Note 22 - Supplemental Guarantor Information - Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ 115,917	$ 215	$ (163,647)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	9,218	47,362	423,080
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net	25,874	27,789	(2,252)
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt			248,375
Repayment of senior notes			(517,650)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net			15,000
Dividend payments	(49,088)	(48,868)	(48,820)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation			26
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		665	375
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(23,214)	(20,414)	(304,946)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	101,921	27,163	(45,513)
Beginning of year	180,988	153,825	199,338
End of year	282,909	180,988	153,825
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(133,851)	6,446	80,727
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	133,851	(6,446)	(80,727)
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt
Repayment of senior notes
Advances on revolving credit facility, net
Dividend payments
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	133,851	(6,446)	(80,727)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year
End of year
MDC Holdings [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(4,807)	31,030	(62,289)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	168,329	38,467	339,754
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt			248,375
Repayment of senior notes			(517,650)
Advances on revolving credit facility, net			15,000
Dividend payments	(49,088)	(48,868)	(48,820)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation			26
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		665	375
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(49,088)	(48,203)	(302,694)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	114,434	21,294	(25,229)
Beginning of year	141,245	119,951	145,180
End of year	255,679	141,245	119,951
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	124,929	(16,109)	(124,317)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,481)	(811)	(1,093)
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	(123,137)	17,326	124,647
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt
Repayment of senior notes
Advances on revolving credit facility, net
Dividend payments
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(123,137)	17,326	124,647
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	311	406	(763)
Beginning of year	3,097	2,691	3,454
End of year	3,408	3,097	2,691
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(4,205)	(14,706)	22,959
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(23,779)	3,260	3,692
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries	(10,714)	(10,880)	(43,920)
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility, net	25,874	27,789	(2,252)
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt
Repayment of senior notes
Advances on revolving credit facility, net
Dividend payments
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	15,160	16,909	(46,172)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(12,824)	5,463	(19,521)
Beginning of year	36,646	31,183	50,704
End of year	$ 23,822	$ 36,646	$ 31,183