Comstock Holding Companies (CHCI) 10-Q 15 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	15-May-14	15-May-14
		Class A [Member]	Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Comstock Holding Companies, Inc.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001299969	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	18,780,754	2,733,500

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$7,363	$11,895
Restricted cash	2,764	2,458
Trade receivables	523	346
Real estate inventories	41,075	39,843
Property, plant and equipment, net	223	243
Other assets	2,162	2,094
TOTAL ASSETS	54,110	56,879
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	7,139	7,506
Notes payable - secured by real estate inventories	23,481	22,701
Notes payable - due to affiliates, unsecured	4,575	4,687
Notes payable - unsecured	2,451	2,580
Income taxes payable	144	346
TOTAL LIABILITIES	37,790	37,820
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	171,030	170,811
Accumulated deficit	-165,958	-164,379
TOTAL COMSTOCK HOLDING COMPANIES, INC. EQUITY	2,807	4,165
Non-controlling interest	13,513	14,894
TOTAL EQUITY	16,320	19,059
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	54,110	56,879
Class A [Member]	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Common stock	188	186
Treasury stock, at cost (426,633 shares Class A common stock)	-2,480	-2,480
TOTAL EQUITY	188	186
Class B [Member]	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Common stock	27	27
TOTAL EQUITY	$27	$27

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Class A [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	77,266,500	77,266,500
Common stock, shares issued	18,780,754	18,629,638
Common stock, shares outstanding	18,780,754	18,629,638
Treasury stock, shares	426,633	426,633
Class B [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	2,733,500	2,733,500
Common stock, shares issued	2,733,500	2,733,500
Common stock, shares outstanding	2,733,500	2,733,500

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues	'	'
Revenue-homebuilding	$7,831	$11,396
Revenue-other	123	161
Total revenue	7,954	11,557
Expenses	'	'
Cost of sales-homebuilding	6,256	8,796
Cost of sales-other	93	221
Impairment reversal	'	-722
Sales and marketing	538	446
General and administrative	1,889	1,555
Interest, real estate taxes and indirect costs related to inactive projects	2	226
Operating (loss) income	-824	1,035
Other income, net	55	27
Loss (income) before income tax expense	-769	1,062
Income tax expense	-74	0
Net (loss) income	-843	1,062
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	736	339
Net (loss) income attributable to Comstock Holding Companies, Inc.	($1,579)	$723
Basic net (loss) income per share	($0.08)	$0.04
Diluted net (loss) income per share	($0.08)	$0.03
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	20,935	20,524
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	20,935	21,717

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings (Deficit) [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]	Class A [Member]	Class B [Member]
In Thousands
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$6,379	$170,070	($2,480)	($162,349)	$935	$176	$27
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	'	'	'	'	17,628	2,733
Stock compensation and issuances	204	198	'	'	'	6	'
Stock compensation and issuances, shares	'	'	'	'	'	615	'
Non-controlling interest distributions	6,995	136	'	'	6,859	'	'
Net (loss) income	1,062	'	'	723	339	'	'
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	14,640	170,404	-2,480	-161,626	8,133	182	27
Ending Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2013	'	'	'	'	'	18,243	2,733
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	19,059	170,811	-2,480	-164,379	14,894	186	27
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	'	'	'	'	18,629	2,733
Stock compensation and issuances	279	277	'	'	'	2	'
Stock compensation and issuances, shares	'	'	'	'	'	189	'
Shares withheld related to net share settlement of restricted stock awards	-58	-58	'	'	'	'	'
Shares withheld related to net share settlement of restricted stock awards, shares	'	'	'	'	'	-38	'
Non-controlling interest distributions	-2,117	'	'	'	-2,117	'	'
Net (loss) income	-843	'	'	-1,579	736	'	'
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$16,320	$171,030	($2,480)	($165,958)	$13,513	$188	$27
Ending Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2014	'	'	'	'	'	18,780	2,733

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net (loss) income	($843)	$1,062
Adjustment to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities	'	'
Amortization of loan discount and deferred financing fees	69	166
Depreciation expense	24	11
Provision for bad debt	'	7
Undistributed earnings from unconsolidated joint venture	34	'
Impairment reversal	'	-722
Amortization of stock compensation	134	171
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Restricted cash	-199	-104
Trade receivables	-177	-76
Real estate inventories	-1,216	3,160
Other assets	-171	-148
Accrued interest	194	107
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-238	445
Income taxes payable	-202	'
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-2,591	4,079
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Investment in unconsolidated joint venture	'	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-4	-26
Restricted cash	-107	'
Proceeds from sale of Cascades Apartments - operating real estate, net	'	274
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-111	248
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from notes payable	5,405	9,301
Payments on notes payable	-5,060	-14,744
Loan financing costs	'	-83
Distributions to non-controlling interests	-2,117	'
Contributions from non-controlling interests	'	6,995
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	'	'
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards	-58	'
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-1,830	1,469
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-4,532	5,796
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	11,895	3,539
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	7,363	9,335
Supplemental disclosure for non-cash activity:	'	'
Interest paid, net of interest capitalized	-263	-30
Increase in class A common stock par value in connection with vesting and issuance of stock compensation	2	6
Accrued liability settled through issuance of stock	$129	'

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres

Organization and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization and Basis of Presentation	'
	1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The accompanying unaudited financial statements of Comstock Holding Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Comstock” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X. Such financial statements do not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying financial statements. For further information and a discussion of our significant accounting policies other than discussed below, refer to our audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
	Comstock Holding Companies, Inc., incorporated in 2004 as a Delaware corporation is a multi-faceted real estate development and construction services company focused in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (Washington D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C.). The Company has substantial experience with building a diverse range of products including multi-family units, single-family homes, townhouses, mid-rise condominiums, high-rise multi-family condominiums and mixed-use (residential and commercial) developments. References in this Form 10-Q to “Comstock,” “Company”, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Comstock Holding Companies, Inc. together in each case with our subsidiaries and any predecessor entities unless the context suggests otherwise.
	The Company’s Class A common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “CHCI” and has no public trading history prior to December 17, 2004.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, comprehensive income (loss) equaled net income (loss); therefore, a separate statement of comprehensive income (loss) is not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Real_Estate_Inventories

Real Estate Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Real Estate Inventories	'
	2. REAL ESTATE INVENTORIES
	Real estate inventories consist of the following:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Land and land development costs	$	25,198	$	26,805
	Cost of construction (including capitalized interest and real estate taxes)		15,877		13,038
		$	41,075	$	39,843
	In the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company sold three and four model home units, respectively, to third parties and concurrently executed market rate leasebacks of the units. The terms of the leasebacks provided for market rate rents ranging from $2 to $5 monthly over 6 to 12 month leases. The Company reviewed each transaction in accordance with the guidance in ASC 840-40, Leases – Sale-Leaseback Transactions, and determined that as “seller-lessee,” the Company relinquished the right to substantially all of the remaining use of the property sold, retaining only a minor portion of use in the model homes leased back and the leases contained no prohibitive terms of continued involvement, therefore, the Company accounted for the sale and leaseback as separate transactions in accordance with the guidance. The sale of the model homes is included within ‘Revenue-homebuilding’ in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The rental expenses related to the model home sale-leasebacks are capitalized to ‘Real estate inventories’ in accordance with ASC 970-340-25, Real Estate Project Costs.

Warranty_Reserve

Warranty Reserve	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Warranty Reserve	'
	3. WARRANTY RESERVE
	Warranty reserves for units settled are established to cover potential costs for materials and labor with regard to warranty-type claims expected to arise during the typical one-year warranty period provided by the Company or within the two-year statutorily mandated structural warranty period for condominiums. The warranty reserve is established at the time of closing, and is calculated based upon historical warranty cost experience and current business factors. This reserve is an estimate and actual warranty costs could vary from these estimates. Variables used in the calculation of the reserve, as well as the adequacy of the reserve based on the number of homes still under warranty, are reviewed on a periodic basis. Warranty claims are directly charged to the reserve as they arise.
	The following table is a summary of warranty reserve activity which is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	510		$	963
	Additions		38			40
	Releases and/or charges incurred		(34	)		(19	)
	Balance at end of period	$	514		$	984

Capitalized_Interest_and_Real_

Capitalized Interest and Real Estate Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Capitalized Interest and Real Estate Taxes	'
	4. CAPITALIZED INTEREST AND REAL ESTATE TAXES
	Interest and real estate taxes incurred relating to the development of lots and parcels are capitalized to real estate inventories during the active development period, which generally commences when borrowings are used to acquire real estate assets and ends when the properties are substantially complete or the property becomes inactive. A project becomes inactive when development and construction activities have been suspended indefinitely. Interest is capitalized based on the interest rate applicable to specific borrowings or the weighted average of the rates applicable to other borrowings during the period. Interest and real estate taxes capitalized to real estate inventories are expensed as a component of cost of sales as related units are sold.
	The following table is a summary of interest and real estate taxes incurred and capitalized and interest and real estate taxes expensed for units settled:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Total interest incurred and capitalized	$	530	$	465
	Total real estate taxes incurred and capitalized		53		76
	Total interest and real estate taxes incurred and capitalized	$	583	$	541
	Interest expensed as a component of cost of sales	$	52	$	904
	Real estate taxes expensed as a component of cost of sales		31		105
	Interest and real estate taxes expensed as a component of cost of sales	$	83	$	1,009
	When a project becomes inactive, its interest, real estate taxes and indirect production overhead costs are no longer capitalized but rather expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Following is a breakdown of the interest, real estate taxes and indirect costs related to inactive projects.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Total interest incurred and expensed for inactive projects	$	—	$	57
	Total real estate taxes incurred and expensed for inactive projects		2		33
	Total production overhead incurred and expensed for inactive projects		—		136
		$	2	$	226

Income_Loss_Per_Share

Income (Loss) Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Income (Loss) Per Share	'
	5. INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
	The weighted average shares and share equivalents used to calculate basic and diluted income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Restricted stock awards, stock options and warrants for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are included in the diluted earnings per share calculation using the treasury stock method and average market prices during the period, unless the restricted stock awards, stock options and warrants would be anti-dilutive. As a result of net losses for the three months ended March 31, 2014, approximately 367 restricted stock awards, 277 stock options and 660 warrants were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, approximately 144 stock options and 8 warrants were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
	The computation of basic and diluted shares outstanding is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Computation of basic shares outstanding
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		20,935		20,524
	Computation of diluted shares outstanding
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		20,935		20,524
	Dilutive effect of restricted stock awards		—		527
	Dilutive effect of stock options		—		193
	Dilutive effect of warrants		—		473
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted		20,935		21,717

Segment_Disclosures

Segment Disclosures	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Disclosures	'
	6. SEGMENT DISCLOSURES
	We operate our business through three segments: Homebuilding, Multi-family and Real Estate Services. We are currently focused on the Washington, D.C. area market.
	For our Homebuilding operations, we develop properties with the intent that they be sold either as fee-simple properties or condominiums to individual unit buyers or as investment properties sold to private or institutional investors. Our for-sale products are designed to attract first-time, early move-up, and secondary move-up buyers. We focus on products that we are able to offer for sale in the middle price points within the markets where we operate, avoiding the very low-end and high-end products.
	For our Multi-family segment we focus on projects ranging from approximately 75 to 200 units in locations that are supply constrained with demonstrated demand for stabilized assets. We seek opportunities in the multi-family rental market where our experience and core capabilities can be leveraged. We will either position the assets for sale when completed or operate the asset within our own portfolio. Operating the asset for our own account affords us the flexibility of converting the units to condominiums in the future.
	Our Real Estate Services segment pursues projects in all aspects of real estate management including strategic planning, land development, entitlement, property management, sales and marketing, workout and turnaround strategies, financing and general construction. We are able to provide a wide range of construction management and general contracting services to other property owners.
	The following disclosure includes the Company’s three reportable segments of Homebuilding, Multi-family and Real Estate Services. Each of these segments operates within the Company’s single Washington, D.C. reportable geographic segment.
		Homebuilding			Multi-family		Real		Total
							Estate
							Services
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Gross revenue	$	7,831		$	—	$	123	$	7,954
	Gross profit		1,575			—		30		1,605
	Net (loss) income		(873	)		—		30		(843	)
	Total assets		53,871			—		239		54,110
	Depreciation and amortization		24			—		—		24
	Interest expense		—			—		—		—
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Gross revenue	$	11,449		$	—	$	108	$	11,557
	Gross profit		2,419			—		121		2,540
	Net income		942			—		120		1,062
	Total assets		41,192			—		877		42,069
	Depreciation and amortization		182			—		—		182
	Interest expense		57			—		—		57
	The Company allocates sales, marketing, general and administrative expenses to the individual segments based upon specifically allocable costs and, in the absence of direct allocations, based upon its estimate of time allocable to the segment or based upon overall pro rata revenue generation.

Income_Tax

Income Tax	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax	'
	7. INCOME TAX
	The Company recorded valuation allowances for certain tax attributes and other deferred tax assets. Currently, sufficient uncertainty exists regarding the future realization of these deferred tax assets through future taxable income. If, in the future, the Company believes that it is more likely than not that these deferred tax benefits will be realized, the valuation allowances will be reversed. The Company has recorded a tax provision of $74 for the three months ended March 31, 2014, based on an effective tax rate of 10%, related to statutory tax rates in the District of Columbia where the Company has no deferred tax benefit to offset the tax liability. No such provision was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	The Company currently has approximately $118.5 million in federal and state NOLs, which based on current statutory tax rates represents approximately $46 million in tax savings. If unused, these NOLs will begin expiring in 2028. Under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 (“Section 382”), if a change of ownership is triggered, the Company’s NOL assets and possibly certain other deferred tax assets may be impaired. We estimate that as of March 31, 2014, the cumulative shift in ownership of the Company’s stock would not cause an impairment of our NOL asset. However, if an ownership change were to occur, the Section 382 limitation would not be expected to materially impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations as of March 31, 2014, because of the Company’s full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets.
	The Company has not recorded any accruals for tax uncertainties as of March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We file U.S. and state and local income tax returns in jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations. The 2010 through 2013 tax years remain subject to examination by federal and most state tax authorities that we are subject to.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Litigation
	Currently, we are not subject to any material legal proceedings. From time to time, however, we are named as a defendant in legal actions arising from our normal business activities. Although we cannot accurately predict the amount of our liability, if any, that could arise with respect to legal actions pending against us, we do not expect that any such liability will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows. We believe that we have obtained adequate insurance coverage, rights to indemnification, or where appropriate, have established reserves in connection with these legal proceedings.
	Letters of credit and performance bonds
	The Company has commitments as a result of contracts entered into with certain third parties, primarily local governmental authorities, to meet certain performance criteria as outlined in such contracts. The Company is required to issue letters of credit and performance bonds to these third parties as a way of ensuring that the commitments entered into are met. The letters of credit and performance bonds issued in favor of the Company and/or its subsidiaries mature on a revolving basis, and if called into default, would be deemed material if assessed against the Company and/or its subsidiaries for the full amounts claimed. In some circumstances we have negotiated with our lenders in connection with foreclosure agreements for the lender to assume certain liabilities with respect to the letters of credit and performance bonds. We cannot accurately predict the amount of any liability that could be imposed upon the Company with respect to maturing or defaulted letters of credit or performance bonds. At March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had $5.7 million and $0.1 million in letters of credit, respectively, and $0.8 million and $1.0 million in performance and payment bonds, respectively, to third parties. We are required to maintain compensating balances in escrow accounts as collateral for certain letters of credit, which are funded upon settlement and release of units. The cash contained within these escrow accounts is subject to withdrawal and usage restrictions. As of March 31, 2014 and 2013, we had approximately $152 and $0, respectively, in these escrow accounts, which is included in ‘Restricted cash’ in the consolidated balance sheets. No amounts have been drawn against the letters of credit or performance bonds.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	The Company has a lease for its corporate headquarters from an affiliate wholly-owned by our Chief Executive Officer. Future minimum lease payments under this lease are as follows:
	2014	$	234
	2015		320
	2016		329
	2017		167
	2018		—
	Total	$	1,050
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, total payments made under this lease agreement were $76 and $74, respectively. As of March 31, 2014, the Company recorded a straight–line rent payable of $25, which is included in ‘Accounts payable and accrued liabilities’ in the consolidated balance sheets.
	Comstock Services, L.C., a subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Subcontract Agreement with Davis Construction, LLC to perform site work and land development for a project known as Loudoun Station in Loudoun County, Virginia. Comstock Partners, L.C., an entity wholly-owned by our Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is the owner of the Loudoun Station project. The total contract value was $5.0 million and the project was completed in October 2012. As of March 31, 2013 the Company was owed $0.7 million under this contract, which was included in ‘Trade receivables’ in the consolidated balance sheets. This amount was collected in the second half of 2013 and no amount was outstanding as of March 31, 2014.
	On February 23, 2009, Comstock Homes of Washington, L.C., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Services Agreement with Comstock Asset Management, L.C., an entity wholly-owned by our Chief Executive Officer, to provide services related to real estate development and improvements, including legal, accounting, marketing, information technology and other additional support services. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company billed Comstock Asset Management, L.C. $102 and $112, respectively, for services and out-of-pocket expenses incurred. Revenues from this arrangement are included within ‘Revenue – other’ in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company was owed $102 and $61, respectively, under this contract, which is included in ‘Trade receivables’ in the consolidated balance sheets.
	On March 14, 2013, Stonehenge Funding, LC (“Stonehenge”), an entity wholly-owned by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, entered into an Extension Agreement of the Amended and Restated Senior Note with the Company to extend the maturity date of the financing arrangement to January 1, 2016. Under the terms of the Extension Agreement, the Company is required to pay $50 monthly to Stonehenge, to be allocated first to accrued and unpaid interest and then to unpaid principal outstanding, beginning on April 1, 2013. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company made payments of $150 under the Extension Agreement. No similar payments were made during the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	See Note 10 for a summary of the Comstock VII Private Placement and Comstock VIII Private Placement, which involved certain of our officers and directors.

Variable_Interest_Entity

Variable Interest Entity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Variable Interest Entity	'
	10. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY
	GAAP requires a variable interest entity (“VIE”) to be consolidated by the company which is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the entity that has both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Entities determined to be VIEs, for which we are not the primary beneficiary, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Comstock’s variable interests in VIEs may be in the form of (1) equity ownership, (2) contracts to purchase assets and/or (3) loans provided and or guaranteed to a VIE. We examine specific criteria and use judgment when determining if Comstock is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Factors considered in determining whether we are the primary beneficiary include risk and reward sharing, experience and financial condition of other partner(s), voting rights, involvement in day-to-day capital and operating decisions and contracts to purchase assets from VIEs.
	Consolidated Real Estate Inventories
	On August 23, 2012, the Company formed New Hampshire Ave. Ventures, LLC, a joint venture of its subsidiary, Comstock Ventures XVI, L.C, and 6000 New Hampshire Avenue, LLC, for the purpose of acquiring, developing and constructing a 111-unit project (the “NHA Project”) in Washington, D.C. The Company evaluated the joint venture and determined that the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support. The Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary of the VIE as a result of its complete operational control of the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance and its obligation to absorb losses, or receive benefits. The Company contributed its ownership interest in Comstock Ventures XVI, L.C. to Comstock Investors VII, L.C. (“Comstock VII”) on March 13, 2013. During the first quarter of 2014, New Hampshire Ave. Ventures, LLC, distributed $1.1 million to the 6000 New Hampshire Avenue, its non-controlling interest member. No distributions were made in the first quarter of 2013.
	On September 27, 2012, the Company formed Comstock Eastgate, L.C., a joint venture of Comstock Holding Companies, Inc. and BridgeCom Development II, LLC, for the purpose of acquiring, developing and constructing 66 condominium units in Loudoun County, Virginia. The Company evaluated the joint venture and determined that the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support. The Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary as a result of its complete operational control of the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance and its obligation to absorb losses, or receive benefits. No distributions were made in the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.
	On March 14, 2013, Comstock VII entered into subscription agreements with certain accredited investors (“Comstock VII Class B Members”), pursuant to which the Comstock VII Class B Members purchased membership interests in Comstock VII for an aggregate amount of $7.3 million (the “Comstock VII Private Placement”). The Comstock VII Private Placement was exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. In connection with the Comstock VII Private Placement, the Company issued 112 warrants for the purchase of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock to the non-affiliated accredited investors, having an aggregate fair value of $146. Comstock VII Class B Members included unrelated third-party accredited investors along with members of the Company’s board of directors and the former Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel of the Company. The Subscription Agreement provides that the Comstock VII Class B Members are entitled to a cumulative, preferred return of 20% per annum, compounded annually on their capital account balances. After six months, the Company has the right to repurchase the interests of the Comstock VII Class B Members, provided that (i) all of the Comstock VII Class B Members’ interests are acquired, (ii) the purchase is made in cash and (iii) the purchase price equals the Comstock VII Class B Members’ capital account plus an amount necessary to cause the preferred return to equal a cumulative cash on cash return equal to 20% per annum. The Comstock VII Private Placement provides capital related to the current and planned construction of the Company’s following projects: Townes at Shady Grove Metro in Rockville, Maryland consisting of 36 townhomes, Momentum | Shady Grove consisting of 117 condominium units, City Homes at the Hampshires in Washington D.C. consisting of 38 single family residences, Townes at the Hampshires in Washington, D.C. consisting of 73 townhomes, Single Family Homes at Falls Grove project in Prince William County, Virginia consisting of 19 singles family homes and Townes at Falls Grove project in Prince William County, Virginia consisting of 110 townhomes (collectively, the “Projects”). Proceeds of the Comstock VII Private Placement are to be utilized (A) to provide capital needed to complete the Projects in conjunction with project financing for the Projects, (B) to reimburse the Company for prior expenditures incurred on behalf of the Projects, and (C) for general corporate purposes of the Company. The Company evaluated Comstock VII and determined that the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support and the Company was the primary beneficiary as a result of its complete operational control of the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance and its obligation to absorb losses, or receive benefits accordingly, the Company consolidates this entity. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company paid distributions in the amount of $1.0 million to the Comstock VII Class B Members. No distributions were made in the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	In December 2013, Comstock Investors VIII, L.C. (“Comstock VIII”) entered into subscription agreements with certain accredited investors (“Comstock VIII Class B Members”), pursuant to which Comstock VIII Class B Members purchased membership interests in Comstock VIII for an aggregate amount of $4.0 million (the “Comstock VIII Private Placement”). The Comstock VIII Private Placement was exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. In connection with the Comstock VIII Private Placement, the Company issued 102 warrants for the purchase of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock to the non-affiliated accredited investors, having an aggregate fair value of $131. Comstock VIII Class B Members included unrelated third-party accredited investors along with members of the Company’s board of directors and the Company’s former Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. The Comstock VIII Class B Members are entitled to a cumulative, preferred return of 20% per annum, compounded annually on their capital account balances. The Company has the right to repurchase the interests of the Comstock VIII Class B Members at any time, provided that (i) all of the Comstock VIII Class B Members’ interests are acquired, (ii) the purchase is made in cash and (iii) the purchase price equals the Comstock VIII Class B Members’ capital accounts plus an amount necessary to cause the preferred return to equal a cumulative cash on cash return equal to 20% per annum. The proceeds from the Comstock VIII Private Placement will be used for the current and planned construction of the following projects: The Townes at HallCrest in Sterling, Virginia consisting of 42 townhome units, and Townes at Maxwell Square Condominium in Frederick, Maryland consisting of 45 townhome condominium units (collectively, the “Investor VIII Projects”). Proceeds of the Comstock VIII Private Placement are to be utilized (A) to provide capital needed to complete the Investor VIII Projects in conjunction with project financing for the Investor VIII Projects, (B) to reimburse the Company for prior expenditures incurred on behalf of the Investor VIII Projects, and (C) for general corporate purposes of the Company. The Company evaluated Comstock VIII and determined that the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support and the Company was the primary beneficiary as a result of its complete operational control of the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance and its obligation to absorb losses, or receive benefits accordingly, the Company consolidates this entity. No distributions were paid to the Comstock VIII Class B Members to date.
	At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 total assets of these VIEs were approximately $46.4 million and $46.3 million, respectively, and total liabilities were approximately $27.6 million and $27.4 million, respectively. The classification of these assets is primarily within ‘Real estate inventories’ and the classification of liabilities are primarily within ‘Accounts payable and accrued liabilities’ and ‘Notes payable – secured by real estate inventories’ in the consolidated balance sheets.

Unconsolidated_Joint_Venture

Unconsolidated Joint Venture	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Unconsolidated Joint Venture	'
	11. UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURE
	On April 10, 2013, the Company formed Superior Title Services, L.C., a joint venture, together with Stewart Title & Escrow, Inc and Stewart Title Group, LLC, unaffiliated third parties (together, “the Stewart Group”). The joint venture was established for the purpose of engaging in the general title insurance business. The Company owns a 50% profit/loss allocation percentage and related equity investment in the joint venture. The entity was initially capitalized through a $7 contribution each from the Company and the Stewart Group. The Company accounts for its interest in this venture using the equity method of accounting and adjusts the carrying value for our proportionate share of the unconsolidated joint venture’s earnings, losses and distributions. The investment in the unconsolidated joint venture is included within ‘Other assets’ in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2014. Earnings from this unconsolidated joint venture of $16 is included in ‘Other income, net’ in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company collected and recorded a distribution of $50 from this joint venture as a return on investment. There were no investments, earnings and distributions in unconsolidated joint ventures for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	Summarized financial information for the unconsolidated joint venture is as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
	Statement of Operations:
	Total net revenue	$	61	$	—
	Total expenses		29		—
	Net income	$	32	$	—
	Comstock Holding Companies, Inc. share of net income	$	16	$	—

Credit_Facilities

Credit Facilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Credit Facilities	'
	12. CREDIT FACILITIES
	Notes payable consisted of the following:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Construction revolvers	$	4,947	$	4,053
	Development and acquisition notes		12,147		12,304
	Mezzanine notes		6,387		6,344
	Total secured notes		23,481		22,701
	Unsecured note		2,451		2,580
	Notes payable to affiliate, unsecured		4,575		4,687
	Total notes payable	$	30,507	$	29,968
	Construction, development and mezzanine debt - Secured
	The Company enters into secured acquisition and development loan agreements to purchase and develop land parcels. In addition, the Company enters into secured construction loan agreements for the construction of its real estate inventories. The loans are repaid with proceeds from home closings based upon a specific release price, as defined in each respective loan agreement.
	As of March 31, 2014 the Company had secured construction revolving credit facilities with a maximum loan commitment of $21.9 million. The Company may borrow under its facilities to fund its home building activities. The amount the Company may borrow is subject to applicable borrowing base provisions and the number of units under construction, which may also limit the amount available or outstanding under the facilities. The facilities are secured by deeds of trust on the real property and improvements thereon, and the borrowings are repaid with the net proceeds from the first closings of homes sold, subject to a minimum release price. Interest rates charged under the facilities include the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and prime rate pricing options, subject to minimum interest rate floors. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $17.0 million of unused loan commitments. The Company had $4.9 million and $4.1 million of outstanding construction borrowings as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s outstanding construction revolving facility was 5.3% per annum.
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $26.1 million of aggregate acquisition and development loan commitments of which $12.1 million was outstanding. The loans have maturity dates ranging from May 2014 to December 2015, including extensions subject to certain conditions and bear interest at a rate based on LIBOR and Prime Rate pricing options, with interest rate floors ranging from 4.0% to 6.0%. At December 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $12.3 million in outstanding acquisition and development loans. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the weighted average interest rate was 4.8% per annum and 4.9% per annum, respectively.
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company had two secured mezzanine loans. The first mezzanine loan had a loan commitment and outstanding balance of $3.0 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. This mezzanine financing was utilized to acquire land for the development of the City Homes at the Hampshires and the Townes at the Hampshires projects. The first mezzanine loan bears a fixed interest rate of 13.5% per annum paid on a monthly basis, with the full principal balance due at maturity, September 22, 2015. The mezzanine loan is secured by a second deed of trust.
	The second mezzanine loan is being used to finance the development of the Townes at Shady Grove Metro and Momentum| Shady Grove projects. The maximum principal commitment amount of this loan was $3.2 million of which $3.2 million was outstanding as of March 31, 2014. This financing carries an interest rate of 12% of which half of the interest (6%) is paid on a monthly basis while the other half is being accrued and paid at maturity. A portion of this financing, $1.1 million principal plus accrued interest matures in December 2014 with the remaining $2.1 million principal balance plus accrued interest maturing in March 2015. This loan is guaranteed by the Company and the Company’s Chief Executive Office.
	Unsecured note
	At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had balances of $2.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively, outstanding to a major bank under a 10-year unsecured note. Interest is charged on this financing at LIBOR plus 2.2%. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the interest rate was 2.4%. The maturity date of this financing is December 28, 2018. The Company is required to make monthly principal and interest payments through maturity.
	Notes payable to affiliate—unsecured
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company has one senior unsecured note with Stonehenge Funding L.C, an entity wholly-owned by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. During fiscal year 2013, the Company and Stonehenge, entered into an agreement extending the maturity date of the loan from July 20, 2013 to January 1, 2016. Interest is charged to the loan based on LIBOR plus 3% per annum. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the interest rate was 3.6% per annum. The Company had approximately $4.6 million and $4.7 million in outstanding borrowings as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Under the terms of the extension agreement, the Company is required to make a monthly payment of $50 which is allocated first to accrued and unpaid interest and then to unpaid principal.
	As of March 31, 2014, maturities and/or curtailment obligations of all borrowings are as follows:
	2014	$	10,720
	2015		12,761
	2016		4,575
	2017		—
	2018		2,451
	Total	$	30,507

Fair_Value_Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures	'
	13. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
	The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair values based on their short maturities.
	The fair value of fixed and floating rate debt is based on observable market rates (Level 2 inputs). The following table summarizes the fair value of fixed and floating rate debt and the corresponding carrying value of fixed and floating rate debt as of:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Carrying amount	$	30,507	$	29,968
	Fair value	$	28,684	$	27,943
	Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information about the financial instruments. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
	Non-financial assets and liabilities include items such as real estate inventories and long lived assets that are measured at fair value when acquired and on a non recurring basis thereafter. Such fair value measurements use significant unobservable inputs and are classified as Level 3.
	In the quarter ended September 30, 2012, management evaluated its strategic alternatives with respect to its real estate projects classified as held for sale, Eclipse and Penderbrook, with the objective of creating additional near term liquidity. During the first quarter of 2013, in the absence of a prospective bulk sale buyer and as a result of the increased sales activity, the Company revised its previous disposition strategy and reversed a previously recorded impairment charge of $0.7 million to properly reflect the for sale project at fair market value less costs to sell, consistent with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360. During the first half of 2013, the Company sold all remaining units at the Eclipse and Penderbrook projects.

Restricted_Stock_Stock_Options

Restricted Stock, Stock Options and Other Stock Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Restricted Stock, Stock Options and Other Stock Plans	'
	14. RESTRICTED STOCK, STOCK OPTIONS AND OTHER STOCK PLANS
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company did not issue any stock options. In the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company issued 30 stock options with a fair value of $19 and these options vest over four years. No restricted stock awards were issued for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, total stock-based compensation cost was $150 and $204, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, $16 was capitalized to ‘Real estate inventories’ and $134 was charged to sales, marketing, general and administrative expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, $33 was capitalized to ‘Real estate inventories’ and $171 was charged to sales, marketing, general and administrative expenses
	Under net settlement procedures currently applicable to our outstanding restricted stock awards for employees, upon each settlement date and election by the employees, restricted stock awards are withheld to cover the required withholding tax, which is based on the value of the restricted stock award on the settlement date as determined by the closing price of our common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the applicable settlement date. The remaining amounts are delivered to the recipient as shares of our common stock. We settled 125 restricted stock awards in the three months ended March 31, 2014, of which, 38 restricted stock awards were net settled by withholding shares, which represented the employees’ minimum statutory obligation for each such employee’s applicable income and other employment taxes and remitted cash totaling of $58 to the appropriate tax authorities. The amount remitted to the tax authorities for the employees’ tax obligation to the tax authorities was reflected as a financing activity in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. These shares withheld by us as a result of the net settlement election are not considered issued and outstanding, thereby reducing our shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share.
	As of March 31, 2014, the weighted-average remaining contractual term of unexercised stock options was 6.9 years. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there was $664 and $843, respectively, of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock issuances granted.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	In April 2014, the Company made distributions in the amount of $1.1 million to the Comstock VII Class B Members representing the priority return and partial return of capital as of March 2014.
	In April 2014, Comstock Eastgate, L.C. distributed $1.0 million to its non-controlling interest member, BridgeCom Development II, LLC.
	In May 2014, New Hampshire Ave. Ventures, LLC, distributed $0.5 million to its non-controlling interest member, 6000 New Hampshire Avenue.
	On May 6, 2014, the Company amended the Yorkshire loan with Cardinal bank, classified under secured notes with has a maximum loan commitment amount of $7.7 million, extending the maturity date by a year to May 7, 2015.
	On May 9, 2014, the Company announced a change within its senior management team, the resignation of Gregory V. Benson as President and Chief Operating Officer effective May 5, 2014. Financial terms of Mr. Benson’s separation are under negotiation.

Real_Estate_Inventories_Polici

Real Estate Inventories (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Leases - Sale-Leaseback Transactions	'
	In the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company sold three and four model home units, respectively, to third parties and concurrently executed market rate leasebacks of the units. The terms of the leasebacks provided for market rate rents ranging from $2 to $5 monthly over 6 to 12 month leases. The Company reviewed each transaction in accordance with the guidance in ASC 840-40, Leases – Sale-Leaseback Transactions, and determined that as “seller-lessee,” the Company relinquished the right to substantially all of the remaining use of the property sold, retaining only a minor portion of use in the model homes leased back and the leases contained no prohibitive terms of continued involvement, therefore, the Company accounted for the sale and leaseback as separate transactions in accordance with the guidance. The sale of the model homes is included within ‘Revenue-homebuilding’ in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The rental expenses related to the model home sale-leasebacks are capitalized to ‘Real estate inventories’ in accordance with ASC 970-340-25, Real Estate Project Costs.

Real_Estate_Inventories_Tables

Real Estate Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Summary of Real Estate Inventories	'
	Real estate inventories consist of the following:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Land and land development costs	$	25,198	$	26,805
	Cost of construction (including capitalized interest and real estate taxes)		15,877		13,038
		$	41,075	$	39,843

Warranty_Reserve_Tables

Warranty Reserve (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Summary of Warranty Reserve Activity	'
	The following table is a summary of warranty reserve activity which is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	510		$	963
	Additions		38			40
	Releases and/or charges incurred		(34	)		(19	)
	Balance at end of period	$	514		$	984

Capitalized_Interest_and_Real_1

Capitalized Interest and Real Estate Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Summary of Interest Incurred and Capitalized and Interest Expensed for Units Settled	'
	The following table is a summary of interest and real estate taxes incurred and capitalized and interest and real estate taxes expensed for units settled:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Total interest incurred and capitalized	$	530	$	465
	Total real estate taxes incurred and capitalized		53		76
	Total interest and real estate taxes incurred and capitalized	$	583	$	541
	Interest expensed as a component of cost of sales	$	52	$	904
	Real estate taxes expensed as a component of cost of sales		31		105
	Interest and real estate taxes expensed as a component of cost of sales	$	83	$	1,009
Summary of Interest, Real Estate Taxes and Indirect Costs Expensed Related to Inactive Projects	'
	Following is a breakdown of the interest, real estate taxes and indirect costs related to inactive projects.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Total interest incurred and expensed for inactive projects	$	—	$	57
	Total real estate taxes incurred and expensed for inactive projects		2		33
	Total production overhead incurred and expensed for inactive projects		—		136
		$	2	$	226

Income_Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	'
	The computation of basic and diluted shares outstanding is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Computation of basic shares outstanding
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		20,935		20,524
	Computation of diluted shares outstanding
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		20,935		20,524
	Dilutive effect of restricted stock awards		—		527
	Dilutive effect of stock options		—		193
	Dilutive effect of warrants		—		473
	Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted		20,935		21,717

Segment_Disclosures_Tables

Segment Disclosures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Information	'
	The following disclosure includes the Company’s three reportable segments of Homebuilding, Multi-family and Real Estate Services. Each of these segments operates within the Company’s single Washington, D.C. reportable geographic segment.
		Homebuilding			Multi-family		Real		Total
							Estate
							Services
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Gross revenue	$	7,831		$	—	$	123	$	7,954
	Gross profit		1,575			—		30		1,605
	Net (loss) income		(873	)		—		30		(843	)
	Total assets		53,871			—		239		54,110
	Depreciation and amortization		24			—		—		24
	Interest expense		—			—		—		—
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Gross revenue	$	11,449		$	—	$	108	$	11,557
	Gross profit		2,419			—		121		2,540
	Net income		942			—		120		1,062
	Total assets		41,192			—		877		42,069
	Depreciation and amortization		182			—		—		182
	Interest expense		57			—		—		57

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Future Minimum Lease Payments	'
	The Company has a lease for its corporate headquarters from an affiliate wholly-owned by our Chief Executive Officer. Future minimum lease payments under this lease are as follows:
	2014	$	234
	2015		320
	2016		329
	2017		167
	2018		—
	Total	$	1,050

Unconsolidated_Joint_Venture_T

Unconsolidated Joint Venture (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Summarized Financial Information for Unconsolidated Joint Venture	'
	Summarized financial information for the unconsolidated joint venture is as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
	Statement of Operations:
	Total net revenue	$	61	$	—
	Total expenses		29		—
	Net income	$	32	$	—
	Comstock Holding Companies, Inc. share of net income	$	16	$	—

Credit_Facilities_Tables

Credit Facilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Notes Payable	'
	Notes payable consisted of the following:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Construction revolvers	$	4,947	$	4,053
	Development and acquisition notes		12,147		12,304
	Mezzanine notes		6,387		6,344
	Total secured notes		23,481		22,701
	Unsecured note		2,451		2,580
	Notes payable to affiliate, unsecured		4,575		4,687
	Total notes payable	$	30,507	$	29,968
Maturities and Curtailment Obligations of All Borrowings	'
	As of March 31, 2014, maturities and/or curtailment obligations of all borrowings are as follows:
	2014	$	10,720
	2015		12,761
	2016		4,575
	2017		—
	2018		2,451
	Total	$	30,507

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Tables

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Summary of Fair Value and Carrying Value of Fixed and Floating Rate Debt	'
	The fair value of fixed and floating rate debt is based on observable market rates (Level 2 inputs). The following table summarizes the fair value of fixed and floating rate debt and the corresponding carrying value of fixed and floating rate debt as of:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Carrying amount	$	30,507	$	29,968
	Fair value	$	28,684	$	27,943

Real_Estate_Inventories_Summar

Real Estate Inventories - Summary of Real Estate Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Total	$41,075	$39,843
Land and Land Development Costs [Member]	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Total	25,198	26,805
Cost of Construction (Including Capitalized Interest and Real Estate Taxes) [Member]	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Total	$15,877	$13,038

Real_Estate_Inventories_Additi

Real Estate Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	Home	Home
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Sale and lease back terms description	'The terms of the leasebacks provided for market rate rents ranging from $2 to $5 monthly over 6 to 12 month leases	'
Sale of model home units to third parties	3	4
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Leasebacks for market rate rent	2	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Leasebacks for market rate rent	5	'

Warranty_Reserve_Additional_In

Warranty Reserve - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Period for which warranty claims expected to arise	'1 year
Period for which warranty claims expected to arise under statutorily period	'2 years

Warranty_Reserve_Summary_of_Wa

Warranty Reserve - Summary of Warranty Reserve Activity Included in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Guarantees [Abstract]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$510	$963
Additions	38	40
Releases and/or charges incurred	-34	-19
Balance at end of period	$514	$984

Capitalized_Interest_and_Real_2

Capitalized Interest and Real Estate Taxes - Summary of Interest Incurred and Capitalized and Interest Expensed for Units Settled (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Equity Method Investments And Cost Method Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Total interest incurred and capitalized	$530	$465
Total real estate taxes incurred and capitalized	53	76
Total interest and real estate taxes incurred and capitalized	583	541
Interest expensed as a component of cost of sales	52	904
Real estate taxes expensed as a component of cost of sales	31	105
Interest and real estate taxes expensed as a component of cost of sales	$83	$1,009

Capitalized_Interest_and_Real_3

Capitalized Interest and Real Estate Taxes - Summary of Interest, Real Estate Taxes and Indirect Costs Related to Inactive Projects (Detail) (Real Estate Inactive Projects [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Real Estate Inactive Projects [Member]	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest incurred and expensed for inactive projects	'	$57
Total real estate taxes incurred and expensed for inactive projects	2	33
Total production overhead incurred and expensed for inactive projects	'	136
Interest expense real estate taxes and indirect costs related to inactive projects attributable to discontinued operations	$2	$226

Income_Loss_Per_Share_Addition

Income (Loss) Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Options/Warrants/Awards excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share	367	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Options/Warrants/Awards excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share	277	144
Warrants [Member]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Options/Warrants/Awards excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share	660	8

Income_Loss_Per_Share_Computat

Income (Loss) Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Computation of basic shares outstanding	'	'
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	20,935	20,524
Computation of diluted shares outstanding	'	'
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	20,935	20,524
Dilutive effect of restricted stock awards	'	527
Dilutive effect of stock options	'	193
Dilutive effect of warrants	'	473
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	20,935	21,717

Segment_Disclosures_Additional

Segment Disclosures - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
	Unit
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of operating segments	3
Projects units minimum	75
Projects units maximum	200

Segment_Disclosures_Segment_Re

Segment Disclosures - Segment Reporting Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net (loss) income	($843)	$1,062	'
Total assets	54,110	'	56,879
Total Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross revenue	7,954	11,557	'
Gross profit	1,605	2,540	'
Net (loss) income	-843	1,062	'
Total assets	54,110	42,069	'
Depreciation and amortization	24	182	'
Interest expense	'	57	'
Total Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross revenue	7,831	11,449	'
Gross profit	1,575	2,419	'
Net (loss) income	-873	942	'
Total assets	53,871	41,192	'
Depreciation and amortization	24	182	'
Interest expense	'	57	'
Total Operating Segments [Member] | Multi-Family [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross revenue	'	'	'
Gross profit	'	'	'
Net (loss) income	'	'	'
Total assets	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'
Interest expense	'	'	'
Total Operating Segments [Member] | Real Estate Services [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross revenue	123	108	'
Gross profit	30	121	'
Net (loss) income	30	120	'
Total assets	239	877	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'
Interest expense	'	'	'

Income_Tax_Additional_Informat

Income Tax - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'
Tax provision (benefit)	$74,000	$0
Effective tax rate related to statutory tax	10.00%	'
Deferred tax benefit or expense	0	'
Federal and state NOLs	118,500,000	'
Potential fair value of tax savings on federal and state NOLs	46,000,000	'
Year of expiration of net operating loss carryforward expiration year	'2028	'
Accruals related to uncertainties tax positions	$0	$0
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'
Tax year remain subject to examination	'2010	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'
Tax year remain subject to examination	'2013	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'
Letter of credit, amount	$5,700,000	$100,000
Amounts drawn against letters of credit or performance bond	0	0
Escrow Accounts	152,000	0
Performance Bonds [Member]	'	'
Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'
Performance and payment of bonds	$800,000	$1,000,000

Related_Party_Transactions_Fut

Related Party Transactions - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]	'
2014	$234
2015	320
2016	329
2017	167
2018	'
Total	$1,050

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 14, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	Comstock Asset Management, L.C. [Member]	Comstock Asset Management, L.C. [Member]	Comstock Partners, L.C., [Member]	Comstock Partners, L.C., [Member]	Comstock Partners, L.C., [Member]	Stonehenge [Member]	Stonehenge [Member]	Stonehenge [Member]
						Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total payments made under lease agreement	'	'	$76,000	$74,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Straight-line rent payable	'	'	25,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total contract value	'	'	'	'	5,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Trade receivables	102,000	61,000	'	'	'	'	700,000	'	'	'
Outstanding amount under agreement	'	'	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Services and out-of-pocket expenses incurred	'	'	102,000	112,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restated Senior Note maturity date	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1-Jan-16	'
Periodic payment of debt under Amended and Restated Senior Note	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$50,000	$150,000	$0
Debt repayment date	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1-Apr-13	'

Variable_Interest_Entities_Add

Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Mar. 14, 2013

Mar. 14, 2013

Mar. 14, 2013

Mar. 14, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 14, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 14, 2013

Mar. 14, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 27, 2012

Aug. 23, 2012

Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Maryland [Member]

Washington, D.C. [Member]

Virginia [Member]

Class A [Member]

New Hampshire Avenue LLC [Member]

New Hampshire Avenue LLC [Member]

Comstock Investors VII, L.C [Member]

Comstock Investors VII, L.C [Member]

Comstock Investors VII, L.C [Member]

Comstock Investors VII, L.C [Member]

Comstock Investors VII, L.C [Member]

Comstock Investors VIII, L.C [Member]

Comstock Investors VIII, L.C [Member]

Comstock Investors VIII, L.C [Member]

Comstock Investors VIII, L.C [Member]

Comstock Investors VIII, L.C [Member]

Consolidated Real Estate Inventories [Member]

Consolidated Real Estate Inventories [Member]

Consolidated Real Estate Inventories [Member]

Consolidated Real Estate Inventories [Member]

Consolidated Real Estate Inventories [Member]

Unit

Unit

Townhomes

Class A [Member]

Subsidiaries [Member]

Maryland [Member]

Virginia [Member]

Class A [Member]

Subsidiaries [Member]

Unit

Unit

Townhomes

Townhomes

Unit

Private Placement [Member]

Townhomes

Townhomes

Warrant

Class B [Member]

Private Placement [Member]

Related Party Transaction [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of projects

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

66

111

Profit distributed

'

'

'

'

$1,100,000

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred distribution

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

0

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

Initial aggregate principal amount up to capital raise

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,300,000

'

'

'

'

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Number of warrants issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

112

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate fair value of warrants for investors

'

'

'

146,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

131,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cumulative, compounded, preferred return rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of cumulative cash on cash return

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of town homes

36

73

110

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

45

42

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of multi-family units

117

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of single family units

'

38

19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of warrants issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

102,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27,600,000

'

27,400,000

'

'

Total assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$46,400,000

'

$46,300,000

'

'

Unconsolidated_Joint_Venture_A

Unconsolidated Joint Venture - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 10, 2013
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	50.00%	'	'
Equity method investment initial capital contribution	'	'	$7
Equity method investment initial capitalized amount by Stewart Group	'	'	7
Earnings from the unconsolidated joint venture	16	0	'
Equity method investments	'	0	'
Recorded collection and distribution from joint venture	$50	$0	'

Unconsolidated_Joint_Venture_S

Unconsolidated Joint Venture - Summarized Financial Information for Unconsolidated Joint Venture (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Operations:	'	'
Total net revenue	$61	'
Total expenses	29	'
Net income	32	'
Comstock Holding Companies, Inc. share of net income	$16	$0

Credit_Facilities_Summary_of_N

Credit Facilities - Summary of Notes Payable (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total secured notes	$23,481	$22,701
Unsecured note	2,451	2,580
Notes payable to affiliate, unsecured	4,575	4,687
Total notes payable	30,507	29,968
Construction Revolvers [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total secured notes	4,947	4,053
Development and Acquisition Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total secured notes	12,147	12,304
Mezzanine Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total secured notes	$6,387	$6,344

Credit_Facilities_Additional_I

Credit Facilities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding acquisition and development loan	$23,481,000	$22,701,000
Unsecured financing for period	2,451,000	2,580,000
Construction Revolvers [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Aggregate acquisition and development loan commitments	21,900,000	'
Unused loan commitments	17,000,000	'
Maximum principal commitment amount outstanding	4,900,000	4,100,000
Outstanding construction revolving facility	5.30%	5.30%
Development and Acquisition Notes [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Aggregate acquisition and development loan commitments	26,100,000	'
Maximum principal commitment amount outstanding	12,100,000	'
Outstanding construction revolving facility	4.80%	4.90%
Maturity range, start date	'2014-05	'
Maturity dates, end date	'2015-12	'
Outstanding acquisition and development loan	'	12,304,000
Development and Acquisition Notes [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate floors ranging	4.00%	'
Development and Acquisition Notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate floors ranging	6.00%	'
Mezzanine Notes One [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding acquisition and development loan	3,000,000	3,000,000
Number of secured Mezzanine Loans	2	'
Fixed interest rate	13.50%	'
Maturity date	22-Sep-15	'
Principal plus accrued interest	1,100,000	'
Remaining principal plus accrued interest	2,100,000	'
Maturity of financing	'2014-12	'
Remaining maturity of financing	'2015-03	'
Mezzanine Notes Two [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Aggregate acquisition and development loan commitments	3,200,000	'
Maximum principal commitment amount outstanding	3,200,000	'
Interest rate	12.00%	'
Interest rate paid on a monthly basis	6.00%	'
Interest rate accrued and paid on maturity	6.00%	'
Unsecured Note [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	28-Dec-18	'
Unsecured financing for period	2,500,000	2,600,000
Period for unsecured note outstanding to bank	'10 years	'
Interest charged to loan	'LIBOR plus 2.2%	'
Interest rate	2.20%	'
Interest rate for unsecured financing	2.40%	2.40%
Due to Affiliate [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum principal commitment amount outstanding	4,600,000	4,700,000
Maturity date	20-Jul-13	'
Interest charged to loan	'LIBOR plus 3%	'
Interest rate	3.00%	'
Interest rate for unsecured financing	3.60%	3.60%
Extended maturity date	1-Jan-16	'
Monthly payment for accrued unpaid interest and principal	$50,000	'

Credit_Facilities_Maturities_a

Credit Facilities - Maturities and/or Curtailment Obligations of All of Our Borrowings (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$10,720	'
2015	12,761	'
2016	4,575	'
2017	'	'
2018	2,451	'
Total notes payable	$30,507	$29,968

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Summary

Fair Value Disclosures - Summary of Fair Value and Carrying Value of Fixed and Floating Rate Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying amount	$30,507	$29,968
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying amount	30,507	29,968
Fair value	$28,684	$27,943

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Additio

Fair Value Disclosures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Impairment reversal	$722

Restricted_Stock_Stock_Options1

Restricted Stock, Stock Options and Other Stock Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock based compensation cost	$150	$204	'
Amount remitted to tax authorities	58	'	'
Weighted-average remaining contractual term of unexercised stock options	'6 years 10 months 24 days	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to stock issuances	664	'	843
Real Estate Inventories [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share based compensation cost capitalized	16	33	'
Sales, Marketing, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share based compensation cost allocated to sales, marketing, general and administrative expense	134	171	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares issued by the company	0	30	'
Fair value of shares issued	'	$19	'
Vesting period	'	'4 years	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares issued by the company	0	0	'
Restricted award settled	125	'	'
Restricted award settled net during the period	38	'	'

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Events [Member], USD $)	1 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	1-May-14	6-May-14	6-May-14
	Comstock Investors VII, L.C [Member]	Comstock Eastgate L.C. [Member]	New Hampshire Avenue LLC [Member]	Yorkshire Loan [Member]	Yorkshire Loan [Member]
					Maximum [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Payment of distribution	$1.10	$1	$0.50	'	'
Extended maturity date	'	'	'	7-May-15	'
Loan commitment Amount	'	'	'	'	$7.70