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