Note 20 - Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details Textual)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
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%

Maximum Aggregate Percentage of Consolidated Net Worth of All Guarantors for Suspension of Guarantee to Permit Cure of Default

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	mdc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration