)	(1,339,858)	(979,048)
Gross margin	280,691	289,317	177,094
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(203,253)	(213,283)	(167,295)
Interest and other income	26,310	29,798	24,998
Interest expense	(685)	(1,726)	(808)
Other expense	(4,813)	(3,783)	(1,372)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt	(18,153)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities	(4,293)
Income (loss) before income taxes	75,804	100,323	32,617
Financial Services [Member]
Income (loss) before income taxes	24,671	29,502	28,498
Revenues	43,953	51,259	46,881
Expenses	(22,334)	(25,271)	(21,645)
Interest and other income	$ 3,052	$ 3,514	$ 3,262

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

6.             Fair Value Measurements

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”), defines fair value, establishes guidelines for measuring fair value and expands disclosures regarding fair value measurements. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The following table sets forth the fair values and methods used for measuring the fair values of financial instruments on a recurring basis: 

		Fair Value
Financial Instrument	Hierarchy	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Equity securities	Level 1	$	129,560	$	389,323
Debt securities - maturity less than 1 year	Level 2		1,511		72,577
Debt securities - maturity 1 to 5 years	Level 2		7,643		106,566
Debt securities - maturity greater than 5 years	Level 2		17,426		19,601
Total available-for-sale securities		$	156,140	$	588,067
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	Level 2	$	88,392	$	92,578
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party) (available-for-sale)	Level 3	$	18,203	$	12,729

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.

Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, trade and other receivables, prepaid and other assets, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities. Fair value approximates carrying value.

Marketable Securities.  We have marketable debt and equity securities. Our equity securities consist of holdings in mutual fund securities, which invest in debt securities and holdings in corporate equities. Our debt securities consist primarily of fixed and floating rate interest earning debt securities, which may include, among others, United States government and government agency debt and corporate debt. We measure the fair value of our debt securities using a third party pricing service that either provides quoted prices in less active markets for identical or similar securities or uses observable inputs for their pricing, both of which are level 2 inputs. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, all of our marketable securities were treated as available-for-sale investments and, as such, we have recorded all of our marketable securities at fair value with changes in fair value being recorded as a component AOCI.

Each quarter we assess all of our securities in an unrealized loss position for potential other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). Our assessment includes a consideration of many factors, both qualitative and quantitative, including the amount of the unrealized loss, the period of time the security has been in a loss position, the financial condition of the issuer and whether we have the intent and ability to hold the securities, among other factors. During third quarter of 2014, we recorded a pre-tax OTTI of $4.3 million for certain of our mutual funds that were in a loss position as of quarter end. The OTTI is included in other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations.

The following tables set forth the amortized cost and estimated fair value of our available-for-sale marketable securities. 

	December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Equity securities	$	116,009	$	120,274	$	375,142	$	385,303
Debt securities		20,660		20,604		181,635		183,718
Total homebuilding available-for-sale marketable securities	$	136,669	$	140,878	$	556,777	$	569,021
Financial Services:
Equity securities	$	9,028	$	9,286	$	4,000	$	4,020
Debt securities		5,930		5,976		14,721		15,026
Total financial services available-for-sale marketable securities	$	14,958	$	15,262	$	18,721	$	19,046
Total available-for-sale marketable securities	$	151,627	$	156,140	$	575,498	$	588,067

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, our marketable securities were in a net unrealized gain position totaling $4.5 millionand $12.6 million, respectively. Our marketable securities which were in unrealized loss positions aggregated to unrealized losses of $3.1 million and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The table below sets forth the debt and equity securities that were in an aggregate loss position. We do not believe that the aggregate unrealized loss related to our debt or equity securities as of December 31, 2014 is material to our operations.

	December 31, 2014							December 31, 2013
	Number of Securities in Loss Position		Aggregate Loss Position			Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in a Loss Position		Number of Securities in Loss Position		Aggregate Loss Position			Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in a Loss Position
	(Dollars in thousands)
Type of Investment
Debt		52	$	(359	)	$	14,536		72	$	(430	)	$	46,440
Equity		6		(2,738	)		74,999		7		(713	)		14,174
Total		58	$	(3,097	)	$	89,535		79	$	(1,143	)	$	60,614

The following tables set forth gross realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale marketable securities, which were included in either interest and other income in the homebuilding section or interest and other income in the financial services section of our consolidated statements of operations.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	$	7,719		$	1,251		$	-
Debt securities		2,432			83			608
Total	$	10,151		$	1,334		$	608
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	$	(6,183	)	$	-		$	-
Debt securities		(952	)		(3,794	)		(1,287	)
Total	$	(7,135	)	$	(3,794	)	$	(1,287	)
Net realized gain (loss) on sales of available-for-sale securities	$	3,016		$	(2,460	)	$	(679	)

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale, Net.  As of December 31, 2014, the primary components of our mortgage loans held-for-sale that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are: (1) mortgage loans held-for-sale under commitments to sell; and (2) mortgage loans held-for-sale not under commitments to sell. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $72.3 million and $65.1 million, respectively, of mortgage loans held-for-sale under commitments to sell for which fair value was based upon Level 2 inputs, which were the quoted market prices for those mortgage loans. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $13.6 million and $25.9 million, respectively, of mortgage loans held-for-sale that were not under commitments to sell. The fair value for those loans was primarily based upon the estimated market price received from an outside party, which is a Level 2 fair value input.   

Metro District Bond Securities (Related Party).  The Metro District Bond Securities (“Metro Bonds”) are included in the homebuilding section of our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Cash flows received by the Company from these securities reflect principal and interest payments from the quasi-municipal corporation in the state of Colorado (the “Metro District”) that are supported by an annual levy on the taxable value of real estate and personal property within the Metro District’s boundaries and a one-time fee assessed on permits obtained by MDC in the Metro District. The stated year of maturity for the Metro Bonds is 2037. However, if the unpaid principal and all accrued interest are not paid off by the year 2037, the Company will continue to receive principal and interest payments in perpetuity until the unpaid principal and accrued interest is paid in full. Since 2007 and through the first quarter of 2013, we accounted for these securities under the cost recovery method and they were not carried at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“ASC 310-30”).

In the second quarter of 2013, we determined that these securities no longer were required to be accounted for under the cost recovery method due to an increase in the number of new homes delivered in the community coupled with the stabilization of property values within the Metro District. In accordance with ASC 310-30, we now adjust the bond principal balance on a prospective basis using an interest accretion model that utilizes future cash flows expected to be collected. Furthermore, as this investment is accounted for as an available-for-sale asset, we update its fair value on a quarterly basis, with the adjustment being recorded through AOCI. The fair value is based upon a discounted future cash flow model, which uses Level 3 inputs. The two primary unobservable inputs used in our discounted cash flow model are the forecasted number of homes to be closed, as they drive any increases to the tax base for the Metro District, and the discount rate. The table below provides quantitative data, as of December 31, 2014, regarding each unobservable input and the sensitivity of fair value to potential changes in those unobservable inputs.

	Quantitative Data				Sensitivity Analysis
Unobservable Input	Range		Weighted Average		Movement in Fair Value from Increase in Input	Movement in Fair Value from Decrease in Input
Number of homes closed per year		0 to 123		93	Increase	Decrease
Discount rate		5.2% to 14%		10.2%	Decrease	Increase

The table set forth below summarizes the activity for our Metro Bonds.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	12,729		$	5,818
Increase in fair value (recorded in other comprehensive income)		6,114			6,373
Change due to accretion of principal		1,405			1,192
Cash receipts		(2,045	)		(654	)
Balance at end of period	$	18,203		$	12,729

Mortgage Repurchase Facility. The debt associated with our Mortgage Repurchase Facility (see Note 16 for further discussion) is at floating rates or at fixed rates that approximate current market rates and have relatively short-term maturities, generally within 30 days. The fair value approximates carrying value and is based on Level 2 inputs.

Senior Notes. The estimated values of the senior notes in the following table are based on Level 2 inputs, including market prices of other homebuilder bonds.

	December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
5⅜% Senior Notes due December 2014, net	$	-	$	-	$	249,814	$	258,750
5⅜% Senior Notes due July 2015, net		-		-		249,935		262,562
5⅝% Senior Notes due February 2020, net		246,450		257,950		245,871		259,688
5½% Senior Notes due January 2024		250,000		242,608		-		-
6% Senior Notes due January 2043		350,000		296,555		350,000		305,083
Total	$	846,450	$	797,113	$	1,095,620	$	1,086,083

Inventories.  The table below sets forth the carrying value, at each year end, of all inventories that were impaired during each year presented.

	Carrying Value of
	Impaired Inventory at
	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
West	$	-	$	-
Mountain		4,378		-
East		2,331		4,187
Total	$	6,709	$	4,187

Inventories with carrying values prior to impairment of $10.7 million and $5.8 million were determined to be impaired during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The carrying value for some of these inventories at their respective year ends may not represent the fair value they were impaired to due to activities that occurred subsequent to the measurement date. The fair values of impaired inventories were determined using Level 3 inputs. We generally determine the estimated fair value of each subdivision by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows at discount rates that are commensurate with the risk of the subdivision under evaluation.

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Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]

5.             Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table sets forth our changes in accumulated other comprehensive income:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities (1) :
Beginning balance	$	7,655		$	4,838		$	(7,240	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(3,025	)		3,255			12,473
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2)		(1,855	)		(438	)		(395	)
Ending balance	$	2,775		$	7,655		$	4,838
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale metropolitan district bond securities (1) :
Beginning balance	$	3,920		$	-		$	-
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		3,760			3,920			-
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		-			-			-
Ending balance	$	7,680		$	3,920		$	-
Total ending AOCI	$	10,455		$	11,575		$	4,838
_______________________

(1)  All amounts net-of-tax.

(2) See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.

The following table sets forth the activity related to reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to available for sale securities:

	Year Ended December 31,
Affected Line Item in the Statements of Operations	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding interest and other income	$	7,210		$	580		$	823
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(4,293	)		-			-
Financial services interest and other income		100			133			(181	)
Income before income taxes		3,017			713			642
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		(1,162	)		(275	)		(247	)
Net income	$	1,855		$	438		$	395

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Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

17.          Commitments and Contingencies

Surety Bonds and Letter of Credit Facilities. We are required to obtain surety bonds and letters of credit in support of our obligations for land development and subdivision improvements, homeowner association dues, warranty work, contractor license fees and earnest money deposits. At December 31, 2014, we had issued and outstanding surety bonds and letters of credit totaling $145.2 millionand $26.8 million, respectively, including $16.3 in letters of credit issued by HomeAmerican. The estimated cost to complete obligations related to these bonds and letters of credit was approximately $56.1 million and $6.1 million, respectively. The letters of credit as of December 31, 2014, excluding those issued by HomeAmerican, were outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit facility (see Note 16 for further discussion of the revolving credit facility). We expect that the obligations secured by these performance bonds and letters of credit generally will be performed in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the applicable contractual terms. To the extent that the obligations are performed, the related performance bonds and letters of credit should be released and we should not have any continuing obligations. However, in the event any such performance bonds or letters of credit are called, our indemnity obligations could require us to reimburse the issuer of the performance bond or letter of credit.

We have made no material guarantees with respect to third-party obligations.

Mortgage Loan Loss Reserves.  In the normal course of business, we establish reserves for potential losses associated with HomeAmerican’s sale of mortgage loans to third-parties. These reserves are created to address repurchase and indemnity claims by third-party purchasers of the mortgage loans, which claims arise primarily out of, but not limited to, allegations of homebuyer fraud at the time of origination of the loan, missing documentation, loan processing defects or defective appraisals. These reserves are based upon, among other things: (1) pending claims received from third-party purchasers associated with previously sold mortgage loans; (2) a current assessment of the potential exposure associated with future claims of homebuyer fraud in mortgage loans originated in prior periods; and (3) historical loss experience. In addition to reserves established for mortgage loans previously sold to third-parties, we establish reserves for loans that we have been required to repurchase. Our mortgage loan reserves are reflected as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and the associated expenses are included in expenses in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

The following table summarizes the mortgage loan loss reserve activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,370		$	976		$	830
Expense provisions		298			1,172			437
Cash payments		-			(734	)		(226	)
Adjustments		(858	)		(44	)		(65	)
Balance at end of year	$	810		$	1,370		$	976

Legal Reserves. Because of the nature of the homebuilding business, we have been named as defendants in various claims, complaints and other legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, including product liability claims and claims associated with the sale and financing of homes. In the opinion of management, the outcome of these ordinary course matters will not have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, we had $3.1 million and $5.9 million of legal accruals.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, we had various significant legal recoveries totaling $9.8 million that were included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations. These recoveries were realized primarily from prior claims we had made in connection with various construction defect cases. We did not have any material legal recoveries during the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013.

Operating Leases.  We have non-cancelable operating leases primarily associated with our office facilities. Rent expense under cancelable and non-cancelable operating leases totaled $4.9 million, $5.2 million and $6.6 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and is included in either selling, general and administrative expenses in the homebuilding section or expenses in the financial services section of our consolidated statements of operations. The table below shows the future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2014.

	Year Ended
	December 31,
	(Dollars in
	thousands)
2015	$	4,922
2016		4,493
2017		5,067
2018		4,617
2019		4,246
Thereafter		29,677
Total	$	53,022

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Note 13 - Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]

13.          Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans

Effective August 1, 2008, the Company entered into amended and restated employment agreements (as amended on March 8, 2012, the “Employment Agreements”) with Larry A. Mizel, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and David D. Mandarich, President and Chief Operating Officer (collectively, the “Executive Officers”), which provided certain annual post-retirement pension benefits (the “Retirement Benefits”) depending on the year of retirement. In response to concerns expressed by significant institutional investors, and in accordance with the recommendation of an independent compensation consultant to the Company’s Compensation Committee, the Company announced that it had reached agreements (collectively, the “Second Amendments”) with the Executive Officers for the early termination, effective on October 18, 2013, of the Retirement Benefits contained in their respective Employment Agreements. Pursuant to the Second Amendments, on October 20, 2014, the Company paid each of Mr. Mizel and Mr. Mandarich a deferred lump sum in the amount of $14.8 million and $16.0 million, respectively, in full satisfaction of their past, present and future Retirement Benefits. The Company’s termination of the Retirement Benefits is irrevocable. As a result of the termination of the Retirement Benefits, the Company will no longer incur ongoing Retirement Benefit accruals.

Because the Company believed that it was more likely than not that the Second Amendment payments would not be deductible for tax purposes under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 162(m), we wrote off approximately $11.9 million of our deferred tax asset in 2013.

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Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Summary of Income Tax Expense Benefit (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current tax provision (benefit)
Federal	$ 1,631	$ 2,611	$ (374)
State	1,475		(1,210)
Total current	3,106	2,611	(1,584)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)
Federal	28,630	(171,037)
State	5,596	(16,134)
Total deferred	34,226	(187,171)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$ 37,332	$ (184,560)	$ (1,584)

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Note 9 - Homebuilding Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]

Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

9.             Homebuilding Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

The following table sets forth the components of homebuilding prepaid and other assets.

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Land option deposits	$	12,895	$	15,221
Deferred marketing costs		29,231		15,830
Prepaid expenses		5,104		4,349
Goodwill		6,008		6,008
Deferred debt issuance costs, net		13,004		11,527
Other		1,754		590
Total	$	67,996	$	53,525

We experienced a significant increase in our deferred marking costs from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014 due primarily to the increase in our active community count between those two years. 

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Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - Reclassifications out of AOCI (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities									$ (4,293)
Income before income taxes	23,885	23,924	34,026	18,640	34,318	34,909	38,012	22,586	100,475	129,825	61,115
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes									(37,332)	184,560	1,584
Net income	14,639	15,458	21,542	11,504	30,709	36,251	224,909	22,516	63,143	314,385	62,699
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Homebuilding interest and other income									7,210	580	823
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities									(4,293)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Financial services interest and other income									100	133	(181)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income before income taxes									3,017	713	642
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes									(1,162)	(275)	(247)
Net income									1,855	438	395
Homebuilding [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Homebuilding interest and other income									26,310	29,798	24,998
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(4,300)							(4,293)
Income before income taxes									75,804	100,323	32,617
Financial Services [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Financial services interest and other income									3,052	3,514	3,262
Income before income taxes									$ 24,671	$ 29,502	$ 28,498

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Note 7 - Inventories

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]

7.             Inventories

The following table sets forth, by reportable segment, information relating to our homebuilding inventories: 

	December 31,		December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
West	$	343,134	$	270,778
Mountain		220,489		194,101
East		169,069		171,821
Subtotal		732,692		636,700
Land and Land Under Development:
West		507,252		459,512
Mountain		277,583		211,526
East		150,433		103,923
Subtotal		935,268		774,961
Total Inventories	$	1,667,960	$	1,411,661

In accordance with ASC 360, homebuilding inventories are carried at cost unless events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the underlying subdivision may not be recoverable. We evaluate inventories for impairment at each quarter end. Please see “Inventories” in Note 1 and the discussion below for more detail on the methods and assumptions that were used to estimate the fair value of our inventories.

Inventory impairments recognized by segment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are shown in the table below:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
West	$	-	$	-	$	-
Mountain		234		-		-
East		1,000		802		295
Subtotal		1,234		802		295
Land and Land Under Development:
West		-		-		-
Mountain		526		-		-
East		-		117		810
Subtotal		526		117		810
Total Inventories	$	1,760	$	919	$	1,105

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded $1.8 million of inventory impairments related to four projects; three in our Maryland division in our East segment and one in our Colorado division in our Mountain segment. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $0.9 million of inventory impairments related to three projects in Maryland. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we recorded $1.1 million of inventory impairments related to two projects in Maryland. These communities were all impaired based on their slow sales absorption rates experienced during each of 2014, 2013 and 2012 as well as the estimated or actual sales price reductions required to sell the remaining lots and houses.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we used discount rates ranging from 10% to 18% for the subdivisions that were impaired.

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Note 8 - Capitalization of Interest

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Capitalization Disclosure [Abstract]

Capitalization Disclosure [Text Block]

8.             Capitalization of Interest

We capitalize interest to inventories during the period of development in accordance with ASC Topic 835, Interest (“ASC 835”). Homebuilding interest capitalized as a cost of inventories is included in cost of sales as related units or lots are sold. To the extent our homebuilding debt exceeds our qualified assets as defined in ASC 835, we expense a portion of the interest incurred. Qualified homebuilding assets consist of all lots and homes, excluding finished unsold homes or finished models, within projects that are actively selling or under development. The table set forth below summarizes homebuilding interest activity.

The homebuilding interest expensed in the table below relates to the portion of interest incurred where our homebuilding debt exceeded our qualified inventory for such periods in accordance with ASC 835.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding interest incurred	$	66,269		$	61,634		$	42,315
Less: Interest capitalized		(65,584	)		(59,908	)		(41,507	)
Homebuilding interest expensed	$	685		$	1,726		$	808
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$	74,155		$	68,508		$	58,107
Plus: Interest capitalized during period		65,584			59,908			41,507
Less: Previously capitalized interest included in home cost of sales		(60,508	)		(54,261	)		(31,106	)
Interest capitalized, end of period	$	79,231		$	74,155		$	68,508

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Note 10 - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]

10.          Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

The following table sets forth information relating to homebuilding accrued liabilities.

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Accrued compensation and related expenses	$	27,541	$	35,990
Accrued interest		23,234		24,198
Warranty accrual		18,346		22,238
Customer and escrow deposits		16,728		10,759
Land development and home construction accruals		10,108		9,592
Accrued executive deferred compensation		-		30,796
Other accrued liabilities		19,160		19,248
Total accrued liabilities	$	115,117	$	152,821

The following table sets forth information relating to financial services accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Insurance reserves	$	50,470	$	49,637
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		6,798		6,002
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	57,268	$	55,639

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Type of Investment
Number of Securities in Loss Position	58	79
Aggregate Loss Position	$ (3,097)	$ (1,143)
Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in a Loss Position	89,535	60,614
Debt Securities [Member]
Type of Investment
Number of Securities in Loss Position	52	72
Aggregate Loss Position	(359)	(430)
Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in a Loss Position	14,536	46,440
Equity Securities [Member]
Type of Investment
Number of Securities in Loss Position	6	7
Aggregate Loss Position	(2,738)	(713)
Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in a Loss Position	$ 74,999	$ 14,174

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Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Summary of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Tax expense computed at federal statutory rate	$ 35,166	$ 45,439	$ 21,390
State income tax expense, net of federal benefit	3,340	4,544	2,139
Permanent differences	(1,435)	(358)	1,771
Expiration of state net operating loss	3,030	3,874	2,634
Tax expense (benefit) related to an increase (decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits	559	(552)	(1,857)
Write-off of deferred tax asset for deferred compensation retirement plans		11,856
Charitable contributions statute expiration	181
Federal energy credits	(1,131)	(6,530)
Rate changes	866
Change in valuation allowance	(1,665)	(242,833)	(27,661)
Other	(1,579)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$ 37,332	$ (184,560)	$ (1,584)
Effective tax (benefit) rate	37.20%	(142.20%)	(2.60%)

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Quantitative Data Regarding Unobservable Inputs and Sensitivity Analysis	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Number of homes closed per year	93
Number of homes closed per year	Increase
Number of homes closed per year	Decrease
Discount rate	10.20%
Discount rate	Decrease
Discount rate	Increase
Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Number of homes closed per year	0
Discount rate	5.20%
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Number of homes closed per year	123
Discount rate	14.00%

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Options Vested and Expected to Vest (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Exercisable or expected to vest
Number outstanding	4,810,204
Weighted-average exercise price	$ 37.51
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$ 2,780
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)	4 years 178 days
Exercisable
Number outstanding	4,129,875
Weighted-average exercise price	$ 38.74
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$ 2,173
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)	4 years 215 days

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Amortized Cost and Estimated Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Marketable Securities (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 151,627	$ 575,498
Fair Value	156,140	588,067
Homebuilding [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	116,009	375,142
Fair Value	120,274	385,303
Amortized Cost	20,660	181,635
Fair Value	20,604	183,718
Amortized Cost	136,669	556,777
Fair Value	140,878	569,021
Financial Services [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	9,028	4,000
Fair Value	9,286	4,020
Amortized Cost	5,930	14,721
Fair Value	5,976	15,026
Amortized Cost	14,958	18,721
Fair Value	$ 15,262	$ 19,046

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Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Surety Bonds Issued And Outstanding	$ 145,200,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	26,800,000
Estimated Cost Related To Bonds	56,100,000
Estimated Cost Related To Letters Of Credit	6,100,000
Estimated Litigation Liability	3,100,000	5,900,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Legal Recoveries	0	0	9,800,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	4,900,000	5,200,000	6,600,000
Homeamerican [Member]
Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 16,300,000

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Note 4 - Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Numerator
Net income	$	63,143		$	314,385		$	62,699
Less: distributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(196	)		-			(1,101	)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(60	)		(4,917	)		-
Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic earnings per share)		62,887			309,468			61,598
Add back: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		60			4,917			-
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities		(60	)		(4,879	)		-
Numerator for diluted earnings per share under two class method	$	62,887		$	309,506		$	61,598
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		48,615,541			48,453,119			47,660,629
Add: dilutive effect of stock options		202,025			378,666			173,527
Denominator for diluted earnings per share under two class method		48,817,566			48,831,785			47,834,156
Basic Earnings Per Common Share	$	1.29		$	6.39		$	1.29
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	$	1.29		$	6.34		$	1.29

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Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Cost and Carrying Value of Property and Equipment (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	$ 61,197	$ 58,274
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	30,706	27,026
Carrying Value	30,491	31,248
Airplane [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	28,997	28,997
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	7,152	6,604
Carrying Value	21,845	22,393
Computer Software And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	20,594	18,436
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	14,084	11,780
Carrying Value	6,510	6,656
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	9,617	8,793
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	7,590	6,787
Carrying Value	2,027	2,006
Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	1,989	2,048
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	1,880	1,855
Carrying Value	$ 109	$ 193

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Note 15 - Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]

15.           Related Party Transactions

We previously entered into a transaction (the “Transaction”) with the Villages at Castle Rock Metropolitan District No. 6 (the “District”). The District is a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Colorado. The Board of Directors of the District currently is comprised of employees of the Company. The District was formed to provide funding for certain land development costs associated with the construction of homes in our Cobblestone subdivision. Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction, the District sold to the Company approximately $22.5 million in Limited Tax General Obligation Capital Appreciation Bonds Series 2007 (the “2007 Bonds”) and a $1.6 million Limited Tax General Obligation Subordinate Bond (the “Subordinate Bond”) in exchange for title to approximately $28.6 million in land development improvements to the District.

We initially recorded the 2007 Bonds and Subordinate Bond at an estimated $8.9 million and $0 fair value, respectively, based upon discounted cash flows. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we updated our evaluation of the estimated fair value of the 2007 Bonds and through this evaluation, we determined there was a decrease in the estimated cash flows from this asset and, as a result, recorded a $1.0 million OTTI associated with the 2007 Bonds in 2009. As discussed in Note 6, in the second quarter of 2013 we determined the 2007 Bonds were no longer required to be accounted for under the cost recovery method. We adjusted the bond principal balance based on the valuation to $18.2 million as of December 31, 2014.

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we received payments from the District in the amount of $2.0 million, $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively. In 2012, these payments were recorded as a reduction to the carrying value of the 2007 Bonds. As discussed in Note 6, the principal payments going forward are included in an interest accretion model with the appropriate interest income and increase or decrease to the carrying value being recorded. We recorded $1.4 million and $1.2 million in interest income for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and these amounts are included in interest and other income in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

We contributed $1 million in cash to the MDC/Richmond American Homes Foundation (the “Foundation”) for each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. The Foundation is a Delaware non-profit corporation that was incorporated on September 30, 1999.

The Foundation is a non-profit organization operated exclusively for charitable, educational and other purposes beneficial to social welfare within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The following Directors and/or officers of the Company are the trustees of the Foundation at December 31, 2014, all of whom serve without compensation:

Name	MDC Title
Larry A. Mizel	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
David D. Mandarich	President
Raymond T. Baker	Director
Herbert T. Buchwald	Director

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Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Equity Incentive Plans [Abstract]

Equity Incentive Plans [Text Block]

20.      Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans

A summary of our equity incentive plans follows.

Employee Equity Incentive Plans. Effective March 2001, we adopted the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2001 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2001 Equity Incentive Plan”). Non-qualified option awards previously granted generally vested over periods of up to seven years and expire ten years after the date of grant. Restricted stock awards generally were granted with vesting terms of up to five years. On March 26, 2011, the 2001 Equity Incentive Plan terminated and all stock option grants and restricted stock awards outstanding at the time of the plan termination may continue to be exercised, or become free of restrictions, in accordance with their terms. A total of 2.5 millionshares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2001 Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2014.

On April 27, 2011, our shareholders approved the M.D.C Holdings, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Equity Incentive Plan”), which provides for the grant of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other equity awards to employees of the Company. Stock options granted under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan have an exercise price that is at least equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date the stock option is granted, generally vest in periods up to five years and expire ten years after the date of grant. At December 31, 2014, a total of 2.5 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, of which 1.1 million shares remained available for grant under this plan as of December 31, 2014.

Director Equity Incentive Plans. Effective March 2001, we adopted the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “2001 Director Stock Option Plan”). Each option granted under the Director Stock Option Plan vested immediately and expires ten years from the date of grant. The 2001 Director Stock Option Plan terminated on May 21, 2012 and stock options outstanding at the time of plan termination may continue to be exercised in accordance with their terms. A total of 0.7 millionshares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2001 Director Stock Option Plan as of December 31, 2014.

Effective April 27, 2011, our shareholders approved the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “2011 Director Stock Option Plan”). Under the 2011 Director Stock Option Plan, non-employee directors of the Company are granted non-qualified stock options. Pursuant to the 2011 Director Stock Option Plan, on August 1 of each year, each non-employee director is granted options to purchase 25,000 shares of MDC common stock. Each option granted under the 2011 Director Stock Option Plan vests immediately, becomes exercisable six months after grant, and expires ten years from the date of grant. The option exercise price must be equal to the fair market value (as defined in the plan) of our common stock on the date of grant of the option. At December 31, 2014, a total of 0.8 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2011 Director Stock Option Plan and 0.4 million shares remained available for grant under this plan as of December 31, 2014.

Employee Benefit Plan. We have a defined contribution plan pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code where each employee may elect to make before-tax contributions up to the current tax limits. We match employee contributions on a discretionary basis and, as of December 31, 2014 we had accrued $0.9 million related to the match that is expected to be contributed in the first quarter of 2015 for 2014 activity. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 we contributed $0.9 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

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Note 18 - Concentration of Third-Party Mortgage Purchasers (Details) - Percent of Mortgage Loans Sold to Third-Party Purchasers (Customer Concentration Risk [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Wells Fargo Funding Inc [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Customer	37.00%	40.00%	58.00%
PennyMac Loan Services, LLC [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Customer	23.00%	7.00%	0.00%
JP Morgan Chase Bank NA [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Customer	20.00%	46.00%	36.00%
Fannie Mae [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Customer	10.00%	4.00%	4.00%

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Note 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Supplemental Guarantor Information [Abstract]

Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]

	December 31, 2014
					Non-
			Guarantor		Guarantor		Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC		Subsidiaries		Subsidiaries		Entries			MDC
	Dollars in thousands
ASSETS
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	119,951	$	2,691	$	-	$	-		$	122,642
Marketable securities		140,878		-		-		-			140,878
Restricted cash		-		2,816		-		-			2,816
Trade and other receivables		6,573		24,449		-		(2,467	)		28,555
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction		-		732,692		-		-			732,692
Land and land under development		-		935,268		-		-			935,268
Total inventories		-		1,667,960		-		-			1,667,960
Intercompany receivables		1,418,705		2,854		5,295		(1,426,854	)		-
Investment in subsidiaries		260,874		-		-		(260,874	)		-
Deferred tax asset, net		137,529		-		-		2,957			140,486
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		18,203		-		-		-			18,203
Other assets		41,743		56,744		-		-			98,487
Total Homebuilding Assets		2,144,456	$	1,757,514		5,295		(1,687,238	)		2,220,027
Financial Services:
Cash and cash equivalents		-		-		31,183		-			31,183
Marketable securities		-		-		15,262		-			15,262
Intercompany receivables		-		-		39,513		(39,513	)		-
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		-		-		88,392		-			88,392
Other assets		-		-		6,531		(2,957	)		3,574
Total Financial Services Assets		-		-		180,881		(42,470	)		138,411
Total Assets	$	2,144,456	$	1,757,514	$	186,176	$	(1,729,708	)	$	2,358,438
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	$	-	$	35,445	$	-	$	-		$	35,445
Accrued liabilities		7,007		105,529		67		2,514			115,117
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		47,663		1,392,111		23,809		(1,463,583	)		-
Revolving credit facility		15,000		-		-		-			15,000
Senior notes, net		846,450		-		-		-			846,450
Total Homebuilding Liabilities		916,120		1,533,085		23,876		(1,461,069	)		1,012,012
Financial Services:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		-		-		62,249		(4,981	)		57,268
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		-		-		2,784		(2,784	)		-
Mortgage repurchase facility		-		-		60,822		-			60,822
Total Financial Services Liabilities		-		-		125,855		(7,765	)		118,090
Total Liabilities		916,120		1,533,085		149,731		(1,468,834	)		1,130,102
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,228,336		224,429		36,445		(260,874	)		1,228,336
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,144,456	$	1,757,514	$	186,176	$	(1,729,708	)	$	2,358,438

	December 31, 2013
					Non-
			Guarantor		Guarantor		Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC		Subsidiaries		Subsidiaries		Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	145,180	$	3,454	$	-	$	-		$	148,634
Marketable securities		569,021		-		-		-			569,021
Restricted cash		-		2,195		-		-			2,195
Trade and other receivables		915		27,951		-		(5,459	)		23,407
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction		-		636,700		-		-			636,700
Land and land under development		-		774,961		-		-			774,961
Total inventories		-		1,411,661		-		-			1,411,661
Intercompany receivables		1,144,292		2,576		1,899		(1,148,767	)		-
Investment in subsidiaries		335,870		-		-		(335,870	)		-
Deferred tax asset, net		172,975		-		-		3,287			176,262
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		12,729		-		-		-			12,729
Other assets, net		41,204		43,569		-		-			84,773
Total Homebuilding Assets		2,422,186		1,491,406		1,899		(1,486,809	)		2,428,682
Financial Services:
Cash and cash equivalents		-		-		50,704		-			50,704
Marketable securities		-		-		19,046		-			19,046
Intercompany receivables		-		-		11,216		(11,216	)		-
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		-		-		92,578		-			92,578
Other assets, net		-		-		7,726		(3,287	)		4,439
Total Financial Services Assets		-		-		181,270		(14,503	)		166,767
Total Assets	$	2,422,186	$	1,491,406	$	183,169	$	(1,501,312	)	$	2,595,449
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	$	13	$	15,033	$	-	$	-		$	15,046
Accrued liabilities		97,612		56,334		82		(1,207	)		152,821
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		15,692		1,121,581		19,668		(1,156,941	)		-
Senior notes, net		1,095,620		-		-		-			1,095,620
Total Homebuilding Liabilities		1,208,937		1,192,948		19,750		(1,158,148	)		1,263,487
Financial Services:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		-		-		59,891		(4,252	)		55,639
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		-		-		3,042		(3,042	)		-
Mortgage repurchase facility		-		-		63,074		-			63,074
Total Financial Services Liabilities		-		-		126,007		(7,294	)		118,713
Total Liabilities		1,208,937		1,192,948		145,757		(1,165,442	)		1,382,200
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,213,249		298,458		37,412		(335,870	)		1,213,249
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,422,186	$	1,491,406	$	183,169	$	(1,501,312	)	$	2,595,449

Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31, 2014
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$	-		$	1,650,631		$	-		$	-		$	1,650,631
Cost of Sales		-			(1,368,140	)		(40	)		-			(1,368,180	)
Inventory impairments		-			(1,760	)		-			-			(1,760	)
Gross margin		-			280,731			(40	)		-			280,691
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(38,290	)		(164,287	)		-			(676	)		(203,253	)
Equity income of subsidiaries		86,223			-			-			(86,223	)		-
Interest and other income		24,824			1,517			15			(46	)		26,310
Interest expense		(685	)		-			-			-			(685	)
Other expense		(8	)		(4,805	)		-			-			(4,813	)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt		(18,153	)		-			-			-			(18,153	)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(4,293	)		-			-			-			(4,293	)
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)		49,618			113,156			(25	)		(86,945	)		75,804
Financial Services:
Financial services pretax income		-			-			23,949			722			24,671
Income before income taxes		49,618			113,156			23,924			(86,223	)		100,475
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		13,525			(42,044	)		(8,813	)		-			(37,332	)
Net income	$	63,143		$	71,112		$	15,111		$	(86,223	)	$	63,143
Other comprehensive income related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		(1,120	)		-			(22	)		22			(1,120	)
Comprehensive income	$	62,023		$	71,112		$	15,089		$	(86,201	)	$	62,023

	Year Ended December 31, 2013
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$	-		$	1,630,423		$	-		$	(1,248	)	$	1,629,175
Cost of Sales		-			(1,340,187	)		-			1,248			(1,338,939	)
Inventory impairments		-			(919	)		-			-			(919	)
Gross margin		-			289,317			-			-			289,317
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(63,506	)		(149,424	)		-			(353	)		(213,283	)
Equity income of subsidiaries		163,157			-			-			(163,157	)		-
Interest and other income		28,329			1,503			14			(48	)		29,798
Interest expense		(1,726	)		-			-			-			(1,726	)
Other expense		(14	)		(3,769	)		-			-			(3,783	)
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)		126,240			137,627			14			(163,558	)		100,323
Financial Services:
Financial services pretax income		-			-			29,101			401			29,502
Income before income taxes		126,240			137,627			29,115			(163,157	)		129,825
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		188,145			7,507			(11,092	)		-			184,560
Net income	$	314,385		$	145,134		$	18,023		$	(163,157	)	$	314,385
Other comprehensive income related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		6,737			-			(119	)		119			6,737
Comprehensive income	$	321,122		$	145,134		$	17,904		$	(163,038	)	$	321,122

	Year Ended December 31, 2012
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$	-		$	1,162,676		$	-		$	(6,534	)	$	1,156,142
Cost of Sales		-			(984,477	)		-			6,534			(977,943	)
Inventory impairments		-			(1,105	)		-			-			(1,105	)
Gross margin		-			177,094			-			-			177,094
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(52,880	)		(119,135	)		4,720			-			(167,295	)
Equity income of subsidiaries		81,836			-			-			(81,836	)		-
Interest and other income		24,035			949			14			-			24,998
Interest expense		(778	)		(30	)		-			-			(808	)
Other expense		(126	)		(1,239	)		(7	)		-			(1,372	)
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)		52,087			57,639			4,727			(81,836	)		32,617
Financial Services:
Financial services pretax income		-			-			28,498			-			28,498
Income before income taxes		52,087			57,639			33,225			(81,836	)		61,115
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		10,612			1,435			(10,463	)		-			1,584
Net income	$	62,699		$	59,074		$	22,762		$	(81,836	)	$	62,699
Other comprehensive income related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		12,078			-			100			(100	)		12,078
Comprehensive income	$	74,777		$	59,074		$	22,862		$	(81,936	)	$	74,777

Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31, 2014
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(62,289	)		(124,317	)		22,959			-		$	(163,647	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		339,754			(1,093	)		3,692			80,727			423,080
Financing activities:
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		-			124,647			(43,920	)		(80,727	)		-
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net		-			-			(2,252	)		-			(2,252	)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		248,375			-			-			-			248,375
Repayment of senior notes		(517,650	)		-			-			-			(517,650	)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		15,000			-			-			-			15,000
Dividend payments		(48,820	)		-			-			-			(48,820	)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		26			-			-			-			26
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		375			-			-			-			375
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(302,694	)		124,647			(46,172	)		(80,727	)		(304,946	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(25,229	)		(763	)		(19,521	)		-			(45,513	)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		145,180			3,454			50,704			-			199,338
End of period	$	119,951		$	2,691		$	31,183		$	-		$	153,825

	Year Ended December 31, 2013
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	11,994		$	(324,812	)	$	43,269		$	-		$	(269,549	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(345,165	)		(1,260	)		13,151			302,872			(30,402	)
Financing activities:
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		-			325,895			(23,023	)		(302,872	)		-
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net		-			-			(13,253	)		-			(13,253	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards		391			-			-			-			391
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes		346,938			-			-			-			346,938
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		5,118			-			-			-			5,118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		352,447			325,895			(36,276	)		(302,872	)		339,194
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		19,276			(177	)		20,144			-			39,243
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		125,904			3,631			30,560			-			160,095
End of period	$	145,180		$	3,454		$	50,704		$	-		$	199,338

	Year Ended December 31, 2012
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	1,961		$	(96,947	)	$	(13,833	)	$	-		$	(108,819	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(109,332	)		(841	)		2,059			86,333			(21,781	)
Financing activities:
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		-			98,567			(12,234	)		(86,333	)		-
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net		-			-			27,625			-			27,625
Dividend Payments		(96,915	)		-			-			-			(96,915	)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		16,624			-			-			-			16,624
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(80,291	)		98,567			15,391			(86,333	)		(52,666	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(187,662	)		779			3,617			-			(183,266	)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		313,566			2,852			26,943			-			343,361
End of period	$	125,904		$	3,631		$	30,560		$	-		$	160,095

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Note 22 - Results of Quarterly Operations (Unaudited) (Details) - Results of Quarterly Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
2014
Total revenue	$ 505,672	$ 418,403	$ 442,752	$ 327,757	$ 472,162	$ 448,000	$ 416,018	$ 344,254
Home sales revenue	493,070	405,051	430,743	318,534	460,939	433,693	400,327	331,748	1,694,584	1,680,434	1,203,023
Asset impairments	(910)		(850)		(569)	(350)
Gross margin from home sales (including impairments)	16.30%	16.50%	17.10%	18.50%	17.40%	18.10%	18.10%	17.40%
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses	54,602	50,512	49,798	48,341	55,421	57,753	51,908	48,201
Income before income taxes	23,885	23,924	34,026	18,640	34,318	34,909	38,012	22,586	100,475	129,825	61,115
Net income	$ 14,639	$ 15,458	$ 21,542	$ 11,504	$ 30,709	$ 36,251	$ 224,909	$ 22,516	$ 63,143	$ 314,385	$ 62,699
Earnings per share:
Basic (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.32	$ 0.44	$ 0.24	$ 0.62	$ 0.73	$ 4.60	$ 0.46	$ 1.29	$ 6.39	$ 1.29
Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.32	$ 0.44	$ 0.23	$ 0.62	$ 0.73	$ 4.56	$ 0.45	$ 1.29	$ 6.34	$ 1.29

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Note 11 - Warranty Accrual (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	22,238		$	23,151		$	25,525
Expense provisions		4,834			5,562			4,216
Cash payments		(6,126	)		(6,475	)		(6,590	)
Adjustments		(2,600	)		-			-
Balance at end of period	$	18,346		$	22,238		$	23,151

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Note 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Supplemental Condensed Combining Balance Sheet (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 153,825,000	$ 199,338,000	$ 160,095,000	$ 343,361,000
Housing completed or under construction	732,692,000	636,700,000
Land and land under development	935,268,000	774,961,000
Total inventories	1,667,960,000	1,411,661,000
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	13,600,000	25,900,000
Deferred tax asset	140,486,000	176,262,000
Total Assets	2,358,438,000	2,595,449,000
Total Liabilities	1,130,102,000	1,382,200,000
Total Stockholder’s Equity	1,228,336,000	1,213,249,000
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	2,358,438,000	2,595,449,000
Accounts payable and other liabilities	57,268,000	55,639,000
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Trade Receivables	(2,467,000)	(5,459,000)
Intercompany receivables	(1,426,854,000)	(1,148,767,000)
Investment in subsidiaries	(260,874,000)	(335,870,000)
Deferred tax asset	2,957,000	3,287,000
Total Assets	(1,687,238,000)	(1,486,809,000)
Accrued liabilities	2,514,000	(1,207,000)
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	(1,463,583,000)	(1,156,941,000)
Total Liabilities	(1,461,069,000)	(1,158,148,000)
Homebuilding [Member] | MDC Holdings [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	119,951,000	145,180,000
Marketable securities	140,878,000	569,021,000
Trade Receivables	6,573,000	915,000
Intercompany receivables	1,418,705,000	1,144,292,000
Investment in subsidiaries	260,874,000	335,870,000
Deferred tax asset	137,529,000	172,975,000
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)	18,203,000	12,729,000
Other assets, net	41,743,000	41,204,000
Total Assets	2,144,456,000	2,422,186,000
Accounts payable		13,000
Accrued liabilities	7,007,000	97,612,000
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	47,663,000	15,692,000
Revolving credit facility	15,000,000
Senior notes, net	846,450,000	1,095,620,000
Total Liabilities	916,120,000	1,208,937,000
Homebuilding [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	2,691,000	3,454,000
Restricted cash	2,816,000	2,195,000
Trade Receivables	24,449,000	27,951,000
Housing completed or under construction	732,692,000	636,700,000
Land and land under development	935,268,000	774,961,000
Total inventories	1,667,960,000	1,411,661,000
Intercompany receivables	2,854,000	2,576,000
Other assets, net	56,744,000	43,569,000
Total Assets	1,757,514,000	1,491,406,000
Accounts payable	35,445,000	15,033,000
Accrued liabilities	105,529,000	56,334,000
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	1,392,111,000	1,121,581,000
Total Liabilities	1,533,085,000	1,192,948,000
Homebuilding [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Intercompany receivables	5,295,000	1,899,000
Total Assets	5,295,000	1,899,000
Accrued liabilities	67,000	82,000
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	23,809,000	19,668,000
Total Liabilities	23,876,000	19,750,000
Homebuilding [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	122,642,000	148,634,000
Marketable securities	140,878,000	569,021,000
Restricted cash	2,816,000	2,195,000
Trade Receivables	28,555,000	23,407,000
Housing completed or under construction	732,692,000	636,700,000
Land and land under development	935,268,000	774,961,000
Total inventories	1,667,960,000	1,411,661,000
Deferred tax asset	140,486,000	176,262,000
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)	18,203,000	12,729,000
Other assets, net	98,487,000	84,773,000
Total Assets	2,220,027,000	2,428,682,000
Accounts payable	35,445,000	15,046,000
Accrued liabilities	115,117,000	152,821,000
Revolving credit facility	15,000,000
Senior notes, net	846,450,000	1,095,620,000
Total Liabilities	1,012,012,000	1,263,487,000
Financial Services [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Intercompany receivables	(39,513,000)	(11,216,000)
Other assets, net	(2,957,000)	(3,287,000)
Total Assets	(42,470,000)	(14,503,000)
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	(2,784,000)	(3,042,000)
Total Liabilities	(7,765,000)	(7,294,000)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(4,981,000)	(4,252,000)
Financial Services [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	31,183,000	50,704,000
Marketable securities	15,262,000	19,046,000
Intercompany receivables	39,513,000	11,216,000
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	88,392,000	92,578,000
Other assets, net	6,531,000	7,726,000
Total Assets	180,881,000	181,270,000
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	2,784,000	3,042,000
Mortgage repurchase facility	60,822,000	63,074,000
Total Liabilities	125,855,000	126,007,000
Accounts payable and other liabilities	62,249,000	59,891,000
Financial Services [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	31,183,000	50,704,000
Marketable securities	15,262,000	19,046,000
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	88,392,000	92,578,000
Other assets, net	3,574,000	4,439,000
Total Assets	138,411,000	166,767,000
Mortgage repurchase facility	60,822,000	63,074,000
Total Liabilities	118,090,000	118,713,000
Accounts payable and other liabilities	57,268,000	55,639,000
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total Assets	(1,729,708,000)	(1,501,312,000)
Total Liabilities	(1,468,834,000)	(1,165,442,000)
Total Stockholder’s Equity	(260,874,000)	(335,870,000)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	(1,729,708,000)	(1,501,312,000)
MDC Holdings [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	119,951,000	145,180,000	125,904,000	313,566,000
Total Assets	2,144,456,000	2,422,186,000
Total Liabilities	916,120,000	1,208,937,000
Total Stockholder’s Equity	1,228,336,000	1,213,249,000
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	2,144,456,000	2,422,186,000
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	2,691,000	3,454,000	3,631,000	2,852,000
Total Assets	1,757,514,000	1,491,406,000
Total Liabilities	1,533,085,000	1,192,948,000
Total Stockholder’s Equity	224,429,000	298,458,000
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	1,757,514,000	1,491,406,000
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	31,183,000	50,704,000	30,560,000	26,943,000
Total Assets	186,176,000	183,169,000
Total Liabilities	149,731,000	145,757,000
Total Stockholder’s Equity	36,445,000	37,412,000
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$ 186,176,000	$ 183,169,000

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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance at December 31 at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 480	$ 863,128	$ 12,927	$ (7,240)	$ (659)	$ 868,636
Balance at December 31 (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	48,017,108				(59,912)
Net Income			62,699			62,699
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Of Tax				12,078		12,078
Total comprehensive income						74,777
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock	8	16,616				16,624
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock (in Shares)	752,855
Dividends declared			(96,915)			(96,915)
Stock-based compensation expense		16,225				16,225
Reversal of uncertain tax positions due to statute of limitations		1,551				1,551
Retirement of treasury stock	(1)	(659)			659	(1)
Retirement of treasury stock (in Shares)	(62,230)				62,230
Forfeiture of restricted stock (in Shares)	(8,976)				(2,318)
Balance at December 31 at Dec. 31, 2012	487	896,861	(21,289)	4,838		880,897
Balance at December 31 (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	48,698,757
Net Income			314,385			314,385
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Of Tax				6,737		6,737
Total comprehensive income						321,122
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock	2	5,116				5,118
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock (in Shares)	178,737
Stock-based compensation expense		9,652				9,652
Forfeiture of restricted stock	(1)	1
Forfeiture of restricted stock (in Shares)	(88,607)
Net income tax deficiency from share-based compensation		(3,540)				(3,540)
Balance at December 31 at Dec. 31, 2013	488	908,090	293,096	11,575		1,213,249
Balance at December 31 (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	48,788,887
Net Income			63,143			63,143
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Of Tax				(1,120)		(1,120)
Total comprehensive income						62,023
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock	0	374				374
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock (in Shares)	57,021
Dividends declared			(48,820)			(48,820)
Stock-based compensation expense		5,979				5,979
Forfeiture of restricted stock	0	0				0
Forfeiture of restricted stock (in Shares)	(14,269)
Net income tax deficiency from share-based compensation		(4,469)				(4,469)
Balance at December 31 at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 488	$ 909,974	$ 307,419	$ 10,455		$ 1,228,336
Balance at December 31 (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	48,831,639

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Note 15 - Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2007
Note 15 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Investment Income, Interest	$ 1,400,000	$ 1,200,000
Cash Contribution Committed To Charitable Foundation	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
District [Member] | Capital Appreciation Bonds [Member]
Note 15 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Special Assessment Bond	22,500,000
District [Member] | Subordinate Bond [Member]
Note 15 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Special Assessment Bond	1,600,000
District [Member]
Note 15 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Bond Receivable Amount In Exchange Of Land Development Improvement	28,600,000
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Related Party Debt	2,000,000	700,000	800,000
Subordinate Bond [Member]
Note 15 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Financial Instruments, Owned, State and Municipal Government Obligations, at Fair Value					0
Bonds 2007 [Member]
Note 15 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Financial Instruments, Owned, State and Municipal Government Obligations, at Fair Value					8,900,000
Cost-method Investments, Other than Temporary Impairment				1,000,000
Municipal Debt Securities, at Carrying Value	$ 18,200,000

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Note 4 - Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

4.             Earnings Per Share

The following table shows our basic and diluted EPS calculations:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Numerator
Net income	$	63,143		$	314,385		$	62,699
Less: distributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(196	)		-			(1,101	)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(60	)		(4,917	)		-
Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic earnings per share)		62,887			309,468			61,598
Add back: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		60			4,917			-
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities		(60	)		(4,879	)		-
Numerator for diluted earnings per share under two class method	$	62,887		$	309,506		$	61,598
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		48,615,541			48,453,119			47,660,629
Add: dilutive effect of stock options		202,025			378,666			173,527
Denominator for diluted earnings per share under two class method		48,817,566			48,831,785			47,834,156
Basic Earnings Per Common Share	$	1.29		$	6.39		$	1.29
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	$	1.29		$	6.34		$	1.29

Diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 excluded options to purchase approximately 4.3 million, 3.8 million and 4.7 million shares, respectively, of common stock because the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

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Note 4 - Earnings Per Share (Details) - Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator
Net income	$ 14,639	$ 15,458	$ 21,542	$ 11,504	$ 30,709	$ 36,251	$ 224,909	$ 22,516	$ 63,143	$ 314,385	$ 62,699
Less: distributed earnings allocated to participating securities									(196)		(1,101)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities									(60)	(4,917)
Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic earnings per share)									62,887	309,468	61,598
Add back: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities									60	4,917
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities									(60)	(4,879)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share under two class method									$ 62,887	$ 309,506	$ 61,598
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in Shares)									48,615,541	48,453,119	47,660,629
Denominator for diluted earnings per share under two class method (in Shares)									48,817,566	48,831,785	47,834,156
Basic Earnings Per Common Share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.32	$ 0.44	$ 0.24	$ 0.62	$ 0.73	$ 4.60	$ 0.46	$ 1.29	$ 6.39	$ 1.29
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.32	$ 0.44	$ 0.23	$ 0.62	$ 0.73	$ 4.56	$ 0.45	$ 1.29	$ 6.34	$ 1.29
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Denominator
Add: dilutive effect of stock options (in Shares)									202,025	378,666	173,527

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Note 13 - Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 20, 2014
Note 13 - Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	$ 13,027,000	$ 14,669,000
Termination of Retirement Benefits [Member]
Note 13 - Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance		11,900,000
Chairman Of The Board And Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Note 13 - Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Distributions Paid			14,800,000
President And Chief Operating Officer [Member]
Note 13 - Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Distributions Paid			$ 16,000,000

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Note 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) [Line Items]
Maximum Percentage of Consolidated Net Worth of Guarantor for Suspension of Guarantee	5.00%
Maximum Aggregate Percentage of Consolidated Net Worth of all Guarantors for Suspension of Guarantee	10.00%
Maximum Aggregate Percentage of Consolidated Net Worth of all Guarantors for Suspension of Guarantee to Permit Cure of Default	15.00%
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Note 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	100.00%

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes (Parentheticals)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 10, 2013
5.375% Senior Notes Due December 2014 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) [Line Items]
Senior Notes, interest rate		5.375%
5.375% Senior Notes Due July 2015 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) [Line Items]
Senior Notes, interest rate		5.375%
5.625% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) [Line Items]
Senior Notes, interest rate	5.625%	5.625%
5.5% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) [Line Items]
Senior Notes, interest rate	5.50%
6.000% Senior Notes Due January 2043 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) [Line Items]
Senior Notes, interest rate	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

21.      Stock Based Compensation

Determining Fair Value of Share-Based Payment Awards. We examine our historical pattern of option exercises in an effort to determine if there are any discernable activity patterns based on certain employee and non-employee populations. Based upon this evaluation, we have identified three distinct populations: (1) executives currently consisting of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and General Counsel (collectively, the “Executives”); (2) Non-Executive employees (“Non-Executives”); and (3) non-employee members of our board of directors (“Directors”). Accordingly, during 2014, 2013 and 2012 the Company used separate Black-Scholes option pricing model assumptions for each of the aforementioned employee and non-employee populations. The fair values for stock options granted for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	2013	2012
Expected lives of options (in years)	4.0	4.0	7.8
Expected volatility	43.2%	45.3%	44.6%
Risk free interest rate	1.3%	0.8%	1.7%
Dividend yield rate	3.5%	3.0%	4.0%

Based on calculations using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, the weighted-average grant date fair values of stock options granted during 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $7.48, $9.75 and $7.54, respectively. No stock options were granted to our CEO and COO during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. As a result, the weighted average expected life of our options are higher in 2012 when compared to 2014 and 2013 as options were granted to our CEO and COO in 2012.

The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted-average period for which the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and are derived primarily from historical exercise patterns. The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility in the price of our common stock over the most recent period commensurate with the estimated expected life of our stock options. The risk-free interest rate assumption is determined based upon observed interest rates appropriate for the expected term of our employee stock options. The dividend yield assumption is based on our history of dividend payouts.

An annual forfeiture rate is estimated at the time of grant for all share-based payment awards with service conditions only. That rate is revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if the actual forfeiture rate differs from our estimate. For grants made in the year ended December 31, 2014, we estimated a forfeiture rate between 30% and 45% for those share-based payment awards granted to Non-Executives. We estimate the annual forfeiture rate to be 0% for share-based payment awards with service conditions only granted to our Executives. Additionally, we estimate the annual forfeiture rate to be 0% for share-based payment awards granted to our Directors as those grants vest immediately upon grant.

Stock Option Award Activity.  Stock option activity under our option plans for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014					2013					2012
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
				Average					Average					Average
	Number of			Exercise		Number of			Exercise		Number of			Exercise
	Shares			Price		Shares			Price		Shares			Price
Outstanding Stock Option Activity
Outstanding, beginning of year		5,282,366		$	40.83		5,879,573		$	41.29		5,306,506		$	42.69
Granted (1)		257,500			28.18		237,500			33.82		1,382,500			25.33
Exercised		(18,000	)		20.82		(153,665	)		32.94		(704,242	)		23.69
Forfeited		(23,750	)		25.16		(10,000	)		37.25		(55,710	)		27.46
Cancelled		(642,200	)		62.43		(671,042	)		44.25		(49,481	)		44.75
Outstanding, end of year		4,855,916		$	37.45		5,282,366		$	40.83		5,879,573		$	41.29

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014					2013					2012
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
	Number of			Average		Number of			Average		Number of			Average
	Shares			Fair Value		Shares			Fair Value		Shares			Fair Value
Unvested Stock Option Activity
Outstanding, beginning of year		838,541		$	9.50		2,045,000		$	8.63		1,251,328		$	10.74
Granted (1)		257,500			7.48		237,500			9.75		1,382,500			7.54
Vested		(604,583	)		7.77		(1,433,959	)		8.28		(533,118	)		8.61
Forfeited		(23,750	)		7.60		(10,000	)		12.72		(55,710	)		8.45
Unvested, end of year		467,708		$	9.51		838,541		$	9.50		2,045,000		$	8.63
___________________________

(1) Total shares granted in 2012 include 1,000,000 performance based options granted to our CEO and COO. See further discussion regarding these grants in the “Performance Based Stock Award Activity” section below.

The total intrinsic value of options (difference between price per share as of the exercise date and the strike price, times the number of options outstanding) exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0.1 million, $1.1 million and $7.0 million, respectively.

The following table provides data for our stock options that are vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2014.

Exercisable or expected to vest
Number outstanding		4,810,204
Weighted-average exercise price	$	37.51
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	2,780
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)		4.49
Exercisable
Number outstanding		4,129,875
Weighted-average exercise price	$	38.74
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	2,173
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)		4.59

The aggregate intrinsic values in the tables above represent the total pretax intrinsic values (the difference between the closing price of MDC’s common stock on the last trading day of fiscal 2014 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock option shares) that would have been received by the option holders had all in-the-money outstanding stock options been exercised on December 31, 2014.

The following table summarizes information associated with outstanding and exercisable stock options at December 31, 2014.

		Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
				Weighted-						Weighted-
				Average						Average
				Remaining		Weighted-				Remaining		Weighted-
				Contractual		Average				Contractual		Average
Range of		Number		Life (in		Exercise		Number		Life (in		Exercise
Exercise Price		Outstanding		years)		Price		Outstanding		years)		Price
$	15.84 - $ 23.77		142,500		7.00	$	20.94		42,500		6.79	$	21.83
$	23.78 - $ 39.61		3,230,416		6.14		29.61		2,912,708		6.01		29.51
$	39.62 - $ 47.53		578,000		2.88		42.88		528,000		2.39		43.17
$	55.45 - $ 63.38		600,000		1.65		60.49		600,000		1.65		60.49
$	63.39 - $ 71.30		180,000		1.00		68.18		180,000		1.00		68.18
$	71.31 - $ 100		125,000		0.75		78.89		125,000		0.75		78.89
Total			4,855,916		4.89	$	37.45		4,388,208		4.63	$	38.31

Total compensation expense relating to stock options was $3.3 million, $5.6 million and $10.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our recognized tax benefit from this expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively. We did not have any recognized tax benefits from compensation expense for stock options for the year ended December 31, 2012 as we were in a full valuation allowance position.

As of December 31, 2014, $2.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options was expected to be recognized as an expense by the Company in the future over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.1 years.

Our realized tax benefit from stock options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0, $0.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

Performance Based Stock Award Activity. On March 8, 2012, we granted a long term performance-based non-qualified stock option to each of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Operating Officer for 500,000 shares of common stock under our 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. In accordance with ASC 718, the performance-based awards were assigned a fair value of $7.42 per share on the date of grant and, as of December 31, 2012, all performance targets had been achieved. Therefore, $6.2 million of compensation expense was recognized related to the grant of these awards during the year ended December 31, 2012 with the remaining balance of the unamortized stock-based compensation expense being amortized during the first two months of 2013, based on a vesting date of March 1, 2013.

Restricted and Unrestricted Stock Award Activity. Non-vested restricted stock awards at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and changes during those years were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014					2013					2012
				Weighted-					Weighted-					Weighted-
				Average					Average					Average
	Number of			Grant Date		Number of			Grant Date		Number of			Grant Date
	Shares			Fair Value		Shares			Fair Value		Shares			Fair Value
Unvested, beginning of year		298,991		$	32.87		507,367		$	31.69		667,849		$	33.19
Granted		39,021		$	30.85		25,072			37.52		48,613			27.85
Vested		(141,454	)	$	33.08		(144,841	)		31.88		(197,801	)		35.88
Forfeited		(12,717	)	$	33.05		(88,607	)		29.02		(11,294	)		30.62
Unvested, end of year		183,841		$	32.27		298,991		$	32.87		507,367		$	31.69

Total compensation expense relating to restricted stock awards was $2.7 million, $4.0 million and $5.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our recognized tax benefit from this expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1.0 million $1.6 million, respectively. We did not have any recognized tax benefits from compensation expense for restricted stock awards for the year ended December 31, 2012 as we were in a full valuation allowance position.

At December 31, 2014, there was $3.4 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized as an expense by us in the future over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.1 years. The total intrinsic value of unvested restricted stock awards (the closing price of MDC’s common stock on the last trading day of fiscal 2014 multiplied by the number of unvested awards) at December 31, 2014 was $4.7 million. The total intrinsic value of restricted stock which vested during each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $4.2 million, $5.5 million and $5.9 million, respectively.

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Note 8 - Capitalization of Interest (Details) - Interest Activity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Interest Activity [Abstract]
Homebuilding interest incurred	$ 66,269	$ 61,634	$ 42,315
Less: Interest capitalized	(65,584)	(59,908)	(41,507)
Homebuilding interest expensed	685	1,726	808
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	74,155	68,508	58,107
Plus: Interest capitalized during period	65,584	59,908	41,507
Less: Previously capitalized interest included in home cost of sales	(60,508)	(54,261)	(31,106)
Interest capitalized, end of period	$ 79,231	$ 74,155	$ 68,508

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Note 8 - Capitalization of Interest (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Capitalization Disclosure [Abstract]

Capitalization Of Interest [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding interest incurred	$	66,269		$	61,634		$	42,315
Less: Interest capitalized		(65,584	)		(59,908	)		(41,507	)
Homebuilding interest expensed	$	685		$	1,726		$	808
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$	74,155		$	68,508		$	58,107
Plus: Interest capitalized during period		65,584			59,908			41,507
Less: Previously capitalized interest included in home cost of sales		(60,508	)		(54,261	)		(31,106	)
Interest capitalized, end of period	$	79,231		$	74,155		$	68,508

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Note 14 - Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

14.           Income Taxes

Our provision for (benefit from) income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Current tax provision (benefit)
Federal	$	1,631	$	2,611		$	(374	)
State		1,475		-			(1,210	)
Total current		3,106		2,611			(1,584	)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)
Federal		28,630		(171,037	)		-
State		5,596		(16,134	)		-
Total deferred		34,226		(187,171	)		-
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	37,332	$	(184,560	)	$	(1,584	)

The provision for (benefit from) income taxes differs from the amount that would be computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% to income before income taxes as a result of the following:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tax expense computed at federal statutory rate	$	35,166		$	45,439		$	21,390
State income tax expense, net of federal benefit		3,340			4,544			2,139
Permanent differences		(1,435	)		(358	)		1,771
Expiration of state net operating loss		3,030			3,874			2,634
Tax expense (benefit) related to an increase (decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits		559			(552	)		(1,857	)
Write-off of deferred tax asset for deferred compensation retirement plans		-			11,856			-
Charitable contributions statute expiration		181			-			-
Federal energy credits		(1,131	)		(6,530	)		-
Rate changes		866			-			-
Change in valuation allowance		(1,665	)		(242,833	)		(27,661	)
Other		(1,579	)		-			-
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	37,332		$	(184,560	)	$	(1,584	)
Effective tax (benefit) rate		37.2%			(142.2%	)		(2.6%	)

We recorded income tax expense of $37.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 while we recorded income tax benefits of $184.6 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2013 was due primarily to a $187.6 million reversal of a portion of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the 2013 second quarter in addition to a $6.5 million benefit from energy credits relating to current and prior years. These amounts were slightly offset by an $11.9 million write-off of a deferred tax asset related to the termination of certain post-retirement pension benefits contained in the employment agreements of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer as discussed in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We concluded that the reversal of a portion of our valuation allowance during the 2013 second quarter was appropriate after determining that it was more likely than not, after our evaluation of all relevant positive and negative evidence, that we would be able to realize most of our deferred tax assets within the applicable carry forward periods.

The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2012 was due primarily to the release of reserves related to settlements with various taxing authorities.

Due to the effects of the deferred tax valuation allowance and changes in unrecognized tax benefits, our effective tax rates in 2013 and 2012 were not meaningful as the income tax benefit is not directly correlated to the amount of pretax income or loss generated in such periods.

At December 31, 2014 we had a valuation allowance of $13.0 million. $6.7 million of the total valuation allowance is related to various state net operating loss carryforwards where realization is more uncertain at this time due to the more limited carryforward periods that exist in certain states. The remaining $6.3 million is related to the amount by which the carrying value of our Metro Bonds for tax purposes exceeds our carrying value for book purposes that we believe realization is more uncertain at this time.

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The tax effects of significant temporary differences that give rise to the net deferred tax asset are as follows: 

	December 31,
	2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	47,200		$	72,700
State net operating loss carryforwards		36,100			38,082
Alternative minimum tax and other tax credit carryforwards		27,582			24,196
Stock-based compensation expense		22,545			26,651
Warranty, litigation and other reserves		12,364			15,543
Receivables from related party		10,273			12,132
Accrued compensation		6,442			11,136
Asset impairment charges		2,785			5,496
Inventory, additional costs capitalized for tax purposes		3,257			1,700
Other, net		1,806			3,446
Total deferred tax assets		170,354			211,082
Valuation allowance		(13,027	)		(14,669	)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		157,327			196,413
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, equipment and other assets		5,025			5,512
Discount on notes receivable		4,149			4,204
Deferred revenue		4,306			3,985
Unrealized gain on marketable securities		1,737			4,915
Other, net		1,624			1,535
Total deferred tax liabilities		16,841			20,151
Net deferred tax asset	$	140,486		$	176,262

At December 31, 2014, we had $47.2 million in tax effected federal net operating loss carryforwards. These operating loss carryforwards, if unused, will begin to expire in 2030. Additionally, we had $36.1 million in tax-effected state net operating loss carryforwards and $0.2 million of these operating loss carryforwards are at risk to expire in 2015 if they remain unused. The remaining operating loss carryforwards, if unused, will begin to expire in 2018.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, our total liability for uncertain tax positions was $0.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively, which has been either included in accrued liabilities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets or, in accordance with ASU 2013-11, offset against our state net operating loss carryforward deferred tax asset. The following table summarizes activity for the gross unrecognized tax benefit component of our total liability for uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	371		$	575		$	2,712
Increases related to prior year tax positions		633			124			63
Decreases related to prior year tax positions		(85	)		(53	)		(84	)
Increases related to current year tax positions		-			-			-
Decreases related to current year tax positions		-			-			-
Settlements with taxing authorities		-			-			-
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations		(14	)		(275	)		(2,116	)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	905		$	371		$	575

Our liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits was $0.9 million and $0.4 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, all of which, if recognized, would reduce our effective tax rate.

The net expense (benefit) for interest and penalties reflected in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0.2 million, $0 and ($0.4) million, respectively. The corresponding liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets were $0.3 million and $0.3 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

We have taken positions in certain taxing jurisdictions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits may decrease within the next twelve months. The possible decrease could result from the expiration of various statutes of limitation and the finalization of various state income tax matters. The estimated range of the reasonably possible decrease is $0 to $0.2 million.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. We are subject to U.S. federal income tax examination for calendar tax years ending 2011 through 2014. Additionally, we are subject to various state income tax examinations for the 2010 through 2014 calendar tax years.

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Unvested Stock Award Activity (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Unvested Stock Option Activity
Outstanding, beginning of year	838,541		2,045,000		1,251,328
Outstanding, beginning of year	$ 9.50		$ 8.63		$ 10.74
Unvested, end of year	467,708		838,541		2,045,000
Unvested, end of year	$ 9.51		$ 9.50		$ 8.63
Granted (1)	257,500	[1]	237,500	[1]	1,382,500	[1]
Granted (1)	$ 7.48	[1]	$ 9.75	[1]	$ 7.54	[1]
Vested	(604,583)		(1,433,959)		(533,118)
Vested	$ 7.77		$ 8.28		$ 8.61
Forfeited	(23,750)		(10,000)		(55,710)
Forfeited	$ 7.60		$ 12.72		$ 8.45

[1] Total shares granted in 2012 include 1,000,000 performance based options granted to our CEO and COO. See further discussion regarding these grants in the "Performance Based Stock Award Activity" section below.