News

M.D.C. Holdings Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Results
2008 FOURTH QUARTER
* Cash flow from operations of $51.2 million
* Quarter-end cash and investments of $1.42 billion
* No borrowings on homebuilding line of credit
* Pre-tax loss of $86.4 million; includes asset impairments of $59.7 million
* Net loss of $89.0 million vs. $281.1 million in 2007
* Diluted loss per share of $1.92 vs. $6.14 in 2007
* Total revenue of $296.2 million vs. $772.1 million in 2007
* S,G&A expenses of $71.9 million vs. $116.9 million in 2007
* Closed 944 homes at an average selling price of $300,300
PRNewswire-FirstCall
DENVER

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. today announced a net loss for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 of $89.0 million, or $1.92 per diluted share, which included pre-tax charges of $59.7 million for asset impairments and a $19.2 million increase in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance. The net loss for the 2007 fourth quarter was $281.1 million, or $6.14 per diluted share, including pre-tax charges of $175.2 million for asset impairments, $7.8 million for write-offs of deposits and pre-acquisition costs and a deferred tax valuation allowance of $160.0 million.

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $380.5 million, or $8.24 per diluted share, which included pre-tax charges of $298.2 million for asset impairments and a $134.3 million increase in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance. The net loss for the 2007 full year was $636.9 million, or $13.94 per diluted share, which included pre-tax charges of $726.6 million for asset impairments, write-offs of deposits and pre-acquisition costs of $23.4 million and a deferred tax valuation allowance of $160.0 million.

Larry A. Mizel, MDC's chairman and chief executive officer, stated, "During 2008, we faced extraordinary conditions in the homebuilding industry and the overall economy. Increasing unemployment levels, deteriorating consumer confidence, rising foreclosures and faltering conditions in the mortgage and banking industries all contributed to continued deterioration in the housing market."

Mizel continued, "Even though the downturn in housing negatively impacted our operating results for 2008, we have strengthened our balance sheet during the year and bolstered our position as a one of the strongest companies in our industry. Through our efforts to reduce our inventory balances and adjust our organizational structure, we generated $480 million in operating cash flow during the year, including more than $50 million in the fourth quarter. On the strength of that operating cash flow, our cash and investments balance rose by more than 40% to $1.4 billion at year end and now exceeds our total debt balance by nearly $400 million. Furthermore, we expect to receive a tax refund of $165 million during the first quarter of 2009."

Mizel concluded, "We look forward to 2009 as a time of continued focus on our Company-wide initiatives to streamline our processes and systems and improve the home buying experience for our customers. In addition, we will continue to explore opportunities to redeploy our capital, with an open mind to different ways in which we might take advantage of current market conditions. We believe successes that are achieved in these areas can ultimately have a positive impact on our bottom line."

Homebuilding Results

Homebuilding loss before taxes for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2008 improved to $67.9 million and $338.7 million, respectively, compared with losses of $195.9 million and $764.2 million for the same periods in 2007. The losses in 2008 were lower in large part due to declines in asset impairments combined with decreased marketing, commissions and general and administrative expenses ("S,G&A") and were partially offset by the impact of closing fewer homes and lower average selling prices compared with the same periods in 2007. Also, in the 2008 fourth quarter we experienced a lower amount of losses from land sales compared with the fourth quarter of 2007, and in the 2008 full year we recognized a gain on land sales compared with a loss in the prior year.

Homebuilding revenue for the 2008 fourth quarter fell to $291.3 million, compared with $762.7 million in the 2007 fourth quarter, primarily due to a 57% year-over-year decline in home closings combined with an 8% decrease in the average selling price of homes closed. All of our markets experienced year-over-year decreases in home closings in the fourth quarter, while only Colorado experienced an increase in average selling price. The slight increase in our Colorado market primarily was related to changes in the size and style of the homes that were closed and was not due to market appreciation. Homebuilding revenue for the 2008 full year fell to $1.44 billion, compared with $2.85 billion for the 2007 full year, primarily due to a 45% decrease in home closings and a 10% decrease in the average selling price of homes closed.

During the fourth quarter of 2008, we recognized $59.7 million of asset impairments, which included $57.0 million of inventory impairment charges that impacted 2,177 lots in 132 subdivisions. This fourth quarter inventory impairment charge is down 67% from the 2007 fourth quarter, primarily resulting from reduced impairments in our Phoenix, Nevada and California markets. Over the last nine quarters we have taken significant impairments in these markets, thereby significantly reducing our inventory balance and reducing our exposure to further impairments. Partially offsetting the decline in impairments in these markets were higher impairments in Colorado and Utah during the three months ended December 31, 2008. Asset impairments for the 2008 full year were $298.2 million, compared with $726.6 million in 2007.

Homebuilding S,G&A decreased to $44.9 million and $227.8 million, respectively, for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2008, compared with $95.4 million and $425.5 million for the same periods in the prior year, as we continued to adjust our organizational structure and business practices in response to the decreased levels of closings. This decrease in S,G&A for both periods resulted from various cost saving initiatives associated with right-sizing our operations, including consolidating our homebuilding divisions and reducing our employee headcount, which allowed us to consolidate office space in many of our markets. Also contributing to this decrease from the prior year were lower commission expenses resulting from closing fewer homes and lower marketing expenses due to reduced advertising costs, a lower active subdivision count and significantly fewer model homes in operation.

The Company recorded 350 net home orders with an estimated sales value of $99.0 million during the 2008 fourth quarter, compared with net orders for 748 homes with an estimated sales value of $187.0 million during the same period in 2007. The drop in net orders was partially due to a 30% year-over-year decline in average active subdivisions, as we continued to limit our investment in new subdivisions, combined with a decrease in the average number of orders received per subdivision. Each market experienced a year-over-year decrease in net orders during the 2008 fourth quarter, with the exception of Maryland and Virginia. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company received net orders for 3,074 homes with a sales value of $885.0 million, compared with 6,504 homes with a sales value of $2.11 billion for the 2007 full year.

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company's cancellation rate was 52% compared with 65% during the same period in 2007. The cancellation rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 45% compared with 48% in 2007. All of our markets experienced a year-over-year decline in backlog, and we ended 2008 with 533 homes under contract with an estimated sales value of $173.0 million, compared with a backlog of 1,947 homes with an estimated sales value of $650.0 million at December 31, 2007.

Financial Services and Other

Income before taxes from the Company's Financial Services and Other segment for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 was $3.6 million compared with $6.3 million for the same period in 2007. The decrease in the 2008 fourth quarter primarily resulted from a combined decrease in gains on sales of mortgage loans and broker origination fees. This decline partially was offset by reductions in general and administrative expenses for our mortgage operations. Income before taxes from the Company's Financial Services and Other segment for the 2008 full year was $11.7 million compared with $23.1 million in 2007.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

For the quarter and year ended December 31, 2008, the Company generated $51.2 million and $479.5 million, respectively, of operating cash flow and ended the year with $1.42 billion in cash and investments. Our ability to generate cash during the quarter and year can be partially attributed to decreases in total lots owned, including WIP lots, of 8% and 39%, respectively, for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2008. As a result, our total inventory balance was only $637.3 million at year end compared with $1.46 billion at the end of 2007. For the lots we controlled under option contracts at December 31, 2008, we only had $10.5 million at risk.

Christopher M. Anderson, MDC's senior vice president and chief financial officer, said, "Given that our cash and investments exceed total debt and our next debt maturity does not occur until 2012, we believe we are positioned with adequate resources to pursue opportunistic land investments in the future. While we didn't find many potential land transactions that met our underwriting criteria during the year, we were able to take advantage of isolated opportunities during the fourth quarter of 2008. During 2009 we will continue to maintain an active dialogue with potential land sellers and other parties in anticipation of a greater volume of opportunities that we believe may materialize in the future."

About MDC

Since 1972, MDC has built and financed the American dream for more than 150,000 families. MDC's commitment to customer satisfaction, quality and value is reflected in each home its subsidiaries build. As one of the largest homebuilders in the United States, the Company has homebuilding divisions across the country, including Denver, Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, California, Northern Virginia, Maryland, Philadelphia/Delaware Valley and Jacksonville. The Company also provides mortgage financing, insurance and title services, primarily for MDC homebuyers, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc. and American Home Title and Escrow Company, respectively. M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDC." For more information, visit http://www.mdcholdings.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release, including statements regarding our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows, strategies and prospects, 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 conditions, including changes in consumer confidence, inflation or deflation and employment levels; (2) changes in business conditions experienced by the Company, including cancellation rates, net home orders, home gross margins, and land and home values; (3) changes in interest rates, mortgage lending programs and the availability of credit; (4) the relative stability of debt and equity markets; (5) competition; (6) the availability and cost of land and other raw materials used by the Company in its homebuilding operations; (7) the availability and cost of performance bonds and insurance covering risks associated with our business; (8) shortages and the cost of labor; (9) weather related slowdowns; (10) slow growth initiatives; (11) building moratoria; (12) governmental regulation, including the interpretation of tax, labor and environmental laws; (13) changes in consumer confidence and preferences; (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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which is scheduled to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission today. 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 update publicly 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.
                  Consolidated Statements of Operations
                 (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                               (Unaudited)

                                   Three Months            Year Ended
                                    December 31,           December 31,
                                  2008       2007        2008        2007
  REVENUE

  Home sales revenue            $283,519   $715,244  $1,358,148  $2,765,981
  Land sales revenue               3,351     37,979      60,050      50,130
  Other revenue                    9,338     18,892      39,910      69,548
    Total Revenue                296,208    772,115   1,458,108   2,885,659

  COSTS AND EXPENSES

  Home cost of sales             246,918    631,262   1,184,865   2,380,427
  Land cost of sales               4,288     51,789      53,847      59,529
  Asset impairments               59,657    175,199     298,155     726,621
  Marketing expenses              13,532     29,944      71,882     117,088
  Commission expenses              9,906     26,421      50,295      97,951
  General and administrative
   expenses                       48,413     59,486     198,689     306,715
  Related party expenses               5      1,096          18       1,382
    Total Operating Costs and
     Expenses                    382,719    975,197   1,857,751   3,689,713

  LOSS FROM OPERATIONS           (86,511)  (203,082)   (399,643)   (804,054)

  Other income (expense)
   Interest income, net              117     10,384      17,470      37,322
   Gain (loss) on sale of other
    assets                            (1)     2,257          38      10,268

  LOSS BEFORE TAXES              (86,395)  (190,441)   (382,135)   (756,464)

  (Provision for) benefit from
   income taxes, net              (2,633)   (90,651)      1,590     119,524

  NET LOSS                      $(89,028) $(281,092)  $(380,545)  $(636,940)

  LOSS PER SHARE

    Basic                         $(1.92)    $(6.14)     $(8.24)    $(13.94)

    Diluted                       $(1.92)    $(6.14)     $(8.24)    $(13.94)

  WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES
   OUTSTANDING

    Basic                         46,352     45,772      46,159      45,687

    Diluted                       46,352     45,772      46,159      45,687

  DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE     $0.25      $0.25       $1.00       $1.00


                          M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
                       Consolidated Balance Sheets
             (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                               (Unaudited)

                                                      December 31,
                                                 2008              2007
  ASSETS
   Cash and cash equivalents                   $1,304,728        $1,004,763
   Short-term investments                          54,864                 -
   Unsettled trades                                57,687                 -
   Restricted cash                                    670             1,898
   Receivables
    Home sales receivables                         17,104            33,647
    Income taxes receivable                       170,753            93,515
    Other receivables                              16,697            16,796
   Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net               68,604           100,144
   Inventories, net
    Housing completed or under construction       415,500           902,221
    Land and land under development               221,822           554,336
   Property and equipment, net                     38,343            44,368
   Deferred tax asset, net of valuation
    allowance                                           -           160,565
   Related party assets                            28,627            28,627
   Prepaid expenses and other assets, net          79,539            71,884

      Total Assets                             $2,474,938        $3,012,764

  LIABILITIES
   Accounts payable                               $28,793           $71,932
   Accrued liabilities                            332,825           395,880
   Related party liabilities                            -             1,701
   Mortgage repurchase facility                    34,873                 -
   Mortgage line of credit                              -            70,147
   Senior notes, net                              997,527           997,091

      Total Liabilities                         1,394,018         1,536,751

  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES                         -                 -

  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   Preferred stock, $0.01 par value;
    25,000,000 shares authorized; none
    issued or outstanding                               -                 -
   Common stock, $0.01 par value;
    250,000,000 shares authorized;
    46,715,000 and 46,666,000 issued
    and outstanding, respectively,
    at December 31, 2008 and
    46,084,000 and 46,053,000 issued and
    outstanding, respectively,
    at December 31, 2007                              467               461
   Additional paid-in-capital                     788,207           757,039
   Retained earnings                              292,905           719,841
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss                 -              (669)
   Treasury stock, at cost; 49,000 and
    31,000 shares at December 31, 2008
    and December 31, 2007, respectively              (659)             (659)
      Total Stockholders' Equity                1,080,920         1,476,013
      Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
       Equity                                  $2,474,938        $3,012,764


                          M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
                         Information on Segments
                          (Dollars in thousands)
                               (Unaudited)

                                 Three Months Ended         Year Ended
                                    December 31,           December 31,
                                  2008       2007        2008        2007
  REVENUE
  Homebuilding
   West                         $146,384   $448,710    $785,451  $1,725,589
   Mountain                       67,938    131,453     298,441     549,662
   East                           46,114    113,129     207,931     318,494
   Other Homebuilding             30,847     69,421     146,745     253,595

    Total Homebuilding           291,283    762,713   1,438,568   2,847,340

  Financial Services and Other     7,947     11,848      33,681      55,543
  Corporate                          540      2,656         643       2,761
  Inter-company adjustments       (3,562)    (5,102)    (14,784)    (19,985)

    Consolidated                $296,208   $772,115  $1,458,108  $2,885,659

  (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME
   TAXES
  Homebuilding
   West                         $(14,380) $(159,227)  $(157,103)  $(621,774)
   Mountain                      (31,531)   (14,613)   (112,251)    (11,395)
   East                           (8,519)   (11,580)    (36,021)    (38,748)
   Other Homebuilding            (13,429)   (10,475)    (33,300)    (92,251)

    Total Homebuilding           (67,859)  (195,895)   (338,675)   (764,168)

  Financial Services and Other     3,559      6,286      11,678      23,062
  Corporate                      (22,095)      (832)    (55,138)    (15,358)

    Consolidated                $(86,395) $(190,441)  $(382,135)  $(756,464)

  INVENTORY IMPAIRMENTS
        West                     $16,048   $136,370    $151,969    $581,494
        Mountain                  24,021     13,399      83,270      30,106
        East                       4,857     17,386      27,155      42,055
        Other Homebuilding        12,102      7,576      24,342      72,498
            Consolidated         $57,028   $174,731    $286,736    $726,153


                                                       December 31,
                                                  2008              2007
  TOTAL ASSETS
  Homebuilding
   West                                          $255,652          $747,835
   Mountain                                       288,221           474,203
   East                                           132,700           250,658
   Other Homebuilding                              56,846           125,003

    Total Homebuilding                            733,419         1,597,699

  Financial Services and Other                   139,569           174,617
  Corporate                                    1,647,907         1,285,705
  Inter-company adjustments                      (45,957)          (45,257)

    Consolidated                              $2,474,938        $3,012,764


                          M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
                         Selected Financial Data
                          (Dollars in thousands)
                               (Unaudited)

                                       Three Months Ended
                                          December 31,           Change
                                         2008      2007      Amount      %
  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
  General and Administrative Expenses
        Homebuilding                    $21,437   $39,036   $(17,599)  -45%
        Financial Services and Other      5,591     9,385     (3,794)  -40%
        Corporate (1)                    21,390    12,161      9,229    76%
           Total                        $48,418   $60,582   $(12,164)  -20%

  SG&A as a % of Home Sales Revenue
        Homebuilding Segments             15.8%     13.3%       2.5%
        Corporate Segment (1)              7.5%      1.7%       5.8%

     Depreciation and Amortization (2)   $5,850   $13,348    $(7,498)  -56%

     Home Gross Margins (3)               12.9%     11.7%       1.2%
     Interest in Home Cost of Sales as
           a % of Home Sales Revenue       4.1%      2.1%       2.0%

     Cash Provided by (Used in)
         Operating Activities           $51,162  $257,015  $(205,853)  -80%
         Investing Activities           $96,876    $6,915    $89,961     N/A
         Financing Activities           $(4,178)  $11,354   $(15,532) -137%

  Corporate and Homebuilding Interest

  Interest capitalized, net of
   interest expense                      $7,186   $14,471    $(7,285)  -50%
  Previously capitalized interest
   included in home cost of sales      $(11,681) $(14,988)    $3,307   -22%
  Interest capitalized in homebuilding
   inventory, end of year               $39,239   $53,487   $(14,248)  -27%

                                          Year Ended
                                          December 31,            Change
                                         2008       2007      Amount     %
  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
  General and Administrative Expenses
        Homebuilding                    $105,652  $210,455  $(104,803) -50%
        Financial Services and Other      25,790    40,445    (14,655) -36%
        Corporate (1)                     67,265    57,197     10,068   18%
           Total                        $198,707  $308,097  $(109,390) -36%

  SG&A as a % of Home Sales Revenue
        Homebuilding Segments              16.8%     15.4%       1.4%
        Corporate Segment (1)               5.0%      2.1%       2.9%

     Depreciation and Amortization (2)   $32,710   $47,342   $(14,632) -31%

     Home Gross Margins (3)                12.8%     13.9%      -1.2%
     Interest in Home Cost of Sales as
           a % of Home Sales Revenue        4.0%      2.0%       2.0%

     Cash Provided by (Used in)
         Operating Activities           $479,511  $592,583  $(113,072) -19%
         Investing Activities          $(113,439)  $(1,447) $(111,992)N/A
         Financing Activities           $(66,107) $(94,320)   $28,213  -30%

  Corporate and Homebuilding Interest

  Interest capitalized, net of
   interest expense                      $39,852   $57,791   $(17,939) -31%
  Previously capitalized interest
   included in home cost of sales       $(54,100) $(54,959)      $859   -2%
  Interest capitalized in homebuilding
   inventory, end of year                $39,239   $53,487   $(14,248) -27%

  (1) Includes related party expenses.

  (2) Includes depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets and
      amortization of deferred marketing costs.

  (3) Home sales revenue less home cost of sales (excluding commissions,
      amortization of deferred marketing, project cost write offs and asset
      impairments) as a percent of home sales revenue.  During the three and
      twelve months ended December 31, 2008, we closed homes on lots for
      which we had previously recorded $67.4 million and $249.5 million,
      respectively, of asset impairments.  During the three and twelve
      months ended December 31, 2007, we closed homes on lots for which we
      had previously recorded $65.1 million and $121.6 million,
      respectively, of asset impairments.


                          M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
                         Selected Financial Data
                          (Dollars in thousands)
                               (Unaudited)

                                      Three Months Ended
                                      December 31, 2008         Change
                                        2008      2007      Amount      %
  HOMEAMERICAN OPERATING
     ACTIVITIES
  Principal amount of mortgage
        loans originated              $172,745  $303,179  $(130,434)   -43%

  Principal amount of mortgage
        loans brokered                 $29,751  $146,993  $(117,242)   -80%

  Capture Rate                             71%       54%        17%
        Including brokered loans           81%       75%         6%
  Mortgage products (% of
     mortgage loans originated)
        Fixed rate                        100%       94%         6%
        Adjustable rate - interest
           only                             0%        4%        -4%
        Adjustable rate - other             0%        2%        -2%

        Prime loans (4)                    40%       79%       -39%
        Alt A loans (5)                     0%        0%         0%
        Government loans (6)               60%       21%        39%
        Sub-prime loans (7)                 0%        0%         0%

                                          Year Ended
                                      December 31, 2008        Change
                                       2008       2007      Amount      %
  HOMEAMERICAN OPERATING
     ACTIVITIES
  Principal amount of mortgage
        loans originated             $749,310  $1,233,948  $(484,638)  -39%

  Principal amount of mortgage
        loans brokered               $170,898    $511,806  $(340,908)  -67%

  Capture Rate                            66%         55%        11%
        Including brokered loans          78%         74%         4%
  Mortgage products (% of
     mortgage loans originated)
        Fixed rate                        97%         82%        15%
        Adjustable rate - interest
           only                            1%         16%       -15%
        Adjustable rate - other            2%          2%         0%

        Prime loans (4)                   48%         78%       -30%
        Alt A loans (5)                    0%         10%       -10%
        Government loans (6)              52%         12%        40%
        Sub-prime loans (7)                0%          0%         0%

  (4) Prime loans generally are defined as loans with Fair, Isaac and
      Company ("FICO") scores greater than 620 and that comply with the
      documentation standards of the government sponsored enterprise
      guidelines.

  (5) Alt-A loans are defined as loans that would otherwise qualify as prime
      loans except that they do not comply with the documentation standards
      of the government sponsored enterprise guidelines.

  (6) Government loans are loans either insured by the Federal Housing
      Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

  (7) Sub-prime loans generally are defined as loans that have FICO scores
      of less than or equal to 620.


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

                                                December 31,    December 31,
  HOMES COMPLETED OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION             2008               2007
     Unsold Home Under Construction - Final          451                515
     Unsold Home Under Construction - Frame          329                656
     Unsold Home Under Construction - Foundation      41                229
        Total Unsold Homes Under Construction        821              1,400
     Sold Homes Under Construction                   409              1,350
     Model Homes                                     387                730
        Homes Completed or Under Construction      1,617              3,480

  LOTS OWNED (excluding homes completed
   or under construction)
     Arizona                                       1,458              2,969
     California                                      839              1,491
     Nevada                                        1,111              1,549
        West                                       3,408              6,009

     Colorado                                      2,597              2,992
     Utah                                            642                863
        Mountain                                   3,239              3,855

     Maryland                                        176                302
     Virginia                                        241                369
        East                                         417                671

     Delaware Valley                                 115                151
     Florida                                         257                638
     Illinois                                        141                191
        Other Homebuilding                           513                980

             Total                                 7,577             11,515


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

                                                December 31,    December 31,
  LOTS CONTROLLED UNDER OPTION                      2008               2007
     Arizona                                         472                512
     California                                      149                157
     Nevada                                           95                  4
        West                                         716                673

     Colorado                                        184                262
     Utah                                              -                  -
        Mountain                                     184                262

     Maryland                                        355                558
     Virginia                                        592              1,311
        East                                         947              1,869

     Delaware Valley                                  40                327
     Florida                                         471                484
     Illinois                                          -                  -
        Other Homebuilding                           511                811

             Total                                 2,358              3,615

     Total Lots Owned and Controlled               9,935             15,130

  NON-REFUNDABLE OPTION DEPOSITS
     Cash                                         $5,145             $6,292
     Letters of Credit                             4,358              6,547
  Total Non-Refundable Option Deposits            $9,503            $12,839


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

                                        Three Months Ended
                                           December 31,         Change
                                          2008     2007     Amount     %
  HOMES CLOSED
     (UNITS)
     Arizona                               275      804      (529)   -66%
     California                            118      305      (187)   -61%
     Nevada                                152      262      (110)   -42%
          West                             545    1,371      (826)   -60%

     Colorado                              133      235      (102)   -43%
     Utah                                   54      145       (91)   -63%
          Mountain                         187      380      (193)   -51%

     Maryland                               42      107       (65)   -61%
     Virginia                               58      128       (70)   -55%
          East                             100      235      (135)   -57%

     Delaware Valley                        16       62       (46)   -74%
     Florida                                82      115       (33)   -29%
     Illinois                               14       37       (23)   -62%
     Texas                                   -        -         -      N/A
           Other
             Homebuilding                  112      214      (102)   -48%

     Total                                 944    2,200    (1,256)   -57%

                                           Year Ended
                                           December 31,        Change
                                          2008     2007     Amount     %
  HOMES CLOSED
     (UNITS)
     Arizona                              1,313    2,801    (1,488)   -53%
     California                             590    1,136      (546)   -48%
     Nevada                                 791    1,290      (499)   -39%
          West                            2,694    5,227    (2,533)   -48%

     Colorado                               576      818      (242)   -30%
     Utah                                   268      713      (445)   -62%
          Mountain                          844    1,531      (687)   -45%

     Maryland                               192      288       (96)   -33%
     Virginia                               257      344       (87)   -25%
          East                              449      632      (183)   -29%

     Delaware Valley                         91      178       (87)   -49%
     Florida                                336      496      (160)   -32%
     Illinois                                74      105       (31)   -30%
     Texas                                    -       26       (26)     N/A
           Other
             Homebuilding                   501      805      (304)   -38%

     Total                                4,488    8,195    (3,707)   -45%


  AVERAGE SELLING PRICES PER
   CLOSED HOME
                                        Three Months Ended
                                           December 31,         Change
                                          2008     2007     Amount     %
  West
     Arizona                             $201.1   $230.1   $(29.0)  -13%
     California                           455.3    494.1    (38.8)   -8%
     Nevada                               237.5    275.5    (38.0)  -14%

  Mountain
     Colorado                             363.7    348.3     15.4     4%
     Utah                                 319.4    338.6    (19.2)   -6%

  East
     Maryland                             489.9    504.8    (14.9)   -3%
     Virginia                             436.3    461.7    (25.4)   -6%

  Other Homebuilding
     Delaware Valley                      392.9    441.4    (48.5)  -11%
     Florida                              232.7    249.4    (16.7)   -7%
     Illinois                             348.0    355.2     (7.2)   -2%
     Texas                                  N/A      N/A      N/A    N/A

        Company
           Average                       $300.3   $325.1   $(25.0)   -8%

  AVERAGE SELLING
   PRICES PER
  CLOSED HOME
                                           Year Ended
                                           December 31,        Change
                                          2008     2007     Amount     %
  West
     Arizona                             $216.2   $247.4   $(31.2)  -13%
     California                           429.0    516.5    (87.5)  -17%
     Nevada                               244.6    296.2    (51.6)  -17%

  Mountain
     Colorado                             352.1    346.3      5.8     2%
     Utah                                 333.0    355.5    (22.5)   -6%

  East
     Maryland                             466.0    515.2    (49.2)  -10%
     Virginia                             454.3    480.4    (26.1)   -5%

  Other Homebuilding
     Delaware Valley                      406.4    448.8    (42.4)   -9%
     Florida                              238.5    261.5    (23.0)   -9%
     Illinois                             347.9    372.4    (24.5)   -7%
     Texas                                  N/A    129.6      N/A    N/A

        Company
           Average                       $302.6   $337.5   $(34.9)  -10%


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

                                            Three Months
                                          Ended December 31,    Change
                                            2008     2007    Amount    %
  ORDERS FOR HOMES,
     NET (UNITS)
     Arizona                                 87       139      (52) -37%
     California                              42        63      (21) -33%
     Nevada                                  50       298     (248) -83%
          West                              179       500     (321) -64%

     Colorado                                50       101      (51) -50%
     Utah                                    27        36       (9) -25%
          Mountain                           77       137      (60) -44%

     Maryland                                12         -       12    N/A
     Virginia                                41        33        8   24%
          East                               53        33       20   61%

     Delaware Valley                          5        12       (7) -58%
     Florida                                 31        47      (16) -34%
     Illinois                                 5        19      (14) -74%
     Texas                                    -         -        -    N/A
           Other
             Homebuilding                    41        78      (37) -47%

     Total                                  350       748     (398) -53%

  Estimated Value of
     Orders for Homes,
     net                                $99,000  $187,000  (88,000) -47%
  Estimated Average
     Selling Price of
     Orders for Homes,
     net                                 $282.9    $250.0     32.9   13%
  Cancellation Rate(8)                      52%       65%     -13%

                                          Year Ended
                                       December 31, 2008         Change
                                        2008       2007       Amount      %
  ORDERS FOR HOMES,
     NET (UNITS)
     Arizona                             879       1,889      (1,010)  -53%
     California                          436         912        (476)  -52%
     Nevada                              537       1,282        (745)  -58%
          West                         1,852       4,083      (2,231)  -55%

     Colorado                            435         778        (343)  -44%
     Utah                                132         426        (294)  -69%
          Mountain                       567       1,204        (637)  -53%

     Maryland                            124         227        (103)  -45%
     Virginia                            193         308        (115)  -37%
          East                           317         535        (218)  -41%

     Delaware Valley                      61         116         (55)  -47%
     Florida                             246         424        (178)  -42%
     Illinois                             31         128         (97)  -76%
     Texas                                 -          14         (14) -100%
           Other
             Homebuilding                338         682        (344)  -50%

     Total                             3,074       6,504      (3,430)  -53%

  Estimated Value of
     Orders for Homes,
     net                            $885,000  $2,107,000  (1,222,000)  -58%
  Estimated Average
     Selling Price of
     Orders for Homes,
     net                              $287.9      $324.0       (36.1)  -11%
  Cancellation Rate(8)                   45%         48%         -3%

  (8) We define "Cancellation Rate" as the approximate number of cancelled
      home order contracts during a reporting period as a percent of total
      home orders received during such reporting period.


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

                                               December 31,     December 31,
                                                    2008              2007
  BACKLOG (UNITS)
     Arizona                                         158               592
     California                                       49               203
     Nevada                                           53               307
          West                                       260             1,102

     Colorado                                         72               213
     Utah                                             42               178
          Mountain                                   114               391

     Maryland                                         58               126
     Virginia                                         36               100
          East                                        94               226

     Delaware Valley                                  27                57
     Florida                                          35               125
     Illinois                                          3                46
          Other Homebuilding                          65               228

              Total                                  533             1,947

  Backlog Estimated Sales Value                 $173,000          $650,000
  Estimated Average Selling Price
     of Homes in Backlog                          $324.6            $333.8

  ACTIVE SUBDIVISIONS
  Arizona                                             44                66
  California                                          18                41
  Nevada                                              24                39
     West                                             86               146

  Colorado                                            49                47
  Utah                                                22                23
     Mountain                                         71                70

  Maryland                                            11                15
  Virginia                                            12                18
     East                                             23                33

  Delaware Valley                                      3                 4
  Florida                                              7                20
  Illinois                                             1                 5
     Other Homebuilding                               11                29

        Total                                        191               278

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: bob.martin@mdch.com

SOURCE: M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

CONTACT: Robert N. Martin, Investor Relations of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.,
+1-720-977-3431, bob.martin@mdch.com