| Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table | Year Summary Compensation Table total For PEO 1 Compensation Actually Paid to PEO 12 Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs 1 Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs 12 Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On: 11 Net Income (Dollars in thousands) Home Sale Revenues (Dollars in thousands) Total Shareholder Return Peer Group Total Shareholder Return 10 2023 $ 20,730,819 $ 27,508,707 2 $ 8,922,543 $ 12,061,539 6 $ 186 $ 279 $ 401,005 $ 4,520,296 2022 $ 18,512,436 $ 7,050,930 3 $ 5,207,073 $ 1,591,502 7 $ 101 $ 151 $ 562,139 $ 5,586,264 2021 $ 19,950,256 $ 46,427,292 4 $ 7,212,486 $ 17,912,881 8 $ 169 $ 190 $ 573,657 $ 5,102,456 2020 $ 14,150,011 $ 29,684,799 5 $ 4,762,382 $ 9,243,394 9 $ 132 $ 124 $ 367,582 $ 3,765,379 | | | |
| Company Selected Measure Name | Home sale revenues | | | |
| Named Executive Officers, Footnote | The PEO for each of the years presented within this table is Larry A. Mizel, Executive Chairman. The NEO's for 2023 were David D. Mandarich, CEO; Robert N. Martin, CFO; Michael L. Kaplan, CLO. The NEO's for 2022 were David D. Mandarich, CEO; Robert N. Martin, CFO; Michael L. Kaplan, CLO (hired in 2022); and Rebecca B. Givens, CLO (resigned in 2022). The NEO's for 2021 were David D. Mandarich, CEO; Robert N. Martin, CFO; and Rebecca B. Givens, CLO. The NEO's for 2020 were David D. Mandarich, CEO; Robert N. Martin, CFO; Rebecca B. Givens, CLO (hired in 2020); and Michael Touff, CLO (retired in 2020). | | | |
| Peer Group Issuers, Footnote | The peer group used in this calculation is defined as the "Peer Group" in the "Peer Data" section above. The returns of each issuer of the group was weighted according to the respective issuers' stock market capitalization at the beginning of each period for which a return is indicated. | | | |
| PEO Total Compensation Amount | $ 20,730,819 | $ 18,512,436 | $ 19,950,256 | $ 14,150,011 |
| PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount | $ 27,508,707 | $ 7,050,930 | $ 46,427,292 | $ 29,684,799 |
| Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote | For compensation actually paid to the PEO in 2023, the Summary Compensation Table total for the PEO is adjusted to reflect the changes in the value of equity awards and pension benefits, described in the following: (1) $11,436,609 was deducted from the total, representing the amount reported in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns of the Summary Compensation Table; (2) $4,109,827 was added representing the year-end 2023 valuation of the equity awards granted in 2023 that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2023; (3) $11,218,458 was added representing the increase in fair value between the year end 2023 and 2022 for equity awards granted in prior years that remain outstanding and unvested at the end of 2023; (4) $2,643,217 was added representing the increase in fair value for equity awards granted in prior years that vested during 2023, and; (5) $242,995 was added related to dividends paid on outstanding and unvested RSA awards in 2023. | For compensation actually paid to the PEO in 2022, the Summary Compensation Table total for the PEO is adjusted to reflect the changes in the value of equity awards and pension benefits, described in the following: (1) $10,342,866 was deducted from the total, representing the amount reported in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns of the Summary Compensation Table; (2) $1,353,586 was added representing the year-end 2022 valuation of the equity awards granted in 2022 that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2022; (3) $8,342,900 was added representing the vesting date fair value of equity awards granted and vested in 2022; (4) $6,380,450 was deducted representing the decrease in fair value between the year end 2022 and 2021 for equity awards granted in prior years that remain outstanding and unvested at the end of 2022; (5) $4,604,476 was deducted representing the decrease in fair value for equity awards granted in prior years that vested during 2022, and; (6) $169,800 was added related to dividends paid on outstanding and unvested RSA awards in 2022. | For compensation actually paid to the PEO in 2021, the Summary Compensation Table total for the PEO is adjusted to reflect the changes in the value of equity awards and pension benefits, described in the following: (1) $10,869,266 was deducted from the total, representing the amount reported in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns of the Summary Compensation Table; (2) $12,510,757 was added representing the year-end 2021 valuation of the equity awards granted in 2021 that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2021; (3) $18,561,666 was added representing the increase in fair value between the year end 2021 and 2020 for equity awards granted in prior years that remain outstanding and unvested at the end of 2021; (4) $6,134,932 was added representing the increase in fair value for equity awards granted in prior years that vested during 2021, and; (5) $138,947 was added related to dividends paid on outstanding and unvested RSA awards in 2021. | For compensation actually paid to the PEO in 2020, the Summary Compensation Table total for the PEO is adjusted to reflect the changes in the value of equity awards and pension benefits, described in the following: (1) $9,002,603 was deducted from the total, representing the amount reported in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns of the Summary Compensation Table; (2) $6,701,731 was added representing the year-end 2020 valuation of the equity awards granted in 2020 that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2020; (3) $19,208,132 was added representing the increase in fair value between the year end 2020 and 2019 for equity awards granted in prior years that remain outstanding and unvested at the end of 2020; (4) $1,495,366 was deducted representing the decrease in fair value for equity awards granted in prior years that vested during 2020, and; (5) $122,894 was added related to dividends paid on outstanding and unvested RSA awards in 2020. |
| Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount | $ 8,922,543 | $ 5,207,073 | $ 7,212,486 | $ 4,762,382 |
| Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount | $ 12,061,539 | $ 1,591,502 | $ 17,912,881 | $ 9,243,394 |
| Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote | For average compensation actually paid to the NEO's in 2023, the average of the Summary Compensation Table total for the NEO's is adjusted to reflect average changes in the value of equity awards and pension benefits, described in the following: (1) $4,477,031 was deducted from the total, representing the average amount reported in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns of the Summary Compensation Table; (2) $2,328,880 was added representing the average year-end 2023 valuation of the equity awards granted in 2023 that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2023; (3) $4,001,332 was added representing the average increase in fair value between the year end 2023 and 2022 for equity awards granted in prior years that remain outstanding and unvested at the end of 2023; (4) $1,139,552 was added representing the average increase in fair value for equity awards granted in prior years that vested during 2023, and; (5) $146,263 was added related to the average dividends paid on outstanding and unvested RSA awards in 2023. | For average compensation actually paid to the NEO's in 2022, the average of the Summary Compensation Table total for the NEO's is adjusted to reflect average changes in the value of equity awards and pension benefits, described in the following: (1) $2,743,556 was deducted from the total, representing the average amount reported in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns of the Summary Compensation Table; (2) $758,313 was added representing the average year-end 2022 valuation of the equity awards granted in 2022 that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2022; (3) $1,668,580 was added representing the average vesting date fair value of equity awards granted and vested in 2022; (4) $2,017,419 was deducted representing the average decrease in fair value between the year end 2022 and 2021 for equity awards granted in prior years that remain outstanding and unvested at the end of 2022; (5) $1,351,388 was deducted representing the average decrease in fair value for equity awards granted in prior years that vested during 2022, and; (6) $69,899 was added related to the average dividends paid on outstanding and unvested RSA awards in 2022. | For average compensation actually paid to the NEO's in 2021, the average of the Summary Compensation Table total for the NEO's is adjusted to reflect average changes in the value of equity awards and pension benefits, described in the following: (1) $3,786,113 was deducted from the total, representing the average amount reported in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns of the Summary Compensation Table; (2) $4,340,884 was added representing the average year-end 2021 valuation of the equity awards granted in 2021 that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2021; (3) $7,665,139 was added representing the average increase in fair value between the year end 2021 and 2020 for equity awards granted in prior years that remain outstanding and unvested at the end of 2021; (4) $2,420,193 was added representing the average increase in fair value for equity awards granted in prior years that vested during 2021, and; (5) $60,293 was added related to the average dividends paid on outstanding and unvested RSA awards in 2021. | For average compensation actually paid to the NEO's in 2020, the average of the Summary Compensation Table total for the NEO's is adjusted to reflect average changes in the value of equity awards and pension benefits, described in the following:(1) $2,754,950 was deducted from the total, representing the average amount reported in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns of the Summary Compensation Table; (2) $1,863,381 was added representing the average year-end 2020 valuation of the equity awards granted in 2020 that remained outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2020; (3) $5,870,248 was added representing the average increase in fair value between the year end 2020 and 2019 for equity awards granted in prior years that remain outstanding and unvested at the end of 2020; (4) $536,641 was deducted representing the average decrease in fair value for equity awards granted in prior years that vested during 2020, and; (5) $38,973 was added related to the average dividends paid on outstanding and unvested RSA awards in 2020. |
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return | Relationship Between Executive Compensation Actually Paid to Executives and Financial Performance Comparison of Total Shareholder Return to Compensation Actually Paid to Executives | | | |
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income | Comparison of Net Income to Compensation Actually Paid to Executives | | | |
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure | Comparison of Home Sale Revenues to Compensation Actually Paid to Executives | | | |
| Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group | Comparison of Total Shareholder Return to Peer Group Total Shareholder Return | | | |
| Tabular List, Table | Executive Chairman and CEO Chief Financial Officer Chief Legal Officer Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted homebuilding operating margin Adjusted homebuilding operating margin Adjusted homebuilding operating margin Adjusted pre-tax return on equity Adjusted pre-tax return on equity Adjusted pre-tax diluted EPS Home sale revenues Home sale revenues Adjusted pre-tax return on equity Net debt-to-capital Litigation management Home sale revenues Oversight of accounting, finance, information technology and treasury functions, including capital markets and bank financing transactions Oversight of risk management Net debt-to-capital Shareholder relations management and oversight Regulatory compliance Operating cash flow Successful completion of special projects Successful completion of special projects Timely and accurate handling of financial regulatory filings Successful supervision of all real estate transactions | | | |
| Total Shareholder Return Amount | $ 186 | $ 101 | $ 169 | $ 132 |
| Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount | 279 | 151 | 190 | 124 |
| Net Income (Loss) | $ 401,005,000 | $ 562,139,000 | $ 573,657,000 | $ 367,582,000 |
| Company Selected Measure Amount | 4,520,296,000 | 5,586,264,000 | 5,102,456,000 | 3,765,379,000 |
| PEO Name | Larry A. Mizel | Larry A. Mizel | Larry A. Mizel | Larry A. Mizel |
| PEO | Measure:: 1 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Adjusted EBITDA | | | |
| PEO | Measure:: 2 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Adjusted homebuilding operating margin | | | |
| PEO | Measure:: 3 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Adjusted pre-tax diluted EPS | | | |
| PEO | Measure:: 4 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Adjusted pre-tax return on equity | | | |
| PEO | Measure:: 5 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Net debt-to-capital | | | |
| PEO | Measure:: 6 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Operating cash flow | | | |
| PEO | MDC_Stock Awards and Option Awards Summary Compensation Table [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | $ (11,436,609) | $ (10,342,866) | $ (10,869,266) | $ (9,002,603) |
| PEO | MDC_Equity Awards Change in Value of Awards Granted in the Current Year and Outstanding in the Current Year [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 4,109,827 | 1,353,586 | 12,510,757 | 6,701,731 |
| PEO | MDC_Equity Awards Change in Value of Awards Granted in the Prior Year and Outstanding in the Current Year [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 11,218,458 | (6,380,450) | 18,561,666 | 19,208,132 |
| PEO | MDC_Equity Awards Change in Value of Awards Granted in the Prior Year and Vested in the Current Year [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 2,643,217 | (4,604,476) | 6,134,932 | (1,495,366) |
| PEO | MDC_Dividends Paid on Outstanding Awards at Year-End [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 242,995 | 169,800 | 138,947 | 122,894 |
| PEO | MDC_Equity Awards Change in Value of Awards Granted and Vested in the Current Year [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | | 8,342,900 | | |
| Non-PEO NEO | MDC_Stock Awards and Option Awards Summary Compensation Table [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | (4,477,031) | (2,743,556) | (3,786,113) | (2,754,950) |
| Non-PEO NEO | MDC_Equity Awards Change in Value of Awards Granted in the Current Year and Outstanding in the Current Year [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 2,328,880 | 758,313 | 4,340,884 | 1,863,381 |
| Non-PEO NEO | MDC_Equity Awards Change in Value of Awards Granted in the Prior Year and Outstanding in the Current Year [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 4,001,332 | (2,017,419) | 7,665,139 | 5,870,248 |
| Non-PEO NEO | MDC_Equity Awards Change in Value of Awards Granted in the Prior Year and Vested in the Current Year [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 1,139,552 | (1,351,388) | 2,420,193 | (536,641) |
| Non-PEO NEO | MDC_Dividends Paid on Outstanding Awards at Year-End [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | $ 146,263 | 69,899 | $ 60,293 | $ 38,973 |
| Non-PEO NEO | MDC_Equity Awards Change in Value of Awards Granted and Vested in the Current Year [Member] | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | | $ 1,668,580 | | |
| MDC_CFO [Member] | Measure:: 2 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Adjusted homebuilding operating margin | | | |
| MDC_CFO [Member] | Measure:: 4 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Adjusted pre-tax return on equity | | | |
| MDC_CFO [Member] | Measure:: 5 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Net debt-to-capital | | | |
| MDC_CFO [Member] | Measure:: 7 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Successful completion of special projects | | | |
| MDC_CFO [Member] | Measure:: 8 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Oversight of accounting, finance, information technology and treasury functions, including capital markets and bank financing transactions | | | |
| MDC_CFO [Member] | Measure:: 9 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Shareholder relations management and oversight | | | |
| MDC_CFO [Member] | Measure:: 10 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Timely and accurate handling of financial regulatory filings | | | |
| MDC_CLO [Member] | Measure:: 2 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Adjusted homebuilding operating margin | | | |
| MDC_CLO [Member] | Measure:: 4 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Adjusted pre-tax return on equity | | | |
| MDC_CLO [Member] | Measure:: 7 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Successful completion of special projects | | | |
| MDC_CLO [Member] | Measure:: 11 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Litigation management | | | |
| MDC_CLO [Member] | Measure:: 12 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Oversight of risk management | | | |
| MDC_CLO [Member] | Measure:: 13 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Regulatory compliance | | | |
| MDC_CLO [Member] | Measure:: 14 | | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | | | | |
| Name | Successful supervision of all real estate transactions | | | |
