Inventory Inventory Parentheticals (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Parantheticals - Inventory [Abstract]
Model Home Accumulated Depreciation	$ 4,390	$ 4,340

Accumulated depreciation related to our model homes in inventory.

No definition available.

Name:	mho_ModelHomeAccumulatedDepreciation
Namespace Prefix:	mho_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant