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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 $ 846,450us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount $ 1,095,620us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
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   249,814us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.375DueDecember2014Member
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   249,935us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.375DueJuly2015Member
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 246,450us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.625Due2020Member		 245,871us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes5.625Due2020Member
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 250,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_FivePointFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyFourMember		  
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 $ 350,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes6.000DueJanuary2043Member		 $ 350,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mdc_SeniorNotes6.000DueJanuary2043Member