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, 2015

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 of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer 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, 2015, 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 $29.97 per share as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2015.

As of December 31, 2015, the number of shares outstanding of Registrant's common stock was 48,888,424.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of part III of this Form 10-K are incorporated by reference from the Registrant's 2016 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, 2015

_______________

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	12
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	42
ITEM 8.	Consolidated Financial Statements	F-1
ITEM 9.	Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	44
ITEM 9A.	Controls and Procedures	44
ITEM 9B.	Other Information	46
PART III
ITEM 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	46
ITEM 11.	Executive Compensation	46
ITEM 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	46
ITEM 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	46
ITEM 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	46
PART IV
ITEM 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	47
SIGNATURES		52

(i) 

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 (includes operating segments located in Arizona, California, Nevada and Washington); (2) Mountain (includes operating segments located in Colorado and Utah); and (3) East (includes operating segments located in Virginia, Florida and Maryland, which includes Pennsylvania, and New Jersey).

Our financial services operations primarily consist of (1) HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation (“HomeAmerican”), which originates mortgage loans primarily for our homebuyers, (2) Allegiant Insurance Company, Inc., A Risk Retention Group (“Allegiant”), which provides insurance coverage primarily to our homebuilding subsidiaries and most of our subcontractors for homes sold by our homebuilding subsidiaries and for work performed in completed subdivisions, (3) StarAmerican Insurance Ltd., which is a re-insurer on Allegiant claims, (4) American Home Insurance Agency, Inc., which offers third-party insurance products to our homebuyers and (5) 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” from the “Financial Reports” menu. 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

(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 2015, 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		16	%		20	%
Nevada		13	%		12	%
Washington		6	%		6	%
West		52	%		50	%
Colorado		27	%		30	%
Utah		4	%		3	%
Mountain		31	%		33	%
Maryland		5	%		5	%
Virginia		5	%		6	%
Florida		7	%		6	%
East		17	%		17	%
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 13, 10 and 10 active homebuilding operating divisions at the end of each year ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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, Chief Financial Officer and one of our corporate officers.  All real estate acquisition transactions are reviewed to confirm that the transaction is projected to achieve 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 of 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. In general, our homebuilding subsidiaries focus on selling “to be built homes”, also referred to as “dirt sales”, and limit the level of homes started without a contract.

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, 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.

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.

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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, 2015 and 2014, homes under contract but not yet delivered (“backlog”) totaled 2,332 and 1,519, respectively, with an estimated sales value of $1.05 billion and $663 million, respectively. We anticipate that homes in backlog at December 31, 2015 generally will close during 2016 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, 2015 may be impacted by, among other things, subsequent home order cancellations, incentives provided, and/or options and upgrades selected. 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, 2015 and 2014 had an aggregate principal balance of approximately $98.4 million and $42.8 million, respectively, and were under interest rate lock commitments at an average interest rate of 3.82% and 3.69%, 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 has significant competition with other mortgage bankers to arrange financing for our homebuyers. However, in selling its originated mortgages to third parties, HomeAmerican has benefited from an increased number of smaller non-bank entities entering the third-party purchaser space, resulting in better prices and a potentially wider array of product options. The competitive nature of our mortgage 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 most 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 executed on an annual basis since June of 2004, StarAmerican has re-insured 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 most 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 is also registered in other states where certain MDC homebuilding subsidiaries do business.

American Home Insurance is an insurance agency that sells primarily homeowners’ 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, 2015 and 2014.

	December 31,
	2015		2014
Homebuilding		906		843
Financial Services		110		104
Corporate		209		193
Total		1,225		1,140

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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 both industry conditions and general economic conditions 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.

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.

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 mortgage operations are closely related to our homebuilding business, as HomeAmerican 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.

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.

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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.

Our mortgage lending subsidiary, HomeAmerican, experiences competition from numerous banks and other mortgage bankers and brokers, many of which are larger and may have greater financial resources. As a result, these competitors may be able to offer better pricing and/or mortgage loan terms, more relaxed underwriting criteria and a greater range of products, possibly resulting in the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of our mortgage operations being 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.

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.

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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 like the FHA, VA, USDA and Ginnie Mae or government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”) like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac 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 remains 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 or sufficient down payments, adverse changes in economic conditions and general buyer’s remorse which can be driven by, but is not limited to, the factors previously mentioned.

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.

Changes 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 2015. 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 our mortgage repurchase facility are subject to change. These changes may impact, among other things, availability of capital, cost of borrowings, collateral requirements and collateral advance rates.

Our business is subject to numerous federal, state and local 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.

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 similar 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.

10

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. Environmental laws and regulations may also have a negative impact on the availability and price of certain raw materials, such as lumber.

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 are 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.

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, 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.

11

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 competition for experienced homebuilding industry personnel, 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.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None

12

Item 2. Properties.

Our corporate office is located at 4350 South Monaco Street, Denver, Colorado 80237, where we lease all 144,000 square feet of office space in the 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, 2015. 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		3		19,000
California		2		22,000
Colorado		3		153,000
Florida		3		21,000
Maryland		1		8,000
Nevada		1		16,000
Utah		1		6,000
Virginia		3		13,000
Washington		3		31,000
Total		20		289,000

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, 2015, we had 583 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
2015
High	$	28.50	$	30.81	$	31.07	$	28.75
Low		24.42		26.84		26.04		24.60
2014
High	$	32.04	$	30.29	$	30.42	$	26.66
Low		27.40		27.37		25.32		23.71

The table below sets forth the cash dividends declared and paid in 2015 and 2014. There were no dividends declared or paid for the year ended December 31, 2013 as we paid dividends of $2.00 per share during the year ended December 31, 2012, $1.00 of which 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
2015					(In thousands)
First Quarter	01/26/15	02/25/15	$	0.25	$	12,213
Second Quarter	04/27/15	05/27/15		0.25		12,212
Third Quarter	07/20/15	08/19/15		0.25		12,221
Fourth Quarter	10/19/15	11/18/15		0.25		12,222
			$	1.00	$	48,868
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, 2015, 2014 or 2013. At December 31, 2015, 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, 2015, 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., CalAtlantic Group, Inc. 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,
	2015		2014		2013		2012		2011
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Income Statement Data
Home sale and land sale revenues	$	1,860,226	$	1,650,631	$	1,629,175	$	1,156,142	$	817,023
Financial services revenues		48,810		43,953		51,259		46,881		26,086
Total revenues	$	1,909,036	$	1,694,584	$	1,680,434	$	1,203,023	$	843,109
Homebuilding pretax income (loss) (2)(4)	$	70,441	$	75,804	$	100,323	$	32,617	$	(110,628	)
Financial services pretax income		30,983		24,671		29,502		28,498		3,156
Total income (loss) before income taxes	$	101,424	$	100,475	$	129,825	$	61,115	$	(107,472	)
Net income (loss) (2)(3)(4)	$	65,791	$	63,143	$	314,385	$	62,699	$	(98,390	)
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	1.35	$	1.29	$	6.39	$	1.29	$	(2.12	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	1.34	$	1.29	$	6.34	$	1.29	$	(2.12	)
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic		48,764,396		48,615,541		48,453,119		47,660,629		46,796,334
Diluted		48,967,219		48,817,566		48,831,785		47,834,156		46,796,334
Balance Sheet Data
Cash and cash equivalents	$	180,988	$	153,825	$	199,338	$	160,095	$	343,361
Marketable securities	$	103,694	$	156,140	$	588,067	$	551,938	$	519,943
Total inventories	$	1,763,962	$	1,667,960	$	1,411,661	$	1,002,521	$	806,052
Total assets (1)	$	2,415,899	$	2,351,456	$	2,589,619	$	1,942,800	$	1,855,490
Senior notes, net (1)(2)(4)	$	840,524	$	839,468	$	1,089,790	$	742,201	$	740,873
Mortgage repurchase facility	$	88,611	$	60,822	$	63,074	$	76,327	$	48,702
Stockholders' equity	$	1,256,292	$	1,228,336	$	1,213,249	$	880,897	$	868,636
Stockholders' equity per common share	$	25.70	$	25.15	$	24.87	$	18.09	$	18.11
Cash dividends declared per share (5)	$	1.00	$	1.00	$	-	$	2.00	$	1.00
Operational Data
Homes delivered (units)		4,390		4,366		4,710		3,740		2,762
Average selling price	$	421	$	377	$	345	$	308	$	292
Net new orders (units)		5,203		4,623		4,327		4,342		2,887
Homes in backlog at period end (units)		2,332		1,519		1,262		1,645		1,043
Estimated backlog sales value at period end	$	1,054,000	$	663,000	$	506,000	$	579,000	$	330,000
Estimated average selling price of homes in backlog	$	452	$	437	$	401	$	352	$	316
Active subdivisions at period-end		167		159		146		148		187

_________________________________

(1) During 2015, we elected to early-adopt Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30). Comparative financial statements of prior years have been adjusted to apply the new method retrospectively.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

(4) 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.

(5) 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,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Homebuilding:
Home sale revenues	$	1,847,889		$	1,647,398		$	1,626,707
Land sale revenues		12,337			3,233			2,468
Total home and land sale revenues		1,860,226			1,650,631			1,629,175
Home cost of sales		(1,539,396	)		(1,365,621	)		(1,336,978	)
Land cost of sales		(12,611	)		(2,559	)		(1,961	)
Inventory impairments		(9,993	)		(1,760	)		(919	)
Total cost of sales		(1,562,000	)		(1,369,940	)		(1,339,858	)
Gross margin		298,226			280,691			289,317
Gross margin %		16.0	%		17.0	%		17.8	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(226,317	)		(203,253	)		(213,283	)
Interest and other income		6,709			26,310			29,798
Interest expense		-			(685	)		(1,726	)
Other expense		(4,208	)		(4,813	)		(3,783	)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt		-			(18,153	)		-
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(3,969	)		(4,293	)		-
Homebuilding pretax income		70,441			75,804			100,323
Financial Services:
Revenues		48,810			43,953			51,259
Expenses		(21,572	)		(22,334	)		(25,271	)
Interest and other income		3,745			3,052			3,514
Financial services pretax income		30,983			24,671			29,502
Income before income taxes		101,424			100,475			129,825
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		(35,633	)		(37,332	)		184,560
Net income	$	65,791		$	63,143		$	314,385
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.35		$	1.29		$	6.39
Diluted	$	1.34		$	1.29		$	6.34
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		48,764,396			48,615,541			48,453,119
Diluted		48,967,219			48,817,566			48,831,785
Dividends declared per share	$	1.00		$	1.00		$	-
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating Activities	$	215		$	(163,647	)	$	(269,549	)
Investing Activities	$	47,362		$	423,080		$	(30,402	)
Financing Activities	$	(20,414	)	$	(304,946	)	$	339,194

17

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Overview

Industry Conditions

The homebuilding industry continued a slow but steady recovery in 2015, driven in part by positive movements in key macroeconomic drivers such as employment levels, consumer confidence and personal income levels. A limited supply of both new and existing single family home inventory, labor constraints on the production of new homes and low interest rates helped to drive increased home prices in most markets across the country, even though overall new home sales levels in the United States remained at a relatively low level by historical standards. We are optimistic about the possibility for growth in new home sales levels in 2016, based in part on an acceleration of household formations, birth rates and wage growth in 2015. However, our enthusiasm is somewhat tempered by uncertainty surrounding the impact of key domestic and global events that have unfolded in late 2015, such as the slowdown of economic growth in China, the significant drop in oil prices and the Federal Reserve’s action to increase the federal funds rate for the first time in almost a decade.

Results for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015

For the year ended December 31, 2015, we reported net income of $65.8 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, compared to net income of $63.1 million, or $1.29 per diluted share for the year earlier period. The increase was primarily the result of a 12% improvement in home sale revenues and an $18.2 million reduction in charges related to the early extinguishment of debt. These positive results were partially offset by an 80 basis point reduction in our gross margin from home sales and a $19.6 million decrease in interest and other income. The decrease in interest and other income was due to year-over-year declines in both (1) our average marketable securities balance and (2) gains on sales of marketable securities as the volume of marketable securities sold decreased.

Home sale revenues were up 12% from $1,647.4 million in 2014 to $1,847.9 million in 2015. This $200.5 million improvement was the result of a $43,600 increase in our average selling price to $420,900, mostly due to a mix shift to higher-priced communities and, to a lesser extent, price increases implemented in the first half of 2015. Our gross margin from home sales for 2015 was 16.2%, down 80 basis points from 2014 and due primarily to the impact of an $8.2 million increase in inventory impairments and reduced margins during the 2015 first quarter as we focused our efforts on decreasing aged unsold home inventory levels.

Net new home orders increased by 13% as our monthly sales absorption pace and average active community count increased by 10% and 2% year-over-year, respectively. The improvement in our average active community count was driven by increased land acquisition efforts over the past two years while the increase in our monthly sales absorption pace was driven by an improvement in demand for new homes in many of our markets. We achieved the increase in sales absorption pace even though we have implemented price increases in most of our active communities throughout 2015. These price increases, coupled with a mix shift to higher priced communities, drove an 11% increase in our average price of net new home orders to $440,000. As a result of the increase in both units and average selling price, the dollar value of our net new orders was up $458.2 million, or 25%, from 2014.

Our financial services pretax income was $31.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a $6.3 million, or 26% increase, from $24.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was due to (1) an increase in the dollar value of loans locked, originated and sold, (2) higher per unit origination income, (3) increased gains on loans locked and sold compared to a year ago in our mortgage operations segment and (4) a $2.5 million insurance reserves adjustment recorded during 2015 in our other financial services segment.

Outlook

Our dollar value of homes in backlog is up 59% year-over-year to $1.05 billion at December 31, 2015, which we believe has positioned us well for year-over-year topline growth for the 2016 full year. However, expectations from our significant increase in backlog, particularly for the 2016 first quarter, should be tempered somewhat as a result of our backlog consisting of a much higher percentage of dirt sales, which are generally in backlog for a longer period of time, the potential for delayed closings as a result of limited subcontractor availability in several markets, and an increased possibility for cancellations as a result of negative consequences from the key domestic and global events discussed above. With overall liquidity of over $798.6 million, and no senior note maturities until 2020, we believe that our financial position at the end of 2015 provides the appropriate balance for us between supporting Company growth and providing protection from the volatile and cyclical nature of the housing market. See “Forward-Looking Statements” below.

18

Homebuilding

Pretax Income (Loss)

	Year Ended December 31,
				Change									Change
	2015			Amount			%			2014			Amount			%			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
West	$	64,627		$	1,556			2	%	$	63,071		$	(2,601	)		(4	)%	$	65,672
Mountain		52,707			13,364			34	%		39,343			(13,049	)		(25	)%		52,392
East		(6,033	)		(16,763	)		(156	)%		10,730			(8,860	)		(45	)%		19,590
Corporate		(40,860	)		(3,520	)		9	%		(37,340	)		(9	)		0	%		(37,331	)
Total homebuilding pretax income	$	70,441		$	(5,363	)		(7	)%	$	75,804		$	(24,519	)		(24	)%	$	100,323

Homebuilding pretax income for 2015 was $70.4 million, a decrease of $5.4 million from $75.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our homebuilding pretax income for the year benefited from a 12% improvement in home sale revenues and an $18.2 million reduction in charges related to the early extinguishment of debt. However, our results were negatively impacted by an 80 basis point reduction in our gross margin from homes sales and a $19.6 million decrease in interest and other income. The decrease was due to year-over-year declines in both (1) our average marketable securities balance and (2) gains on sales of marketable securities as the volume of marketable securities sold decreased.

Our Mountain segment had a $13.4 million year-over-year improvement in pretax income for 2015, due primarily to a 14% increase in home sale revenues coupled with an improved gross margin from home sales percentage. In our West segment, a $1.6 million increase in pretax income was the result of a 19% increase in home sale revenues that was mostly offset by a decline in gross margin from home sales percentage. The $16.8 million decline in pretax income in our East segment was primarily due to a 6% reduction in home sale revenues, a decline in our gross margin from home sales percentage, driven mostly by a $7.5 million increase in inventory impairments, and an increase in our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses as a percentage of home sale revenues (“SG&A rate”) resulting from higher net legal expenses as a result of a reduction in legal recoveries in 2015. The additional $3.5 million of pretax loss in our Corporate segment was primarily due to the $19.6 million decrease in interest and other income discussed above and an increase in stock based compensation expense related to a non-qualified stock option grant covering one million shares to each of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer.

Homebuilding pretax income 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 other-than-temporary impairment (the “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.

19

Assets

	December 31,				Change
	2015		2014		Amount			%
	(Dollars in thousands)
West	$	991,393	$	893,970	$	97,423			11	%
Mountain		536,831		516,971		19,860			4	%
East		324,457		343,718		(19,261	)		(6	)%
Corporate		393,712		458,386		(64,674	)		(14	)%
Total homebuilding assets	$	2,246,393	$	2,213,045	$	33,348			2	%

Homebuilding assets increased slightly during the year ended December 31, 2015. Our West segment had an increase in homebuilding assets as a result of an increase in homes in backlog in addition to significant investments in land inventory, while the increase in our Mountain segment was mostly due to an increase in backlog. Homebuilding assets in our East segment were down as a result of inventory impairments and a significant year-over-year decline in unsold homes. These declines were partially offset by an increase in the East segment’s land and land under development balance as our land acquisition efforts more than outpaced our home construction starts, which were down, in spite of an 8% increase in net new home sales, as a result of a substantial decline in the number of unsold homes started. The funds for these investments came from our Corporate segment, driving a significant portion of the $64.7 million decline in Corporate segment assets. In addition, our Corporate segment’s homebuilding assets decreased as we utilized all remaining federal net operating loss carryforwards during 2015 to offset primarily all of our taxable income.

Revenues

	Year Ended December 31,
			Change								Change
	2015		Amount			%			2014		Amount			%			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
West	$	915,259	$	145,208			19	%	$	770,051	$	98,773			15	%	$	671,278
Mountain		609,002		74,758			14	%		534,244		(12,557	)		-2	%		546,801
East		335,965		(10,371	)		(3	)%		346,336		(64,760	)		(16	)%		411,096
Total home and land sale revenues	$	1,860,226	$	209,595			13	%	$	1,650,631	$	21,456			1	%	$	1,629,175

Home and land sale revenues increased $209.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, due primarily to a 12% increase in the average selling price of new home deliveries. For the year ended December 31, 2014, home and land sale revenues 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.

20

New Home Deliveries:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015						2014						% Change
	Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Homes			Dollar Value			Average Price
	(Dollars in thousands)
Arizona		753	$	220,140	$	292.4		731	$	200,994	$	275.0		3	%		10	%		6	%
California		706		370,603		524.9		624		296,189		474.7		13	%		25	%		11	%
Nevada		575		215,479		374.7		564		176,371		312.7		2	%		22	%		20	%
Washington		270		109,038		403.8		267		96,496		361.4		1	%		13	%		12	%
West		2,304		915,260		397.2		2,186		770,050		352.3		5	%		19	%		13	%
Colorado		1,192		553,573		464.4		1,172		478,669		408.4		2	%		16	%		14	%
Utah		149		52,794		354.3		165		53,136		322.0		(10	)%		(1	)%		10	%
Mountain		1,341		606,367		452.2		1,337		531,805		397.8		0	%		14	%		14	%
Maryland		215		103,148		479.8		305		144,695		474.4		(30	)%		(29	)%		1	%
Virginia		216		105,593		488.9		234		115,001		491.5		(8	)%		(8	)%		(1	)%
Florida		314		117,521		374.3		304		85,847		282.4		3	%		37	%		33	%
East		745		326,262		437.9		843		345,543		409.9		(12	)%		(6	)%		7	%
Total		4,390	$	1,847,889	$	420.9		4,366	$	1,647,398	$	377.3		1	%		12	%		12	%

	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	%

For the year ended December 31, 2015, all of our markets, with the exception of Virginia, experienced year-over-year increases in the average selling price of homes delivered. The markets that experienced the most prominent percentage increases were California, Nevada, Washington, Colorado and Florida. The price increase in all of these markets was primarily driven by a shift in mix to higher priced communities and, to a lesser degree, by price increases implemented in most communities in the first half of the year, especially in California and Colorado. The change in homes closed during the year for the majority of our markets was mostly driven by the year-over-year change in the number of homes in beginning backlog. However, current year deliveries in most of our markets were negatively impacted by our intentional reduction of unsold home inventory, which drove decreases in the number of homes that were both sold and delivered during the year. For our Utah market, a significant year-over-year decline in the number of homes both sold and delivered during the same year, predominantly related to a decrease in available unsold home inventory, drove the 10% decline in closings, despite a 54% increase in beginning backlog.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, we experienced increases in the average selling price of new home deliveries for 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.

21

Gross Margin

Our gross margin from home sales for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased 80 basis points year-over-year. The decline was primarily due to an $8.2 million increase in inventory impairments and lower than normal margins in the first quarter of 2015 from deliveries of aged homes that were started without a contract. The lower margins were caused by higher than normal incentives utilized to reduce this aged unsold inventory. To a lesser extent, margins were also adversely impacted by higher land and construction costs and a $2.8 million year-over-year decline in positive warranty adjustments. These items were partially offset by a 70 basis point improvement in our interest in cost of sales as a percentage of home sale revenues, price increases implemented in various communities and a higher percentage of our deliveries coming from dirt sales, which typically have higher gross margins.

Our 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.

Excluding inventory impairments and interest in cost of sales, our adjusted gross margin percentage from home sales for each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was 19.7%, 20.8% and 21.1%, 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,
	2015			Gross Margin %			2014			Gross Margin %			2013			Gross Margin %
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross Margin	$	298,226			16.0	%	$	280,691			17.0	%	$	289,317			17.8	%
Less: Land Sale Revenues		(12,337	)					(3,233	)					(2,468	)
Add: Land Cost of Sales		12,611						2,559						1,961
Gross Margin from Home Sales		298,500			16.2	%		280,017			17.0	%		288,810			17.8	%
Add: Inventory Impairments		9,993						1,760						919
Gross Margin from Home Sales
Excluding Impairments (1)		308,493			16.7	%		281,777			17.1	%		289,729			17.8	%
Add: Interest in Cost of Sales		54,751						60,508						54,261
Gross Margin from Home Sales
Excluding Impairments and
Interest in Cost of Sales (1)	$	363,244			19.7	%	$	342,285			20.8	%	$	343,990			21.1	%

________________________________

(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

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded $10.0 million of inventory impairments, $1.2 million of which was related to impairments on our land held for sale in two communities, one in our West segment and one in our Mountain segment. The remaining $8.8 million in impairments related to nine projects with the majority coming from our East segment; four in Maryland totaling $3.3 million and three in Virginia totaling $5.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded $1.8 million of inventory impairments related to four projects, three of which were in our Maryland division totaling $1.0 million. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $0.9 million of inventory impairments related to three projects in Maryland. These communities were all impaired based on their slow sales absorption rates experienced during the respective years of their impairments as well as the estimated or actual sales price reductions required to sell the remaining lots and houses. Inventory impairments recognized by segment for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the table below.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
West	$	-	$	-	$	-
Mountain		250		234		-
East		1,378		1,000		802
Subtotal		1,628		1,234		802
Land and Land Under Development:
West		648		-		-
Mountain		569		526		-
East		7,148		-		117
Subtotal		8,365		526		117
Total Inventories	$	9,993	$	1,760	$	919

The table below provides quantitative data, for the periods presented, used in determining the fair value of the impaired inventory, excluding impairments related to land held for sale.

	Impairment Data								Quantitative Data
Three Months Ended	Total Subdivisions Tested		Inventory Impairments		Fair Value of Inventory After Impairments		Number of Subdivisions Impaired		Discount Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2015		22	$	350	$	3,701		1		8.7%
June 30, 2015		22		-		-		-		N/A
September 30, 2015		18		3,225		14,836		5	12.0	-	15.0%
December 31, 2015		15		5,200		19,925		3	15.0	-	20.0%
Total		77	$	8,775	$	38,462		9
March 31, 2014		16	$	-	$	-		-		N/A
June 30, 2014		16		850		4,285		2	11.0	-	13.8%
September 30, 2014		23		-		-		-		N/A
December 31, 2014		21		910		4,646		2		13.3%
Total		76	$	1,760	$	8,931		4
March 31, 2013		17	$	-	$	-		-		N/A
June 30, 2013		23		-		-		-		N/A
September 30, 2013		8		350		1,976		1		14.0%
December 31, 2013		17		569		2,877		2	10.0	-	18.0%
Total		65	$	919	$	4,853		3

23

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

For the year ended December 31, 2015, our SG&A expenses were up $23.1 million to $226.3 million, while our SG&A rate improved 10 basis points year-over-year. The slight improvement in our SG&A rate was driven primarily by an increased ability to leverage our fixed overhead as a result of our 12% increase in home sale revenues, but was mostly offset by an $8.2 million increase in compensation-related expenses, which included $6.2 million of expense related to a non-qualified stock option grant covering one million shares to each of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer

For the year ended December 31, 2014, our SG&A expenses were down $10.0 million to $203.3 million while our SG&A rate improved 80 basis points year-over-year. 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.

Early Extinguishments of Debt

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 certain marketable securities.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Marketable Securities

As of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, our marketable securities were in net unrealized gain positions totaling $5.9 million, $4.5 million and $12.6 million, respectively. Included in those net unrealized gain positions were various marketable securities in a loss position. In accordance with GAAP, we recognized $4.0 million and $4.3 million of impairments for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, on certain equity securities based on our determination that the unrealized loss on those securities no longer met the criteria, specifically the intent to hold the marketable security until its anticipated recovery in fair value, to be considered temporary. No such impairments were recorded during the year ended December 31, 2013.

Interest and Other Income

Our interest and other income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $6.7 million, $26.3 million and $29.8 million, respectively. The decrease in interest and other income from 2014 to 2015 was primarily due to year-over-year declines in both (1) our average marketable securities balance and (2) gains on sales of marketable securities resulting from a decline in the volume of marketable securities sold. The decline in interest and other income between 2014 and 2013 was attributable to the year-over-year change in our average marketable securities balance.

Interest Expense

For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we expensed $0, $0.7 million and $1.7 million of interest, respectively, related to the portion of our homebuilding debt that exceeded our qualified assets.

24

Other Homebuilding Operating Data

Net New Orders:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015								2014								% 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		843	$	241,192	$	286.1		2.07		802	$	235,041	$	293.1		2.04		5	%		3	%		(2	)%		1	%
California		856		506,445		591.6		3.55		669		327,248		489.2		3.22		28	%		55	%		21	%		10	%
Nevada		615		227,560		370.0		3.62		579		192,708		332.8		2.93		6	%		18	%		11	%		24	%
Washington		394		173,071		439.3		2.50		276		102,795		372.4		2.30		43	%		68	%		18	%		9	%
West		2,708		1,148,268		424.0		2.77		2,326		857,792		368.8		2.54		16	%		34	%		15	%		9	%
Colorado		1,435		687,695		479.2		2.97		1,334		576,322		432.0		2.88		8	%		19	%		11	%		3	%
Utah		217		79,203		365.0		2.58		179		59,304		331.3		2.55		21	%		34	%		10	%		1	%
Mountain		1,652		766,898		464.2		2.91		1,513		635,626		420.1		2.84		9	%		21	%		10	%		2	%
Maryland		237		116,010		489.5		2.02		244		117,646		482.2		1.43		(3	)%		(1	)%		2	%		41	%
Virginia		227		114,713		505.3		2.12		221		111,068		502.6		1.96		3	%		3	%		1	%		8	%
Florida		379		143,594		378.9		2.18		319		109,141		342.1		1.85		19	%		32	%		11	%		18	%
East		843		374,317		444.0		2.12		784		337,855		430.9		1.72		8	%		11	%		3	%		23	%
Total		5,203	$	2,289,483	$	440.0		2.68		4,623	$	1,831,273	$	396.1		2.43		13	%		25	%		11	%		10	%

	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	)%

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

For the year ended December 31, 2015, the dollar value of net new orders increased 25% compared to the prior year as both units and average selling price improved in most of our markets. A mix shift to higher priced communities, coupled with price increases implemented during 2015 in most of our communities, notably those in California and Colorado, drove the year-over-year increase in average selling price of net new home orders. Our West segment experienced the largest improvement in the number of net new orders as the result of a 7% increase in average active subdivisions coupled with an improved absorption pace, notably in California, Washington, and Nevada, despite the price increases implemented during most of 2015 as discussed above. The improvement in net new orders in our Mountain segment was primarily the result of a 4% increase in average active subdivisions coupled with a slight improvement in our monthly sales absorption pace. Our East segment had the largest increase in absorption pace, but the impact on net new orders was significantly dampened by an 11% decline in average active community count.

25

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.

Active Subdivisions:

	Active Subdivisions												Average Active Subdivisions
	December 31,												Year Ended December 31,
	2015		% Change			2014		% Change			2013		2015		2014		% Change
Arizona		32		(11	)%		36		44	%		25		34		33		3	%
California		20		5	%		19		73	%		11		20		17		18	%
Nevada		20		25	%		16		7	%		15		14		16		(13	)%
Washington		14		40	%		10		(23	)%		13		13		10		30	%
West		86		6	%		81		27	%		64		81		76		7	%
Colorado		40		0	%		40		5	%		38		40		39		3	%
Utah		7		17	%		6		20	%		5		7		6		17	%
Mountain		47		2	%		46		7	%		43		47		45		4	%
Maryland		11		22	%		9		(47	)%		17		10		14		(29	)%
Virginia		9		(10	)%		10		0	%		10		9		9		0	%
Florida		14		8	%		13		8	%		12		14		14		0	%
East		34		6	%		32		(18	)%		39		33		37		(11	)%
Total		167		5	%		159		9	%		146		161		158		2	%

At December 31, 2015, we had 167 active subdivisions, up 5% from 159 active subdivisions at the end of 2014 and 6% from the 2015 third quarter as we had 10 net new communities become active during the 2015 fourth quarter. For the full year, we experienced a notable decline in our Arizona market as a result of limited land acquisition activity during 2014 and 2015. The increase in our Nevada and Washington markets was the result of our objective to continue to increase our market share in these markets.

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.

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Cancellation Rate:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			Change			2014			Change			2013
Arizona		24	%		0	%		24	%		7	%		17	%
California		21	%		(3	)%		24	%		0	%		24	%
Nevada		18	%		(2	)%		20	%		(1	)%		21	%
Washington		19	%		(1	)%		20	%		2	%		18	%
West		21	%		(2	)%		23	%		3	%		20	%
Colorado		21	%		1	%		20	%		(2	)%		22	%
Utah		16	%		(2	)%		18	%		(4	)%		22	%
Mountain		21	%		1	%		20	%		(2	)%		22	%
Maryland		18	%		(6	)%		24	%		(1	)%		25	%
Virginia		25	%		(2	)%		27	%		1	%		26	%
Florida		27	%		1	%		26	%		4	%		22	%
East		24	%		(2	)%		26	%		1	%		25	%
Total		21	%		(1	)%		22	%		0	%		22	%

Our cancellation rate for the year ended December 31, 2015 was down 1% from 2014. Our Maryland market experienced the most significant decline in cancellation rate as a result of our continued efforts to enhance the quality of our backlog, including reduced acceptance of contingencies and more emphasis on creditworthiness before the acceptance of sales contracts.

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.

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Backlog:

	At December 31,
	2015						2014						% Change
	Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Homes		Dollar Value		Average Price		Homes			Dollar Value			Average Price
	(Dollars in thousands)
Arizona		321	$	89,464	$	278.7		231	$	75,419	$	326.5		39	%		19	%		(15	)%
California		342		220,755		645.5		192		98,057		510.7		78	%		125	%		26	%
Nevada		195		67,901		348.2		155		61,020		393.7		26	%		11	%		(12	)%
Washington		179		80,134		447.7		55		20,655		375.5		225	%		288	%		19	%
West		1,037		458,254		441.9		633		255,151		403.1		64	%		80	%		10	%
Colorado		822		390,635		475.2		579		266,280		459.9		42	%		47	%		3	%
Utah		108		38,549		356.9		40		13,580		339.5		170	%		184	%		5	%
Mountain		930		429,184		461.5		619		279,860		452.1		50	%		53	%		2	%
Maryland		90		43,317		481.3		68		34,293		504.3		32	%		26	%		(5	)%
Virginia		101		52,622		521.0		90		45,521		505.8		12	%		16	%		3	%
Florida		174		70,837		407.1		109		48,412		444.1		60	%		46	%		(8	)%
East		365		166,776		456.9		267		128,226		480.2		37	%		30	%		(5	)%
Total		2,332	$	1,054,214	$	452.1		1,519	$	663,237	$	436.6		54	%		59	%		4	%

	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, 2015, we had 2,332 homes in backlog with a total value of $1.05 billion, representing year-over-year increases of 813 homes and $391.0 million, respectively, from December 31, 2014. The increase in the number homes in backlog was driven mostly by (1) a year-over-year increase in net new orders, (2) a higher percent of those sales coming from dirt sales, which are generally in backlog for a longer period of time and (3) lower closings than expected for 2015 as a result of limited subcontractor availability. Each of these three items impacted our California, Washington, and Utah markets most significantly, driving the large increases in backlog. In Colorado, though our net new orders only increased by 8%, our number of homes in backlog grew 42% as limited subcontractor availability had the most significant impact on this market versus any other market. The changes in the average selling price in backlog for our markets were primarily driven by the year-over-year changes in the average price of net new orders.

At December 31, 2014 we had 1,519 homes in backlog with a total value of $663.2 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 257 homes and $157.2 million from 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 markets was driven by weaker order trends experienced during 2014 as compared to the prior year period.

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Homes Completed or Under Construction:

	December 31,
	2015		2014		% Change
Unsold:
Completed		189		483		(61	)%
Under construction		334		583		(43	)%
Total unsold started homes		523		1,066		(51	)%
Sold homes under construction or completed		1,697		1,089		56	%
Model homes under construction or completed		281		272		3	%
Total homes completed or under construction		2,501		2,427		3	%

During 2015, we enhanced our focus on dirt sales, giving our customers the best opportunity to personalize their homes. As a result, our supply of unsold homes has declined by 51% from December 31, 2014. However, this decline was offset by a 56% increase in sold homes under construction or completed as a result of our higher backlog, resulting in a 3% increase in our total homes completed or under construction.

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

	December 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Lots Owned		Lots Optioned		Total		Lots Owned		Lots Optioned		Total
Arizona		1,735		201		1,936		2,266		45		2,311
California		1,759		352		2,111		1,600		94		1,694
Nevada		2,240		100		2,340		1,589		286		1,875
Washington		832		107		939		886		-		886
West		6,566		760		7,326		6,341		425		6,766
Colorado		4,086		832		4,918		4,083		929		5,012
Utah		442		-		442		598		-		598
Mountain		4,528		832		5,360		4,681		929		5,610
Maryland		368		219		587		417		417		834
Virginia		562		158		720		525		469		994
Florida		1,078		230		1,308		891		184		1,075
East		2,008		607		2,615		1,833		1,070		2,903
Total		13,102		2,199		15,301		12,855		2,424		15,279

Lots owned and optioned decreased during the first half of the year as the number of homes delivered exceeded our acquisition activity. However, 65% of our total land acquisition spend for the year ended December 31, 2015 occurred during the second half of the year, well outpacing our number of homes delivered resulting in our lots owned and optioned being up slightly at December 31, 2015, when compared to prior year end, but up 4% from June 30, 2015.We believe that our current supply levels will support expected growth in future periods. See "Forward-Looking Statements" above.

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Financial Services

	Year Ended December 31,
			Change							Change
	2015		Amount		%			2014		Amount			%			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Financial services revenues
Mortgage operations	$	30,276	$	4,389		17	%	$	25,887	$	(9,089	)		(26	)%	$	34,976
Other		18,534		468		3	%		18,066		1,783			11	%		16,283
Total financial services revenues	$	48,810	$	4,857		11	%	$	43,953	$	(7,306	)		(14	)%	$	51,259
Financial services pretax income
Mortgage operations	$	17,230	$	3,196		23	%	$	14,034	$	(7,574	)		(35	)%	$	21,608
Other		13,753		3,116		29	%		10,637		2,743			35	%		7,894
Total financial services pretax
income	$	30,983	$	6,312		26	%	$	24,671	$	(4,831	)		(16	)%	$	29,502

For the year ended December 31, 2015, our financial services pretax income was up 26% from the prior year. The increase was primarily due to (1) an increase in the dollar value of loans locked, originated and sold, (2) higher per unit origination income, (3) increased gains on loans locked and sold compared to a year ago in our mortgage operations segment and (4) a $2.5 million adjustment recorded during 2015 in our other financial services segment to reduce insurance reserves as the result of a decline in insurance claim payment severity and frequency relative to prior period estimates.

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 percentage of our total home closings.

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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,
	2015			% or Percentage Change			2014			% or Percentage Change			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Total Originations:
Loans		2,487			3	%		2,422			(18	)%		2,947
Principal	$	838,061			10	%	$	759,082			(15	)%	$	890,404
Capture Rate Data:
Capture rate as % of all homes delivered		56	%		1	%		55	%		(6	)%		61	%
Capture rate as % of all homes delivered (excludes cash sales)		60	%		1	%		59	%		(6	)%		65	%
Mortgage Loan Origination Product Mix:
FHA loans		18	%		3	%		15	%		(9	)%		24	%
Other government loans (VA & USDA)		26	%		(3	)%		29	%		(1	)%		30	%
Total government loans		44	%		0	%		44	%		(10	)%		54	%
Conventional loans		56	%		0	%		56	%		10	%		46	%
		100	%		0	%		100	%		0	%		100	%
Loan Type:
Fixed rate		96	%		3	%		93	%		(3	)%		96	%
ARM		4	%		(3	)%		7	%		3	%		4	%
Credit Quality:
Average FICO Score		736			(0	)%		738			1	%		733
Other Data:
Average Combined LTV ratio		84	%		(1	)%		85	%		(4	)%		89	%
Full documentation loans		100	%		0	%		100	%		0	%		100	%
Loans Sold to Third Parties:
Loans		2,414			(2	)%		2,453			(19	)%		3,035
Principal	$	809,535			6	%	$	762,633			(16	)%	$	913,309

For several years prior to 2015, FHA loans as a percentage of total loans originated steadily declined as a result of (1) increases in the amount that FHA charged 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. For 2015, we experienced a slight increase in the number of FHA loans as a percentage of our total loans originated as a result of (1) reductions made to the FHA’s annual mortgage insurance premium and (2) increased FHA loan limits in certain markets, both of which took effect during 2015.

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Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense of $35.6 million and $37.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, compared to an income tax benefit of $184.6 million for the same period in 2013.

The income tax expenses for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were primarily due to positive operating results, resulting in effective income tax rates of 35.1% and 37.2%, respectively.

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.

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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.

We have marketable equity securities that consist primarily of holdings in corporate equities and holdings in mutual fund securities, which are invested mostly in debt securities.

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 through 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. We have an unsecured revolving credit agreement (“Revolving Credit Facility”) with a group of lenders which may be used for general corporate purposes. This agreement has an aggregate commitment of $550 million (the “Commitment”) and was amended on December 18, 2015 to extend the maturity to December 18, 2020. 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. As defined in the Revolving Credit Facility agreement, interest rates on outstanding borrowings are equal to the highest of (1) 0.0% or (2) a specified eurocurrency rate, federal funds effective rate or prime rate, plus a margin that is determined based on our credit ratings and leverage ratio. 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) or a violation of anti-corruption or sanctions laws 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, a violation of anti-corruption or sanctions laws, 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, 2015.

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As of December 31, 2015, we had $15.0 million in borrowings and $22.5 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, leaving remaining borrowing capacity of $512.5 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 16, 2016. 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. In the event that an eligible mortgage loan becomes ineligible, as defined under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility, we may be required to repurchase the ineligible mortgage loan immediately. The maximum aggregate commitment of the Mortgage Repurchase Facility was temporarily increased on December 23, 2015 from $50 million to $90 million and was effective through January 31, 2016. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility also had a temporary increase in the maximum aggregate commitment from $50 million to $80 million from December 29, 2014 through January 28, 2015. At December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had $88.6 million and $60.8 million, respectively, of mortgage loans that we were obligated to repurchase under our 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 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, 2015.

Dividends

In each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we paid dividends of $1.00 per share. There were no dividends declared or paid for the year ended December 31, 2013 as we paid dividends of $2.00 per share during the year ended December 31, 2012, $1.00 of which was in lieu of declaring and paying regular quarterly dividends in calendar year 2013.

MDC Common Stock Repurchase Program

At December 31, 2015, 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, 2015.

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.

Year Ended December 31, 2015. We generated $0.2 million in cash from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily resulting from net income of $65.8 million, a $33.3 million decrease in our deferred tax assets due to the use of net operating loss carryforwards to reduce our current taxes payable, and other non-cash reconciling items such as stock-based compensation expense of $10.1 million and impairments of marketable securities and homebuilding inventories totaling $14.0 million. These items were mostly offset by increasing our inventory by $104.9 million and a $27.3 million increase in our mortgage loans held-for-sale.

We generated $47.4 million in cash from investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily attributable to the maturity and sale of marketable securities that increased our cash by $102.7 million. The cash generated was significantly offset by the purchasing of $53.8 million of marketable securities.

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We used $20.4 million of cash for financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily attributable to the $48.9 million of dividend payments, which was partially offset by a $27.8 million increase in advances on the mortgage repurchase facility.

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.

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, 2015, we had deposits of $11.0 million in the form of cash and $2.5 million in the form of letters of credit that secured option contracts to purchase 2,199 lots for a total estimated purchase price of $266.3 million.

Surety Bonds and Letters of Credit. At December 31, 2015, we had issued and outstanding surety bonds and letters of credit totaling $167.1 million and $61.9 million, respectively, including $39.4 million in letters of credit issued by HomeAmerican. The estimated cost to complete obligations related to these bonds and letters of credit was approximately $52.8 million and $46.5 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.

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

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Contractual Obligations

The table below summarizes our known contractual obligations at December 31, 2015.

	Payments due by Period (in thousands)
	Total		Less than 1 Year		1 - 3 Years		4 - 5 Years		After 5 Years
Senior notes	$	850,000	$	-	$	-	$	250,000	$	600,000
Interest on senior notes		757,657		48,813		97,625		90,594		520,625
Operating leases		49,442		4,887		10,401		8,685		25,469
Total (1)	$	1,657,099	$	53,700	$	108,026	$	349,279	$	1,146,094

_____________________

(1) The table above excludes $88.6 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 $167.1 million and $61.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2015, 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.  Refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the notes to the financial statements for information on the composition of the inventory balances.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (“ASC 360”), homebuilding inventories, excluding those classified as held for sale, 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 each quarter end on a subdivision level basis as each 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 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, which are Level 3 inputs (see Note 6, Fair Value Measurements, in the notes to the financial statements for definitions of fair value inputs), 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 our estimates of future home sale revenues, home construction costs, and development costs per home, all of which are Level 3 inputs. These estimates of undiscounted future cash flows 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.

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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.

If land is classified as held for sale, we measure it at the lower of the carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell. In determining fair value, we primarily rely upon the most recent negotiated price. If a negotiated price is not available, we will consider several factors including, but not limited to, current market conditions, recent comparable sales transactions and market analysis studies. If the fair value less estimated costs to sell is lower than the current carrying value, the land is impaired down to its estimated fair value less costs to sell.

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. A warranty accrual is recorded for each home closed 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 both 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. 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.

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. It is possible that changes in the insurance payment experience used in estimating our ultimate insurance losses could have a material impact on our insurance reserves.

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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.

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, 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.

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Revenues recorded by HomeAmerican primarily reflect (1) origination fees and (2) the corresponding sale, or expected future sale, of a loan, which will include the estimated earnings from 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, plus the estimated earnings from the expected sale of the associated 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.

Home Cost of Sales. Refer to the Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the notes to the financial statements for information on the composition of home cost of sales. 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 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 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, but are 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. 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 consolidated balance sheets, and the associated expenses are included in Expenses in the financial services section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Stock-Based Compensation. 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. For stock option awards granted with just service and/or performance conditions, we estimate the fair value using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. For any stock option awards granted that contain a market condition, we estimate the fair value using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Both the Black-Scholes option pricing model and Monte Carlo simulation utilize the following inputs to calculate the estimated fair value of stock options: (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 determined based on our review of the implied volatility that is derived from the price of exchange traded options of the Company. 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.

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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.

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 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 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 consist primarily of holdings in mutual fund securities, which invest mostly in floating and fixed rate debt securities, and direct holdings in corporate equities. The market value and/or income derived from our 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, 2015, we had marketable securities in unrealized loss positions totaling $4.9 million, against which we have recorded impairments totaling $4.0 million. For the remaining marketable securities in unrealized loss positions totaling $0.9 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 lock 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, 2015 had an aggregate principal balance of approximately $98.4 million, all of which were under interest rate lock commitments at an average interest rate of 3.82%. In addition, HomeAmerican had mortgage loans held-for-sale with an aggregate principal balance of $112.9 million at December 31, 2015, of which $22.8 million had not yet been committed to a mortgage purchaser and had an average interest rate of 3.81%. 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 $84.5 million and $41.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 and comprehensive income 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 do not affect 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. For variable rate debt, such as our Revolving Credit Facility and Mortgage Repurchase Facility, changes in interest rates generally do not affect the fair value of the outstanding borrowing on the debt facilities, but does affect our earnings and cash flows. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above.

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At December 31, 2015, we had $88.6 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, 2015.

	Maturities through December 31,																		Estimated
	2016			2017		2018		2019		2020			Thereafter			Total			Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Mortgage loans held for sale (1)
Fixed Rate	$	108,605		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-		$	108,605		$	111,558
Average interest rate		3.79	%														3.79	%
Variable Interest Rate		4,341		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-		$	4,341		$	4,405
Average interest rate		3.14	%														3.14	%
Liabilities:
Fixed rate debt	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	250,000		$	600,000		$	850,000		$	786,939
Average interest rate											5.63	%		5.79	%		5.74	%
Mortgage facility	$	88,611		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-		$	88,611		$	88,611
Average interest rate		2.69	%														2.69	%
Derivative Financial
Instruments:
Commitments to originate mortgage loans
Notional amount	$	98,397		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-		$	98,397		$	2,302
Average interest rate		3.82	%														3.82	%
Forward sales of mortgage backed securities
Notional amount	$	84,500		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-		$	84,500		$	(93	)
Average interest rate		3.29	%														3.29	%

____________________

(1) All the amounts in this line reflect the expected 2016 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, 2015 and December 31, 2014	F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2015	F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2015	F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2015	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, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2015. 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, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its presentation of debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability in the financial statements as a result of the adoption of the amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification resulting from Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, “Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30),” effective for interim and annual reporting periods January 1, 2016, which effective December 31, 2015, the Company elected to early adopt.

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, 2015, 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 February 3, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Irvine, California

February 3, 2016

F-2

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

	December 31,		December 31,
	2015		2014 (As adjusted)
	(Dollars in thousands, except
	per share amounts)
ASSETS
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	144,342	$	122,642
Marketable securities		92,387		140,878
Restricted cash		3,750		2,816
Trade and other receivables		23,314		28,555
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction		747,036		732,692
Land and land under development		1,016,926		935,268
Total inventories		1,763,962		1,667,960
Property and equipment, net		28,226		30,491
Deferred tax assets, net		99,107		140,486
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		25,911		18,203
Prepaid and other assets		65,394		61,014
Total homebuilding assets		2,246,393		2,213,045
Financial Services:
Cash and cash equivalents		36,646		31,183
Marketable securities		11,307		15,262
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		115,670		88,392
Other assets		5,883		3,574
Total financial services assets		169,506		138,411
Total Assets	$	2,415,899	$	2,351,456
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	$	40,472	$	35,445
Accrued liabilities		122,886		115,117
Revolving credit facility		15,000		15,000
Senior notes, net		840,524		839,468
Total homebuilding liabilities		1,018,882		1,005,030
Financial Services:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		52,114		57,268
Mortgage repurchase facility		88,611		60,822
Total financial services liabilities		140,725		118,090
Total Liabilities		1,159,607		1,123,120
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; 48,888,424 and 48,831,639 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively		489		488
Additional paid-in-capital		915,746		909,974
Retained earnings		324,342		307,419
Accumulated other comprehensive income		15,715		10,455
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,256,292		1,228,336
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,415,899	$	2,351,456

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,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Homebuilding:
Home sale revenues	$	1,847,889		$	1,647,398		$	1,626,707
Land sale revenues		12,337			3,233			2,468
Total home and land sale revenues		1,860,226			1,650,631			1,629,175
Home cost of sales		(1,539,396	)		(1,365,621	)		(1,336,978	)
Land cost of sales		(12,611	)		(2,559	)		(1,961	)
Inventory impairments		(9,993	)		(1,760	)		(919	)
Total cost of sales		(1,562,000	)		(1,369,940	)		(1,339,858	)
Gross margin		298,226			280,691			289,317
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(226,317	)		(203,253	)		(213,283	)
Interest and other income		6,709			26,310			29,798
Interest expense		-			(685	)		(1,726	)
Other expense		(4,208	)		(4,813	)		(3,783	)
Losses on early extinguishments of debt		-			(18,153	)		-
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(3,969	)		(4,293	)		-
Homebuilding pretax income		70,441			75,804			100,323
Financial Services:
Revenues		48,810			43,953			51,259
Expenses		(21,572	)		(22,334	)		(25,271	)
Interest and other income		3,745			3,052			3,514
Financial services pretax income		30,983			24,671			29,502
Income before income taxes		101,424			100,475			129,825
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		(35,633	)		(37,332	)		184,560
Net income	$	65,791		$	63,143		$	314,385
Other comprehensive income (loss) related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		5,260			(1,120	)		6,737
Comprehensive income	$	71,051		$	62,023		$	321,122
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.35		$	1.29		$	6.39
Diluted	$	1.34		$	1.29		$	6.34
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic		48,764,396			48,615,541			48,453,119
Diluted		48,967,219			48,817,566			48,831,785

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)

										(Accumulated			Accumulated
							Additional			Deficit)			Other
	Common Stock						Paid-in			Retained			Comprehensive
	Shares			Amount			Capital			Earnings			Income			Total
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			-			374			-			-			374
Dividends declared		-			-			-			(48,820	)		-			(48,820	)
Stock-based compensation expense		-			-			5,979			-			-			5,979
Forfeiture of restricted stock		(14,269	)		-			-			-			-			-
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
Net Income		-			-			-			65,791			-			65,791
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		-			-			-			-			5,260			5,260
Total comprehensive income																	71,051
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock		66,721			1			665			-			-			666
Dividends declared		-			-			-			(48,868	)		-			(48,868	)
Stock-based compensation expense		-			-			10,066			-			-			10,066
Forfeiture of restricted stock		(9,936	)		-			-			-			-			-
Net income tax deficiency from share-based compensation		-			-			(4,959	)		-			-			(4,959	)
Balance at December 31, 2015		48,888,424		$	489		$	915,746		$	324,342		$	15,715		$	1,256,292

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,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	65,791		$	63,143		$	314,385
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Losses on early extinguishments of debt		-			18,153			-
Stock-based compensation expense		10,066			5,978			9,652
Depreciation and amortization		4,069			3,928			3,864
Inventory impairments		9,993			1,760			919
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		3,969			4,293			-
Net loss (gain) on sale of marketable securities		911			(7,310	)		-
Amortization of discount / premiums on marketable debt securities		100			566			219
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)		33,333			34,226			(187,171	)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		-			(26	)		(391	)
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash		(934	)		(621	)		(336	)
Trade and other receivables		5,247			(6,638	)		4,186
Mortgage loans held-for-sale		(27,278	)		4,186			27,375
Housing completed or under construction		(15,551	)		(96,936	)		(124,211	)
Land and land under development		(89,388	)		(160,463	)		(285,070	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(7,648	)		(11,873	)		(13,562	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		7,535			(16,013	)		(19,408	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		215			(163,647	)		(269,549	)
Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable securities		(53,822	)		(428,709	)		(404,965	)
Maturities of marketable securities		1,510			167,339			159,592
Sales of marketable securities		101,165			687,692			216,756
Purchases of property and equipment		(1,491	)		(3,242	)		(1,785	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		47,362			423,080			(30,402	)
Financing Activities:
Advances (payments) on mortgage repurchase facility, net		27,789			(2,252	)		(13,253	)
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		(48,868	)		(48,820	)		-
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		-			26			391
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		665			375			5,118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(20,414	)		(304,946	)		339,194
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		27,163			(45,513	)		39,243
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		153,825			199,338			160,095
End of period	$	180,988		$	153,825		$	199,338

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.

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 most of our 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, 2015 and 2014, 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 initially being recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). However, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 320, Investments (“ASC 320”), if the unrealized loss is determined to be other-than-temporary, an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. 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 $3.8 million and $2.8 million in restricted cash related to homebuyer deposits at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (“ASC 360”), homebuilding inventories, excluding those classified as held for sale, 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, which are Level 3 inputs (see Note 6, Fair Value Measurements, in the notes to the financial statements for definitions of fair value inputs), 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 our estimates of future home sale revenues, home construction costs, and development costs per home, all of which are Level 3 inputs.

If land is classified as held for sale, in accordance with ASC 360, we measure it at the lower of the carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell. In determining fair value, we primarily rely upon the most recent negotiated price which is a Level 2 input (see Note 6, Fair Value Measurements, for definitions of fair value inputs). If a negotiated price is not available, we will consider several factors including, but not limited to, current market conditions, recent comparable sales transactions and market analysis studies. If the fair value less estimated costs to sell is lower than the current carrying value, the land is impaired down to its estimated fair value less costs to sell.

F-8

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 $3.9 million, $3.8 million and $3.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, 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
	(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2015:
Airplane	$	28,997	$	7,701	$	21,296
Computer software and equipment		21,393		16,599		4,794
Leasehold improvements		10,207		8,317		1,890
Other		2,199		1,953		246
Total	$	62,796	$	34,570	$	28,226
December 31, 2014:
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

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 consolidated balance sheets and the associated amortization expense is included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) in the homebuilding section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income 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, 2015, 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 are indicators of a significant decline in the fair value of a particular reporting unit. If the qualitative assessment indicates a stable or improved fair value, no further testing is required.

F-9

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, 2015, 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 and comprehensive income. 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 are recorded as an increase or reduction to home cost of sales in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

F-10

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.

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 consolidated balance sheets, and the associated expenses are included in expenses in the financial services section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. 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 and comprehensive income with an offset to prepaid expenses and other assets or accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the financial services section of our consolidated balance sheets, depending on the nature of the change.

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had interest rate lock commitments with aggregate principal balances of approximately $98.4 million and $42.8 million, respectively, at average interest rates of 3.82% and 3.69%, respectively. In addition, we had $23.1 million and $14.2 million of mortgage loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 $84.5 million and $41.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded net gains (losses) on our derivatives of $1.5 million, $(0.8) million and $(0.1) 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. 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.

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 loans in inventory at December 31, 2015, 2014 or 2013 that failed to meet the continuing investment criteria.

F-11

Revenue Recognition for HomeAmerican.  Revenues recorded by HomeAmerican primarily reflect (1) origination fees and (2) the corresponding sale, or expected future sale, of a loan, which will include the estimated earnings from 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, plus the estimated earnings from the expected sale of the associated 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, 2015, 2014 or 2013. Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net, were $17.8 million, $15.5 million and $28.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and are included as a component of revenues in the financial services section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

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 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 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, 2015 and 2014, we had $11.5 million and $10.1 million, respectively, of land development and home construction accruals for closed homes. Actual results could differ from such estimates.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense. In accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards is based on the grant date fair value. For stock option awards granted with just service and/or performance conditions, we estimate the fair value using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. For any stock option awards granted that contain a market condition, we estimate the fair value using a Monte Carlo simulation model. 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. For any 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. For any stock option awards with market conditions (“Market-Based”), we recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the lesser of the derived service period or the explicit service period, if one is present. However, if the market condition is satisfied prior to the end of the requisite service period, we will accelerate all remaining expense to be recognized.

F-12

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 May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“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, 2017, and is to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. We do not plan to early adopt the guidance and are currently evaluating the method of adoption and 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 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. The only changes in ASU 2014-11 that are applicable to our consolidated financial statements are the disclosures for repurchase agreements effective for our fiscal periods beginning January 1, 2015 and interim periods beginning April 1, 2015. This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”), which amends the consolidation requirements in ASC 810, primarily related to limited partnerships and variable interest entities. ASU 2015-02 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) (“ASU 2015-03”), which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability in financial statements. Under ASU 2015-03, an entity presents such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs is reported as interest expense. ASU 2015-03 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2016. Effective December 31, 2015 we elected to early-adopt ASU 2015-03, the results of which are shown below. Additionally, since ASU 2015-03 did not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) (“ASU 2015-15”) in August 2015. Under ASU 2015-15, an entity may present debt issuance costs related to a line-of-credit arrangement as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement. The guidance under this ASU will not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments–Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”), which makes a number of changes to the current GAAP model, including changes to the accounting for equity investments and financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. Under ASU 2016-01, we will primarily be impacted by the changes to accounting for equity instruments with readily determinable fair values as they will no longer be permitted to be classified as available-for-sale (changes in fair value reported through other comprehensive income) and instead all changes in fair value will be reported in earnings. ASU 2016-01 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018. Early adoption of this particular guidance from ASU 2016-01 is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the method of adoption and impact the pronouncement will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

F-13

Adoption of Accounting Standard Resulting in Reclassification of Debt Issuance Costs. Effective December 31, 2015, we elected to early-adopt ASU 2015-03 (see “Recently Issued Accounting Standards” above). ASU 2015-03 was applied retrospectively to the financial statements and as such, comparative financial statements of prior years have been adjusted accordingly. The below financial statement line items, reflected on the December 31, 2014 consolidated balance sheet, were affected by the change in accounting principle.

Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2014

	As Previously
	Reported		Adjustment			As Adjusted
	(Dollars in thousands)
Prepaid and other assets	$	67,996	$	(6,982	)	$	61,014
Total assets	$	2,358,438	$	(6,982	)	$	2,351,456
Senior notes, net	$	846,450	$	(6,982	)	$	839,468
Total liabilities	$	1,130,102	$	(6,982	)	$	1,123,120

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,
	2015		2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash paid for:
Interest, net of interest capitalized	$	286	$	1,843		$	-
Income taxes	$	3,023	$	2,793		$	5,161
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	$	5,260	$	(1,120	)	$	6,737

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 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,
	2015		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding
West	$	915,259	$	770,051	$	671,278
Mountain		609,002		534,244		546,801
East		335,965		346,336		411,096
Total home and land sale revenues	$	1,860,226	$	1,650,631	$	1,629,175
Financial Services
Mortgage operations	$	30,276	$	25,887	$	34,976
Other		18,534		18,066		16,283
Total financial services revenues	$	48,810	$	43,953	$	51,259
Total revenues	$	1,909,036	$	1,694,584	$	1,680,434

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding
West	$	64,627		$	63,071		$	65,672
Mountain		52,707			39,343			52,392
East		(6,033	)		10,730			19,590
Corporate		(40,860	)		(37,340	)		(37,331	)
Total homebuilding pretax income	$	70,441		$	75,804		$	100,323
Financial Services
Mortgage operations	$	17,230		$	14,034		$	21,608
Other		13,753			10,637			7,894
Total financial services pretax income	$	30,983		$	24,671		$	29,502
Total pretax income	$	101,424		$	100,475		$	129,825

F-15

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 assets. The assets in our financial services segment consist mostly of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and mortgage loans held-for-sale.

	December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding assets
West	$	991,393	$	893,970
Mountain		536,831		516,971
East		324,457		343,718
Corporate		393,712		458,386
Total homebuilding assets	$	2,246,393	$	2,213,045
Financial services assets
Mortgage operations	$	123,176	$	94,265
Other		46,330		44,146
Total financial services assets	$	169,506	$	138,411
Total assets	$	2,415,899	$	2,351,456

4.             Earnings Per Share

The following table shows our basic and diluted EPS calculations:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Numerator
Net income	$	65,791		$	63,143		$	314,385
Less: distributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(98	)		(196	)		-
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(37	)		(60	)		(4,917	)
Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic earnings per share)		65,656			62,887			309,468
Add back: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		37			60			4,917
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities		(37	)		(60	)		(4,879	)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share under two class method	$	65,656		$	62,887		$	309,506
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		48,764,396			48,615,541			48,453,119
Add: dilutive effect of stock options		202,823			202,025			378,666
Denominator for diluted earnings per share under two class method		48,967,219			48,817,566			48,831,785
Basic Earnings Per Common Share	$	1.35		$	1.29		$	6.39
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	$	1.34		$	1.29		$	6.34

Diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 excluded options to purchase approximately 5.9 million, 4.3 million and 3.8 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,
	2015		2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities (1) :
Beginning balance	$	2,775	$	7,655		$	4,838
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		322		(3,025	)		3,255
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2)		560		(1,855	)		(438	)
Ending balance	$	3,657	$	2,775		$	7,655
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale metropolitan district bond securities (1) :
Beginning balance	$	7,680	$	3,920		$	-
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		4,378		3,760			3,920
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		-		-			-
Ending balance	$	12,058	$	7,680		$	3,920
Total ending AOCI	$	15,715	$	10,455		$	11,575

_______________________

(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	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding interest and other income	$	2,690		$	7,210		$	580
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(3,969	)		(4,293	)		-
Financial services interest and other income		368			100			133
Income before income taxes		(911	)		3,017			713
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		351			(1,162	)		(275	)
Net income	$	(560	)	$	1,855		$	438

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, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(Dollars in thousands)
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Equity securities	Level 1	$	103,694	$	129,560
Debt securities - maturity less than 1 year	Level 2		-		1,511
Debt securities - maturity 1 to 5 years	Level 2		-		7,643
Debt securities - maturity greater than 5 years	Level 2		-		17,426
Total available-for-sale securities		$	103,694	$	156,140
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	Level 2	$	115,670	$	88,392
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party) (available-for-sale)	Level 3	$	25,911	$	18,203

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.

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

Marketable Securities.  We have marketable debt and equity securities. Our equity securities consist of holdings in corporate equities and holdings in mutual fund securities, which are primarily invested in debt securities. Our debt securities consisted 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 measured 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, 2015 and 2014, 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 initially being recorded as a component of AOCI, subject to an assessment to determine if an unrealized loss on a marketable security, if applicable, is other-than-temporary.

Each quarter we assess all of our securities in an unrealized loss position for a potential OTTI. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded pretax OTTIs of $4.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively, for certain equity investments that were in an unrealized loss position as of the end of each respective period. No such OTTIs were recorded for the year ended December 31, 2013. The OTTIs are included in other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

F-18

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

	December 31, 2015
	Amortized Cost		OTTI			Net Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Equity securities	$	89,738	$	(3,969	)	$	85,769	$	92,387
Debt securities		-		-			-		-
Total homebuilding available-for-sale marketable securities	$	89,738	$	(3,969	)	$	85,769	$	92,387
Financial Services:
Equity securities	$	12,026	$	-		$	12,026	$	11,307
Debt securities		-		-			-		-
Total financial services available-for-sale marketable securities	$	12,026	$	-		$	12,026	$	11,307
Total available-for-sale marketable securities	$	101,764	$	(3,969	)	$	97,795	$	103,694

	December 31, 2014
	Amortized Cost		OTTI		Net Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Homebuilding:
Equity securities	$	116,009	$	-	$	116,009	$	120,274
Debt securities		20,660		-		20,660		20,604
Total homebuilding available-for-sale marketable securities	$	136,669	$	-	$	136,669	$	140,878
Financial Services:
Equity securities	$	9,028	$	-	$	9,028	$	9,286
Debt securities		5,930		-		5,930		5,976
Total financial services available-for-sale marketable securities	$	14,958	$	-	$	14,958	$	15,262
Total available-for-sale marketable securities	$	151,627	$	-	$	151,627	$	156,140

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, our marketable securities were in a net unrealized gain position totaling $5.9 million and $4.5 million, respectively. Our individual marketable securities that were in unrealized loss positions, excluding those that were impaired as part of the OTTIs, aggregated to unrealized losses of $0.9 million and $3.1 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The table below sets forth the aggregated unrealized losses for individual debt and equity securities that were in unrealized loss positions but did not have OTTIs recognized. We do not believe the decline in the value of these marketable securities as of December 31, 2015 is other-than-temporary.

	December 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
	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
Equity		4		(882	)		6,116		6		(2,738	)		74,999
Total		4	$	(882	)	$	6,116		58	$	(3,097	)	$	89,535

F-19

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 or other-than-temporary impairments in the homebuilding section, or interest and other income in the financial services section, of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	$	1,854		$	7,719		$	1,251
Debt securities		417			2,432			83
Total	$	2,271		$	10,151		$	1,334
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	$	(2,949	)	$	(6,183	)	$	-
Debt securities		(233	)		(952	)		(3,794	)
Total	$	(3,182	)	$	(7,135	)	$	(3,794	)
Net realized gain (loss) on sales of available-for-sale securities	$	(911	)	$	3,016		$	(2,460	)

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale, Net.  As of December 31, 2015, 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, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had $92.6 million and $74.2 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, 2015 and 2014, we had $23.1 million and $14.2 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.

Metropolitan District Bond Securities (Related Party).  The Metropolitan District Bond Securities (the “Metro Bonds”) are included in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 15 for details on how these bonds were acquired. Cash flows received by the Company from these securities reflect principal and interest payments from the Metro District, which are generally received in the fourth quarter, and are supported by an annual levy on the taxable assessed value of real estate and personal property within the Metro District’s boundaries. 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”).

F-20

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 improvements in property values within the Metro District. In accordance with ASC 310-30, we adjust the bond principal balance 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 primary unobservable inputs used in our discounted cash flow model are (1) the forecasted number of homes to be closed, as they drive increases to the taxpaying base for the Metro District, (2) the forecasted assessed value of those closed homes and (3) the discount rate. Cash receipts, which are typically only received in the fourth quarter, reduce the carrying value of the Metro Bonds. The table below provides quantitative data, as of December 31, 2015, 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	121		94	Increase	Decrease
Average sales price	$400K	to	1.2 million	$	477K	Increase	Decrease
Discount rates	5%	to	12%		8.2%	Decrease	Increase

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	18,203		$	12,729
Increase in fair value (recorded in other comprehensive income)		6,961			6,114
Change due to accretion of principal		1,427			1,405
Cash receipts		(680	)		(2,045	)
Balance at end of period	$	25,911		$	18,203

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, which primarily reflect estimated prices for our senior notes which were provided by multiple sources.

	December 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
					(As adjusted)
$250 Million 5⅝% Senior Notes due February 2020, net	$	246,032	$	257,813	$	245,201	$	257,950
$250 Million 5½% Senior Notes due January 2024, net		248,209		252,188		248,036		242,608
$350 Million 6% Senior Notes due January 2043, net		346,283		276,938		346,231		296,555
Total	$	840,524	$	786,939	$	839,468	$	797,113

F-21

7.            Inventories

The table below sets forth, by reportable segment, information relating to our homebuilding inventories. Included in land and land under development at December 31, 2015 was $1.7 million of land held for sale. We did not have any land held for sale at December 31, 2014.

	December 31,		December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
West	$	365,867	$	343,134
Mountain		253,578		220,489
East		127,591		169,069
Subtotal		747,036		732,692
Land and Land Under Development:
West		580,682		507,252
Mountain		259,484		277,583
East		176,760		150,433
Subtotal		1,016,926		935,268
Total Inventories	$	1,763,962	$	1,667,960

Inventory impairments recognized by segment for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the table below

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
West	$	-	$	-	$	-
Mountain		250		234		-
East		1,378		1,000		802
Subtotal		1,628		1,234		802
Land and Land Under Development:
West		648		-		-
Mountain		569		526		-
East		7,148		-		117
Subtotal		8,365		526		117
Total Inventories	$	9,993	$	1,760	$	919

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded $10.0 million of inventory impairments, $1.2 million of which was related to impairments on our land held for sale in two communities, one in our West segment and one in our Mountain segment, each of which the Company was actively marketing and planning on selling in the next 12 months. No such impairments of land held for sale were recorded during 2014 or 2013. The remaining $8.8 million in impairments related to nine projects with the majority coming from our East segment; four in Maryland totaling $3.3 million and three in Virginia totaling $5.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded $1.8 million of inventory impairments related to four projects, three of which were in our Maryland division totaling $1 million. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $0.9 million of inventory impairments related to three projects in Maryland. These communities were all impaired based on their slow sales absorption rates experienced during the respective years of their impairments as well as the estimated or actual sales price reductions required to sell the remaining lots and houses.

F-22

The table below provides quantitative data, for the periods presented, used in determining the fair value of the impaired inventory, excluding impairments related to land held for sale.

	Impairment Data								Quantitative Data
Three Months Ended	Total Subdivisions Tested		Inventory Impairments		Fair Value of Inventory After Impairments		Number of Subdivisions Impaired		Discount Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2015		22	$	350	$	3,701		1		8.7%
June 30, 2015		22		-		-		-		N/A
September 30, 2015		18		3,225		14,836		5	12.0	-	15.0%
December 31, 2015		15		5,200		19,925		3	15.0	-	20.0%
Total		77	$	8,775	$	38,462		9
March 31, 2014		16	$	-	$	-		-		N/A
June 30, 2014		16		850		4,285		2	11.0	-	13.8%
September 30, 2014		23		-		-		-		N/A
December 31, 2014		21		910		4,646		2		13.3%
Total		76	$	1,760	$	8,931		4
March 31, 2013		17	$	-	$	-		-		N/A
June 30, 2013		23		-		-		-		N/A
September 30, 2013		8		350		1,976		1		14.0%
December 31, 2013		17		569		2,877		2	10.0	-	18.0%
Total		65	$	919	$	4,853		3

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,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding interest incurred	$	53,061		$	66,269		$	61,634
Less: Interest capitalized		(53,061	)		(65,584	)		(59,908	)
Homebuilding interest expensed	$	-		$	685		$	1,726
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$	79,231		$	74,155		$	68,508
Plus: Interest capitalized during period		53,061			65,584			59,908
Less: Previously capitalized interest included in home and land cost of sales		(54,751	)		(60,508	)		(54,261	)
Interest capitalized, end of period	$	77,541		$	79,231		$	74,155

F-23

9.             Homebuilding Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

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

	December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
			(As adjusted)
Land option deposits	$	11,997	$	12,895
Deferred marketing costs		31,152		29,231
Prepaid expenses		6,500		5,104
Goodwill		6,008		6,008
Deferred debt issuance costs on revolving credit facility, net		5,570		6,022
Other		4,167		1,754
Total	$	65,394	$	61,014

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,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Accrued compensation and related expenses	$	25,492	$	27,541
Accrued interest		23,234		23,234
Warranty accrual		15,328		18,346
Customer and escrow deposits		20,717		16,728
Land development and home construction accruals		11,465		10,108
Other accrued liabilities		26,650		19,160
Total accrued liabilities	$	122,886	$	115,117

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

	December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Insurance reserves	$	45,811	$	50,470
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		6,303		6,798
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	52,114	$	57,268

F-24

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, 2015, 2014 and 2013. During 2015, we recorded a $0.2 million adjustment to increase our warranty accrual primarily due to unexpected warranty related expenditures during the second half of the year. During 2014, 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. We had no such adjustments during the year ended December 31, 2013. 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	18,346		$	22,238		$	23,151
Expense provisions		6,303			4,834			5,562
Cash payments		(9,510	)		(6,126	)		(6,475	)
Adjustments		189			(2,600	)		-
Balance at end of period	$	15,328		$	18,346		$	22,238

12.          Insurance Reserves

The following table summarizes the insurance reserve activity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The insurance reserve is included as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the consolidated balance sheets.

	December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	50,470		$	49,637		$	47,852
Expense provisions		6,452			6,316			7,065
Cash payments, net of recoveries		(8,611	)		(5,483	)		(5,280	)
Adjustments		(2,500	)		-			-
Balance at end of period	$	45,811		$	50,470		$	49,637

The $2.5 million adjustment to decrease our insurance reserve during the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily resulted from a decrease in the severity 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, 2015, 2014, and 2013, are not necessarily indicative of what future cash payments will be for subsequent periods.

F-25

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, 2015, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Current tax provision (benefit)
Federal	$	2,549		$	1,631	$	2,611
State		(249	)		1,475		-
Total current		2,300			3,106		2,611
Deferred tax provision (benefit)
Federal		30,268			28,630		(171,037	)
State		3,065			5,596		(16,134	)
Total deferred		33,333			34,226		(187,171	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	35,633		$	37,332	$	(184,560	)

F-26

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,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tax expense computed at federal statutory rate	$	35,498		$	35,166		$	45,439
State income tax expense, net of federal benefit		3,043			3,340			4,544
Permanent differences		(974	)		(1,435	)		(358	)
Expiration of state net operating loss		336			3,030			3,874
Tax expense (benefit) related to an increase (decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits		(479	)		559			(552	)
Write-off of deferred tax asset for deferred compensation retirement plans		-			-			11,856
Charitable contributions statute expiration		-			181			-
Federal energy credits		(1,058	)		(1,131	)		(6,530	)
Rate changes		48			866			-
Change in valuation allowance		(549	)		(1,665	)		(242,833	)
Other		(232	)		(1,579	)		-
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	35,633		$	37,332		$	(184,560	)
Effective tax (benefit) rate		35.1	%		37.2	%		(142.2	)%

We recorded income tax expense of $35.6 million and $37.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, while we recorded an income tax benefit of $184.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

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.

Due to the effects of the deferred tax valuation allowance and changes in unrecognized tax benefits, our effective tax rate in 2013 was not meaningful as the income tax benefit is not directly correlated to the amount of pretax income or loss generated during the period.

At December 31, 2015 we had a valuation allowance of $12.9 million, a decrease of $0.1 million from the prior year. $5.9 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 $7.0 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-27

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,
	2015			2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	-		$	47,200
State net operating loss carryforwards		31,292			36,100
Alternative minimum tax and other tax credit carryforwards		31,993			27,582
Stock-based compensation expense		20,068			22,545
Warranty, litigation and other reserves		9,470			12,364
Receivables from related party		8,342			10,273
Accrued compensation		7,241			6,442
Asset impairment charges		5,049			2,785
Inventory, additional costs capitalized for tax purposes		5,894			3,257
Other, net		2,429			1,806
Total deferred tax assets		121,778			170,354
Valuation allowance		(12,868	)		(13,027	)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		108,910			157,327
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, equipment and other assets		4,739			5,025
Discount on notes receivable		-			4,149
Deferred revenue		2,312			4,306
Unrealized gain on marketable securities		671			1,737
Other, net		2,081			1,624
Total deferred tax liabilities		9,803			16,841
Net deferred tax asset	$	99,107		$	140,486

At December 31, 2015, all federal net operating loss carryforwards had been used. Additionally, we had $31.3 million in tax-effected state net operating loss carryforwards and $0.1 million of these operating loss carryforwards are at risk to expire in 2016 if they remain unused. The remaining operating loss carryforwards, if unused, will begin to expire in 2018.

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, our total liability for uncertain tax positions was $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, which has been either included in accrued liabilities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets or 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	905		$	371		$	575
Increases related to prior year tax positions		139			633			124
Decreases related to prior year tax positions		(475	)		(85	)		(53	)
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations		(81	)		(14	)		(275	)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	488		$	905		$	371

F-28

Our liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits was $0.5million and $0.9 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, all of which, if recognized, would reduce our effective tax rate.

The net expense for interest and penalties reflected in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $0, $0.2 million and $0, respectively. The corresponding liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets were $0 and $0.3 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 $0.1 million to $0.

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 2012 through 2015. Additionally, we are subject to various state income tax examinations for the 2011 through 2016 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 “Metro 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.

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we received payments from the Metro District in the amount of $0.7 million, $2.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively, and recorded $1.4 million, $1.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively, in interest income. The interest income amounts are included in interest and other income in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

We contributed $1.0 million in cash to the MDC/Richmond American Homes Foundation (the “Foundation”) for each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013. 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 served as directors of the Foundation at December 31, 2015, all of whom serve without compensation:

Name	MDC Title
Larry A. Mizel	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
David D. Mandarich	President

Three other individuals, who are independent of the Company, also serve as directors of the Foundation. All directors of the Foundation serve without compensation.

16.          Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations

Revolving Credit Facility. We have an unsecured revolving credit agreement (“Revolving Credit Facility”) with a group of lenders which may be used for general corporate purposes. This agreement has an aggregate commitment of $550 million (the “Commitment”) and was amended on December 18, 2015 to extend the maturity to December 18, 2020. 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. As defined in the Revolving Credit Facility agreement, interest rates on outstanding borrowings are equal to the highest of (1) 0.0% or (2) a specified eurocurrency rate, federal funds effective rate or prime rate, plus a margin that is determined based on our credit ratings and leverage ratio. 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.

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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) or a violation of anti-corruption or sanctions laws 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, a violation of anti-corruption or sanctions laws, 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, 2015.

We incur costs associated with unused commitment fees pursuant to the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were $22.5 million and $10.5 million, respectively, in letters of credit outstanding, which reduced the amounts available to be borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility. We had $15.0 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2015, availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $512.5 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 16, 2016. 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. In the event that an eligible mortgage loan becomes ineligible, as defined under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility, we may be required to repurchase the ineligible mortgage loan immediately. The maximum aggregate commitment of the Mortgage Repurchase Facility was temporarily increased on December 23, 2015 from $50 million to $90 million and was effective through January 31, 2016. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility also had a temporary increase in the maximum aggregate commitment from $50 million to $80 million from December 29, 2014 through January 28, 2015. At December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had $88.6 million and $60.8 million, respectively, of mortgage loans that we were obligated to repurchase under our 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 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, 2015.

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.

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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, 2015 and December 31, 2014, net of any unamortized debt issuance costs or discount, were as follows:

	December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
			(As adjusted)
$250 Million 5⅝% Senior Notes due February 2020, net	$	246,032	$	245,201
$250 Million 5½% Senior Notes due January 2024, net		248,209		248,036
$350 Million 6% Senior Notes due January 2043, net		346,283		346,231
Total	$	840,524	$	839,468

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, 2015, we had issued and outstanding surety bonds and letters of credit totaling $167.1 million and $61.9 million, respectively, including $39.4 million in letters of credit issued by HomeAmerican. The estimated cost to complete obligations related to these bonds and letters of credit was approximately $52.8 million and $46.5 million, respectively. The letters of credit as of December 31, 2015, 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 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 been required to repurchase. Our mortgage loan reserves are reflected as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the consolidated balance sheets, and the associated expenses are included in expenses in the financial services section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

F-31

The following table summarizes the mortgage loan loss reserve activity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of year	$	810		$	1,370		$	976
Expense provisions		764			298			1,172
Cash payments		(325	)		-			(734	)
Adjustments		(1,048	)		(858	)		(44	)
Balance at end of year	$	201		$	810		$	1,370

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, 2015 and 2014, respectively, we had $3.6 million and $3.1 million of legal accruals.

Operating Leases.  We have non-cancelable operating leases primarily associated with our office facilities. Rent expense under cancelable and non-cancelable operating leases totaled $5.0 million, $4.9 million and $5.2 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, 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 and comprehensive income. The table below shows the future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2015.

	Year Ended
	December 31,
	(Dollars in
	thousands)
2016	$	4,887
2017		5,443
2018		4,958
2019		4,387
2020		4,298
Thereafter		25,469
Total	$	49,442

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 2015, 2014 and 2013. No other third parties purchased greater than 10 percent of our mortgage loans during 2015, 2014 or 2013.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
PennyMac Loan Services, LLC		14	%		23	%		7	%
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.		32	%		20	%		46	%
Wells Fargo Funding, Inc.		10	%		37	%		40	%
Fannie Mae		7	%		10	%		4	%

19.          Stockholders' Equity

Common Stock Repurchase Program. At December 31, 2015, 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, 2015, 2014 or 2013. We did not hold any treasury stock at December 31, 2015.

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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 2.0 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2001 Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2015.

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, 2015, a total of 4.2 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, of which 0.8 million shares remained available for grant under this plan as of December 31, 2015.

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 0.5 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2001 Director Stock Option Plan as of December 31, 2015.

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, 2015, a total of 1.1 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2011 Director Stock Option Plan and 0.6 million shares remained available for grant under this plan as of December 31, 2015.

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, 2015, we had accrued $1.0 million related to the match that is expected to be contributed in the first quarter of 2016 for 2015 activity. At December 31, 2014, we had accrued $0.9 million related to the match that was contributed during the first quarter of 2015 for 2014 activity. For the year ended December 31, 2013, we made matching contributions of $0.9 million.

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21.          Stock Based Compensation

Determining Fair Value of Share-Based Payment Awards. Most options that we grant contain only a service condition (“Service-Based” option) and therefore vest over a specified number of years as long as the employee is employed by the Company. For Service-Based options, we use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the grant date fair value. During 2015, we also granted 1 million Market-Based options to each of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. These options were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Refer to the “Market-Based Stock Option Awards” section below.

The fair values for Service-Based options granted for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the below weighted-average assumptions.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
Expected lives of options (in years)		3.9			4.0			4.0
Expected volatility		29.6	%		43.2	%		45.3	%
Risk free interest rate		1.2	%		1.3	%		0.8	%
Dividend yield rate		3.5	%		3.5	%		3.0	%

Based on calculations using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, the weighted-average grant date fair values of stock options granted during 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $4.78, $7.48 and $9.75, respectively. The expected life of options in the table above represents the weighted-average period for which the options are expected to remain outstanding and are derived primarily from historical exercise patterns. The expected volatility is determined based on our review of the implied volatility that is derived from the price of exchange traded options of the Company. 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 which contain service and/or performance conditions. That rate is revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if the actual forfeiture rate differs from our estimate.

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Stock Option Award Activity.  Stock option activity under our option plans for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015					2014					2013
				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		4,855,916		$	37.45		5,282,366		$	40.83		5,879,573		$	41.29
Granted (1)		2,247,500			28.47		257,500			28.18		237,500			33.82
Exercised		(31,250	)		21.21		(18,000	)		20.82		(153,665	)		32.94
Forfeited		(121,250	)		28.61		(23,750	)		25.16		(10,000	)		37.25
Cancelled		(555,500	)		66.51		(642,200	)		62.43		(671,042	)		44.25
Outstanding, end of year		6,395,416		$	32.01		4,855,916		$	37.45		5,282,366		$	40.83

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015					2014					2013
				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		467,708		$	9.51		838,541		$	9.50		2,045,000		$	8.63
Granted (1)		2,247,500			5.53		257,500			7.48		237,500			9.75
Vested		(361,042	)		7.07		(604,583	)		7.77		(1,433,959	)		8.28
Forfeited		(121,250	)		9.33		(23,750	)		7.60		(10,000	)		12.72
Unvested, end of year		2,232,916		$	5.91		467,708		$	9.51		838,541		$	9.50

___________________________

(1) Total options granted in 2015 include a total of 2,000,000 Market-Based options granted to our CEO and COO. See further discussion regarding these grants in the “Market-Based Stock Option Awards” 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $0.2 million, $0.1 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

The following table provides data for our stock options that are vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2015.

Exercisable or expected to vest
Number outstanding		6,438,992
Weighted-average exercise price	$	31.60
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	3,621
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)		6.11
Exercisable
Number outstanding		4,162,500
Weighted-average exercise price	$	33.88
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	1,243
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)		4.43

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 2015 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, 2015.

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The following table summarizes information associated with outstanding and exercisable stock options at December 31, 2015. 

			Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
					Weighted-						Weighted-
					Average						Average
					Remaining		Weighted-				Remaining		Weighted-
					Contractual		Average				Contractual		Average
			Number		Life (in		Exercise		Number		Life (in		Exercise
Range of Exercise Price			Outstanding		years)		Price		Outstanding		years)		Price
$ 21.00	-	$ 30.99		4,000,000		7.83	$	27.36		1,842,084		6.11	$	26.24
$ 31.00	-	$ 40.99		1,665,416		4.13		34.29		1,590,416		3.97		34.25
$ 41.00	-	$ 50.99		340,000		1.44		43.95		340,000		1.44		43.95
$ 51.00	-	$ 60.99		210,000		0.99		57.05		210,000		0.99		57.05
$ 61.00	-	$ 62.76		180,000		0.99		62.76		180,000		0.99		62.76
	Total			6,395,416		6.11	$	32.01		4,162,500		4.43	$	33.88

Total compensation expense relating to stock options was $8.1 million, $3.3 million and $5.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our recognized tax benefit from this expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $3.1 million, $1.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2015, $6.4 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 0.7 years.

Our realized tax benefit from stock options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $0.1 million, $0 and $0.4 million, respectively.

Market-Based Stock Option Awards. On May 18, 2015, the Company granted a non-qualified stock option to each of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer for 1,000,000 shares of common stock under the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. The terms of each option provide that, over a five year period, one third of the option shares will vest as of each of the third, fourth, and fifth anniversary dates of the grant of the option; provided that all unvested option shares will vest immediately in the event the closing price of the Company’s stock, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, in any 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days closes at a price equal to or greater than 120% of the closing price on the date of grant (the “market-based condition”). The option exercise price is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, which was $28.45 and the expiration date of each option is May 18, 2025.

In accordance with ASC 718, the market-based awards were assigned a fair value of $5.62 per share on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model with the following assumptions.

	Year Ended December 31, 2015
Expected volatility		27.8%
Risk free interest rate		2.2%
Dividend yield rate		3.5%

In accordance with the valuation model used, the $11.2 million in expense will be recorded on a straight-line basis through the end of the 2016 second quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2015, and included in the $8.1 million of total compensation expense related to stock options above, was $6.2 million of expense related to these option grants. If at such time these options vest under the market-based condition prior to the end of the expected expense term, all remaining expense will be recognized immediately.

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Restricted and Unrestricted Stock Award Activity. Non-vested restricted stock awards at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and changes during those years were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015					2014					2013
				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		183,841		$	32.27		298,991		$	32.87		507,367		$	31.69
Granted		35,471			26.43		39,021			30.85		25,072			37.52
Vested		(111,719	)		32.86		(141,454	)		33.08		(144,841	)		31.88
Forfeited		(9,936	)		29.11		(12,717	)		33.05		(88,607	)		29.02
Unvested, end of year		97,657		$	29.79		183,841		$	32.27		298,991		$	32.87

Total compensation expense relating to restricted stock awards was $2.0 million, $2.7 million and $4.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our recognized tax benefit from this expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $0.8 million, $1.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2015, there was $1.0 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 1.3 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 2015 multiplied by the number of unvested awards) at December 31, 2015 was $2.5 million. The total intrinsic value of restricted stock which vested during each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $2.9 million, $4.2 million and $5.5 million, respectively.

22.          Results of Quarterly Operations (Unaudited)

	Quarter
	First			Second			Third			Fourth
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
2015
Total revenue	$	388,510		$	473,128		$	468,487		$	578,911
Home sales revenue	$	377,009		$	461,708		$	454,740		$	554,432
Asset impairments	$	(350	)	$	-		$	(4,351	)	$	(5,292	)
Gross margin from home sales (including impairments)		15.4	%		16.6	%		16.4	%		16.1	%
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses	$	50,532		$	54,781		$	57,444		$	63,560
Income before income taxes	$	13,326		$	31,882		$	23,658		$	32,558
Net income	$	8,420		$	19,998		$	14,778		$	22,595
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.17		$	0.41		$	0.30		$	0.47
Diluted	$	0.17		$	0.41		$	0.30		$	0.46

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

F-37

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.

F-38

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Balance Sheet

	December 31, 2015
					Non-
			Guarantor		Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC		Subsidiaries		Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	Dollars in thousands
ASSETS
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	141,245	$	3,097	$	-		$	-		$	144,342
Marketable securities		92,387		-		-			-			92,387
Restricted cash		-		3,750		-			-			3,750
Trade and other receivables		5,304		20,297		-			(2,287	)		23,314
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction		-		747,036		-			-			747,036
Land and land under development		-		1,016,926		-			-			1,016,926
Total inventories		-		1,763,962		-			-			1,763,962
Intercompany receivables		1,509,551		2,850		5,291			(1,517,692	)		-
Investment in subsidiaries		267,191		-		-			(267,191	)		-
Property and equipment, net		26,073		2,153		-			-			28,226
Deferred tax assets, net		97,083		-		-			2,024			99,107
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		25,911		-		-			-			25,911
Other assets		5,973		59,421		-			-			65,394
Total Homebuilding Assets		2,170,718		1,855,530		5,291			(1,785,146	)		2,246,393
Financial Services:
Cash and cash equivalents		-		-		36,646			-			36,646
Marketable securities		-		-		11,307			-			11,307
Intercompany receivables		-		-		39,234			(39,234	)		-
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		-		-		115,670			-			115,670
Other assets		-		-		7,907			(2,024	)		5,883
Total Financial Services Assets		-		-		210,764			(41,258	)		169,506
Total Assets	$	2,170,718	$	1,855,530	$	216,055		$	(1,826,404	)	$	2,415,899
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	$	-	$	40,472	$	-		$	-		$	40,472
Accrued liabilities		11,527		108,445		(33	)		2,947			122,886
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		47,375		1,480,589		25,536			(1,553,500	)		-
Revolving credit facility		15,000		-		-			-			15,000
Senior notes, net		840,524		-		-			-			840,524
Total Homebuilding Liabilities		914,426		1,629,506		25,503			(1,550,553	)		1,018,882
Financial Services:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		-		-		57,348			(5,234	)		52,114
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		-		-		3,426			(3,426	)		-
Mortgage repurchase facility		-		-		88,611			-			88,611
Total Financial Services Liabilities		-		-		149,385			(8,660	)		140,725
Total Liabilities		914,426		1,629,506		174,888			(1,559,213	)		1,159,607
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,256,292		226,024		41,167			(267,191	)		1,256,292
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,170,718	$	1,855,530	$	216,055		$	(1,826,404	)	$	2,415,899

F-39

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	)		-
Property and equipment, net		28,409		2,082							30,491
Deferred tax assets, net		137,529		-		-		2,957			140,486
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		18,203		-		-		-			18,203
Other assets, net		6,352		54,662		-		-			61,014
Total Homebuilding Assets		2,137,474		1,757,514		5,295		(1,687,238	)		2,213,045
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, net		-		-		6,531		(2,957	)		3,574
Total Financial Services Assets		-		-		180,881		(42,470	)		138,411
Total Assets	$	2,137,474	$	1,757,514	$	186,176	$	(1,729,708	)	$	2,351,456
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		839,468		-		-		-			839,468
Total Homebuilding Liabilities		909,138		1,533,085		23,876		(1,461,069	)		1,005,030
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		909,138		1,533,085		149,731		(1,468,834	)		1,123,120
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,228,336		224,429		36,445		(260,874	)		1,228,336
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,137,474	$	1,757,514	$	186,176	$	(1,729,708	)	$	2,351,456

F-40

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

	Year Ended December 31, 2015
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$	-		$	1,860,226		$	-		$	-		$	1,860,226
Cost of Sales		-			(1,551,907	)		(100	)		-			(1,552,007	)
Inventory impairments		-			(9,993	)		-			-			(9,993	)
Gross margin		-			298,326			(100	)		-			298,226
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(40,356	)		(185,403	)		-			(558	)		(226,317	)
Equity income of subsidiaries		91,079			-			-			(91,079	)		-
Interest and other income		4,635			2,651			8			(585	)		6,709
Interest expense		-			-			-			-			-
Other expense		(6	)		(4,202	)		-			-			(4,208	)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(3,969	)		-			-			-			(3,969	)
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)		51,383			111,372			(92	)		(92,222	)		70,441
Financial Services:
Financial services pretax income		-			-			29,840			1,143			30,983
Income before income taxes		51,383			111,372			29,748			(91,079	)		101,424
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		14,408			(39,128	)		(10,913	)		-			(35,633	)
Net income	$	65,791		$	72,244		$	18,835		$	(91,079	)	$	65,791
Other comprehensive income related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		5,260			-			(674	)		674			5,260
Comprehensive income	$	71,051		$	72,244		$	18,161		$	(90,405	)	$	71,051

	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

F-41

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income

	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-42

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statement of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31, 2015
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	31,030		$	(16,109	)	$	(14,706	)	$	-		$	215
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		38,467			(811	)		3,260			6,446			47,362
Financing activities:
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		-			17,326			(10,880	)		(6,446	)		-
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net		-			-			27,789			-			27,789
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		-			-			-			-			-
Repayment of senior notes		-			-			-			-			-
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		-			-			-			-			-
Dividend payments		(48,868	)		-			-			-			(48,868	)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		-			-			-			-			-
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		665			-			-			-			665
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(48,203	)		17,326			16,909			(6,446	)		(20,414	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		21,294			406			5,463			-			27,163
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		119,951			2,691			31,183			-			153,825
End of period	$	141,245		$	3,097		$	36,646		$	-		$	180,988

	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

F-43

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statement of Cash Flows

	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	)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes		346,938			-			-			-			346,938
Repayment of senior notes		-			-			-			-			-
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		-			-			-			-			-
Dividend payments		-			-			-			-			-
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards		391			-			-			-			391
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-44

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, 2015.

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.

44

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, 2015, 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, 2015, 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, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2015, and our report dated February 3, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Irvine, California 

February 3, 2016

45

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 29, 2016, 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.

46

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, 2015 and December 31, 2014	F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2015	F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2015	F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2015	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. 

47

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 (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). *

4.3 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). *

4.4 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). *

4.5 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 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed December 21, 2015). *

10.4 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). *

10.5 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). *

10.6 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). *

10.7 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). *

10.8 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).*

10.9 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). *

48 

10.10 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).*

10.11 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). *

10.12 Eighth 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). *

10.13 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). *

10.14 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). *

10.15 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 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2014). *

10.16 Twelfth 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 18, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 22, 2015). *

10.17 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). *

10.18 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). *

10.19 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). *

10.20 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). *

10.21 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). *

10.22 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). *

10.23 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). *

10.24 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). *

10.25 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). *

10.26 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). *

10.27 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). *

10.28 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). *

10.29 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). *

49

10.30 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).*

10.31 Second Amendment to the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 24, 2015). *

10.32 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). *

10.33 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). *

10.34 Form of 2015 Restricted Stock Agreement (2011 Equity Incentive Plan).

10.35 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).*

10.36 Form of Executive Officer Stock Option Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (May 18, 2015 grants) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2015). *

10.37 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). *

10.38 First Amendment to the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 24, 2015). *

10.39 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). *

10.40 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).*

10.41 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).*

10.42 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). *

10.43 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). *

10.44 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).*

10.45 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).*

10.46 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). *

10.47 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).*

10.48 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).*

50

10.49 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). *

10.50 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). *

10.51 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). *

10.52 Change in Control Agreement between the Company and Robert N. Martin, dated as of May 23, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 19, 2015).*

10.53 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). *

10.54 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). *

10.55 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). *

10.56 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.

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

____________________

*Incorporated by reference.

51

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: February 3, 2016	By:	/s/ Robert N. Martin
		Robert N. Martin
		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	February 3, 2016
Larry A. Mizel	(principal executive officer)
/s/ David D. Mandarich	Director, President and Chief Operating Officer	February 3, 2016
David D. Mandarich
/s/ Robert N. Martin	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Principal Accounting Officer	February 3, 2016
Robert N. Martin	(principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)
/s/ Raymond T. Baker	Director	February 3, 2016
Raymond T. Baker
/s/ Michael A. Berman	Director	February 3, 2016
Michael A. Berman
/s/ David E. Blackford	Director	February 3, 2016
David E. Blackford
/s/ Herbert T. Buchwald	Director	February 3, 2016
Herbert T. Buchwald
/s/ Paris G. Reece III	Director	February 3, 2016
Paris G. Reece III
/s/ David Siegel	Director	February 3, 2016
David Siegel

52

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 (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). *

4.3 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). *

4.4 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). *

4.5 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 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed December 21, 2015). *

10.4 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). *

10.5 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). *

53

10.6 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). *

10.7 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). *

10.8 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).*

10.9 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). *

10.10 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).*

10.11 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). *

10.12 Eighth 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). *

10.13 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). *

10.14 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). *

10.15 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 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2014). *

10.16 Twelfth 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 18, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 22, 2015). *

10.17 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). *

10.18 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). *

10.19 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). *

10.20 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). *

54

10.21 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). *

10.22 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). *

10.23 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). *

10.24 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). *

10.25 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). *

10.26 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). *

10.27 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). *

10.28 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). *

10.29 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). *

10.30 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).*

10.31 Second Amendment to the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 24, 2015). *

10.32 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). *

10.33 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). *

10.34 Form of 2015 Restricted Stock Agreement (2011 Equity Incentive Plan).

10.35 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).*

10.36 Form of Executive Officer Stock Option Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (May 18, 2015 grants) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2015). *

10.37 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). *

10.38 First Amendment to the M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2011 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 24, 2015). *

55

10.39 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). *

10.40 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).*

10.41 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).*

10.42 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). *

10.43 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). *

10.44 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).*

10.45 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).*

10.46 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). *

10.47 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).*

10.48 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).*

10.49 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). *

10.50 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). *

10.51 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). *

10.52 Change in Control Agreement between the Company and Robert N. Martin, dated as of May 23, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 19, 2015).*

10.53 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). *

10.54 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). *

10.55 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). *

10.56 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). *

56

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

____________________

*Incorporated by reference.

57

EX-10.34

Exhibit 10.34

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), awards to the Employee named below restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Restricted Stock”) under the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). This Restricted Stock Agreement (the “Agreement”) evidences the terms of the Company’s award of the Restricted Stock to Employee.

A. NOTICE OF AWARD

Name of Employee:

Number of Shares of Restricted Stock:

Closing Price on Award Date (NYSE):     $

Aggregate Fair Market Value:*          $

Award Date:

Lapse Schedule: Except as provided otherwise in this Agreement and the Plan, and subject to Employee’s continuous employment with the Company from the Award Date through each lapse date set forth below, the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to the Restricted Stock in accordance with the following schedule:

	Percentage of Shares
Lapse Date	Lapse of Forfeiture Restrictions	Cumulative Unrestricted Stock
	__%	__%
	__%	__%
	__%	__%
	__%	__%

The Restriction Period shall be the period of time during which the Forfeiture Restrictions remain in effect for the applicable shares of Restricted Stock.

* The aggregate Fair Market Value is determined by the Award Date closing price of Company common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (rounded down to the next whole share in the event of a fractional share), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

B. RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT

1.     Award. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan, as an inducement to Employee to continue employment with the Company, the Company awards to Employee effective as of the Award Date the number of shares of Restricted Stock as set forth in the Notice of Award on the cover page of this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall govern. All capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to them in this Agreement or in the Plan.

2.     Type of Award. This is an award of Restricted Stock.

3.     Certificates; Book Entry. The Company may elect to maintain the shares of Restricted Stock, and deliver shares as to which the Forfeiture Restrictions have lapsed, through the use of electronic or other forms of book-entry including, but not limited to, uncertificated shares maintained electronically. Any certificates representing Restricted Stock shall include restrictive legends regarding applicable Forfeiture Restrictions, restrictions on transfer and compliance with securities law requirements. If the Company maintains the Restricted Stock in certificate form, the Company shall cause the certificate to be delivered to the Secretary of the Company, or such other escrow agent as the Company may appoint, who shall retain physical custody of such certificate until the Forfeiture Restrictions lapse or the shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited pursuant to this Agreement. Upon the request of the Company, the Employee shall deliver to the Company a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Restricted Stock then subject to the Forfeiture Restrictions.

4.     Forfeiture Restrictions. The prohibition against transfer and the obligation to forfeit and surrender Restricted Stock to the Company upon termination of continuous employment are referred to as the “Forfeiture Restrictions.” The Restricted Stock shall be issued subject to Forfeiture Restrictions. The Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred, encumbered or disposed of to the extent subject to Forfeiture Restrictions. The Forfeiture Restrictions shall be binding upon and enforceable against any transferee of the Restricted Stock.

5.     Lapse of Forfeiture Restrictions. Except as may be otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Plan, subject to Employee’s continuous employment with the Company from the Award Date through each lapse date, the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to the Restricted Stock in accordance with the schedule set forth in the Notice of Award on the cover page of this Agreement. If at any time the number of shares as to which the Forfeiture Restrictions are scheduled to lapse includes a fractional share, the number of shares of Stock as to which the Forfeiture Restrictions shall be actually lapse shall be rounded down to the next whole share of stock. If, prior to the lapse of the Forfeiture Restrictions, the Employee resigns, Employee’s employment terminates on account of death, Disability or retirement, or the Company terminates Employee’s employment for Cause, the Employee shall, for no consideration, forfeit to the Company the shares of Restricted Stock that, at that time, remain subject to Forfeiture Restrictions. However, if the Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause, and conditioned on the Employee signing an agreement in a form satisfactory to the Company releasing claims against the Company and its employees, agents and Affiliates, the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to all of the shares of Restricted Stock that, at that time (the end of employment), remain subject to Forfeiture Restrictions; if the employee does not sign the agreement within the period of time specified by the Company, the Employee shall, for no consideration, forfeit to the Company the shares of Restricted Stock that, at that time, remain subject to Forfeiture Restrictions. Upon forfeiture of shares of Restricted Stock, Employee shall have no further rights with respect to such shares, including but not limited to voting, dividend and liquidation rights.

6.     Leave of Absence. For purposes of the Award, Service does not terminate when Employee goes on a bona fide employee leave of absence that was approved by the Company or an Affiliate in writing, if the terms of the leave provide for continued Service crediting, or when continued Service crediting is required by applicable law. However, Service will be treated as terminating 90 days after Employee went on the approved leave, unless Employee’s right to return to active work is guaranteed by law or by a contract. Service terminates in any event when the approved leave ends unless Employee immediately returns to active Service. The Committee determines, in its sole discretion, which leaves of absence count for this purpose, and when Service terminates for all purposes under the Plan.

7.     Tax Withholding. The Company or any Affiliate shall have the right to deduct from payments of any kind otherwise due to Employee, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld upon the issuance, vesting or payment of any shares of Restricted Stock, dividends or payments of any kind. The Company may withhold taxes from any payments or Shares due to Employee or Employee may deliver a check to the Company. Subject to the prior approval of the Company, which may be withheld by the Company, in its sole discretion, Employee may elect to have shares of Stock withheld or to satisfy the minimum statutory withholding obligations, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company shares of Stock already owned by Employee (for at least six months or any other minimum period required by the Company). The shares withheld or delivered shall have an aggregate Fair Market Value not in excess of the minimum statutory total tax withholding obligations. The Fair Market Value of the shares used to satisfy the withholding obligation shall be determined by the Company as of the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined (“Tax Date”). Shares used to satisfy any tax withholding obligation must be vested and cannot be subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, or other similar requirements. Any election must be made prior to the Tax Date, shall be irrevocable, made in writing, signed by Employee, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

Mandatory Sale of Shares – Non-Section 16 Reporting Persons. If the Employee is a non-section 16 reporting person, shares from the released shares will be sold to cover the entire amount of taxes due on the lapse date and any sales commissions owed in connection with such sale of shares.

8.     Transfer of Restricted Stock. If any transfer of Restricted Stock is made or attempted to be made contrary to the terms of this Agreement or the Plan, the Company shall have the right to acquire for its own account, without the payment of any consideration, such shares from the owner thereof or the transferee, at any time before or after such prohibited transfer. In addition to any other legal or equitable remedies it may have, the Company may enforce its rights to specific performance to the extent permitted by law and may exercise such other equitable remedies then available. The Company may refuse for any purpose to recognize any transferee who receives such shares contrary to the provisions of this Agreement as a stockholder of the Company and may retain and/or recover all dividends on such shares that were paid or payable subsequent to the date on which the prohibited transfer was made or attempted.

9.     Investment Representations. The Committee may require Employee (or Employee’s estate or heirs) to represent and warrant in writing that the individual is acquiring the shares of Stock for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares and to make such other representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company and its counsel.

10.     Continued Service. Neither the award of Restricted Stock nor this Agreement gives Employee the right to continue Service with the Company or its Affiliates in any capacity. The Company and its Affiliates reserve the right to terminate Employee’s Service at any time and for any reason not prohibited by law.

11.     Stockholder Rights. Unless and until shares of the Restricted Stock are forfeited as hereinafter provided, Employee shall have all of the rights of a stockholder (including voting, dividend and liquidation rights) with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, subject, however, to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

12.     Adjustments. The number of shares of Restricted Stock outstanding under this Agreement shall be proportionately increased or decreased for any increase or decrease in the number of shares of the Company’s Stock on account of any Corporate Event. The conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as an increase in shares effected without receipt of consideration. In the event of any distribution to the Company’s stockholders of an extraordinary cash dividend or securities of any other entity or other assets (other than ordinary dividends payable in cash or shares of Stock) without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Company shall proportionately adjust the number of shares of Restricted Stock subject to this Agreement.

13.     Change in Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Committee may take the action set forth in Section 14.2 of the Plan.

14.     Additional Requirements. Employee acknowledges that shares of Restricted Stock may bear such legends as the Company deems appropriate to comply with applicable federal, state or other securities laws. No shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to this Agreement unless there shall have been compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state and other securities laws, all applicable listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, if applicable, and all other requirements of law or of any regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such issuance and delivery. In connection therewith and prior to the issuance of the shares, Employee may be required to deliver to the Company such other documents as may be reasonably necessary to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

15.     Governing Law. The validity and construction of this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

16.     Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and Employee and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

17.     Tax Treatment; Section 83(b). Employee may incur tax liability as a result of the vesting of Restricted Stock and the payment of dividends or the disposition of Shares. Employee agrees to consult Employee’s own tax adviser for tax advice. Employee hereby acknowledges that Employee has been informed that Employee may file with the Internal Revenue Service, within 30 days of the Award Date, an irrevocable election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed as of the Award Date on the Fair Market Value of the Restricted Shares. If Employee chooses to file an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, Employee hereby agrees to promptly deliver a copy of any such election to the head of the Tax Department of the Company (or other designated recipient).

18.     Amendment. The terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement may only be amended by the written consent of the Company and Employee, except to the extent set forth herein or in any other provision set forth in the Plan.

19.     2011 Equity Incentive Plan. The Award and shares of Restricted Stock shall be subject to such additional terms and conditions as may be imposed under the terms of the Plan, a copy of which has been provided to Employee electronically.

20.     Headings; Construction. The section headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement and each other provision of this Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

21.     Other Employee Benefits. The amount of any compensation deemed to be received by Employee as a result of this Agreement and the issuances of Shares hereunder, shall not constitute “earnings” or “compensation” with respect to which any other employee benefits of Employee are determined, including without limitation benefits under any pension, profit sharing, 401(k), bonus, life insurance or salary continuation plan, except to the extent specifically provided in such separate plan or agreement.

22.     Interpretation; Administration. The Committee shall have the full power and authority to administer the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to adopt any procedures, make any determinations, correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency with respect to the terms and conditions of this Agreement in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient and it shall be the sole and final judge of such expediency. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith. The determinations, interpretations and other actions of the Committee with respect to this Agreement and the Restricted Stock shall be binding and conclusive for all purposes and on all persons.

23.     Acceptance. The Option and this Agreement are voidable by the Company if the Employee does not accept this Agreement within 30 days after the Agreement is made available, electronically or otherwise, to the Employee by the Company.

Dated: as of the Award Date set forth above.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC. 

By:

Its

EMPLOYEE

[If handwritten signature:]

Signed:                          

[If electronic signature:]

I, the Employee, understand that clicking "ACCEPT" below constitutes my electronic signature and intend that it shall have the same legally binding effect as my handwritten signature.

[ACCEPT]      I accept this restricted stock agreement.

[REJECT]     I reject this restricted stock agreement.

EX-12

Exhibit 12

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

RATIO OF EARNINGS (LOSS) TO FIXED CHARGES

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013			2012			2011
	(Dollars in thousands)
Earnings	$	158,372		$	163,686		$	187,953		$	95,914		$	(62,329	)
Fixed charges	$	55,258		$	68,287		$	63,775		$	45,200		$	65,439
Earnings to fixed charges	$	2.87		$	2.40		$	2.95		$	2.12		$	(0.95	)
Earnings (Loss):
Income before income taxes	$	101,424		$	100,475		$	129,825		$	61,115		$	(107,472	)
Add: fixed charges		55,258			68,287			63,775			45,200			65,439
Less: capitalized interest		(53,061	)		(65,584	)		(59,908	)		(41,507	)		(41,448	)
Add: amortization of previously capitalized interest		54,751			60,508			54,261			31,106			21,152
Total earnings	$	158,372		$	163,686		$	187,953		$	95,914		$	(62,329	)
Fixed Charges:
Homebuilding and corporate interest expense (1)	$	-		$	685		$	1,726		$	808		$	20,842
Mortgage lending interest expense		342			200			282			607			442
Interest component of rent expense		1,855			1,818			1,859			2,278			2,707
Capitalized interest		53,061			65,584			59,908			41,507			41,448
Total fixed charges	$	55,258		$	68,287		$	63,775		$	45,200		$	65,439

_____________________________________________

(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 year ended December 31, 2011, the Company generated losses which exceeded fixed charges of $127.8 million.

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
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, Form S-8 No. 333-188311, Form S-8 No. 333-203863 and Form S-8 No. 333-203864) 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 February 3, 2016, 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, 2015.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Irvine, California

February 3, 2016

EX-31.1

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: February 3, 2016	/s/ Larry A. Mizel
	Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
	(principal executive officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Robert N. Martin, 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: February 3, 2016	/s/ Robert N. Martin
	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
	(principal financial officer)

EX-32.1

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, 2015 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: February 3, 2016	/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-32.2

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, 2015 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: February 3, 2016	/s/ Robert N. Martin
	Robert N. Martin
	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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Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MDC HOLDINGS INC
Trading Symbol	mdc
Document Type	10-K
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	48,888,424
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, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

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Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 180,988	$ 153,825
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction		747,036	732,692
Land and land under development		1,016,926	935,268
Total inventories		1,763,962	1,667,960
Property and equipment, net		28,226	30,491
Deferred tax assets, net		99,107	140,486
Prepaid and other assets		65,394	61,014
Total Assets		2,415,899	2,351,456
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		23,100	14,200
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities		1,159,607	1,123,120
Stockholders' Equity
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; 48,888,424 and 48,831,639 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively		489	488
Additional paid-in-capital		915,746	909,974
Retained earnings		324,342	307,419
Accumulated other comprehensive income	[1]	15,715	10,455
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,256,292	1,228,336
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity		2,415,899	2,351,456
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents		144,342	122,642
Marketable securities		92,387	140,878
Restricted cash		3,750	2,816
Trade and other receivables		23,314	28,555
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction		747,036	732,692
Land and land under development		1,016,926	935,268
Total inventories		1,763,962	1,667,960
Property and equipment, net		28,226	30,491
Deferred tax assets, net		99,107	140,486
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		25,911	18,203
Prepaid and other assets		65,394	61,014
Total Assets		2,246,393	2,213,045
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable		40,472	35,445
Accrued liabilities		122,886	115,117
Revolving credit facility		15,000	15,000
Senior notes, net		840,524	839,468
Total Liabilities		1,018,882	1,005,030
Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents		36,646	31,183
Marketable securities		11,307	15,262
Inventories:
Total Assets		169,506	138,411
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		115,670	88,392
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		52,114	57,268
Other assets		5,883	3,574
Mortgage repurchase facility		88,611	60,822
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities		$ 140,725	$ 118,090

[1] All amounts net-of-tax.

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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	48,888,424	48,831,639
Common stock, shares outstanding	48,888,424	48,831,639

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Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Homebuilding:
Inventory impairments	$ (9,993)	$ (1,760)	$ (919)
Interest expense		(685)	(1,726)
Losses on early extinguishments of debt		(18,153)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities	(3,969)	(4,293)
Income (loss) before income taxes	101,424	100,475	129,825
Financial Services:
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	(35,633)	(37,332)	184,560
Net income	65,791	63,143	314,385
Other comprehensive income (loss) related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax	5,260	(1,120)	6,737
Comprehensive income	$ 71,051	$ 62,023	$ 321,122
Earnings per share:
Basic (in Dollars per share)	$ 1.35	$ 1.29	$ 6.39
Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ 1.34	$ 1.29	$ 6.34
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic (in Shares)	48,764,396	48,615,541	48,453,119
Diluted (in Shares)	48,967,219	48,817,566	48,831,785
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Home sale revenues	$ 1,847,889	$ 1,647,398	$ 1,626,707
Land sale revenues	12,337	3,233	2,468
Total home and land sale revenues	1,860,226	1,650,631	1,629,175
Home cost of sales	(1,539,396)	(1,365,621)	(1,336,978)
Land cost of sales	(12,611)	(2,559)	(1,961)
Inventory impairments	(9,993)	(1,760)	(919)
Total cost of sales	(1,562,000)	(1,369,940)	(1,339,858)
Gross margin	298,226	280,691	289,317
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(226,317)	(203,253)	(213,283)
Interest and other income	6,709	26,310	29,798
Interest expense		(685)	(1,726)
Other expense	(4,208)	(4,813)	(3,783)
Losses on early extinguishments of debt		(18,153)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities	(3,969)	(4,293)
Income (loss) before income taxes	70,441	75,804	100,323
Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income (loss) before income taxes	30,983	24,671	29,502
Financial Services:
Revenues	48,810	43,953	51,259
Expenses	(21,572)	(22,334)	(25,271)
Interest and other income	$ 3,745	$ 3,052	$ 3,514

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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Parent [Member]	Total
Balance at at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 487	$ 896,861	$ (21,289)	$ 4,838	$ 880,897
Balance at (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	48,698,757
Net Income			314,385		314,385
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				6,737	6,737	$ 6,737
Total comprehensive income					321,122	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 at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 488	908,090	293,096	11,575	1,213,249
Balance at (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	48,788,887
Net Income			63,143		63,143
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				(1,120)	(1,120)	(1,120)
Total comprehensive income					62,023	62,023
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock		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 (in Shares)	(14,269)
Net income tax deficiency from share-based compensation		(4,469)			(4,469)
Balance at at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 488	909,974	307,419	10,455	1,228,336
Balance at (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	48,831,639
Net Income			65,791		65,791
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				5,260	5,260	5,260
Total comprehensive income					71,051	$ 71,051
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock	$ 1	665			666
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and awards of restricted stock (in Shares)	66,721
Dividends declared			(48,868)		(48,868)
Stock-based compensation expense		10,066			10,066
Forfeiture of restricted stock	$ 0	0
Forfeiture of restricted stock (in Shares)	(9,936)
Net income tax deficiency from share-based compensation		(4,959)			(4,959)
Balance at at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 489	$ 915,746	$ 324,342	$ 15,715	$ 1,256,292
Balance at (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	48,888,424

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 65,791	$ 63,143	$ 314,385
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Losses on early extinguishments of debt		18,153
Stock-based compensation expense	10,066	5,978	9,652
Depreciation and amortization	4,069	3,928	3,864
Inventory impairments	9,993	1,760	919
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities	3,969	4,293
Net loss (gain) on sale of marketable securities	911	(7,310)
Amortization of discount / premiums on marketable debt securities	100	566	219
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	33,333	34,226	(187,171)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		(26)	(391)
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	(934)	(621)	(336)
Trade and other receivables	5,247	(6,638)	4,186
Mortgage loans held-for-sale	(27,278)	4,186	27,375
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(7,648)	(11,873)	(13,562)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	7,535	(16,013)	(19,408)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	215	(163,647)	(269,549)
Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable securities	(53,822)	(428,709)	(404,965)
Maturities of marketable securities	1,510	167,339	159,592
Sales of marketable securities	101,165	687,692	216,756
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,491)	(3,242)	(1,785)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	47,362	423,080	(30,402)
Financing Activities:
Advances (payments) on mortgage repurchase facility, net	27,789	(2,252)	(13,253)
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	(48,868)	(48,820)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		26	391
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	665	375	5,118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(20,414)	(304,946)	339,194
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	27,163	(45,513)	39,243
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	153,825	199,338	160,095
End of period	180,988	153,825	199,338
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member]
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Land and Housing Inventories	(15,551)	(96,936)	(124,211)
Land And Land Under Development [Member]
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Land and Housing Inventories	$ (89,388)	$ (160,463)	$ (285,070)

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Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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.

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 most of our 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, 2015 and 2014, 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 initially being recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). However, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 320, Investments (“ASC 320”), if the unrealized loss is determined to be other-than-temporary, an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. 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 $3.8 million and $2.8 million in restricted cash related to homebuyer deposits at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (“ASC 360”), homebuilding inventories, excluding those classified as held for sale, 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, which are Level 3 inputs (see Note 6, Fair Value Measurements, in the notes to the financial statements for definitions of fair value inputs), 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 our estimates of future home sale revenues, home construction costs, and development costs per home, all of which are Level 3 inputs.

If land is classified as held for sale, in accordance with ASC 360, we measure it at the lower of the carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell. In determining fair value, we primarily rely upon the most recent negotiated price which is a Level 2 input (see Note 6, Fair Value Measurements, for definitions of fair value inputs). If a negotiated price is not available, we will consider several factors including, but not limited to, current market conditions, recent comparable sales transactions and market analysis studies. If the fair value less estimated costs to sell is lower than the current carrying value, the land is impaired down to its estimated fair value less costs to sell.

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 $3.9 million, $3.8 million and $3.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, 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
	(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2015:
Airplane	$	28,997	$	7,701	$	21,296
Computer software and equipment		21,393		16,599		4,794
Leasehold improvements		10,207		8,317		1,890
Other		2,199		1,953		246
Total	$	62,796	$	34,570	$	28,226
December 31, 2014:
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

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 consolidated balance sheets and the associated amortization expense is included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) in the homebuilding section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income 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, 2015, 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 are indicators of a significant decline in 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, 2015, 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 and comprehensive income. 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 are recorded as an increase or reduction to home cost of sales in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

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.

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 consolidated balance sheets, and the associated expenses are included in expenses in the financial services section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. 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 and comprehensive income with an offset to prepaid expenses and other assets or accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the financial services section of our consolidated balance sheets, depending on the nature of the change.

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had interest rate lock commitments with aggregate principal balances of approximately $98.4 million and $42.8 million, respectively, at average interest rates of 3.82% and 3.69%, respectively. In addition, we had $23.1 million and $14.2 million of mortgage loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 $84.5 million and $41.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded net gains (losses) on our derivatives of $1.5 million, $(0.8) million and $(0.1) 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. 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.

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 loans in inventory at December 31, 2015, 2014 or 2013 that failed to meet the continuing investment criteria.

Revenue Recognition for HomeAmerican.  Revenues recorded by HomeAmerican primarily reflect (1) origination fees and (2) the corresponding sale, or expected future sale, of a loan, which will include the estimated earnings from 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, plus the estimated earnings from the expected sale of the associated 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, 2015, 2014 or 2013. Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net, were $17.8 million, $15.5 million and $28.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and are included as a component of revenues in the financial services section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

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 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 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, 2015 and 2014, we had $11.5 million and $10.1 million, respectively, of land development and home construction accruals for closed homes. Actual results could differ from such estimates.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense. In accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards is based on the grant date fair value. For stock option awards granted with just service and/or performance conditions, we estimate the fair value using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. For any stock option awards granted that contain a market condition, we estimate the fair value using a Monte Carlo simulation model. 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. For any 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. For any stock option awards with market conditions (“Market-Based”), we recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the lesser of the derived service period or the explicit service period, if one is present. However, if the market condition is satisfied prior to the end of the requisite service period, we will accelerate all remaining expense to be recognized.

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 May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“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, 2017, and is to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. We do not plan to early adopt the guidance and are currently evaluating the method of adoption and 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 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. The only changes in ASU 2014-11 that are applicable to our consolidated financial statements are the disclosures for repurchase agreements effective for our fiscal periods beginning January 1, 2015 and interim periods beginning April 1, 2015. This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”), which amends the consolidation requirements in ASC 810, primarily related to limited partnerships and variable interest entities. ASU 2015-02 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) (“ASU 2015-03”), which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability in financial statements. Under ASU 2015-03, an entity presents such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs is reported as interest expense. ASU 2015-03 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2016. Effective December 31, 2015 we elected to early-adopt ASU 2015-03, the results of which are shown below. Additionally, since ASU 2015-03 did not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) (“ASU 2015-15”) in August 2015. Under ASU 2015-15, an entity may present debt issuance costs related to a line-of-credit arrangement as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement. The guidance under this ASU will not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments–Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”), which makes a number of changes to the current GAAP model, including changes to the accounting for equity investments and financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. Under ASU 2016-01, we will primarily be impacted by the changes to accounting for equity instruments with readily determinable fair values as they will no longer be permitted to be classified as available-for-sale (changes in fair value reported through other comprehensive income) and instead all changes in fair value will be reported in earnings. ASU 2016-01 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018. Early adoption of this particular guidance from ASU 2016-01 is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the method of adoption and impact the pronouncement will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Adoption of Accounting Standard Resulting in Reclassification of Debt Issuance Costs. Effective December 31, 2015, we elected to early-adopt ASU 2015-03 (see “Recently Issued Accounting Standards” above). ASU 2015-03 was applied retrospectively to the financial statements and as such, comparative financial statements of prior years have been adjusted accordingly. The below financial statement line items, reflected on the December 31, 2014 consolidated balance sheet, were affected by the change in accounting principle.

Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2014

	As Previously
	Reported		Adjustment			As Adjusted
	(Dollars in thousands)
Prepaid and other assets	$	67,996	$	(6,982	)	$	61,014
Total assets	$	2,358,438	$	(6,982	)	$	2,351,456
Senior notes, net	$	846,450	$	(6,982	)	$	839,468
Total liabilities	$	1,130,102	$	(6,982	)	$	1,123,120

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Note 2 - Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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,
	2015		2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash paid for:
Interest, net of interest capitalized	$	286	$	1,843		$	-
Income taxes	$	3,023	$	2,793		$	5,161
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	$	5,260	$	(1,120	)	$	6,737

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Note 3 - Segment Reporting

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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 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,
	2015		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding
West	$	915,259	$	770,051	$	671,278
Mountain		609,002		534,244		546,801
East		335,965		346,336		411,096
Total home and land sale revenues	$	1,860,226	$	1,650,631	$	1,629,175
Financial Services
Mortgage operations	$	30,276	$	25,887	$	34,976
Other		18,534		18,066		16,283
Total financial services revenues	$	48,810	$	43,953	$	51,259
Total revenues	$	1,909,036	$	1,694,584	$	1,680,434

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding
West	$	64,627		$	63,071		$	65,672
Mountain		52,707			39,343			52,392
East		(6,033	)		10,730			19,590
Corporate		(40,860	)		(37,340	)		(37,331	)
Total homebuilding pretax income	$	70,441		$	75,804		$	100,323
Financial Services
Mortgage operations	$	17,230		$	14,034		$	21,608
Other		13,753			10,637			7,894
Total financial services pretax income	$	30,983		$	24,671		$	29,502
Total pretax income	$	101,424		$	100,475		$	129,825

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 assets. The assets in our financial services segment consist mostly of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and mortgage loans held-for-sale.

	December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding assets
West	$	991,393	$	893,970
Mountain		536,831		516,971
East		324,457		343,718
Corporate		393,712		458,386
Total homebuilding assets	$	2,246,393	$	2,213,045
Financial services assets
Mortgage operations	$	123,176	$	94,265
Other		46,330		44,146
Total financial services assets	$	169,506	$	138,411
Total assets	$	2,415,899	$	2,351,456

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Note 4 - Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Numerator
Net income	$	65,791		$	63,143		$	314,385
Less: distributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(98	)		(196	)		-
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(37	)		(60	)		(4,917	)
Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic earnings per share)		65,656			62,887			309,468
Add back: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		37			60			4,917
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities		(37	)		(60	)		(4,879	)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share under two class method	$	65,656		$	62,887		$	309,506
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		48,764,396			48,615,541			48,453,119
Add: dilutive effect of stock options		202,823			202,025			378,666
Denominator for diluted earnings per share under two class method		48,967,219			48,817,566			48,831,785
Basic Earnings Per Common Share	$	1.35		$	1.29		$	6.39
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	$	1.34		$	1.29		$	6.34

Diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 excluded options to purchase approximately 5.9 million, 4.3 million and 3.8 million shares, respectively, of common stock because the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

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Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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,
	2015		2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities (1) :
Beginning balance	$	2,775	$	7,655		$	4,838
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		322		(3,025	)		3,255
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2)		560		(1,855	)		(438	)
Ending balance	$	3,657	$	2,775		$	7,655
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale metropolitan district bond securities (1) :
Beginning balance	$	7,680	$	3,920		$	-
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		4,378		3,760			3,920
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		-		-			-
Ending balance	$	12,058	$	7,680		$	3,920
Total ending AOCI	$	15,715	$	10,455		$	11,575

(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	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding interest and other income	$	2,690		$	7,210		$	580
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(3,969	)		(4,293	)		-
Financial services interest and other income		368			100			133
Income before income taxes		(911	)		3,017			713
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		351			(1,162	)		(275	)
Net income	$	(560	)	$	1,855		$	438

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(Dollars in thousands)
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Equity securities	Level 1	$	103,694	$	129,560
Debt securities - maturity less than 1 year	Level 2		-		1,511
Debt securities - maturity 1 to 5 years	Level 2		-		7,643
Debt securities - maturity greater than 5 years	Level 2		-		17,426
Total available-for-sale securities		$	103,694	$	156,140
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	Level 2	$	115,670	$	88,392
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party) (available-for-sale)	Level 3	$	25,911	$	18,203

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.

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

Marketable Securities.  We have marketable debt and equity securities. Our equity securities consist of holdings in corporate equities and holdings in mutual fund securities, which are primarily invested in debt securities. Our debt securities consisted 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 measured 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, 2015 and 2014, 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 initially being recorded as a component of AOCI, subject to an assessment to determine if an unrealized loss on a marketable security, if applicable, is other-than-temporary.

Each quarter we assess all of our securities in an unrealized loss position for a potential OTTI. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded pretax OTTIs of $4.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively, for certain equity investments that were in an unrealized loss position as of the end of each respective period. No such OTTIs were recorded for the year ended December 31, 2013. The OTTIs are included in other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

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

	December 31, 2015
	Amortized Cost		OTTI			Net Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Equity securities	$	89,738	$	(3,969	)	$	85,769	$	92,387
Debt securities		-		-			-		-
Total homebuilding available-for-sale marketable securities	$	89,738	$	(3,969	)	$	85,769	$	92,387
Financial Services:
Equity securities	$	12,026	$	-		$	12,026	$	11,307
Debt securities		-		-			-		-
Total financial services available-for-sale marketable securities	$	12,026	$	-		$	12,026	$	11,307
Total available-for-sale marketable securities	$	101,764	$	(3,969	)	$	97,795	$	103,694

	December 31, 2014
	Amortized Cost		OTTI		Net Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Homebuilding:
Equity securities	$	116,009	$	-	$	116,009	$	120,274
Debt securities		20,660		-		20,660		20,604
Total homebuilding available-for-sale marketable securities	$	136,669	$	-	$	136,669	$	140,878
Financial Services:
Equity securities	$	9,028	$	-	$	9,028	$	9,286
Debt securities		5,930		-		5,930		5,976
Total financial services available-for-sale marketable securities	$	14,958	$	-	$	14,958	$	15,262
Total available-for-sale marketable securities	$	151,627	$	-	$	151,627	$	156,140

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, our marketable securities were in a net unrealized gain position totaling $5.9 million and $4.5 million, respectively. Our individual marketable securities that were in unrealized loss positions, excluding those that were impaired as part of the OTTIs, aggregated to unrealized losses of $0.9 million and $3.1 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The table below sets forth the aggregated unrealized losses for individual debt and equity securities that were in unrealized loss positions but did not have OTTIs recognized. We do not believe the decline in the value of these marketable securities as of December 31, 2015 is other-than-temporary.

	December 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
	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
Equity		4		(882	)		6,116		6		(2,738	)		74,999
Total		4	$	(882	)	$	6,116		58	$	(3,097	)	$	89,535

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 or other-than-temporary impairments in the homebuilding section, or interest and other income in the financial services section, of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	$	1,854		$	7,719		$	1,251
Debt securities		417			2,432			83
Total	$	2,271		$	10,151		$	1,334
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	$	(2,949	)	$	(6,183	)	$	-
Debt securities		(233	)		(952	)		(3,794	)
Total	$	(3,182	)	$	(7,135	)	$	(3,794	)
Net realized gain (loss) on sales of available-for-sale securities	$	(911	)	$	3,016		$	(2,460	)

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale, Net.  As of December 31, 2015, 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, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had $92.6 million and $74.2 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, 2015 and 2014, we had $23.1 million and $14.2 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.

Metropolitan District Bond Securities (Related Party).  The Metropolitan District Bond Securities (the “Metro Bonds”) are included in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 15 for details on how these bonds were acquired. Cash flows received by the Company from these securities reflect principal and interest payments from the Metro District, which are generally received in the fourth quarter, and are supported by an annual levy on the taxable assessed value of real estate and personal property within the Metro District’s boundaries. 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 improvements in property values within the Metro District. In accordance with ASC 310-30, we adjust the bond principal balance 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 primary unobservable inputs used in our discounted cash flow model are (1) the forecasted number of homes to be closed, as they drive increases to the taxpaying base for the Metro District, (2) the forecasted assessed value of those closed homes and (3) the discount rate. Cash receipts, which are typically only received in the fourth quarter, reduce the carrying value of the Metro Bonds. The table below provides quantitative data, as of December 31, 2015, 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	121		94	Increase	Decrease
Average sales price	$400K	to	1.2 million	$	477K	Increase	Decrease
Discount rates	5%	to	12%		8.2%	Decrease	Increase

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	18,203		$	12,729
Increase in fair value (recorded in other comprehensive income)		6,961			6,114
Change due to accretion of principal		1,427			1,405
Cash receipts		(680	)		(2,045	)
Balance at end of period	$	25,911		$	18,203

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, which primarily reflect estimated prices for our senior notes which were provided by multiple sources.

	December 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
					(As adjusted)
$250 Million 5⅝% Senior Notes due February 2020, net	$	246,032	$	257,813	$	245,201	$	257,950
$250 Million 5½% Senior Notes due January 2024, net		248,209		252,188		248,036		242,608
$350 Million 6% Senior Notes due January 2043, net		346,283		276,938		346,231		296,555
Total	$	840,524	$	786,939	$	839,468	$	797,113

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Note 7 - Inventories

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]

7.            Inventories

The table below sets forth, by reportable segment, information relating to our homebuilding inventories. Included in land and land under development at December 31, 2015 was $1.7 million of land held for sale. We did not have any land held for sale at December 31, 2014.

	December 31,		December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
West	$	365,867	$	343,134
Mountain		253,578		220,489
East		127,591		169,069
Subtotal		747,036		732,692
Land and Land Under Development:
West		580,682		507,252
Mountain		259,484		277,583
East		176,760		150,433
Subtotal		1,016,926		935,268
Total Inventories	$	1,763,962	$	1,667,960

Inventory impairments recognized by segment for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the table below

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
West	$	-	$	-	$	-
Mountain		250		234		-
East		1,378		1,000		802
Subtotal		1,628		1,234		802
Land and Land Under Development:
West		648		-		-
Mountain		569		526		-
East		7,148		-		117
Subtotal		8,365		526		117
Total Inventories	$	9,993	$	1,760	$	919

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded $10.0 million of inventory impairments, $1.2 million of which was related to impairments on our land held for sale in two communities, one in our West segment and one in our Mountain segment, each of which the Company was actively marketing and planning on selling in the next 12 months. No such impairments of land held for sale were recorded during 2014 or 2013. The remaining $8.8 million in impairments related to nine projects with the majority coming from our East segment; four in Maryland totaling $3.3 million and three in Virginia totaling $5.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded $1.8 million of inventory impairments related to four projects, three of which were in our Maryland division totaling $1 million. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $0.9 million of inventory impairments related to three projects in Maryland. These communities were all impaired based on their slow sales absorption rates experienced during the respective years of their impairments as well as the estimated or actual sales price reductions required to sell the remaining lots and houses.

The table below provides quantitative data, for the periods presented, used in determining the fair value of the impaired inventory, excluding impairments related to land held for sale.

	Impairment Data								Quantitative Data
Three Months Ended	Total Subdivisions Tested		Inventory Impairments		Fair Value of Inventory After Impairments		Number of Subdivisions Impaired		Discount Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2015		22	$	350	$	3,701		1		8.7%
June 30, 2015		22		-		-		-		N/A
September 30, 2015		18		3,225		14,836		5	12.0	-	15.0%
December 31, 2015		15		5,200		19,925		3	15.0	-	20.0%
Total		77	$	8,775	$	38,462		9
March 31, 2014		16	$	-	$	-		-		N/A
June 30, 2014		16		850		4,285		2	11.0	-	13.8%
September 30, 2014		23		-		-		-		N/A
December 31, 2014		21		910		4,646		2		13.3%
Total		76	$	1,760	$	8,931		4
March 31, 2013		17	$	-	$	-		-		N/A
June 30, 2013		23		-		-		-		N/A
September 30, 2013		8		350		1,976		1		14.0%
December 31, 2013		17		569		2,877		2	10.0	-	18.0%
Total		65	$	919	$	4,853		3

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Note 8 - Capitalization of Interest

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding interest incurred	$	53,061		$	66,269		$	61,634
Less: Interest capitalized		(53,061	)		(65,584	)		(59,908	)
Homebuilding interest expensed	$	-		$	685		$	1,726
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$	79,231		$	74,155		$	68,508
Plus: Interest capitalized during period		53,061			65,584			59,908
Less: Previously capitalized interest included in home and land cost of sales		(54,751	)		(60,508	)		(54,261	)
Interest capitalized, end of period	$	77,541		$	79,231		$	74,155

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Note 9 - Homebuilding Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
			(As adjusted)
Land option deposits	$	11,997	$	12,895
Deferred marketing costs		31,152		29,231
Prepaid expenses		6,500		5,104
Goodwill		6,008		6,008
Deferred debt issuance costs on revolving credit facility, net		5,570		6,022
Other		4,167		1,754
Total	$	65,394	$	61,014

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Note 10 - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Accrued compensation and related expenses	$	25,492	$	27,541
Accrued interest		23,234		23,234
Warranty accrual		15,328		18,346
Customer and escrow deposits		20,717		16,728
Land development and home construction accruals		11,465		10,108
Other accrued liabilities		26,650		19,160
Total accrued liabilities	$	122,886	$	115,117

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

	December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Insurance reserves	$	45,811	$	50,470
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		6,303		6,798
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	52,114	$	57,268

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Note 11 - Warranty Accrual

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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, 2015, 2014 and 2013. During 2015, we recorded a $0.2 million adjustment to increase our warranty accrual primarily due to unexpected warranty related expenditures during the second half of the year. During 2014, 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. We had no such adjustments during the year ended December 31, 2013. 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	18,346		$	22,238		$	23,151
Expense provisions		6,303			4,834			5,562
Cash payments		(9,510	)		(6,126	)		(6,475	)
Adjustments		189			(2,600	)		-
Balance at end of period	$	15,328		$	18,346		$	22,238

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Note 12 - Insurance Reserves

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The insurance reserve is included as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the consolidated balance sheets.

	December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	50,470		$	49,637		$	47,852
Expense provisions		6,452			6,316			7,065
Cash payments, net of recoveries		(8,611	)		(5,483	)		(5,280	)
Adjustments		(2,500	)		-			-
Balance at end of period	$	45,811		$	50,470		$	49,637

The $2.5 million adjustment to decrease our insurance reserve during the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily resulted from a decrease in the severity 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, 2015, 2014, and 2013, are not necessarily indicative of what future cash payments will be for subsequent periods.

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Note 13 - Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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, 2015, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Current tax provision (benefit)
Federal	$	2,549		$	1,631	$	2,611
State		(249	)		1,475		-
Total current		2,300			3,106		2,611
Deferred tax provision (benefit)
Federal		30,268			28,630		(171,037	)
State		3,065			5,596		(16,134	)
Total deferred		33,333			34,226		(187,171	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	35,633		$	37,332	$	(184,560	)

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,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tax expense computed at federal statutory rate	$	35,498		$	35,166		$	45,439
State income tax expense, net of federal benefit		3,043			3,340			4,544
Permanent differences		(974	)		(1,435	)		(358	)
Expiration of state net operating loss		336			3,030			3,874
Tax expense (benefit) related to an increase (decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits		(479	)		559			(552	)
Write-off of deferred tax asset for deferred compensation retirement plans		-			-			11,856
Charitable contributions statute expiration		-			181			-
Federal energy credits		(1,058	)		(1,131	)		(6,530	)
Rate changes		48			866			-
Change in valuation allowance		(549	)		(1,665	)		(242,833	)
Other		(232	)		(1,579	)		-
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	35,633		$	37,332		$	(184,560	)
Effective tax (benefit) rate		35.1	%		37.2	%		(142.2	)%

We recorded income tax expense of $35.6 million and $37.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, while we recorded an income tax benefit of $184.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

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.

Due to the effects of the deferred tax valuation allowance and changes in unrecognized tax benefits, our effective tax rate in 2013 was not meaningful as the income tax benefit is not directly correlated to the amount of pretax income or loss generated during the period.

At December 31, 2015 we had a valuation allowance of $12.9 million, a decrease of $0.1 million from the prior year. $5.9 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 $7.0 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,
	2015			2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	-		$	47,200
State net operating loss carryforwards		31,292			36,100
Alternative minimum tax and other tax credit carryforwards		31,993			27,582
Stock-based compensation expense		20,068			22,545
Warranty, litigation and other reserves		9,470			12,364
Receivables from related party		8,342			10,273
Accrued compensation		7,241			6,442
Asset impairment charges		5,049			2,785
Inventory, additional costs capitalized for tax purposes		5,894			3,257
Other, net		2,429			1,806
Total deferred tax assets		121,778			170,354
Valuation allowance		(12,868	)		(13,027	)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		108,910			157,327
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, equipment and other assets		4,739			5,025
Discount on notes receivable		-			4,149
Deferred revenue		2,312			4,306
Unrealized gain on marketable securities		671			1,737
Other, net		2,081			1,624
Total deferred tax liabilities		9,803			16,841
Net deferred tax asset	$	99,107		$	140,486

At December 31, 2015, all federal net operating loss carryforwards had been used. Additionally, we had $31.3 million in tax-effected state net operating loss carryforwards and $0.1 million of these operating loss carryforwards are at risk to expire in 2016 if they remain unused. The remaining operating loss carryforwards, if unused, will begin to expire in 2018.

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, our total liability for uncertain tax positions was $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, which has been either included in accrued liabilities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets or 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	905		$	371		$	575
Increases related to prior year tax positions		139			633			124
Decreases related to prior year tax positions		(475	)		(85	)		(53	)
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations		(81	)		(14	)		(275	)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	488		$	905		$	371

Our liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits was $0.5million and $0.9 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, all of which, if recognized, would reduce our effective tax rate.

The net expense for interest and penalties reflected in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $0, $0.2 million and $0, respectively. The corresponding liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets were $0 and $0.3 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 $0.1 million to $0.

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 2012 through 2015. Additionally, we are subject to various state income tax examinations for the 2011 through 2016 calendar tax years.

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Note 15 - Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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 “Metro 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.

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we received payments from the Metro District in the amount of $0.7 million, $2.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively, and recorded $1.4 million, $1.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively, in interest income. The interest income amounts are included in interest and other income in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

We contributed $1.0 million in cash to the MDC/Richmond American Homes Foundation (the “Foundation”) for each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013. 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 served as directors of the Foundation at December 31, 2015, all of whom serve without compensation:

Name	MDC Title
Larry A. Mizel	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
David D. Mandarich	President

Three other individuals, who are independent of the Company, also serve as directors of the Foundation. All directors of the Foundation serve without compensation.

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Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

16.          Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations

Revolving Credit Facility. We have an unsecured revolving credit agreement (“Revolving Credit Facility”) with a group of lenders which may be used for general corporate purposes. This agreement has an aggregate commitment of $550 million (the “Commitment”) and was amended on December 18, 2015 to extend the maturity to December 18, 2020. 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. As defined in the Revolving Credit Facility agreement, interest rates on outstanding borrowings are equal to the highest of (1) 0.0% or (2) a specified eurocurrency rate, federal funds effective rate or prime rate, plus a margin that is determined based on our credit ratings and leverage ratio. 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) or a violation of anti-corruption or sanctions laws 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, a violation of anti-corruption or sanctions laws, 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, 2015.

We incur costs associated with unused commitment fees pursuant to the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were $22.5 million and $10.5 million, respectively, in letters of credit outstanding, which reduced the amounts available to be borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility. We had $15.0 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2015, availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $512.5 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 16, 2016. 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. In the event that an eligible mortgage loan becomes ineligible, as defined under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility, we may be required to repurchase the ineligible mortgage loan immediately. The maximum aggregate commitment of the Mortgage Repurchase Facility was temporarily increased on December 23, 2015 from $50 million to $90 million and was effective through January 31, 2016. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility also had a temporary increase in the maximum aggregate commitment from $50 million to $80 million from December 29, 2014 through January 28, 2015. At December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had $88.6 million and $60.8 million, respectively, of mortgage loans that we were obligated to repurchase under our 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 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, 2015.

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, 2015 and December 31, 2014, net of any unamortized debt issuance costs or discount, were as follows:

	December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
			(As adjusted)
$250 Million 5⅝% Senior Notes due February 2020, net	$	246,032	$	245,201
$250 Million 5½% Senior Notes due January 2024, net		248,209		248,036
$350 Million 6% Senior Notes due January 2043, net		346,283		346,231
Total	$	840,524	$	839,468

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Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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, 2015, we had issued and outstanding surety bonds and letters of credit totaling $167.1 million and $61.9 million, respectively, including $39.4 million in letters of credit issued by HomeAmerican. The estimated cost to complete obligations related to these bonds and letters of credit was approximately $52.8 million and $46.5 million, respectively. The letters of credit as of December 31, 2015, 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 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 been required to repurchase. Our mortgage loan reserves are reflected as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the consolidated balance sheets, and the associated expenses are included in expenses in the financial services section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

The following table summarizes the mortgage loan loss reserve activity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of year	$	810		$	1,370		$	976
Expense provisions		764			298			1,172
Cash payments		(325	)		-			(734	)
Adjustments		(1,048	)		(858	)		(44	)
Balance at end of year	$	201		$	810		$	1,370

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, 2015 and 2014, respectively, we had $3.6 million and $3.1 million of legal accruals.

Operating Leases.  We have non-cancelable operating leases primarily associated with our office facilities. Rent expense under cancelable and non-cancelable operating leases totaled $5.0 million, $4.9 million and $5.2 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, 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 and comprehensive income. The table below shows the future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2015.

	Year Ended
	December 31,
	(Dollars in
	thousands)
2016	$	4,887
2017		5,443
2018		4,958
2019		4,387
2020		4,298
Thereafter		25,469
Total	$	49,442

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Note 18 - Concentration of Third-Party Mortgage Purchasers

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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 2015, 2014 and 2013. No other third parties purchased greater than 10 percent of our mortgage loans during 2015, 2014 or 2013.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
PennyMac Loan Services, LLC		14	%		23	%		7	%
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.		32	%		20	%		46	%
Wells Fargo Funding, Inc.		10	%		37	%		40	%
Fannie Mae		7	%		10	%		4	%

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Note 19 - Stockholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

19.          Stockholders' Equity

Common Stock Repurchase Program. At December 31, 2015, 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, 2015, 2014 or 2013. We did not hold any treasury stock at December 31, 2015.

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Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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 2.0 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2001 Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2015.

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, 2015, a total of 4.2 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, of which 0.8 million shares remained available for grant under this plan as of December 31, 2015.

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 0.5 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2001 Director Stock Option Plan as of December 31, 2015.

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, 2015, a total of 1.1 million shares of MDC common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2011 Director Stock Option Plan and 0.6 million shares remained available for grant under this plan as of December 31, 2015.

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, 2015, we had accrued $1.0 million related to the match that is expected to be contributed in the first quarter of 2016 for 2015 activity. At December 31, 2014, we had accrued $0.9 million related to the match that was contributed during the first quarter of 2015 for 2014 activity. For the year ended December 31, 2013, we made matching contributions of $0.9 million.

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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. Most options that we grant contain only a service condition (“Service-Based” option) and therefore vest over a specified number of years as long as the employee is employed by the Company. For Service-Based options, we use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the grant date fair value. During 2015, we also granted 1 million Market-Based options to each of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. These options were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Refer to the “Market-Based Stock Option Awards” section below.

The fair values for Service-Based options granted for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the below weighted-average assumptions.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
Expected lives of options (in years)		3.9			4.0			4.0
Expected volatility		29.6	%		43.2	%		45.3	%
Risk free interest rate		1.2	%		1.3	%		0.8	%
Dividend yield rate		3.5	%		3.5	%		3.0	%

Based on calculations using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, the weighted-average grant date fair values of stock options granted during 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $4.78, $7.48 and $9.75, respectively. The expected life of options in the table above represents the weighted-average period for which the options are expected to remain outstanding and are derived primarily from historical exercise patterns. The expected volatility is determined based on our review of the implied volatility that is derived from the price of exchange traded options of the Company. 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 which contain service and/or performance conditions. That rate is revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if the actual forfeiture rate differs from our estimate.

Stock Option Award Activity.  Stock option activity under our option plans for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015					2014					2013
				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		4,855,916		$	37.45		5,282,366		$	40.83		5,879,573		$	41.29
Granted (1)		2,247,500			28.47		257,500			28.18		237,500			33.82
Exercised		(31,250	)		21.21		(18,000	)		20.82		(153,665	)		32.94
Forfeited		(121,250	)		28.61		(23,750	)		25.16		(10,000	)		37.25
Cancelled		(555,500	)		66.51		(642,200	)		62.43		(671,042	)		44.25
Outstanding, end of year		6,395,416		$	32.01		4,855,916		$	37.45		5,282,366		$	40.83

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015					2014					2013
				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		467,708		$	9.51		838,541		$	9.50		2,045,000		$	8.63
Granted (1)		2,247,500			5.53		257,500			7.48		237,500			9.75
Vested		(361,042	)		7.07		(604,583	)		7.77		(1,433,959	)		8.28
Forfeited		(121,250	)		9.33		(23,750	)		7.60		(10,000	)		12.72
Unvested, end of year		2,232,916		$	5.91		467,708		$	9.51		838,541		$	9.50

(1) Total options granted in 2015 include a total of 2,000,000 Market-Based options granted to our CEO and COO. See further discussion regarding these grants in the “Market-Based Stock Option Awards” 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $0.2 million, $0.1 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

The following table provides data for our stock options that are vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2015.

Exercisable or expected to vest
Number outstanding		6,438,992
Weighted-average exercise price	$	31.60
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	3,621
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)		6.11
Exercisable
Number outstanding		4,162,500
Weighted-average exercise price	$	33.88
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	1,243
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)		4.43

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 2015 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, 2015.

The following table summarizes information associated with outstanding and exercisable stock options at December 31, 2015. 

			Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
					Weighted-						Weighted-
					Average						Average
					Remaining		Weighted-				Remaining		Weighted-
					Contractual		Average				Contractual		Average
			Number		Life (in		Exercise		Number		Life (in		Exercise
Range of Exercise Price			Outstanding		years)		Price		Outstanding		years)		Price
$ 21.00	-	$ 30.99		4,000,000		7.83	$	27.36		1,842,084		6.11	$	26.24
$ 31.00	-	$ 40.99		1,665,416		4.13		34.29		1,590,416		3.97		34.25
$ 41.00	-	$ 50.99		340,000		1.44		43.95		340,000		1.44		43.95
$ 51.00	-	$ 60.99		210,000		0.99		57.05		210,000		0.99		57.05
$ 61.00	-	$ 62.76		180,000		0.99		62.76		180,000		0.99		62.76
	Total			6,395,416		6.11	$	32.01		4,162,500		4.43	$	33.88

Total compensation expense relating to stock options was $8.1 million, $3.3 million and $5.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our recognized tax benefit from this expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $3.1 million, $1.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2015, $6.4 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 0.7 years.

Our realized tax benefit from stock options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $0.1 million, $0 and $0.4 million, respectively.

Market-Based Stock Option Awards. On May 18, 2015, the Company granted a non-qualified stock option to each of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer for 1,000,000 shares of common stock under the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. The terms of each option provide that, over a five year period, one third of the option shares will vest as of each of the third, fourth, and fifth anniversary dates of the grant of the option; provided that all unvested option shares will vest immediately in the event the closing price of the Company’s stock, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, in any 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days closes at a price equal to or greater than 120% of the closing price on the date of grant (the “market-based condition”). The option exercise price is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, which was $28.45 and the expiration date of each option is May 18, 2025.

In accordance with ASC 718, the market-based awards were assigned a fair value of $5.62 per share on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model with the following assumptions.

	Year Ended December 31, 2015
Expected volatility		27.8%
Risk free interest rate		2.2%
Dividend yield rate		3.5%

In accordance with the valuation model used, the $11.2 million in expense will be recorded on a straight-line basis through the end of the 2016 second quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2015, and included in the $8.1 million of total compensation expense related to stock options above, was $6.2 million of expense related to these option grants. If at such time these options vest under the market-based condition prior to the end of the expected expense term, all remaining expense will be recognized immediately.

Restricted and Unrestricted Stock Award Activity. Non-vested restricted stock awards at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and changes during those years were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015					2014					2013
				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		183,841		$	32.27		298,991		$	32.87		507,367		$	31.69
Granted		35,471			26.43		39,021			30.85		25,072			37.52
Vested		(111,719	)		32.86		(141,454	)		33.08		(144,841	)		31.88
Forfeited		(9,936	)		29.11		(12,717	)		33.05		(88,607	)		29.02
Unvested, end of year		97,657		$	29.79		183,841		$	32.27		298,991		$	32.87

Total compensation expense relating to restricted stock awards was $2.0 million, $2.7 million and $4.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our recognized tax benefit from this expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $0.8 million, $1.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2015, there was $1.0 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 1.3 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 2015 multiplied by the number of unvested awards) at December 31, 2015 was $2.5 million. The total intrinsic value of restricted stock which vested during each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $2.9 million, $4.2 million and $5.5 million, respectively.

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Note 22 - Results of Quarterly Operations (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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)
2015
Total revenue	$	388,510		$	473,128		$	468,487		$	578,911
Home sales revenue	$	377,009		$	461,708		$	454,740		$	554,432
Asset impairments	$	(350	)	$	-		$	(4,351	)	$	(5,292	)
Gross margin from home sales (including impairments)		15.4	%		16.6	%		16.4	%		16.1	%
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses	$	50,532		$	54,781		$	57,444		$	63,560
Income before income taxes	$	13,326		$	31,882		$	23,658		$	32,558
Net income	$	8,420		$	19,998		$	14,778		$	22,595
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.17		$	0.41		$	0.30		$	0.47
Diluted	$	0.17		$	0.41		$	0.30		$	0.46

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

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Note 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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.

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Balance Sheet

	December 31, 2015
					Non-
			Guarantor		Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC		Subsidiaries		Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	Dollars in thousands
ASSETS
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	141,245	$	3,097	$	-		$	-		$	144,342
Marketable securities		92,387		-		-			-			92,387
Restricted cash		-		3,750		-			-			3,750
Trade and other receivables		5,304		20,297		-			(2,287	)		23,314
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction		-		747,036		-			-			747,036
Land and land under development		-		1,016,926		-			-			1,016,926
Total inventories		-		1,763,962		-			-			1,763,962
Intercompany receivables		1,509,551		2,850		5,291			(1,517,692	)		-
Investment in subsidiaries		267,191		-		-			(267,191	)		-
Property and equipment, net		26,073		2,153		-			-			28,226
Deferred tax assets, net		97,083		-		-			2,024			99,107
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		25,911		-		-			-			25,911
Other assets		5,973		59,421		-			-			65,394
Total Homebuilding Assets		2,170,718		1,855,530		5,291			(1,785,146	)		2,246,393
Financial Services:
Cash and cash equivalents		-		-		36,646			-			36,646
Marketable securities		-		-		11,307			-			11,307
Intercompany receivables		-		-		39,234			(39,234	)		-
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		-		-		115,670			-			115,670
Other assets		-		-		7,907			(2,024	)		5,883
Total Financial Services Assets		-		-		210,764			(41,258	)		169,506
Total Assets	$	2,170,718	$	1,855,530	$	216,055		$	(1,826,404	)	$	2,415,899
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	$	-	$	40,472	$	-		$	-		$	40,472
Accrued liabilities		11,527		108,445		(33	)		2,947			122,886
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		47,375		1,480,589		25,536			(1,553,500	)		-
Revolving credit facility		15,000		-		-			-			15,000
Senior notes, net		840,524		-		-			-			840,524
Total Homebuilding Liabilities		914,426		1,629,506		25,503			(1,550,553	)		1,018,882
Financial Services:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		-		-		57,348			(5,234	)		52,114
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		-		-		3,426			(3,426	)		-
Mortgage repurchase facility		-		-		88,611			-			88,611
Total Financial Services Liabilities		-		-		149,385			(8,660	)		140,725
Total Liabilities		914,426		1,629,506		174,888			(1,559,213	)		1,159,607
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,256,292		226,024		41,167			(267,191	)		1,256,292
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,170,718	$	1,855,530	$	216,055		$	(1,826,404	)	$	2,415,899

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	)		-
Property and equipment, net		28,409		2,082							30,491
Deferred tax assets, net		137,529		-		-		2,957			140,486
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		18,203		-		-		-			18,203
Other assets, net		6,352		54,662		-		-			61,014
Total Homebuilding Assets		2,137,474		1,757,514		5,295		(1,687,238	)		2,213,045
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, net		-		-		6,531		(2,957	)		3,574
Total Financial Services Assets		-		-		180,881		(42,470	)		138,411
Total Assets	$	2,137,474	$	1,757,514	$	186,176	$	(1,729,708	)	$	2,351,456
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		839,468		-		-		-			839,468
Total Homebuilding Liabilities		909,138		1,533,085		23,876		(1,461,069	)		1,005,030
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		909,138		1,533,085		149,731		(1,468,834	)		1,123,120
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,228,336		224,429		36,445		(260,874	)		1,228,336
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,137,474	$	1,757,514	$	186,176	$	(1,729,708	)	$	2,351,456

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

	Year Ended December 31, 2015
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$	-		$	1,860,226		$	-		$	-		$	1,860,226
Cost of Sales		-			(1,551,907	)		(100	)		-			(1,552,007	)
Inventory impairments		-			(9,993	)		-			-			(9,993	)
Gross margin		-			298,326			(100	)		-			298,226
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(40,356	)		(185,403	)		-			(558	)		(226,317	)
Equity income of subsidiaries		91,079			-			-			(91,079	)		-
Interest and other income		4,635			2,651			8			(585	)		6,709
Interest expense		-			-			-			-			-
Other expense		(6	)		(4,202	)		-			-			(4,208	)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(3,969	)		-			-			-			(3,969	)
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)		51,383			111,372			(92	)		(92,222	)		70,441
Financial Services:
Financial services pretax income		-			-			29,840			1,143			30,983
Income before income taxes		51,383			111,372			29,748			(91,079	)		101,424
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		14,408			(39,128	)		(10,913	)		-			(35,633	)
Net income	$	65,791		$	72,244		$	18,835		$	(91,079	)	$	65,791
Other comprehensive income related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		5,260			-			(674	)		674			5,260
Comprehensive income	$	71,051		$	72,244		$	18,161		$	(90,405	)	$	71,051

	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

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income

	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 Condensed Combining Statement of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31, 2015
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	31,030		$	(16,109	)	$	(14,706	)	$	-		$	215
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		38,467			(811	)		3,260			6,446			47,362
Financing activities:
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		-			17,326			(10,880	)		(6,446	)		-
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net		-			-			27,789			-			27,789
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		-			-			-			-			-
Repayment of senior notes		-			-			-			-			-
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		-			-			-			-			-
Dividend payments		(48,868	)		-			-			-			(48,868	)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		-			-			-			-			-
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		665			-			-			-			665
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(48,203	)		17,326			16,909			(6,446	)		(20,414	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		21,294			406			5,463			-			27,163
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		119,951			2,691			31,183			-			153,825
End of period	$	141,245		$	3,097		$	36,646		$	-		$	180,988

	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

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statement of Cash Flows

	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	)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes		346,938			-			-			-			346,938
Repayment of senior notes		-			-			-			-			-
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		-			-			-			-			-
Dividend payments		-			-			-			-			-
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards		391			-			-			-			391
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

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Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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.

Business Description [Policy Text Block]

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 most of our 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.

Finance, Loan and Lease Receivables, Held-for-investment, 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, 2015 and 2014, 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 initially being recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). However, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 320, Investments (“ASC 320”), if the unrealized loss is determined to be other-than-temporary, an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. 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 $3.8 million and $2.8 million in restricted cash related to homebuyer deposits at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (“ASC 360”), homebuilding inventories, excluding those classified as held for sale, 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, which are Level 3 inputs (see Note 6, Fair Value Measurements, in the notes to the financial statements for definitions of fair value inputs), 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 our estimates of future home sale revenues, home construction costs, and development costs per home, all of which are Level 3 inputs.

If land is classified as held for sale, in accordance with ASC 360, we measure it at the lower of the carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell. In determining fair value, we primarily rely upon the most recent negotiated price which is a Level 2 input (see Note 6, Fair Value Measurements, for definitions of fair value inputs). If a negotiated price is not available, we will consider several factors including, but not limited to, current market conditions, recent comparable sales transactions and market analysis studies. If the fair value less estimated costs to sell is lower than the current carrying value, the land is impaired down to its estimated fair value less costs to sell.

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 $3.9 million, $3.8 million and $3.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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 consolidated balance sheets and the associated amortization expense is included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) in the homebuilding section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income 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, 2015, 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 are indicators of a significant decline in 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, 2015, 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 and comprehensive income. 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 are recorded as an increase or reduction to home cost of sales in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

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 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 consolidated balance sheets, and the associated expenses are included in expenses in the financial services section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. 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.

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 and comprehensive income with an offset to prepaid expenses and other assets or accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the financial services section of our consolidated balance sheets, depending on the nature of the change.

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had interest rate lock commitments with aggregate principal balances of approximately $98.4 million and $42.8 million, respectively, at average interest rates of 3.82% and 3.69%, respectively. In addition, we had $23.1 million and $14.2 million of mortgage loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 $84.5 million and $41.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded net gains (losses) on our derivatives of $1.5 million, $(0.8) million and $(0.1) 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. 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.

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 loans in inventory at December 31, 2015, 2014 or 2013 that failed to meet the continuing investment criteria.

Revenue Recognition for HomeAmerican.  Revenues recorded by HomeAmerican primarily reflect (1) origination fees and (2) the corresponding sale, or expected future sale, of a loan, which will include the estimated earnings from 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, plus the estimated earnings from the expected sale of the associated 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, 2015, 2014 or 2013. Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net, were $17.8 million, $15.5 million and $28.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and are included as a component of revenues in the financial services section of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

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 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 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, 2015 and 2014, we had $11.5 million and $10.1 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. In accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards is based on the grant date fair value. For stock option awards granted with just service and/or performance conditions, we estimate the fair value using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. For any stock option awards granted that contain a market condition, we estimate the fair value using a Monte Carlo simulation model. 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. For any 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. For any stock option awards with market conditions (“Market-Based”), we recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the lesser of the derived service period or the explicit service period, if one is present. However, if the market condition is satisfied prior to the end of the requisite service period, we will accelerate all remaining expense to be recognized.

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 May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“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, 2017, and is to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. We do not plan to early adopt the guidance and are currently evaluating the method of adoption and 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 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. The only changes in ASU 2014-11 that are applicable to our consolidated financial statements are the disclosures for repurchase agreements effective for our fiscal periods beginning January 1, 2015 and interim periods beginning April 1, 2015. This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”), which amends the consolidation requirements in ASC 810, primarily related to limited partnerships and variable interest entities. ASU 2015-02 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) (“ASU 2015-03”), which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability in financial statements. Under ASU 2015-03, an entity presents such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs is reported as interest expense. ASU 2015-03 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2016. Effective December 31, 2015 we elected to early-adopt ASU 2015-03, the results of which are shown below. Additionally, since ASU 2015-03 did not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) (“ASU 2015-15”) in August 2015. Under ASU 2015-15, an entity may present debt issuance costs related to a line-of-credit arrangement as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement. The guidance under this ASU will not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments–Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”), which makes a number of changes to the current GAAP model, including changes to the accounting for equity investments and financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. Under ASU 2016-01, we will primarily be impacted by the changes to accounting for equity instruments with readily determinable fair values as they will no longer be permitted to be classified as available-for-sale (changes in fair value reported through other comprehensive income) and instead all changes in fair value will be reported in earnings. ASU 2016-01 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018. Early adoption of this particular guidance from ASU 2016-01 is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the method of adoption and impact the pronouncement will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

			Accumulated
			Depreciation and		Carrying
	Cost		Amortization		Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2015:
Airplane	$	28,997	$	7,701	$	21,296
Computer software and equipment		21,393		16,599		4,794
Leasehold improvements		10,207		8,317		1,890
Other		2,199		1,953		246
Total	$	62,796	$	34,570	$	28,226
December 31, 2014:
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

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]

	As Previously
	Reported		Adjustment			As Adjusted
	(Dollars in thousands)
Prepaid and other assets	$	67,996	$	(6,982	)	$	61,014
Total assets	$	2,358,438	$	(6,982	)	$	2,351,456
Senior notes, net	$	846,450	$	(6,982	)	$	839,468
Total liabilities	$	1,130,102	$	(6,982	)	$	1,123,120

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Note 2 - Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash paid for:
Interest, net of interest capitalized	$	286	$	1,843		$	-
Income taxes	$	3,023	$	2,793		$	5,161
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	$	5,260	$	(1,120	)	$	6,737

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Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding
West	$	915,259	$	770,051	$	671,278
Mountain		609,002		534,244		546,801
East		335,965		346,336		411,096
Total home and land sale revenues	$	1,860,226	$	1,650,631	$	1,629,175
Financial Services
Mortgage operations	$	30,276	$	25,887	$	34,976
Other		18,534		18,066		16,283
Total financial services revenues	$	48,810	$	43,953	$	51,259
Total revenues	$	1,909,036	$	1,694,584	$	1,680,434

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding
West	$	64,627		$	63,071		$	65,672
Mountain		52,707			39,343			52,392
East		(6,033	)		10,730			19,590
Corporate		(40,860	)		(37,340	)		(37,331	)
Total homebuilding pretax income	$	70,441		$	75,804		$	100,323
Financial Services
Mortgage operations	$	17,230		$	14,034		$	21,608
Other		13,753			10,637			7,894
Total financial services pretax income	$	30,983		$	24,671		$	29,502
Total pretax income	$	101,424		$	100,475		$	129,825

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

	December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding assets
West	$	991,393	$	893,970
Mountain		536,831		516,971
East		324,457		343,718
Corporate		393,712		458,386
Total homebuilding assets	$	2,246,393	$	2,213,045
Financial services assets
Mortgage operations	$	123,176	$	94,265
Other		46,330		44,146
Total financial services assets	$	169,506	$	138,411
Total assets	$	2,415,899	$	2,351,456

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Note 4 - Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Numerator
Net income	$	65,791		$	63,143		$	314,385
Less: distributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(98	)		(196	)		-
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(37	)		(60	)		(4,917	)
Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic earnings per share)		65,656			62,887			309,468
Add back: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		37			60			4,917
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities		(37	)		(60	)		(4,879	)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share under two class method	$	65,656		$	62,887		$	309,506
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		48,764,396			48,615,541			48,453,119
Add: dilutive effect of stock options		202,823			202,025			378,666
Denominator for diluted earnings per share under two class method		48,967,219			48,817,566			48,831,785
Basic Earnings Per Common Share	$	1.35		$	1.29		$	6.39
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	$	1.34		$	1.29		$	6.34

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Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities (1) :
Beginning balance	$	2,775	$	7,655		$	4,838
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		322		(3,025	)		3,255
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2)		560		(1,855	)		(438	)
Ending balance	$	3,657	$	2,775		$	7,655
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale metropolitan district bond securities (1) :
Beginning balance	$	7,680	$	3,920		$	-
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		4,378		3,760			3,920
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		-		-			-
Ending balance	$	12,058	$	7,680		$	3,920
Total ending AOCI	$	15,715	$	10,455		$	11,575

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
Affected Line Item in the Statements of Operations	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding interest and other income	$	2,690		$	7,210		$	580
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(3,969	)		(4,293	)		-
Financial services interest and other income		368			100			133
Income before income taxes		(911	)		3,017			713
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		351			(1,162	)		(275	)
Net income	$	(560	)	$	1,855		$	438

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

		Fair Value
Financial Instrument	Hierarchy	December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(Dollars in thousands)
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Equity securities	Level 1	$	103,694	$	129,560
Debt securities - maturity less than 1 year	Level 2		-		1,511
Debt securities - maturity 1 to 5 years	Level 2		-		7,643
Debt securities - maturity greater than 5 years	Level 2		-		17,426
Total available-for-sale securities		$	103,694	$	156,140
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	Level 2	$	115,670	$	88,392
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party) (available-for-sale)	Level 3	$	25,911	$	18,203

Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block]

	December 31, 2015
	Amortized Cost		OTTI			Net Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Equity securities	$	89,738	$	(3,969	)	$	85,769	$	92,387
Debt securities		-		-			-		-
Total homebuilding available-for-sale marketable securities	$	89,738	$	(3,969	)	$	85,769	$	92,387
Financial Services:
Equity securities	$	12,026	$	-		$	12,026	$	11,307
Debt securities		-		-			-		-
Total financial services available-for-sale marketable securities	$	12,026	$	-		$	12,026	$	11,307
Total available-for-sale marketable securities	$	101,764	$	(3,969	)	$	97,795	$	103,694

	December 31, 2014
	Amortized Cost		OTTI		Net Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Homebuilding:
Equity securities	$	116,009	$	-	$	116,009	$	120,274
Debt securities		20,660		-		20,660		20,604
Total homebuilding available-for-sale marketable securities	$	136,669	$	-	$	136,669	$	140,878
Financial Services:
Equity securities	$	9,028	$	-	$	9,028	$	9,286
Debt securities		5,930		-		5,930		5,976
Total financial services available-for-sale marketable securities	$	14,958	$	-	$	14,958	$	15,262
Total available-for-sale marketable securities	$	151,627	$	-	$	151,627	$	156,140

Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]

	December 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
	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
Equity		4		(882	)		6,116		6		(2,738	)		74,999
Total		4	$	(882	)	$	6,116		58	$	(3,097	)	$	89,535

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	$	1,854		$	7,719		$	1,251
Debt securities		417			2,432			83
Total	$	2,271		$	10,151		$	1,334
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	$	(2,949	)	$	(6,183	)	$	-
Debt securities		(233	)		(952	)		(3,794	)
Total	$	(3,182	)	$	(7,135	)	$	(3,794	)
Net realized gain (loss) on sales of available-for-sale securities	$	(911	)	$	3,016		$	(2,460	)

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	121		94	Increase	Decrease
Average sales price	$400K	to	1.2 million	$	477K	Increase	Decrease
Discount rates	5%	to	12%		8.2%	Decrease	Increase

Schedule Of Principal Amounts And Fair Values Of Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	18,203		$	12,729
Increase in fair value (recorded in other comprehensive income)		6,961			6,114
Change due to accretion of principal		1,427			1,405
Cash receipts		(680	)		(2,045	)
Balance at end of period	$	25,911		$	18,203

Fair Value of Senior Notes [Table Text Block]

	December 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
					(As adjusted)
$250 Million 5⅝% Senior Notes due February 2020, net	$	246,032	$	257,813	$	245,201	$	257,950
$250 Million 5½% Senior Notes due January 2024, net		248,209		252,188		248,036		242,608
$350 Million 6% Senior Notes due January 2043, net		346,283		276,938		346,231		296,555
Total	$	840,524	$	786,939	$	839,468	$	797,113

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Note 7 - Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule Of Inventory [Table Text Block]

	December 31,		December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
West	$	365,867	$	343,134
Mountain		253,578		220,489
East		127,591		169,069
Subtotal		747,036		732,692
Land and Land Under Development:
West		580,682		507,252
Mountain		259,484		277,583
East		176,760		150,433
Subtotal		1,016,926		935,268
Total Inventories	$	1,763,962	$	1,667,960

Schedule of Inventory Impairments [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
West	$	-	$	-	$	-
Mountain		250		234		-
East		1,378		1,000		802
Subtotal		1,628		1,234		802
Land and Land Under Development:
West		648		-		-
Mountain		569		526		-
East		7,148		-		117
Subtotal		8,365		526		117
Total Inventories	$	9,993	$	1,760	$	919

Quantitative Data for Fair Value of the Impaired Inventory [Table Text Block]

	Impairment Data								Quantitative Data
Three Months Ended	Total Subdivisions Tested		Inventory Impairments		Fair Value of Inventory After Impairments		Number of Subdivisions Impaired		Discount Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2015		22	$	350	$	3,701		1		8.7%
June 30, 2015		22		-		-		-		N/A
September 30, 2015		18		3,225		14,836		5	12.0	-	15.0%
December 31, 2015		15		5,200		19,925		3	15.0	-	20.0%
Total		77	$	8,775	$	38,462		9
March 31, 2014		16	$	-	$	-		-		N/A
June 30, 2014		16		850		4,285		2	11.0	-	13.8%
September 30, 2014		23		-		-		-		N/A
December 31, 2014		21		910		4,646		2		13.3%
Total		76	$	1,760	$	8,931		4
March 31, 2013		17	$	-	$	-		-		N/A
June 30, 2013		23		-		-		-		N/A
September 30, 2013		8		350		1,976		1		14.0%
December 31, 2013		17		569		2,877		2	10.0	-	18.0%
Total		65	$	919	$	4,853		3

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Note 8 - Capitalization of Interest (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Capitalization Disclosure [Abstract]

Capitalization Of Interest [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding interest incurred	$	53,061		$	66,269		$	61,634
Less: Interest capitalized		(53,061	)		(65,584	)		(59,908	)
Homebuilding interest expensed	$	-		$	685		$	1,726
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$	79,231		$	74,155		$	68,508
Plus: Interest capitalized during period		53,061			65,584			59,908
Less: Previously capitalized interest included in home and land cost of sales		(54,751	)		(60,508	)		(54,261	)
Interest capitalized, end of period	$	77,541		$	79,231		$	74,155

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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Assets [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
			(As adjusted)
Land option deposits	$	11,997	$	12,895
Deferred marketing costs		31,152		29,231
Prepaid expenses		6,500		5,104
Goodwill		6,008		6,008
Deferred debt issuance costs on revolving credit facility, net		5,570		6,022
Other		4,167		1,754
Total	$	65,394	$	61,014

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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Accrued compensation and related expenses	$	25,492	$	27,541
Accrued interest		23,234		23,234
Warranty accrual		15,328		18,346
Customer and escrow deposits		20,717		16,728
Land development and home construction accruals		11,465		10,108
Other accrued liabilities		26,650		19,160
Total accrued liabilities	$	122,886	$	115,117

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

	December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Insurance reserves	$	45,811	$	50,470
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		6,303		6,798
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	52,114	$	57,268

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Note 11 - Warranty Accrual (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	18,346		$	22,238		$	23,151
Expense provisions		6,303			4,834			5,562
Cash payments		(9,510	)		(6,126	)		(6,475	)
Adjustments		189			(2,600	)		-
Balance at end of period	$	15,328		$	18,346		$	22,238

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Note 12 - Insurance Reserves (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Insurance Loss Reserves [Abstract]

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

	December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	50,470		$	49,637		$	47,852
Expense provisions		6,452			6,316			7,065
Cash payments, net of recoveries		(8,611	)		(5,483	)		(5,280	)
Adjustments		(2,500	)		-			-
Balance at end of period	$	45,811		$	50,470		$	49,637

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Note 14 - Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014		2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Current tax provision (benefit)
Federal	$	2,549		$	1,631	$	2,611
State		(249	)		1,475		-
Total current		2,300			3,106		2,611
Deferred tax provision (benefit)
Federal		30,268			28,630		(171,037	)
State		3,065			5,596		(16,134	)
Total deferred		33,333			34,226		(187,171	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	35,633		$	37,332	$	(184,560	)

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tax expense computed at federal statutory rate	$	35,498		$	35,166		$	45,439
State income tax expense, net of federal benefit		3,043			3,340			4,544
Permanent differences		(974	)		(1,435	)		(358	)
Expiration of state net operating loss		336			3,030			3,874
Tax expense (benefit) related to an increase (decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits		(479	)		559			(552	)
Write-off of deferred tax asset for deferred compensation retirement plans		-			-			11,856
Charitable contributions statute expiration		-			181			-
Federal energy credits		(1,058	)		(1,131	)		(6,530	)
Rate changes		48			866			-
Change in valuation allowance		(549	)		(1,665	)		(242,833	)
Other		(232	)		(1,579	)		-
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	35,633		$	37,332		$	(184,560	)
Effective tax (benefit) rate		35.1	%		37.2	%		(142.2	)%

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

	December 31,
	2015			2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	-		$	47,200
State net operating loss carryforwards		31,292			36,100
Alternative minimum tax and other tax credit carryforwards		31,993			27,582
Stock-based compensation expense		20,068			22,545
Warranty, litigation and other reserves		9,470			12,364
Receivables from related party		8,342			10,273
Accrued compensation		7,241			6,442
Asset impairment charges		5,049			2,785
Inventory, additional costs capitalized for tax purposes		5,894			3,257
Other, net		2,429			1,806
Total deferred tax assets		121,778			170,354
Valuation allowance		(12,868	)		(13,027	)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		108,910			157,327
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, equipment and other assets		4,739			5,025
Discount on notes receivable		-			4,149
Deferred revenue		2,312			4,306
Unrealized gain on marketable securities		671			1,737
Other, net		2,081			1,624
Total deferred tax liabilities		9,803			16,841
Net deferred tax asset	$	99,107		$	140,486

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	905		$	371		$	575
Increases related to prior year tax positions		139			633			124
Decreases related to prior year tax positions		(475	)		(85	)		(53	)
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations		(81	)		(14	)		(275	)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	488		$	905		$	371

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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
			(As adjusted)
$250 Million 5⅝% Senior Notes due February 2020, net	$	246,032	$	245,201
$250 Million 5½% Senior Notes due January 2024, net		248,209		248,036
$350 Million 6% Senior Notes due January 2043, net		346,283		346,231
Total	$	840,524	$	839,468

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Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of year	$	810		$	1,370		$	976
Expense provisions		764			298			1,172
Cash payments		(325	)		-			(734	)
Adjustments		(1,048	)		(858	)		(44	)
Balance at end of year	$	201		$	810		$	1,370

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

	Year Ended
	December 31,
	(Dollars in
	thousands)
2016	$	4,887
2017		5,443
2018		4,958
2019		4,387
2020		4,298
Thereafter		25,469
Total	$	49,442

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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
PennyMac Loan Services, LLC		14	%		23	%		7	%
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.		32	%		20	%		46	%
Wells Fargo Funding, Inc.		10	%		37	%		40	%
Fannie Mae		7	%		10	%		4	%

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Tables) [Line Items]

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015					2014					2013
				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		4,855,916		$	37.45		5,282,366		$	40.83		5,879,573		$	41.29
Granted (1)		2,247,500			28.47		257,500			28.18		237,500			33.82
Exercised		(31,250	)		21.21		(18,000	)		20.82		(153,665	)		32.94
Forfeited		(121,250	)		28.61		(23,750	)		25.16		(10,000	)		37.25
Cancelled		(555,500	)		66.51		(642,200	)		62.43		(671,042	)		44.25
Outstanding, end of year		6,395,416		$	32.01		4,855,916		$	37.45		5,282,366		$	40.83

Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015					2014					2013
				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		467,708		$	9.51		838,541		$	9.50		2,045,000		$	8.63
Granted (1)		2,247,500			5.53		257,500			7.48		237,500			9.75
Vested		(361,042	)		7.07		(604,583	)		7.77		(1,433,959	)		8.28
Forfeited		(121,250	)		9.33		(23,750	)		7.60		(10,000	)		12.72
Unvested, end of year		2,232,916		$	5.91		467,708		$	9.51		838,541		$	9.50

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		6,438,992
Weighted-average exercise price	$	31.60
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	3,621
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)		6.11
Exercisable
Number outstanding		4,162,500
Weighted-average exercise price	$	33.88
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	1,243
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)		4.43

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
			Number		Life (in		Exercise		Number		Life (in		Exercise
Range of Exercise Price			Outstanding		years)		Price		Outstanding		years)		Price
$ 21.00	-	$ 30.99		4,000,000		7.83	$	27.36		1,842,084		6.11	$	26.24
$ 31.00	-	$ 40.99		1,665,416		4.13		34.29		1,590,416		3.97		34.25
$ 41.00	-	$ 50.99		340,000		1.44		43.95		340,000		1.44		43.95
$ 51.00	-	$ 60.99		210,000		0.99		57.05		210,000		0.99		57.05
$ 61.00	-	$ 62.76		180,000		0.99		62.76		180,000		0.99		62.76
	Total			6,395,416		6.11	$	32.01		4,162,500		4.43	$	33.88

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015					2014					2013
				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		183,841		$	32.27		298,991		$	32.87		507,367		$	31.69
Granted		35,471			26.43		39,021			30.85		25,072			37.52
Vested		(111,719	)		32.86		(141,454	)		33.08		(144,841	)		31.88
Forfeited		(9,936	)		29.11		(12,717	)		33.05		(88,607	)		29.02
Unvested, end of year		97,657		$	29.79		183,841		$	32.27		298,991		$	32.87

Employee Stock Option [Member]

Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Tables) [Line Items]

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

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
Expected lives of options (in years)		3.9			4.0			4.0
Expected volatility		29.6	%		43.2	%		45.3	%
Risk free interest rate		1.2	%		1.3	%		0.8	%
Dividend yield rate		3.5	%		3.5	%		3.0	%

Market-Based Awards [Member]

Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Tables) [Line Items]

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

	Year Ended December 31, 2015
Expected volatility		27.8%
Risk free interest rate		2.2%
Dividend yield rate		3.5%

XML

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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

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)
2015
Total revenue	$	388,510		$	473,128		$	468,487		$	578,911
Home sales revenue	$	377,009		$	461,708		$	454,740		$	554,432
Asset impairments	$	(350	)	$	-		$	(4,351	)	$	(5,292	)
Gross margin from home sales (including impairments)		15.4	%		16.6	%		16.4	%		16.1	%
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses	$	50,532		$	54,781		$	57,444		$	63,560
Income before income taxes	$	13,326		$	31,882		$	23,658		$	32,558
Net income	$	8,420		$	19,998		$	14,778		$	22,595
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.17		$	0.41		$	0.30		$	0.47
Diluted	$	0.17		$	0.41		$	0.30		$	0.46

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

XML

Note 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Supplemental Guarantor Information [Abstract]

Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]

	December 31, 2015
					Non-
			Guarantor		Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC		Subsidiaries		Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	Dollars in thousands
ASSETS
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	141,245	$	3,097	$	-		$	-		$	144,342
Marketable securities		92,387		-		-			-			92,387
Restricted cash		-		3,750		-			-			3,750
Trade and other receivables		5,304		20,297		-			(2,287	)		23,314
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction		-		747,036		-			-			747,036
Land and land under development		-		1,016,926		-			-			1,016,926
Total inventories		-		1,763,962		-			-			1,763,962
Intercompany receivables		1,509,551		2,850		5,291			(1,517,692	)		-
Investment in subsidiaries		267,191		-		-			(267,191	)		-
Property and equipment, net		26,073		2,153		-			-			28,226
Deferred tax assets, net		97,083		-		-			2,024			99,107
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		25,911		-		-			-			25,911
Other assets		5,973		59,421		-			-			65,394
Total Homebuilding Assets		2,170,718		1,855,530		5,291			(1,785,146	)		2,246,393
Financial Services:
Cash and cash equivalents		-		-		36,646			-			36,646
Marketable securities		-		-		11,307			-			11,307
Intercompany receivables		-		-		39,234			(39,234	)		-
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		-		-		115,670			-			115,670
Other assets		-		-		7,907			(2,024	)		5,883
Total Financial Services Assets		-		-		210,764			(41,258	)		169,506
Total Assets	$	2,170,718	$	1,855,530	$	216,055		$	(1,826,404	)	$	2,415,899
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	$	-	$	40,472	$	-		$	-		$	40,472
Accrued liabilities		11,527		108,445		(33	)		2,947			122,886
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		47,375		1,480,589		25,536			(1,553,500	)		-
Revolving credit facility		15,000		-		-			-			15,000
Senior notes, net		840,524		-		-			-			840,524
Total Homebuilding Liabilities		914,426		1,629,506		25,503			(1,550,553	)		1,018,882
Financial Services:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		-		-		57,348			(5,234	)		52,114
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		-		-		3,426			(3,426	)		-
Mortgage repurchase facility		-		-		88,611			-			88,611
Total Financial Services Liabilities		-		-		149,385			(8,660	)		140,725
Total Liabilities		914,426		1,629,506		174,888			(1,559,213	)		1,159,607
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,256,292		226,024		41,167			(267,191	)		1,256,292
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,170,718	$	1,855,530	$	216,055		$	(1,826,404	)	$	2,415,899

	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	)		-
Property and equipment, net		28,409		2,082							30,491
Deferred tax assets, net		137,529		-		-		2,957			140,486
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)		18,203		-		-		-			18,203
Other assets, net		6,352		54,662		-		-			61,014
Total Homebuilding Assets		2,137,474		1,757,514		5,295		(1,687,238	)		2,213,045
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, net		-		-		6,531		(2,957	)		3,574
Total Financial Services Assets		-		-		180,881		(42,470	)		138,411
Total Assets	$	2,137,474	$	1,757,514	$	186,176	$	(1,729,708	)	$	2,351,456
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		839,468		-		-		-			839,468
Total Homebuilding Liabilities		909,138		1,533,085		23,876		(1,461,069	)		1,005,030
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		909,138		1,533,085		149,731		(1,468,834	)		1,123,120
Equity:
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,228,336		224,429		36,445		(260,874	)		1,228,336
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,137,474	$	1,757,514	$	186,176	$	(1,729,708	)	$	2,351,456

Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31, 2015
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$	-		$	1,860,226		$	-		$	-		$	1,860,226
Cost of Sales		-			(1,551,907	)		(100	)		-			(1,552,007	)
Inventory impairments		-			(9,993	)		-			-			(9,993	)
Gross margin		-			298,326			(100	)		-			298,226
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(40,356	)		(185,403	)		-			(558	)		(226,317	)
Equity income of subsidiaries		91,079			-			-			(91,079	)		-
Interest and other income		4,635			2,651			8			(585	)		6,709
Interest expense		-			-			-			-			-
Other expense		(6	)		(4,202	)		-			-			(4,208	)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities		(3,969	)		-			-			-			(3,969	)
Homebuilding pretax income (loss)		51,383			111,372			(92	)		(92,222	)		70,441
Financial Services:
Financial services pretax income		-			-			29,840			1,143			30,983
Income before income taxes		51,383			111,372			29,748			(91,079	)		101,424
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		14,408			(39,128	)		(10,913	)		-			(35,633	)
Net income	$	65,791		$	72,244		$	18,835		$	(91,079	)	$	65,791
Other comprehensive income related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax		5,260			-			(674	)		674			5,260
Comprehensive income	$	71,051		$	72,244		$	18,161		$	(90,405	)	$	71,051

	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

Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31, 2015
							Non-
				Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Consolidated
	MDC			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Entries			MDC
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	31,030		$	(16,109	)	$	(14,706	)	$	-		$	215
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		38,467			(811	)		3,260			6,446			47,362
Financing activities:
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		-			17,326			(10,880	)		(6,446	)		-
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net		-			-			27,789			-			27,789
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		-			-			-			-			-
Repayment of senior notes		-			-			-			-			-
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		-			-			-			-			-
Dividend payments		(48,868	)		-			-			-			(48,868	)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		-			-			-			-			-
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		665			-			-			-			665
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(48,203	)		17,326			16,909			(6,446	)		(20,414	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		21,294			406			5,463			-			27,163
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		119,951			2,691			31,183			-			153,825
End of period	$	141,245		$	3,097		$	36,646		$	-		$	180,988

	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	)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes		346,938			-			-			-			346,938
Repayment of senior notes		-			-			-			-			-
Advances on revolving credit facility, net		-			-			-			-			-
Dividend payments		-			-			-			-			-
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards		391			-			-			-			391
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

XML

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Earnest Money Deposits	$ 3,800,000	$ 2,800,000
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	3,900,000	3,800,000	$ 3,700,000
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0
Derivative, Notional Amount	84,500,000	41,000,000
Loans Receivable Held-for-sale, Net, Not Part of Disposal Group, Mortgage	23,100,000	14,200,000
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	1,500,000	(800,000)	(100,000)
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Mortgage Loans	17,800,000	15,500,000	$ 28,700,000
Land Development And Home Construction Accruals Current And Noncurrent	11,500,000	10,100,000
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 98,400,000	$ 42,800,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	3.82%	3.69%
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

XML

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Cost and Carrying Value of Property and Equipment - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	$ 62,796	$ 61,197
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	34,570	30,706
Carrying Value	28,226	30,491
Airplane [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	28,997	28,997
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	7,701	7,152
Carrying Value	21,296	21,845
Computer Software And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	21,393	20,594
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	16,599	14,084
Carrying Value	4,794	6,510
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	10,207	9,617
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	8,317	7,590
Carrying Value	1,890	2,027
Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	2,199	1,989
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	1,953	1,880
Carrying Value	$ 246	$ 109

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Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Affect of Change in Accounting Principle - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Prepaid and other assets	$ 65,394	$ 61,014
Total assets	2,415,899	2,351,456
Total liabilities	$ 1,159,607	1,123,120
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Prepaid and other assets		61,014
Total assets		2,351,456
Senior notes, net		839,468
Total liabilities		1,123,120
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Prepaid and other assets		67,996
Total assets		2,358,438
Senior notes, net		846,450
Total liabilities		1,130,102
Scenario, Adjustment [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Prepaid and other assets		(6,982)
Total assets		(6,982)
Senior notes, net		(6,982)
Total liabilities		$ (6,982)

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Note 2 - Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure (Details) - Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Investing - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash paid for:
Interest, net of interest capitalized	$ 286	$ 1,843
Income taxes	3,023	2,793	$ 5,161
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	$ 5,260	$ (1,120)	$ 6,737

XML

Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Segments [Member]
Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	1

XML

Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial Services
Total revenues	$ 578,911	$ 468,487	$ 473,128	$ 388,510	$ 505,672	$ 418,403	$ 442,752	$ 327,757	$ 1,909,036	$ 1,694,584	$ 1,680,434
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding
Homebuilding Revenues									1,860,226	1,650,631	1,629,175
Financial Services
Total revenues									1,860,226	1,650,631	1,629,175
Financial Services [Member]
Financial Services
Financial Services Revenues									48,810	43,953	51,259
West [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding
Homebuilding Revenues									915,259	770,051	671,278
Mountain [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding
Homebuilding Revenues									609,002	534,244	546,801
East [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding
Homebuilding Revenues									335,965	346,336	411,096
Mortgage Operations [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Financial Services
Financial Services Revenues									30,276	25,887	34,976
Other Financial Services [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Financial Services
Financial Services Revenues									$ 18,534	$ 18,066	$ 16,283

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Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Reconciliation of Pretax Operating Income from Segments to Consolidated - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Homebuilding
Income before income taxes	$ 32,558	$ 23,658	$ 31,882	$ 13,326	$ 23,885	$ 23,924	$ 34,026	$ 18,640	$ 101,424	$ 100,475	$ 129,825
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding
Income before income taxes									70,441	75,804	100,323
Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding
Income before income taxes									30,983	24,671	29,502
West [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding
Income before income taxes									64,627	63,071	65,672
Mountain [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding
Income before income taxes									52,707	39,343	52,392
East [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding
Income before income taxes									(6,033)	10,730	19,590
Corporate Subsegment [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding
Income before income taxes									(40,860)	(37,340)	(37,331)
Mortgage Operations [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding
Income before income taxes									17,230	14,034	21,608
Other Financial Services [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding
Income before income taxes									$ 13,753	$ 10,637	$ 7,894

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Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Total Assets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Homebuilding assets
Total Assets	$ 2,415,899	$ 2,351,456
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding assets
Total Assets	2,246,393	2,213,045
Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding assets
Total Assets	169,506	138,411
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding assets
Total Assets	2,246,393	2,213,045
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding assets
Total Assets	169,506	138,411
West [Member] | Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding assets
Total Assets	991,393	893,970
Mountain [Member] | Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding assets
Total Assets	536,831	516,971
East [Member] | Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding assets
Total Assets	324,457	343,718
Corporate Subsegment [Member] | Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding assets
Total Assets	393,712	458,386
Mortgage Operations [Member] | Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding assets
Total Assets	123,176	94,265
Other Financial Services [Member] | Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding assets
Total Assets	$ 46,330	$ 44,146

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Note 4 - Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Note 4 - Earnings Per Share (Details) [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	5.9	4.3	3.8

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Note 4 - Earnings Per Share (Details) - Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Numerator
Net income	$ 22,595	$ 14,778	$ 19,998	$ 8,420	$ 14,639	$ 15,458	$ 21,542	$ 11,504	$ 65,791	$ 63,143	$ 314,385
Less: distributed earnings allocated to participating securities									(98)	(196)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities									(37)	(60)	(4,917)
Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic earnings per share)									65,656	62,887	309,468
Add back: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities									37	60	4,917
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities									(37)	(60)	(4,879)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share under two class method									$ 65,656	$ 62,887	$ 309,506
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in Shares)									48,764,396	48,615,541	48,453,119
Denominator for diluted earnings per share under two class method (in Shares)									48,967,219	48,817,566	48,831,785
Basic Earnings Per Common Share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.30	$ 0.41	$ 0.17	$ 0.30	$ 0.32	$ 0.44	$ 0.24	$ 1.35	$ 1.29	$ 6.39
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.30	$ 0.41	$ 0.17	$ 0.30	$ 0.32	$ 0.44	$ 0.23	$ 1.34	$ 1.29	$ 6.34
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Denominator
Add: dilutive effect of stock options (in Shares)									202,823	202,025	378,666

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Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities (1) :
Beginning balance	[1]	$ 10,455	$ 11,575
Ending balance	[1]	15,715	10,455	$ 11,575
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities (1) :
Beginning balance	[1]	2,775	7,655	4,838
Other comprehensive income	[1]	322	(3,025)	3,255
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	[1],[2]	560	(1,855)	(438)
Ending balance	[1]	3,657	2,775	$ 7,655
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] | Metropolitan District Bond Securities [Member]
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities (1) :
Beginning balance	[1]	7,680	3,920
Other comprehensive income	[1]	$ 4,378	$ 3,760	$ 3,920
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	[1]
Ending balance	[1]	$ 12,058	$ 7,680	$ 3,920

[1] All amounts net-of-tax.

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

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Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - Reclassifications out of AOCI - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	$ 32,558	$ 23,658	$ 31,882	$ 13,326	$ 23,885	$ 23,924	$ 34,026	$ 18,640		$ 101,424	$ 100,475	$ 129,825
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes									$ 184,600	(35,633)	(37,332)	184,560
Net income	$ 22,595	$ 14,778	$ 19,998	$ 8,420	$ 14,639	$ 15,458	$ 21,542	$ 11,504		65,791	63,143	314,385
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities										(3,969)	(4,293)
Homebuilding [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest and other income										6,709	26,310	29,798
Income before income taxes										70,441	75,804	100,323
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities										(3,969)	(4,293)
Financial Services [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income before income taxes										30,983	24,671	29,502
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income before income taxes										(911)	3,017	713
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes										351	(1,162)	(275)
Net income										(560)	1,855	438
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest and other income										2,690	7,210	580
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities										(3,969)	(4,293)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest and other income										$ 368	$ 100	$ 133

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 3,969	$ 4,293
Available-for-sale Securities, Change in Net Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss), Net of Tax	5,900	4,500
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	882	3,097
Loans Receivable Held-for-sale, Net, Not Part of Disposal Group, Mortgage	$ 23,100	14,200
Minimum [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Short Term Borrowings Maturity Period	30 days
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Loans Receivable Held-for-sale, Net, Not Part of Disposal Group, Mortgage	$ 115,670	88,392
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Under Commitment To Sell [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Loans Receivable Held-for-sale, Net, Not Part of Disposal Group, Mortgage	92,600	74,200
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Not Under Commitment To Sell [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Loans Receivable Held-for-sale, Net, Not Part of Disposal Group, Mortgage	$ 14,200	$ 23,100

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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	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Total available-for-sale securities	$ 103,694	$ 156,140
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	23,100	14,200
Metropolitan District Bond Securities [Member]
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party) (available-for-sale)	25,911	18,203	$ 12,729
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Equity securities	103,694	129,560
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Debt securities - maturity less than 1 year		1,511
Debt securities - maturity 1 to 5 years		7,643
Debt securities - maturity greater than 5 years		17,426
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	115,670	88,392
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Metropolitan District Bond Securities [Member]
Marketable securities (available-for-sale)
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party) (available-for-sale)	$ 25,911	$ 18,203

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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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Homebuilding:
Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities	$ 101,764	$ 151,627
OTTI Available for Sale Securities	(3,969)
Net Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities	97,795	151,627
Fair Value Available for Sale Securities	103,694	156,140
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities	89,738	136,669
OTTI Available for Sale Securities	(3,969)
Net Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities	85,769	136,669
Fair Value Available for Sale Securities	92,387	140,878
Homebuilding [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Homebuilding:
Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities	89,738	116,009
OTTI Available for Sale Securities	(3,969)
Net Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities	85,769	116,009
Fair Value Available for Sale Securities	92,387	120,274
Homebuilding [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Homebuilding:
Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities		20,660
Net Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities		20,660
Fair Value Available for Sale Securities		20,604
Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities	12,026	14,958
Net Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities	12,026	14,958
Fair Value Available for Sale Securities	11,307	15,262
Financial Services [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Homebuilding:
Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities	12,026	9,028
Net Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities	12,026	9,028
Fair Value Available for Sale Securities	$ 11,307	9,286
Financial Services [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Homebuilding:
Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities		5,930
Net Amortized Cost Available for Sale Securities		5,930
Fair Value Available for Sale Securities		$ 5,976

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Type of Investment
Number of Securities in Loss Position	4	58
Aggregate Loss Position	$ (882)	$ (3,097)
Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in a Loss Position	$ 6,116	$ 89,535
Debt Securities [Member]
Type of Investment
Number of Securities in Loss Position		52
Aggregate Loss Position		$ (359)
Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in a Loss Position		$ 14,536
Equity Securities [Member]
Type of Investment
Number of Securities in Loss Position	4	6
Aggregate Loss Position	$ (882)	$ (2,738)
Aggregate Fair Value of Securities in a Loss Position	$ 6,116	$ 74,999

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Gross Realized Gains and Gross Realized Losses - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 2,271	$ 10,151	$ 1,334
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities	(3,182)	(7,135)	(3,794)
Net realized gain (loss) on sales of available-for-sale securities	(911)	3,016	(2,460)
Equity Securities [Member]
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities
Gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities	1,854	7,719	1,251
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities	(2,949)	(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	417	2,432	83
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities
Gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (233)	$ (952)	$ (3,794)

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Quantitative Data Regarding Unobservable Inputs and Sensitivity Analysis	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Number of homes closed per year	Increase
Number of homes closed per year	Decrease
Average sales price	Increase
Average sales price	Decrease
Discount rates	Decrease
Discount rates	Increase
Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Number of homes closed per year	0
Discount rates	5.00%
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Number of homes closed per year	121
Discount rates	12.00%
Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Number of homes closed per year	94
Discount rates	8.20%

XML

Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Summary of Activity for Metro Bonds - Metropolitan District Bond Securities [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Summary of Activity for Metro Bonds [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 18,203	$ 12,729
Increase in fair value (recorded in other comprehensive income)	6,961	6,114
Change due to accretion of principal	1,427	1,405
Cash receipts	(680)	(2,045)
Balance at end of period	$ 25,911	$ 18,203

XML

Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	$ 840,524	$ 839,468
Fair Value	786,939	797,113
5.625% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	246,032	245,201
Fair Value	257,813	257,950
5.5% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	248,209	248,036
Fair Value	252,188	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	346,283	346,231
Fair Value	$ 276,938	$ 296,555

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Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	May. 08, 2013	Jan. 10, 2013
5.625% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) [Line Items]
Senior Notes, maturity date	Feb. 28, 2020	Feb. 28, 2020
Senior Notes, interest rate	5.625%	5.625%
Senior Notes, face amounts	$ 250,000	$ 250,000
5.5% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) [Line Items]
Senior Notes, maturity date	Jan. 31, 2024	Jan. 31, 2024
Senior Notes, interest rate	5.50%	5.50%
Senior Notes, face amounts	$ 250,000	$ 250,000
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, maturity date	Jan. 31, 2043	Jan. 31, 2043
Senior Notes, interest rate	6.00%	6.00%		6.00%
Senior Notes, face amounts	$ 350,000	$ 350,000	$ 100,000	$ 250,000

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Note 7 - Inventories (Details)		3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory, Real Estate, Land and Land Development Costs		$ 1,016,926,000			$ 935,268,000			$ 1,016,926,000	$ 935,268,000
Inventory Write-down								9,993,000	$ 1,760,000	$ 919,000
Number of Projects									4
Maryland Division [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory Write-down									$ 1,000,000	$ 900,000
Number of Projects										3
Mountain [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory, Real Estate, Land and Land Development Costs		259,484,000			277,583,000			259,484,000	277,583,000
West [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory, Real Estate, Land and Land Development Costs		580,682,000			507,252,000			580,682,000	$ 507,252,000
Maryland Division [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Projects									3
Land Held for Sale [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory, Real Estate, Land and Land Development Costs		1,700,000			0			1,700,000	$ 0
Inventory Write-down								$ 1,200,000	0	$ 0
Number of Projects								2
Land Held for Sale [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Projects								1
Land Held for Sale [Member] | West [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Projects								1
Other Than Land Held for Sale [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory Write-down	$ 350,000	$ 5,200,000	$ 3,225,000	$ 350,000	$ 910,000	$ 850,000	$ 569,000	$ 8,775,000	$ 1,760,000	$ 919,000
Other Than Land Held for Sale [Member] | Majority from the East [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Projects								3
Other Than Land Held for Sale [Member] | Maryland Division [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory Write-down								$ 3,300,000
Number of Projects								4
Other Than Land Held for Sale [Member] | Virginia Division [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory Write-down								$ 5,200,000

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Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Summary of Inventory - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Housing Completed or Under Construction:	$ 747,036	$ 732,692
Land and Land Under Development:
Land and Land Under Development:	1,016,926	935,268
Total Inventories	1,763,962	1,667,960
West [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Housing Completed or Under Construction:	365,867	343,134
Land and Land Under Development:
Land and Land Under Development:	580,682	507,252
Mountain [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Housing Completed or Under Construction:	253,578	220,489
Land and Land Under Development:
Land and Land Under Development:	259,484	277,583
East [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Housing Completed or Under Construction:	127,591	169,069
Land and Land Under Development:
Land and Land Under Development:	$ 176,760	$ 150,433

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Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Inventory Impairments - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairment	$ 9,993	$ 1,760	$ 919
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairment	1,628	1,234	802
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairment	250	234
Housing Completed Or Under Construction [Member] | East [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairment	1,378	1,000	802
Land And Land Under Development [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairment	8,365	526	117
Land And Land Under Development [Member] | West [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairment	648
Land And Land Under Development [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairment	569	$ 526
Land And Land Under Development [Member] | East [Member]
Housing Completed or Under Construction:
Inventory Impairment	$ 7,148		$ 117

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Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Fair Value of Impaired Inventory $ in Thousands				3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Fair Value of Impaired Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory Impairments (in Dollars)													$ 9,993	$ 1,760	$ 919
Other Than Land Held for Sale [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Fair Value of Impaired Inventory [Line Items]
Total Subdivision tested	8	23	17	15	18	22	22	21	23	16	16	17	77	76	65
Inventory Impairments (in Dollars)	$ 350			$ 5,200	$ 3,225		$ 350	$ 910		$ 850		$ 569	$ 8,775	$ 1,760	$ 919
Fair Value of Inventory After Impairments (in Dollars)	$ 1,976			$ 19,925	$ 14,836		$ 3,701	$ 4,646		$ 4,285		$ 2,877	$ 38,462	$ 8,931	$ 4,853
Number of Subdivision Impaired	1			3	5		1	2		2		2	9	4	3
Discount rate	14.00%						8.70%	13.30%
Minimum [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Fair Value of Impaired Inventory [Line Items]
Discount rate													5.00%
Minimum [Member] | Other Than Land Held for Sale [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Fair Value of Impaired Inventory [Line Items]
Discount rate				15.00%	12.00%					11.00%		10.00%
Maximum [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Fair Value of Impaired Inventory [Line Items]
Discount rate													12.00%
Maximum [Member] | Other Than Land Held for Sale [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Fair Value of Impaired Inventory [Line Items]
Discount rate				20.00%	15.00%					13.80%		18.00%

XML

Note 8 - Capitalization of Interest (Details) - Interest Activity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest Activity [Abstract]
Homebuilding interest incurred	$ 53,061	$ 66,269	$ 61,634
Less: Interest capitalized	(53,061)	(65,584)	(59,908)
Homebuilding interest expensed		685	1,726
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	79,231	74,155	68,508
Plus: Interest capitalized during period	53,061	65,584	59,908
Less: Previously capitalized interest included in home and land cost of sales	(54,751)	(60,508)	(54,261)
Interest capitalized, end of period	$ 77,541	$ 79,231	$ 74,155

XML

Note 9 - Homebuilding Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets (Details) - Summary of Homebuilding Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Homebuilding Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets [Abstract]
Land option deposits	$ 11,997	$ 12,895
Deferred marketing costs	31,152	29,231
Prepaid expenses	6,500	5,104
Goodwill	6,008	6,008
Deferred debt issuance costs on revolving credit facility, net	5,570	6,022
Other	4,167	1,754
Total	$ 65,394	$ 61,014

XML

Note 10 - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 10 - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Warranty accrual	$ 15,328	$ 18,346	$ 22,238	$ 23,151
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	25,492	27,541
Accrued interest	23,234	23,234
Warranty accrual	15,328	18,346
Customer and escrow deposits	20,717	16,728
Accrued liabilities current and non-current	122,886	115,117
Other accrued liabilities	26,650	19,160
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	$ 11,465	$ 10,108

XML

Note 10 - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 10 - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Insurance reserves	$ 45,811	$ 50,470	$ 49,637	$ 47,852
Financial Services [Member]
Note 10 - Homebuilding Accrued Liabilities and Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - Financial Services Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Insurance reserves	45,811	50,470
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	6,303	6,798
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 52,114	$ 57,268

XML

Note 11 - Warranty Accrual (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Product Warranty Accrual, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ 200,000	$ (2,600,000)	$ 0

XML

Note 11 - Warranty Accrual (Details) - Warranty Accrual and Payment Activity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Warranty Accrual and Payment Activity [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 18,346	$ 22,238	$ 23,151
Expense provisions	6,303	4,834	5,562
Cash payments	(9,510)	(6,126)	(6,475)
Adjustments	189	(2,600)
Balance at end of period	$ 15,328	$ 18,346	$ 22,238

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Note 12 - Insurance Reserves (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Insurance Loss Reserves [Abstract]
Increase (Decrease) in Self Insurance Reserve	$ (2,500)	$ 0

XML

Note 12 - Insurance Reserves (Details) - Insurance Reserves - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Insurance Reserves [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 50,470	$ 49,637	$ 47,852
Balance at end of period	45,811	50,470	49,637
Expense provisions	6,452	6,316	7,065
Cash payments, net of recoveries	(8,611)	(5,483)	$ (5,280)
Adjustments	$ (2,500)	$ 0

XML

Note 13 - Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 20, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 13 - Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	$ 12,868	$ 13,027
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
President And Chief Operating Officer [Member]
Note 13 - Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Distributions Paid			$ 16,000
Termination of Retirement Benefits [Member]
Note 13 - Deferred Compensation Retirement Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance				$ 11,900

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Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
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)	$ (184,600,000)	$ 35,633,000	$ 37,332,000	$ (184,560,000)
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount	$ 187,600,000	100,000		11,900,000
Other Tax Expense (Benefit)				6,500,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance		12,868,000	13,027,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, State and Local		31,292,000	36,100,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Subject to Expiration		100,000
Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions, Current		400,000	800,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate		500,000	900,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense		0	200,000	$ 0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued		0	$ 300,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance		5,900,000
Metropolitan District Bond Securities [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance		7,000,000
Maximum [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible		$ 100,000
Maximum [Member] | Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year		2015
Maximum [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year		2016
Minimum [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible		$ 0
Minimum [Member] | Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year		2012
Minimum [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year		2011

XML

Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Summary of Income Tax Expense Benefit - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current tax provision (benefit)
Federal		$ 2,549	$ 1,631	$ 2,611
State		(249)	1,475
Total current		2,300	3,106	2,611
Deferred tax provision (benefit)
Federal		30,268	28,630	(171,037)
State		3,065	5,596	(16,134)
Total deferred		33,333	34,226	(187,171)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$ (184,600)	$ 35,633	$ 37,332	$ (184,560)

XML

Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Summary of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Tax expense computed at federal statutory rate		$ 35,498	$ 35,166	$ 45,439
State income tax expense, net of federal benefit		3,043	3,340	4,544
Permanent differences		(974)	(1,435)	(358)
Expiration of state net operating loss		336	3,030	3,874
Tax expense (benefit) related to an increase (decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits		(479)	559	(552)
Write-off of deferred tax asset for deferred compensation retirement plans				11,856
Charitable contributions statute expiration			181
Federal energy credits		(1,058)	(1,131)	(6,530)
Rate changes		48	866
Change in valuation allowance		(549)	(1,665)	(242,833)
Other		(232)	(1,579)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$ (184,600)	$ 35,633	$ 37,332	$ (184,560)
Effective tax (benefit) rate		35.10%	37.20%	(142.20%)

XML

Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards		$ 47,200
State net operating loss carryforwards	$ 31,292	36,100
Alternative minimum tax and other tax credit carryforwards	31,993	27,582
Stock-based compensation expense	20,068	22,545
Warranty, litigation and other reserves	9,470	12,364
Receivables from related party	8,342	10,273
Accrued compensation	7,241	6,442
Asset impairment charges	5,049	2,785
Inventory, additional costs capitalized for tax purposes	5,894	3,257
Other, net	2,429	1,806
Total deferred tax assets	121,778	170,354
Valuation allowance	(12,868)	(13,027)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	108,910	157,327
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, equipment and other assets	4,739	5,025
Discount on notes receivable		4,149
Deferred revenue	2,312	4,306
Unrealized gain on marketable securities	671	1,737
Other, net	2,081	1,624
Total deferred tax liabilities	9,803	16,841
Net deferred tax asset	$ 99,107	$ 140,486

XML

Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Liability Associated with Unrecognized Tax Benefits - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Liability Associated with Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Abstract]
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$ 905	$ 371	$ 575
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	488	905	371
Increases related to prior year tax positions	139	633	124
Decreases related to prior year tax positions	(475)	(85)	(53)
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations	$ (81)	$ (14)	$ (275)

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Note 15 - Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 15 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Investment Income, Interest	$ 1.4	$ 1.4	$ 1.2
Cash Contribution Committed To Charitable Foundation	1.0	1.0	1.0
District [Member]
Note 15 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Bond Receivable Amount In Exchange Of Land Development Improvement	28.6
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	0.7	$ 2.0	$ 0.7
District [Member] | Capital Appreciation Bonds [Member]
Note 15 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Special Assessment Bond	22.5
District [Member] | Subordinate Bond [Member]
Note 15 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Special Assessment Bond	$ 1.6

XML

Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 15, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 23, 2015	Dec. 22, 2015	Dec. 18, 2015	Dec. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	May. 08, 2013	Jan. 10, 2013
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			$ 61,900
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt				$ 248,375	$ 346,938
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt				(18,153)
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity								$ 550,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Dec. 18, 2020
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			0.00%
Long-term Line of Credit			$ 15,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity			$ 512,500
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			$ 22,500	10,500
Mortgage Repurchase Facility [Member] | Warehouse Agreement Borrowings [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity						$ 90,000	$ 50,000		$ 80,000	$ 50,000
Long-term Line of Credit			$ 88,600	$ 60,800
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
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	248,400
Debt Issuance Cost	$ 1,600
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
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		517,700
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt		$ (18,200)
6.000% Senior Notes Due January 2043 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Jan. 31, 2043	Jan. 31, 2043
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			6.00%	6.00%								6.00%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 350,000	$ 350,000							$ 100,000	$ 250,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt					346,900
Debt Issuance Cost					$ 3,100
Maximum [Member] | Borrowing Base Is Not Required [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Leverage Ratio			55.00%
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Upon Request [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 1,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Borrowing Base is Required [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Leverage Ratio			55.00%
Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Subject to Acceleration [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms, Ownership Percentage			50.00%

XML

Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 840,524	$ 839,468
Senior Notes 5.375% Due February 2020 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Senior Notes	246,032	245,201
Senior Notes 5.50% Due January 2024 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Senior Notes	248,209	248,036
Senior Notes 6% Due January 2043 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 346,283	$ 346,231

XML

Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Senior Notes 5.375% Due February 2020 [Member]
Note 16 - Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations (Details) - Carrying Amount of Senior Notes (Parentheticals) [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	5.375%	5.375%
Senior notes, maturity date	Feb. 28, 2020	Feb. 28, 2020
Senior notes, face amount	$ 250,000	$ 250,000
Senior Notes 5.50% Due January 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%	5.50%
Senior notes, maturity date	Jan. 31, 2024	Jan. 31, 2024
Senior notes, face amount	$ 250,000	$ 250,000
Senior Notes 6% 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%
Senior notes, maturity date	Jan. 31, 2043	Jan. 31, 2043
Senior notes, face amount	$ 350,000	$ 350,000

XML

Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Surety Bonds Issued And Outstanding	$ 167.1
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	61.9
Estimated Cost Related To Bonds	52.8
Estimated Cost Related To Letters Of Credit	46.5
Homeamerican [Member]
Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	39.4
Option Contracts [Member]
Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Estimated Litigation Liability	3.6	$ 3.1
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 5.0	$ 4.9	$ 5.2

XML

Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Mortgage Loan Loss Reserve Activity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Mortgage Loan Loss Reserve Activity [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 810	$ 1,370	$ 976
Expense provisions	764	298	1,172
Cash payments	(325)		(734)
Adjustments	(1,048)	(858)	(44)
Balance at end of year	$ 201	$ 810	$ 1,370

XML

Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Summary of Non-Cancelable Operating Leases $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Summary of Non-Cancelable Operating Leases [Abstract]
2016	$ 4,887
2017	5,443
2018	4,958
2019	4,387
2020	4,298
Thereafter	25,469
Total	$ 49,442

XML

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, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
PennyMac Loan Services, LLC [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Name of the entity	14.00%	23.00%	7.00%
JP Morgan Chase Bank NA [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Name of the entity	32.00%	20.00%	46.00%
Wells Fargo Funding Inc [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Name of the entity	10.00%	37.00%	40.00%
Fannie Mae [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Name of the entity	7.00%	10.00%	4.00%

XML

Note 19 - Stockholders' Equity (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
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

XML

Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 20 - Equity Incentive and Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 1.0
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount		$ 0.9	$ 0.9
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	2,000,000
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	4,200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	800,000
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	500,000
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	1,100,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	600,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee	25,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Award Exercisable Period	6 months
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
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Stock [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

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($)			12 Months Ended
		May. 18, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
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)	[1]		$ 5.53	$ 7.48	$ 9.75
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in Shares)	[1]		2,247,500,000	257,500,000	237,500,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value			$ 200,000	$ 100,000	$ 1,100,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options			$ 6,400,000
Share Price (in Dollars per share)		$ 28.45
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)			2,000,000
Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model [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)			$ 4.78	$ 7.48	$ 9.75
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense			$ 8,100,000	$ 3,300,000	$ 5,600,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense			$ 3,100,000	1,300,000	2,200,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition			255 days
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options			$ 100,000	0	400,000
Non-qualified Stock Option [Member] | 2011 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | 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, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in Dollars per share)		$ 5.62
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense			6,200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expected to Vest Immediately, Threshold Trading Days		20 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expected to Vest Immediately, Threshold Consecutive Trading Days		30 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expected to Vest Immediately, Threshold Percentage of Stock Price Trigger		120.00%
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized			11,200,000
Non-qualified Stock Option [Member] | 2011 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [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
Non-qualified Stock Option [Member] | 2011 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Chief Operating Officer [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
Restricted Stock [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense			2,000,000	2,700,000	4,000,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense			$ 800,000	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,600,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition			1 year 109 days
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized			$ 1,000,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Intrinsic Value, Amount Per Share (in Dollars per share)			$ 2,500,000
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)			$ 2,900,000	$ 4,200,000	$ 5,500,000

[1] Total options granted in 2015 include a total of 2,000,000 Market-Based options granted to our CEO and COO. See further discussion regarding these grants in the "Market-Based Stock Option Awards" section below.

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Fair Value of Share-Based Payment Awards	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value of Share-Based Payment Awards [Abstract]
Expected lives of options (in years)	3 years 328 days	4 years	4 years
Expected volatility	29.60%	43.20%	45.30%
Risk free interest rate	1.20%	1.30%	0.80%
Dividend yield rate	3.50%	3.50%	3.00%

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Stock Option Award Activity - $ / shares shares in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Outstanding Stock Option Activity
Outstanding, beginning of year		4,855,916	5,282,366	5,879,573
Outstanding, beginning of year		$ 37.45	$ 40.83	$ 41.29
Outstanding, end of year		6,395,416	4,855,916	5,282,366
Outstanding, end of year		$ 32.01	$ 37.45	$ 40.83
Granted (1)	[1]	2,247,500	257,500	237,500
Granted (1)	[1]	$ 28.47	$ 28.18	$ 33.82
Exercised		(31,250)	(18,000)	(153,665)
Exercised		$ 21.21	$ 20.82	$ 32.94
Forfeited		(121,250)	(23,750)	(10,000)
Forfeited		$ 28.61	$ 25.16	$ 37.25
Cancelled		(555,500)	(642,200)	(671,042)
Cancelled		$ 66.51	$ 62.43	$ 44.25

[1] Total options granted in 2015 include a total of 2,000,000 Market-Based options granted to our CEO and COO. See further discussion regarding these grants in the "Market-Based Stock Option Awards" section below.

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Unvested Stock Award Activity - $ / shares shares in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Unvested Stock Option Activity
Outstanding, beginning of year		467,708	838,541	2,045,000
Outstanding, beginning of year		$ 9.51	$ 9.50	$ 8.63
Unvested, end of year		2,232,916	467,708	838,541
Unvested, end of year		$ 5.91	$ 9.51	$ 9.50
Granted (1)	[1]	2,247,500	257,500	237,500
Granted (1)	[1]	$ 5.53	$ 7.48	$ 9.75
Vested		(361,042)	(604,583)	(1,433,959)
Vested		$ 7.07	$ 7.77	$ 8.28
Forfeited		(121,250)	(23,750)	(10,000)
Forfeited		$ 9.33	$ 7.60	$ 12.72

[1] Total options granted in 2015 include a total of 2,000,000 Market-Based options granted to our CEO and COO. See further discussion regarding these grants in the "Market-Based Stock Option Awards" section below.

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Options Vested and Expected to Vest $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Exercisable or expected to vest
Number outstanding | shares	6,438,992
Weighted-average exercise price | $ / shares	$ 31.60
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands) | $	$ 3,621
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)	6 years 40 days
Exercisable
Number outstanding | shares	4,162,500
Weighted-average exercise price | $ / shares	$ 33.88
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands) | $	$ 1,243
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years)	4 years 156 days

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Outstanding and Exercisable Stock Options	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding Number Outstanding (in Shares) | shares	6,395,416
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	6 years 40 days
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 32.01
Options Exercisable Number Outstanding (in Shares) | shares	4,162,500
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	4 years 156 days
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 33.88
Range 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price lower	$ 21.00
Options Outstanding Number Outstanding (in Shares) | shares	4,000,000
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	7 years 302 days
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 27.36
Options Exercisable Number Outstanding (in Shares) | shares	1,842,084
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	6 years 40 days
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 26.24
Range of Exercise Price upper	30.99
Range 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price lower	$ 31.00
Options Outstanding Number Outstanding (in Shares) | shares	1,665,416
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	4 years 47 days
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 34.29
Options Exercisable Number Outstanding (in Shares) | shares	1,590,416
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	3 years 354 days
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 34.25
Range of Exercise Price upper	40.99
Range 3 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price lower	$ 41.00
Options Outstanding Number Outstanding (in Shares) | shares	340,000
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	1 year 160 days
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 43.95
Options Exercisable Number Outstanding (in Shares) | shares	340,000
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	1 year 160 days
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 43.95
Range of Exercise Price upper	50.99
Range 4 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price lower	$ 51.00
Options Outstanding Number Outstanding (in Shares) | shares	210,000
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	361 days
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 57.05
Options Exercisable Number Outstanding (in Shares) | shares	210,000
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	361 days
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 57.05
Range of Exercise Price upper	60.99
Range 5 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price lower	$ 61.00
Options Outstanding Number Outstanding (in Shares) | shares	180,000
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	361 days
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 62.76
Options Exercisable Number Outstanding (in Shares) | shares	180,000
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	361 days
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 62.76
Range of Exercise Price upper	$ 62.76

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Fair Value of Market-Based Awards	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Fair Value of Market-Based Awards [Line Items]
Expected volatility	29.60%	43.20%	45.30%
Risk free interest rate	1.20%	1.30%	0.80%
Dividend yield rate	3.50%	3.50%	3.00%
Market-Based Awards [Member]
Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Fair Value of Market-Based Awards [Line Items]
Expected volatility	27.80%
Risk free interest rate	2.20%
Dividend yield rate	3.50%

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Note 21 - Stock Based Compensation (Details) - Restricted and Unrestricted Stock Award Activity - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restricted and Unrestricted Stock Award Activity [Abstract]
Unvested, beginning of year	183,841	298,991	507,367
Unvested, beginning of year	$ 32.27	$ 32.87	$ 31.69
Granted	35,471	39,021	25,072
Granted	$ 26.43	$ 30.85	$ 37.52
Vested	(111,719)	(141,454)	(144,841)
Vested	$ 32.86	$ 33.08	$ 31.88
Forfeited	(9,936)	(12,717)	(88,607)
Forfeited	$ 29.11	$ 33.05	$ 29.02
Unvested, end of year	97,657	183,841	298,991
Unvested, end of year	$ 29.79	$ 32.27	$ 32.87

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Note 22 - Results of Quarterly Operations (Unaudited) (Details) - Results of Quarterly Operations - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
2015
Total revenue	$ 578,911	$ 468,487	$ 473,128	$ 388,510	$ 505,672	$ 418,403	$ 442,752	$ 327,757	$ 1,909,036	$ 1,694,584	$ 1,680,434
Home sales revenue	554,432	454,740	$ 461,708	377,009	493,070	$ 405,051	430,743	$ 318,534
Asset impairments	$ (5,292)	$ (4,351)		$ (350)	$ (910)		$ (850)
Gross margin from home sales (including impairments)	16.10%	16.40%	16.60%	15.40%	16.30%	16.50%	17.10%	18.50%
Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 63,560	$ 57,444	$ 54,781	$ 50,532	$ 54,602	$ 50,512	$ 49,798	$ 48,341
Income before income taxes	32,558	23,658	31,882	13,326	23,885	23,924	34,026	18,640	101,424	100,475	129,825
Net income	$ 22,595	$ 14,778	$ 19,998	$ 8,420	$ 14,639	$ 15,458	$ 21,542	$ 11,504	$ 65,791	$ 63,143	$ 314,385
Earnings per share:
Basic (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.30	$ 0.41	$ 0.17	$ 0.30	$ 0.32	$ 0.44	$ 0.24	$ 1.35	$ 1.29	$ 6.39
Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.30	$ 0.41	$ 0.17	$ 0.30	$ 0.32	$ 0.44	$ 0.23	$ 1.34	$ 1.29	$ 6.34

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Note 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
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 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Supplemental Condensed Combining Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 180,988	$ 153,825	$ 199,338	$ 160,095
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction	747,036	732,692
Land and land under development	1,016,926	935,268
Total inventories	1,763,962	1,667,960
Property and equipment, net	28,226	30,491
Deferred tax asset	99,107	140,486
Total Assets	2,415,899	2,351,456
Financial Services:
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	23,100	14,200
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	1,159,607	1,123,120
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	1,256,292	1,228,336
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	2,415,899	2,351,456
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	144,342	122,642
Marketable securities	92,387	140,878
Restricted cash	3,750	2,816
Trade and other receivables	23,314	28,555
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction	747,036	732,692
Land and land under development	1,016,926	935,268
Total inventories	1,763,962	1,667,960
Property and equipment, net	28,226	30,491
Deferred tax asset	99,107	140,486
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)	25,911	18,203
Other assets	65,394	61,014
Total Assets	2,246,393	2,213,045
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	40,472	35,445
Accrued liabilities	122,886	115,117
Revolving credit facility	15,000	15,000
Senior notes, net	840,524	839,468
Total Liabilities	1,018,882	1,005,030
Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	36,646	31,183
Marketable securities	11,307	15,262
Inventories:
Other assets	5,883	3,574
Total Assets	169,506	138,411
Financial Services:
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	115,670	88,392
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	52,114	57,268
Mortgage repurchase facility	88,611	60,822
Total Liabilities	140,725	118,090
MDC Holdings [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	141,245	119,951	145,180	125,904
Inventories:
Total Assets	2,170,718	2,137,474
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	914,426	909,138
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	1,256,292	1,228,336
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	2,170,718	2,137,474
MDC Holdings [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	141,245	119,951
Marketable securities	92,387	140,878
Trade and other receivables	5,304	6,573
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	1,509,551	1,418,705
Investment in subsidiaries	267,191	260,874
Property and equipment, net	26,073	28,409
Deferred tax asset	97,083	137,529
Metropolitan district bond securities (related party)	25,911	18,203
Other assets	5,973	6,352
Total Assets	2,170,718	2,137,474
Homebuilding:
Accrued liabilities	11,527	7,007
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	47,375	47,663
Revolving credit facility	15,000	15,000
Senior notes, net	840,524	839,468
Total Liabilities	914,426	909,138
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	3,097	2,691	3,454	3,631
Inventories:
Total Assets	1,855,530	1,757,514
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	1,629,506	1,533,085
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	226,024	224,429
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	1,855,530	1,757,514
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	3,097	2,691
Restricted cash	3,750	2,816
Trade and other receivables	20,297	24,449
Inventories:
Housing completed or under construction	747,036	732,692
Land and land under development	1,016,926	935,268
Total inventories	1,763,962	1,667,960
Intercompany receivables	2,850	2,854
Property and equipment, net	2,153	2,082
Other assets	59,421	54,662
Total Assets	1,855,530	1,757,514
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable	40,472	35,445
Accrued liabilities	108,445	105,529
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	1,480,589	1,392,111
Total Liabilities	1,629,506	1,533,085
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	36,646	31,183	$ 50,704	$ 30,560
Inventories:
Total Assets	216,055	186,176
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	174,888	149,731
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	41,167	36,445
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	216,055	186,176
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	5,291	5,295
Total Assets	5,291	5,295
Homebuilding:
Accrued liabilities	(33)	67
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	25,536	23,809
Total Liabilities	25,503	23,876
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	36,646	31,183
Marketable securities	11,307	15,262
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	39,234	39,513
Other assets	7,907	6,531
Total Assets	210,764	180,881
Financial Services:
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net	115,670	88,392
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	57,348	62,249
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	3,426	2,784
Mortgage repurchase facility	88,611	60,822
Total Liabilities	149,385	125,855
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Inventories:
Total Assets	(1,826,404)	(1,729,708)
Homebuilding:
Total Liabilities	(1,559,213)	(1,468,834)
Equity:
Total Stockholder’s Equity	(267,191)	(260,874)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	(1,826,404)	(1,729,708)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Trade and other receivables	(2,287)	(2,467)
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	(1,517,692)	(1,426,854)
Investment in subsidiaries	(267,191)	(260,874)
Deferred tax asset	2,024	2,957
Total Assets	(1,785,146)	(1,687,238)
Homebuilding:
Accrued liabilities	2,947	2,514
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	(1,553,500)	(1,463,583)
Total Liabilities	(1,550,553)	(1,461,069)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Inventories:
Intercompany receivables	(39,234)	(39,513)
Other assets	(2,024)	(2,957)
Total Assets	(41,258)	(42,470)
Homebuilding:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(5,234)	(4,981)
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries	(3,426)	(2,784)
Total Liabilities	$ (8,660)	$ (7,765)

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Note 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Homebuilding:
Revenues	$ 578,911	$ 468,487	$ 473,128	$ 388,510	$ 505,672	$ 418,403	$ 442,752	$ 327,757		$ 1,909,036	$ 1,694,584	$ 1,680,434
Inventory impairments										(9,993)	(1,760)	(919)
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	(63,560)	(57,444)	(54,781)	(50,532)	(54,602)	(50,512)	(49,798)	(48,341)
Interest expense											(685)	(1,726)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt											(18,153)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities										(3,969)	(4,293)
Income before income taxes										101,424	100,475	129,825
Financial Services:
(Provision) benefit for income taxes									$ 184,600	(35,633)	(37,332)	184,560
Net income (loss)	$ 22,595	$ 14,778	$ 19,998	$ 8,420	$ 14,639	$ 15,458	$ 21,542	$ 11,504		65,791	63,143	314,385
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax										5,260	(1,120)	6,737
Comprehensive income										71,051	62,023	321,122
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Revenues										1,860,226	1,650,631	1,629,175
Cost of Sales										(1,552,007)	(1,368,180)	(1,338,939)
Inventory impairments										(9,993)	(1,760)	(919)
Gross margin										298,226	280,691	289,317
Selling, general, and administrative expenses										(226,317)	(203,253)	(213,283)
Interest income										6,709	26,310	29,798
Interest expense											(685)	(1,726)
Other income (expense), net										(4,208)	(4,813)	(3,783)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt											(18,153)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities										(3,969)	(4,293)
Income before income taxes										70,441	75,804	100,323
Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income before income taxes										30,983	24,671	29,502
MDC Holdings [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income before income taxes										51,383	49,618	126,240
Financial Services:
(Provision) benefit for income taxes										14,408	13,525	188,145
Net income (loss)										65,791	63,143	314,385
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax										5,260	(1,120)	6,737
Comprehensive income										71,051	62,023	321,122
MDC Holdings [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Selling, general, and administrative expenses										(40,356)	(38,290)	(63,506)
Equity income (loss) of subsidiaries										91,079	86,223	163,157
Interest income										4,635	24,824	28,329
Interest expense											(685)	(1,726)
Other income (expense), net										(6)	(8)	(14)
Losses from early extinguishments of debt											(18,153)
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities										(3,969)	(4,293)
Income before income taxes										51,383	49,618	126,240
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income before income taxes										111,372	113,156	137,627
Financial Services:
(Provision) benefit for income taxes										(39,128)	(42,044)	7,507
Net income (loss)										72,244	71,112	145,134
Comprehensive income										72,244	71,112	145,134
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Revenues										1,860,226	1,650,631	1,630,423
Cost of Sales										(1,551,907)	(1,368,140)	(1,340,187)
Inventory impairments										(9,993)	(1,760)	(919)
Gross margin										298,326	280,731	289,317
Selling, general, and administrative expenses										(185,403)	(164,287)	(149,424)
Interest income										2,651	1,517	1,503
Other income (expense), net										(4,202)	(4,805)	(3,769)
Income before income taxes										111,372	113,156	137,627
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income before income taxes										29,748	23,924	29,115
Financial Services:
(Provision) benefit for income taxes										(10,913)	(8,813)	(11,092)
Net income (loss)										18,835	15,111	18,023
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax										(674)	(22)	(119)
Comprehensive income										18,161	15,089	17,904
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Cost of Sales										(100)	(40)
Gross margin										(100)	(40)
Interest income										8	15	14
Income before income taxes										(92)	(25)	14
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income before income taxes										29,840	23,949	29,101
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income before income taxes										(91,079)	(86,223)	(163,157)
Financial Services:
Net income (loss)										(91,079)	(86,223)	(163,157)
Other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities, net of tax										674	22	119
Comprehensive income										(90,405)	(86,201)	(163,038)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Revenues												(1,248)
Cost of Sales												1,248
Selling, general, and administrative expenses										(558)	(676)	(353)
Equity income (loss) of subsidiaries										(91,079)	(86,223)	(163,157)
Interest income										(585)	(46)	(48)
Income before income taxes										(92,222)	(86,945)	(163,558)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Income before income taxes										$ 1,143	$ 722	$ 401

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Note 23 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) - Supplemental Condensed Combining Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ 215	$ (163,647)	$ (269,549)
Net cash used in investing activities	47,362	423,080	(30,402)
Financing activities:
Mortgage repurchase facility	27,789	(2,252)	(13,253)
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	(48,868)	(48,820)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		26	391
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	665	375	5,118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(20,414)	(304,946)	339,194
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	27,163	(45,513)	39,243
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	153,825	199,338	160,095
End of period	180,988	153,825	199,338
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in investing activities	6,446	80,727	302,872
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	(6,446)	(80,727)	(302,872)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(6,446)	(80,727)	(302,872)
MDC Holdings [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	31,030	(62,289)	11,994
Net cash used in investing activities	38,467	339,754	(345,165)
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	(48,868)	(48,820)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		26	391
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	665	375	5,118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(48,203)	(302,694)	352,447
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	21,294	(25,229)	19,276
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	119,951	145,180	125,904
End of period	141,245	119,951	145,180
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(16,109)	(124,317)	(324,812)
Net cash used in investing activities	(811)	(1,093)	(1,260)
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	17,326	124,647	325,895
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	17,326	124,647	325,895
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	406	(763)	(177)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	2,691	3,454	3,631
End of period	3,097	2,691	3,454
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(14,706)	22,959	43,269
Net cash used in investing activities	3,260	3,692	13,151
Financing activities:
Intercompany advances (repayments)	(10,880)	(43,920)	(23,023)
Mortgage repurchase facility	27,789	(2,252)	(13,253)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	16,909	(46,172)	(36,276)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	5,463	(19,521)	20,144
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	31,183	50,704	30,560
End of period	$ 36,646	$ 31,183	$ 50,704