Note 19 - Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash Contribution Committed to Charitable Foundation	$ 1.5	$ 1.0

Cash Contribution Committed to Charitable Foundation

No definition available.

Name:	mdc_CashContributionCommittedToCharitableFoundation
Namespace Prefix:	mdc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration