M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
(NYSE: MDC; PCX) today announced growth in the level of home orders for both
the third quarter and first nine months of the year. The Company received
orders, net of cancellations, for 3,551 homes and 12,929 homes, respectively,
during the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, compared with net
orders for 2,925 homes and 11,586 homes during the same periods in 2004.
Home orders in the third quarter of 2005 increased from 2004 levels in
most of the Company's markets, particularly Nevada and California, mainly due
to year-over-year increases in active subdivisions and the continued strong
demand for new homes in these two states. Additionally, the Company received
604 net home orders in the 2005 third quarter from its newer markets in
Florida, Philadelphia/Delaware Valley, Utah and Illinois, compared with 286
home orders during the same period in 2004. These increases partially were
offset by lower home orders in Virginia, due in part to a temporary decline in
the number of active subdivisions, and in Arizona, compared with the
exceptional order level experienced during the same period in 2004 in this
market.
As previously reported, aggregate home orders for July and August 2005
increased 33% from the same period in 2004. However, September 2005 home
orders were 3% lower than September 2004 orders. The difference in order
comparisons in September from July and August resulted in part from the more
difficult comparison created by the 20% year-over-year increase in home orders
achieved in September 2004, following three straight months of year-over-year
order decreases. In addition, while September 2005 home orders increased
significantly year-over-year in Nevada and California, the rate of increase
was slower than experienced in July and August 2005, primarily due to a number
of communities nearing sell-out before September, thereby limiting the number
of homes for sale.
MDC ended August 2005 with 280 active subdivisions, up 23% from the 228
active subdivisions at August 31, 2004. Growth in active subdivisions during
the third quarter of 2005 has been impacted by the strong home orders in
Nevada and California, which resulted in a number of subdivisions in these
markets selling out earlier than anticipated. In addition, the Company has
experienced delays in the development of new subdivisions in several of its
markets, particularly in Arizona, Virginia and California. Information
regarding active subdivisions at September 30, 2005 will be provided with the
release of the Company's 2005 third quarter earnings.

Increased Home Closings and Backlog
During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2005, MDC closed
3,686 and 10,356 homes, respectively, representing increases of 4% and 8% from
the 3,558 and 9,553 home closings, respectively, for the same periods in 2004.
The Company ended the third quarter of 2005 with a backlog of 9,078 homes with
an estimated sales value of $3.29 billion, 11% and 33% greater, respectively,
than the backlog of 8,166 homes with an estimated sales value of $2.48 billion
at September 30, 2004.

Earnings Release, Conference Call and Webcast
Consistent with its press release dated September 14, 2005, the Company
confirmed that its earnings per share for the 2005 third quarter should be
higher than 2004 third quarter earnings per share of $2.36, and that its
earnings per share for full year 2005 should exceed the consensus analyst
estimate at the time of MDC's previous release of $10.44. The Company's
expectations assume no material change in overall market conditions.
Please refer to the last paragraph of this release for a discussion of
factors that may impact the Company's earnings.
The Company plans to release its 2005 third quarter earnings after the
market closes on Monday, October 17, 2005. A synchronized slide show and
audio presentation will be broadcast over the Internet on Tuesday, October 18,
2005, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time in conjunction with its
conference call. The presentation can be accessed by entering MDC's website,
http://www.richmondamerican.com, clicking on "Investors" and selecting "M.D.C.
Holdings 2005 Third Quarter Conference Call." Minimum requirements to listen
to the broadcast are as follows: Windows Media Player software, downloadable
free from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/default.aspx, and
at least a 28.8Kbps connection to the Internet. If problems are experienced
while listening to the broadcast, an email should be sent to
sarah.spencer@mdch.com.

MDC, whose subsidiaries build homes under the name "Richmond American
Homes," is one of the largest homebuilders in the United States. The Company
also provides mortgage financing, primarily for MDC's homebuyers, through its
wholly owned subsidiary HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation. MDC is a major
regional homebuilder with a significant presence in some of the country's best
housing markets. The Company is the largest homebuilder in Colorado; among
the top five homebuilders in Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland, Phoenix,
Tucson, Las Vegas, Jacksonville and Salt Lake City; and among the top ten
homebuilders in Northern California and Southern California. MDC also has
established operating divisions in Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, West Florida,
Philadelphia/Delaware Valley and Chicago. For more information about our
Company, please visit http://www.richmondamerican.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things, (1)
general economic and business conditions; (2) interest rate changes; (3) the
relative stability of debt and equity markets; (4) competition; (5) the
availability and cost of land and other raw materials used by the Company in
its homebuilding operations; (6) the availability and cost of performance
bonds and insurance covering risks associated with our business; (7) shortages
and the cost of labor; (8) weather related slowdowns; (9) slow growth
initiatives; (10) building moratoria; (11) governmental regulation, including
the interpretation of tax, labor and environmental laws; (12) changes in
consumer confidence and preferences; (13) required accounting changes; (14)
terrorist acts and other acts of war; and (15) other factors over which the
Company has little or no control. Additional information about the risks and
uncertainties applicable to the Company's business is contained in the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, which was filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements made
in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and the risk that actual
results will differ materially from expectations expressed in this press
release will increase with the passage of time. The Company undertakes no
duty to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise. However, any further disclosures
made on related subjects in our subsequent filings, releases or presentations
should be consulted.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
Homebuilding Operational Data

Three Months Nine Months
Ended September 30, Ended September 30,
2005 2004 2005 2004

Orders For Homes, net (units)
Arizona 798 951 3,040 3,104
California 504 311 1,737 1,764
Colorado 469 521 1,727 1,811
Florida 238 93 917 292
Illinois 53 5 113 8
Maryland 89 52 365 255
Nevada 829 454 2,788 2,411
Philadelphia/Delaware Valley 56 1 156 1
Texas 162 152 672 647
Utah 257 187 741 573
Virginia 96 198 673 720
Total 3,551 2,925 12,929 11,586
Cancellation Rate 25.7% 30.6% 21.5% 23.6%

Homes Closed (units)
Arizona 895 808 2,550 2,343
California 475 631 1,238 1,642
Colorado 599 583 1,615 1,603
Florida 252 96 832 251
Illinois 19 -- 40 --
Maryland 106 90 260 251
Nevada 616 690 1,851 1,887
Philadelphia/Delaware Valley 17 -- 18 --
Texas 214 222 616 440
Utah 239 188 640 416
Virginia 254 250 696 720
Total 3,686 3,558 10,356 9,553

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
Homebuilding Operational Data
(Dollars in Thousands)

September 30, September 30,
2005 2004

Backlog (units)
Arizona 2,633 2,094
California 1,306 1,241
Colorado 804 942
Florida 723 685
Illinois 91 8
Maryland 330 273
Nevada 1,683 1,410
Philadelphia/Delaware Valley 161 1
Texas 312 350
Utah 390 308
Virginia 645 854
Total 9,078 8,166

Backlog Estimated Sales Value $3,290,000 $2,480,000

Estimated Average Selling Price of Homes
in Backlog $362.4 $303.7

Active Subdivisions at Beginning of Month 280 228