XML 79 R68.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
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 $ 846,450us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount $ 1,095,620us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Fair Value 797,113us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue 1,086,083us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
5.375% Senior Notes Due December 2014 [Member]    
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount   249,814us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.375DueDecember2014Member
Fair Value   258,750us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.375DueDecember2014Member
5.375% Senior Notes Due July 2015 [Member]    
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount   249,935us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.375DueJuly2015Member
Fair Value   262,562us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.375DueJuly2015Member
5.625% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]    
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount 246,450us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.625Due2020Member		 245,871us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.625Due2020Member
Fair Value 257,950us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.625Due2020Member		 259,688us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.625Due2020Member
5.5% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]    
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount 250,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.5Due2024Member		  
Fair Value 242,608us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.5Due2024Member		  
6.000% Senior Notes Due January 2043 [Member]    
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount 350,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes6.000DueJanuary2043Member		 350,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes6.000DueJanuary2043Member
Fair Value $ 296,555us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes6.000DueJanuary2043Member		 $ 305,083us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes6.000DueJanuary2043Member