Note 19 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (26,486)	$ (173,256)
Net cash used in investing activities	48,704	125,625
Financing activities:
Mortgage repurchase facility	(17,067)	(31,292)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		248,375
Repayment of senior notes		(259,118)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		10,000
Dividend payments	(36,646)	(36,616)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	665	63
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(53,048)	(68,588)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(30,830)	(116,219)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	153,825	199,338
End of period	122,995	83,119
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in investing activities	67,515	134,011
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	(67,515)	(134,011)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(67,515)	(134,011)
MDC Holdings [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	19,057	(44,477)
Net cash used in investing activities	(21,669)	(9,675)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		248,375
Repayment of senior notes		(259,118)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		10,000
Dividend payments	(36,646)	(36,616)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	665	63
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(35,981)	(37,296)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(38,593)	(91,448)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	119,951	145,180
End of period	81,358	53,732
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(73,657)	(174,980)
Net cash used in investing activities	(402)	(428)
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	75,084	174,725
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	75,084	174,725
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,025	(683)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	2,691	3,454
End of period	3,716	2,771
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	28,114	46,201
Net cash used in investing activities	3,260	1,717
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	(7,569)	(40,714)
Mortgage repurchase facility	(17,067)	(31,292)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(24,636)	(72,006)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	6,738	(24,088)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	31,183	50,704
End of period	$ 37,921	$ 26,616