NVR (NVR) 10-Q 1 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 28, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Entity Registrant Name	'NVR INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000906163	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	4,194,709

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$553,705	$866,253
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	170,470	'
Inventory:	'	'
Land under development	63,789	'
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	6,802	7,268
Contract land deposits, net	253,808	236,885
Total assets	2,382,063	2,486,148
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	1,258	3,365
Total liabilities	1,282,848	1,224,796
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 20,555,330 shares issued as of both June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	206	206
Additional paid-in-capital	1,277,755	1,212,050
Deferred compensation trust - 109,256 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of both June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	-17,741	-17,741
Deferred compensation liability	17,741	17,741
Retained earnings	4,697,584	4,605,557
Less treasury stock at cost - 16,342,156 and 16,121,605 shares at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	-4,876,330	-4,556,461
Total shareholders' equity	1,099,215	1,261,352
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,382,063	2,486,148
Homebuilding [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	538,940	844,274
Receivables	15,196	9,529
Inventory:	'	'
Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers	788,848	568,831
Unsold lots and housing units	89,275	117,467
Land under development	63,789	41,328
Building materials and other	10,593	10,939
Total Inventory	952,505	738,565
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	6,802	7,268
Contract land deposits, net	253,808	236,885
Property, plant and equipment, net	44,252	32,599
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	41,580	41,580
Goodwill and finite-lived intangible assets, net	6,055	6,747
Other assets	311,060	307,933
Total assets	2,170,198	2,225,380
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable	231,633	181,687
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	296,045	316,227
Liabilities related to consolidated variable interest entity	2,277	1,646
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	1,258	3,365
Customer deposits	128,320	101,022
Senior notes	599,120	599,075
Total liabilities	1,258,653	1,203,022
Mortgage Banking [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	12,919	21,311
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	170,470	210,641
Inventory:	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	6,433	4,699
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	7,347	7,347
Other assets	14,696	16,770
Total assets	211,865	260,768
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable and other liabilities	24,195	21,774
Total liabilities	$24,195	$21,774

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	20,555,330	20,555,330
Deferred compensation trust, shares	109,256	109,256
Treasury stock, shares	16,342,156	16,121,605

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Interest expense	($5,723)	($5,374)	($11,517)	($10,940)
Income before taxes	108,824	80,181	158,531	135,286
Income tax expense	-40,646	-29,491	-66,504	-49,555
Net income	68,178	50,690	92,027	85,731
Basic earnings per share	$15.68	$10.37	$20.88	$17.38
Diluted earnings per share	$15.17	$10.11	$20.19	$16.92
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	4,349	4,889	4,408	4,934
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	4,495	5,013	4,557	5,067
Homebuilding [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	1,084,080	992,210	1,883,267	1,743,078
Other income	452	1,098	1,449	2,124
Cost of sales	-882,778	-834,288	-1,537,930	-1,458,373
Selling, general and administrative	-93,583	-82,120	-184,215	-160,533
Operating income	108,171	76,900	162,571	126,296
Interest expense	-5,593	-5,237	-11,277	-10,689
Income before taxes	102,578	71,663	151,294	115,607
Mortgage Banking [Member]	'	'	'	'
Mortgage banking fees	17,974	17,682	30,097	37,070
Interest income	825	1,047	2,009	2,002
Other income	194	178	253	291
General and administrative	-12,617	-10,252	-24,882	-19,433
Interest expense	-130	-137	-240	-251
Income before taxes	$6,246	$8,518	$7,237	$19,679

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$92,027	$85,731
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	7,926	5,848
Excess income tax benefit from equity-based compensation	-6,050	-23,727
Equity-based compensation expense	26,641	18,652
Contract land deposit recoveries, net	-3,655	-3,987
Gain on sale of loans	-20,505	-28,159
Mortgage loans closed	-1,010,249	-1,032,029
Mortgage loans sold and principal payments on mortgage loans held for sale	1,072,897	1,063,018
Distribution of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	4,718	1,334
Net change in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Increase in inventory	-212,502	-256,541
Increase in contract land deposits	-13,268	-12,204
Increase in receivables	-5,549	-5,595
Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and customer deposits	61,270	106,719
Other, net	-10,781	-9,574
Net cash used in operating activities	-17,080	-90,514
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	'	-11,000
Distribution of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures	8,282	2,124
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-20,805	-8,088
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	363	257
Net cash used in investing activities	-12,160	-16,707
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Purchases of treasury stock	-347,448	-294,979
Repayments under non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity and note payable	-2,222	-3,281
Distributions to partner in consolidated variable interest entity	-281	'
Excess income tax benefit from equity-based compensation	6,050	23,727
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	60,593	6,671
Net cash used in financing activities	-283,308	-267,862
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-312,548	-375,083
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	866,253	1,153,507
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	553,705	778,424
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'
Interest paid during the period, net of interest capitalized	12,166	12,607
Income taxes paid during the period, net of refunds	$63,128	$15,041

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NVR, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “NVR” or the “Company”) and certain other entities in which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary (see Notes 2 and 3 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements). Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Because the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP, they should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals except as otherwise noted herein) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain prior year amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation.
	For the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, comprehensive income equaled net income; therefore, a separate statement of comprehensive income is not included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Variable Interest Entities	'
	2	Variable Interest Entities
	Fixed Price Purchase Agreements
	NVR generally does not engage in the land development business. Instead, the Company typically acquires finished building lots at market prices from various development entities under fixed price purchase agreements. The purchase agreements require deposits that may be forfeited if NVR fails to perform under the agreement. The deposits required under the purchase agreements are in the form of cash or letters of credit in varying amounts, and typically range up to 10% of the aggregate purchase price of the finished lots.
	NVR believes this lot acquisition strategy reduces the financial requirements and risks associated with direct land ownership and land development. NVR may, at its option, choose for any reason and at any time not to perform under these purchase agreements by delivering notice of its intent not to acquire the finished lots under contract. NVR’s sole legal obligation and economic loss for failure to perform under these purchase agreements is limited to the amount of the deposit pursuant to the liquidated damage provisions contained within the purchase agreements. In other words, if NVR does not perform under a purchase agreement, NVR loses only its deposit. None of the creditors of any of the development entities with which NVR enters fixed price purchase agreements have recourse to the general credit of NVR. NVR generally does not have any specific performance obligations to purchase a certain number or any of the lots, nor does NVR guarantee completion of the development by the developer or guarantee any of the developers’ financial or other liabilities.
	NVR is not involved in the design or creation of any of the development entities from which the Company purchases lots under fixed price purchase agreements. The developer’s equity holders have the power to direct 100% of the operating activities of the development entity. NVR has no voting rights in any of the development entities. The sole purpose of the development entity’s activities is to generate positive cash flow returns to its equity holders. Further, NVR does not share in any of the profit or loss generated by the project’s development. The profits and losses are passed directly to the developer’s equity holders.
	The deposit placed by NVR pursuant to the fixed price purchase agreement is deemed to be a variable interest in the respective development entities. Those development entities are deemed to be variable interest entities (“VIEs”). Therefore, the development entities with which NVR enters fixed price purchase agreements, including the joint venture limited liability corporations, as discussed below, are evaluated for possible consolidation by NVR. An enterprise must consolidate a VIE when that enterprise has a controlling financial interest in the VIE. An enterprise is deemed to have a controlling financial interest if it has i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE or the rights to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
	NVR believes the activities that most significantly impact a development entity’s economic performance are the operating activities of the entity. Unless and until a development entity completes finished building lots through the development process, with respect to which the development entities’ equity investors bear the full risk, the entity does not earn any revenues. The operating development activities are managed solely by the development entity’s equity investors.
	The development entities with which NVR contracts to buy finished lots typically select the respective projects, obtain the necessary zoning approvals, obtain the financing required with no support or guarantees from NVR, select who will purchase the finished lots and at what price, and manage the completion of the infrastructure improvements, all for the purpose of generating a cash flow return to the development entity’s equity holders and all independent of NVR. The Company possesses no more than limited protective legal rights through the purchase agreement in the specific finished lots that it is purchasing, and NVR possesses no participative rights in the development entities. Accordingly, NVR does not have the power to direct the activities of a developer that most significantly impact the developer’s economic performance. For this reason, NVR has concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary of the development entities with which the Company enters fixed price purchase agreements, and therefore, NVR does not consolidate any of these VIEs.
	As of June 30, 2014, NVR controlled approximately 60,900 lots with deposits in cash and letters of credit totaling approximately $306,200 and $2,400, respectively. As noted above, NVR’s sole legal obligation and economic loss for failure to perform under these purchase agreements is limited to the amount of the deposit pursuant to the liquidated damage provisions contained within the purchase agreements and in very limited circumstances, specific performance obligations. In addition, NVR has certain properties under contract with land owners that are expected to yield approximately 4,900 lots, which are not included in the number of total lots controlled. Some of these properties may require rezoning or other approvals to achieve the expected yield. These properties are controlled with deposits and letters of credit totaling approximately $3,500 and $4,000, respectively as of June 30, 2014, of which approximately $7,300 is refundable if NVR does not perform under the contract. NVR generally expects to assign the raw land contracts to a land developer and simultaneously enter into a lot purchase agreement with the assignee if the project is determined to be feasible. NVR’s total risk of loss related to contract land deposits as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, was as follows:
			June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Contract land deposits		$	309,677		$	296,646
	Loss reserve on contract land deposits			(55,869	)		(59,761	)
	Contract land deposits, net			253,808			236,885
	Contingent obligations in the form of letters of credit			6,427			2,459
	Contingent specific performance obligations (1)			1,505			1,707
	Total risk of loss		$	261,740		$	241,051
	-1	At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company was committed to purchase 10 and 13 finished lots, respectively, under specific performance obligations.

Joint_Ventures

Joint Ventures	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Joint Ventures	'
	3	Joint Ventures
	On a limited basis, NVR also obtains finished lots using joint venture limited liability corporations (“JVs”). All JVs are typically structured such that NVR is a non-controlling member and is at risk only for the amount the Company has invested, in addition to any deposits placed under fixed price purchase agreements with the JV. NVR is not a borrower, guarantor or obligor on any debt of the JVs, as applicable. The Company enters into a standard fixed price purchase agreement to purchase lots from these JVs, and as a result has a variable interest in these JVs.
	At June 30, 2014, the Company had an aggregate investment totaling approximately $85,500 in four JVs that are expected to produce approximately 9,000 finished lots, of which approximately 3,400 were not under contract with NVR. The Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of three of the JVs because NVR and the other JV partner either share power or the other JV partner has the controlling financial interest. The aggregate investment in these three JVs was approximately $82,200 and is reported in the “Other assets” line item on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. For the remaining JV, NVR has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary because the Company has the controlling financial interest in the JV. Accordingly, NVR consolidates this JV. The condensed balance sheets at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, of the consolidated JV were as follows:
			June 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Cash		$	1,846	$	668
	Restricted cash			185		248
	Other assets			400		542
	Land under development			4,371		5,810
	Total assets		$	6,802	$	7,268
	Debt		$	1,258	$	3,365
	Accrued expenses			1,475		862
	Equity			4,069		3,041
	Total liabilities and equity		$	6,802	$	7,268

Land_Under_Development

Land Under Development	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Land Under Development	'
	4	Land Under Development
	On a limited basis, NVR directly acquires raw parcels of land already zoned for its intended use to develop into finished lots. Land under development includes the land acquisition costs, direct improvement costs, capitalized interest, where applicable, and real estate taxes. During the second quarter of 2014, the Company acquired a raw land parcel for approximately $12,000 which is expected to produce approximately 440 lots. In July the Company entered into an agreement to sell this raw land parcel to a third party developer at NVR’s carrying value, and simultaneously entered into a lot purchase agreement to purchase finished lots from the developer. As of June 30, 2014, NVR directly owned six separate raw parcels of land with a carrying value of $63,789 that when developed will yield approximately 1,150 finished lots for use in its homebuilding operations. Of the total finished lots, 125 lots are under contract to be sold to an unrelated party under lot purchase agreements. None of the raw parcels had any indicators of impairment as of June 30, 2014. Based on current market conditions, NVR may on a limited basis continue to directly acquire additional raw parcels to develop into finished lots.

Capitalized_Interest

Capitalized Interest	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Capitalized Interest	'
	5	Capitalized Interest
	The Company capitalizes interest costs to land under development during the active development of finished lots. In addition, the Company capitalizes interest costs to its joint venture investments while the investments are considered qualified assets pursuant to ASC 835-20, Interest. Capitalized interest is transferred to sold or unsold inventory as the development of finished lots is completed, then charged to cost of sales upon the Company’s settlement of homes and the respective lots. Interest incurred in excess of the interest capitalizable based on the level of qualified assets is expensed in the period incurred. NVR’s interest costs incurred, capitalized, expensed and charged to cost of sales during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:
			Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest capitalized, beginning of period		$	3,618		$	1,577		$	3,294		$	893
	Interest incurred			6,200			6,264			12,423			12,514
	Interest charged to interest expense			(5,723	)		(5,374	)		(11,517	)		(10,940	)
	Interest charged to cost of sales			(285	)		(13	)		(390	)		(13	)
	Interest capitalized, end of period		$	3,810		$	2,454		$	3,810		$	2,454

EquityBased_Compensation_Expen

Equity-Based Compensation Expense	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Equity-Based Compensation Expense	'
	6	Equity-Based Compensation Expense
	The Company’s shareholders approved the NVR, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 7, 2014. The 2014 Plan authorizes the Company to issue non-qualified stock options (“Options”) to key management employees, including executive officers and Board members, to acquire up to an aggregate 950,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.
	During the second quarter of 2014, the Company issued 623,350 Options under the 2014 Plan. The Options were granted at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day prior to the date of grant. Each of the Options granted will vest over four years in 25% increments on December 31, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The vesting for 331,675 of the Options granted is contingent both upon continued employment or continued service as a Director and the Company’s return on capital performance during 2014 through 2016. The vesting for the other 291,675 Options granted is contingent solely upon continued employment or continued service as a Director. The Options expire ten years from the date of grant.
	The Company also issued 47,100 Options under the NVR, Inc. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) during the six months ended June 30, 2014. The Options granted will vest in 25% increments on December 31, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, based solely on continued employment. The Options expire ten years from the date of grant. The Company also issued 16,283 restricted share units (“RSUs”) from the 2010 Plan during the six months ended June 30, 2014. The RSUs vest in 33% increments beginning on December 31, 2016, based solely on continued employment. The weighted average fair value per share of the RSUs granted was $1,153.41.
	To estimate the grant-date fair value of its Options, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (the “Pricing Model”). The Pricing Model estimates the per share fair value of an option on its date of grant based on the following factors: the option’s exercise price; the price of the underlying stock on the date of grant; the estimated dividend yield; a risk-free interest rate; the estimated option term; and the expected volatility. For the risk-free interest rate, the Company uses U.S. Treasury Strips which mature at approximately the same time as the option’s expected holding term. For expected volatility, NVR has concluded that its historical volatility over the option’s expected holding term provides the most reasonable basis for this estimate. The fair value of the Options granted during 2014 was estimated on the grant date using the Pricing Model, based on the following assumptions:
	Estimated average holding period (years)		5.16
	Risk free interest rate (range)		1.064% - 2.489%
	Expected volatility (range)		18.585% - 30.571%
	Expected dividend rate		0.00%
	Grant-date fair value per share of options granted		$267.71
	In accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, the fair value of the non-vested equity shares is measured as if they were vested and issued on the grant date. Additionally, under ASC 718, service only restrictions on vesting of non-vested equity shares are not reflected in the fair value calculation at the grant date.
	Compensation cost for Options is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award (from the date of grant through the period of the last separately vesting portion of the grant). For the recognition of equity-based compensation expense, the Options which are subject to a performance condition are treated as a separate award from the “service-only” Options, and compensation expense for Options subject to a performance condition is recognized when it becomes probable that the stated performance target will be achieved. The Company currently believes that it is probable that the performance condition will be satisfied at the target level and is recognizing compensation expense related to such Options accordingly. Compensation cost is recognized within the income statement in the same expense line as the cash compensation paid to the respective employees. ASC 718 also requires the Company to estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation, and requires the compensation costs of stock-based awards to be recognized net of estimated forfeitures. Total equity-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures, recognized during the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $15,938 and $10,589, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $26,641 and $18,652, respectively.
	As of June 30, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost for all outstanding Options and RSUs was approximately $229,300, net of estimated forfeitures. The unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized over each grant’s applicable vesting period, with the latest vesting date being December 31, 2019. Unrecognized compensation costs may change depending upon the satisfaction of the performance-based metric, discussed above. The weighted-average period over which the unrecognized compensation will be recorded is equal to approximately 2.8 years.
						Weighted Avg.
			Options			Exercise Price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			667,036		$	740.18
	Granted			670,450			1,094.24
	Exercised			(92,303	)		656.45
	Forfeited			(16,387	)		830.02
	Outstanding at June 30, 2014			1,228,796		$	938.45
	Exercisable at June 30, 2014			183,983		$	629.72
	The table above does not include 55,990 outstanding RSUs, which were issued at a $0 exercise price. None of the outstanding RSUs were exercisable as of June 30, 2014.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings per Share	'
	7	Earnings per Share
	The following weighted average shares and share equivalents were used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
			Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic EPS			4,349,000		4,889,000		4,408,000		4,934,000
	Dilutive Securities:
	Stock options and restricted share units			146,000		124,000		149,000		133,000
	Weighted average number of shares and share equivalents outstanding used to calculate diluted EPS			4,495,000		5,013,000		4,557,000		5,067,000
	Options issued under equity incentive plans to purchase 752,924 shares of common stock were outstanding during both the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014, and 136,962 shares of common stock were outstanding during both the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2013, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive in the respective periods.

Excess_Reorganization_Value_Go

Excess Reorganization Value, Goodwill and Other Intangibles	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Excess Reorganization Value, Goodwill and Other Intangibles	'
	8	Excess Reorganization Value, Goodwill and Other Intangibles
	Reorganization value in excess of identifiable assets (“excess reorganization value”) is an indefinite-lived intangible asset that was created upon NVR’s emergence from bankruptcy on September 30, 1993. Based on the allocation of the reorganization value, the portion of the reorganization value which was not attributed to specific tangible or intangible assets has been reported as excess reorganization value, which is treated similarly to goodwill. Excess reorganization value is not subject to amortization. Rather, excess reorganization value is subject to an impairment assessment on an annual basis or more frequently if changes in events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Because excess reorganization value was based on the reorganization value of NVR’s entire enterprise upon emergence from bankruptcy, the impairment assessment is conducted on an enterprise basis based on NVR’s total equity compared to the market value of NVR’s outstanding publicly-traded common stock.
	As of June 30, 2014, goodwill and net finite-lived intangible assets totaled $441 and $5,614, respectively. The remaining finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over a weighted average life of 5 years. Amortization expense related to the finite-lived intangible assets was $346 and $691 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, and $525 and $925 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively.
	The Company completed the annual impairment assessment of the excess reorganization value and goodwill during the first quarter of 2014 and determined that there was no impairment.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	9	Income Taxes
	During the first quarter of 2014, the Company recognized additional income tax expense of approximately $6,900 due to the reversal of certain previously recognized tax deductions.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' Equity	'
	10	Shareholders’ Equity
	A summary of changes in shareholders’ equity is presented below:
					Additional								Deferred			Deferred
			Common		Paid-In			Retained		Treasury			Compensation			Compensation
			Stock		Capital			Earnings		Stock			Trust			Liability		Total
	Balance, December 31, 2013		$	206	$	1,212,050		$	4,605,557	$	(4,556,461	)	$	(17,741	)	$	17,741	$	1,261,352
	Net income			—		—			92,027		—			—			—		92,027
	Purchase of common stock for treasury			—		—			—		(347,448	)		—			—		(347,448	)
	Equity-based compensation			—		26,641			—		—			—			—		26,641
	Tax benefit from equity benefit plan activity			—		6,050			—		—			—			—		6,050
	Proceeds from stock options exercised			—		60,593			—		—			—			—		60,593
	Treasury stock issued upon option exercise and restricted share vesting			—		(27,579	)		—		27,579			—			—		—
	Balance, June 30, 2014		$	206	$	1,277,755		$	4,697,584	$	(4,876,330	)	$	(17,741	)	$	17,741	$	1,099,215
	The Company repurchased 317,739 shares of its common stock during the six months ended June 30, 2014. The Company settles option exercises and vesting of restricted share units by issuing shares of treasury stock. Approximately 97,000 shares were issued from the treasury account during the six months ended June 30, 2014 in settlement of option exercises and vesting of restricted share units. Shares are relieved from the treasury account based on the weighted average cost basis of treasury shares acquired.

Product_Warranties

Product Warranties	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Product Warranties	'
	11	Product Warranties
	The Company establishes warranty and product liability reserves (“warranty reserve”) to provide for estimated future expenses as a result of construction and product defects, product recalls and litigation incidental to NVR’s homebuilding business. Liability estimates are determined based on management’s judgment, considering such factors as historical experience, the likely current cost of corrective action, manufacturers’ and subcontractors’ participation in sharing the cost of corrective action, consultations with third party experts such as engineers, and discussions with the Company’s general counsel and outside counsel retained to handle specific product liability cases. The following table reflects the changes in the Company’s warranty reserve during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
			Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Warranty reserve, beginning of period		$	98,765		$	63,057		$	101,507		$	62,742
	Provision			13,193			25,612			23,453			33,903
	Payments			(14,768	)		(11,328	)		(27,770	)		(19,304	)
	Warranty reserve, end of period		$	97,190		$	77,341		$	97,190		$	77,341
	The warranty reserve provision for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 included a charge of approximately $15,600 to establish an accrual related to remediation of primarily water infiltration issues in a single completed community. The water infiltration issues were the result of a design issue with several products developed for and built exclusively in that one specific community. The warranty reserve provision for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 included additional charges related to this issue totaling $3,000 and $3,975, respectively.

Segment_Disclosures

Segment Disclosures	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Disclosures	'
	12	Segment Disclosures
	The following disclosure includes four homebuilding reportable segments that aggregate geographically the Company’s homebuilding operating segments, and the mortgage banking operations presented as a single reportable segment. The homebuilding reportable segments are comprised of operating divisions in the following geographic areas:
	Mid Atlantic:		Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and Washington, D.C.
	North East:		New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania
	Mid East:		New York, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois
	South East:		North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida
	Homebuilding profit before tax includes all revenues and income generated from the sale of homes, less the cost of homes sold, selling, general and administrative expenses and a corporate capital allocation charge. The corporate capital allocation charge is eliminated in consolidation, is based on the segment’s average net assets employed and is charged using a consistent methodology in the periods presented. The corporate capital allocation charged to the operating segment allows the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) to determine whether the operating segment’s results are providing the desired rate of return after covering the Company’s cost of capital. In addition, certain assets, including goodwill and intangible assets and consolidation adjustments as discussed further below, are not allocated to the operating segments as those assets are neither included in the operating segment’s corporate capital allocation charge, nor in the CODM’s evaluation of the operating segment’s performance. The Company records charges on contract land deposits when it is determined that it is probable that recovery of the deposit is impaired. For segment reporting purposes, impairments on contract land deposits are charged to the operating segment upon the determination to terminate a finished lot purchase agreement with the developer, or to restructure a lot purchase agreement resulting in the forfeiture of the deposit. Mortgage banking profit before tax consists of revenues generated from mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services, less the costs of such services and general and administrative costs. Mortgage banking operations are not charged a corporate capital allocation charge.
	In addition to the corporate capital allocation and contract land deposit impairments discussed above, the other reconciling items between segment profit and consolidated profit before tax include unallocated corporate overhead (including all management incentive compensation), equity-based compensation expense, consolidation adjustments and external corporate interest expense. NVR’s overhead functions, such as accounting, treasury, human resources, etc., are centrally performed and the costs are not allocated to the Company’s operating segments. Consolidation adjustments consist of such items necessary to convert the reportable segments’ results, which are predominantly maintained on a cash basis, to a full accrual basis for external financial statement presentation purposes, and are not allocated to the Company’s operating segments. Likewise, equity-based compensation expense is not charged to the operating segments. External corporate interest expense is primarily comprised of interest charges on the Company’s 3.95% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Senior Notes”) and is not charged to the operating segments because the charges are included in the corporate capital allocation discussed above.
	Following are tables presenting segment revenues, profit and assets, with reconciliations to the amounts reported for the consolidated enterprise, where applicable:
			Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenues:
	Homebuilding Mid Atlantic		$	657,825		$	594,902		$	1,122,855		$	1,026,770
	Homebuilding North East			92,438			82,260			171,230			144,871
	Homebuilding Mid East			221,088			213,463			371,736			384,219
	Homebuilding South East			112,729			101,585			217,446			187,218
	Mortgage Banking			17,974			17,682			30,097			37,070
	Total consolidated revenues		$	1,102,054		$	1,009,892		$	1,913,364		$	1,780,148
	Profit:
	Homebuilding Mid Atlantic		$	67,347		$	48,727		$	108,358		$	85,266
	Homebuilding North East			8,398			6,397			14,705			10,083
	Homebuilding Mid East			11,116			9,412			10,867			11,235
	Homebuilding South East			7,895			5,101			15,941			8,748
	Mortgage Banking			7,427			9,316			9,267			21,118
	Total segment profit			102,183			78,953			159,138			136,450
	Contract land deposit reserve adjustment (1)			1,672			2,845			3,655			3,852
	Equity-based compensation expense (2)			(15,938	)		(10,589	)		(26,641	)		(18,652	)
	Corporate capital allocation (3)			34,511			29,673			63,477			55,291
	Unallocated corporate overhead			(15,513	)		(20,972	)		(41,473	)		(46,170	)
	Consolidation adjustments and other			7,488			5,479			11,629			15,138
	Corporate interest expense			(5,579	)		(5,208	)		(11,254	)		(10,623	)
	Reconciling items sub-total			6,641			1,228			(607	)		(1,164	)
	Consolidated income before taxes		$	108,824		$	80,181		$	158,531		$	135,286
			June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Assets:
	Homebuilding Mid Atlantic		$	944,257		$	810,270
	Homebuilding North East			95,993			84,958
	Homebuilding Mid East			223,559			172,167
	Homebuilding South East			146,000			106,389
	Mortgage Banking			204,518			253,421
	Total segment assets			1,614,327			1,427,205
	Consolidated variable interest entity			6,802			7,268
	Cash and cash equivalents			538,940			844,274
	Deferred taxes			166,695			162,378
	Intangible assets and goodwill			54,982			55,674
	Contract land deposit reserve			(55,869	)		(59,761	)
	Consolidation adjustments and other			56,186			49,110
	Reconciling items sub-total			767,736			1,058,943
	Consolidated assets		$	2,382,063		$	2,486,148
	-1	This item represents changes to the contract land deposit impairment reserve, which are not allocated to the reportable segments.
	-2	The increase in equity-based compensation expense in the three month period ended June 30, 2014 was attributable to the issuance of Options under the 2014 Plan during the second quarter of 2014. The increase in equity-based compensation expense in the six month period ended June 30, 2014 is primarily attributable to the second quarter 2014 Options granted and RSUs granted in the second quarter of 2013. See Note 6 for additional discussion of equity-based compensation.
	-3	This item represents the elimination of the corporate capital allocation charge included in the respective homebuilding reportable segments. The corporate capital allocation charge is based on the segment’s monthly average asset balance, and was as follows for the periods presented:
			Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Homebuilding Mid Atlantic		$	21,742		$	18,609		$	39,898		$	34,716
	Homebuilding North East			2,733			2,353			5,182			4,347
	Homebuilding Mid East			6,180			5,716			11,478			10,731
	Homebuilding South East			3,856			2,995			6,919			5,497
	Total		$	34,511		$	29,673		$	63,477		$	55,291

Fair_Value

Fair Value	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value	'
	13	Fair Value
	Financial Instruments
	The estimated fair value of NVR’s Senior Notes as of June 30, 2014 was approximately $600,900. The estimated fair value is based on recent market prices of similar transactions, which is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The carrying value of the Senior Notes was $599,120 at June 30, 2014. Except as otherwise noted below, NVR believes that insignificant differences exist between the carrying value and the fair value of its financial instruments, which consists of cash equivalents, due to their short term nature.
	Derivative Instruments and Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
	In the normal course of business, NVR’s mortgage banking segment enters into contractual commitments to extend credit to buyers of single-family homes with fixed expiration dates. The commitments become effective when the borrowers “lock-in” a specified interest rate within time frames established by NVR. All mortgagors are evaluated for credit worthiness prior to the extension of the commitment. Market risk arises if interest rates move adversely between the time of the “lock-in” of rates by the borrower and the sale date of the loan to a broker/dealer. To mitigate the effect of the interest rate risk inherent in providing rate lock commitments to borrowers, the Company enters into optional or mandatory delivery forward sale contracts to sell whole loans and mortgage-backed securities to broker/dealers. The forward sale contracts lock in an interest rate and price for the sale of loans similar to the specific rate lock commitments. NVR does not engage in speculative or trading derivative activities. Both the rate lock commitments to borrowers and the forward sale contracts to broker/dealers are undesignated derivatives and, accordingly, are marked to fair value through earnings. At June 30, 2014, there were contractual commitments to extend credit to borrowers aggregating $413,089 and open forward delivery contracts aggregating $504,091.
	GAAP assigns a fair value hierarchy to the inputs used to measure fair value. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs. The fair value of the Company’s rate lock commitments to borrowers and the related input levels include, as applicable:
		i)	the assumed gain/loss of the expected resultant loan sale (Level 2);
		ii)	the effects of interest rate movements between the date of the rate lock and the balance sheet date (Level 2); and
		iii)	the value of the servicing rights associated with the loan (Level 2).
	The assumed gain/loss considers the amount, if any, that the Company has discounted the price to the borrower from par for competitive reasons and the excess servicing to be received or buydown fees to be paid upon securitization of the loan. The excess servicing and buydown fees are calculated pursuant to contractual terms with investors. To calculate the effects of interest rate movements, the Company utilizes applicable published mortgage-backed security prices, and multiplies the price movement between the rate lock date and the balance sheet date by the notional loan commitment amount. The Company sells all of its loans on a servicing released basis, and receives a servicing released premium upon sale. Thus, the value of the servicing rights, which averaged 111 basis points of the loan amount as of June 30, 2014, is included in the fair value measurement and is based upon contractual terms with investors and varies depending on the loan type. The Company assumes an approximate 11% fallout rate when measuring the fair value of rate lock commitments. Fallout is defined as locked loan commitments for which the Company does not close a mortgage loan and is based on historical experience.
	The fair value of the Company’s forward sales contracts to broker/dealers solely considers the market price movement of the same type of security between the trade date and the balance sheet date (Level 2). The market price changes are multiplied by the notional amount of the forward sales contracts to measure the fair value.
	Mortgage loans held for sale are recorded at fair value when closed, and thereafter are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, net of deferred origination costs, until sold. Fair value is measured using Level 2 inputs. The fair value of loans held for sale of $170,470 included on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet has been increased by $2,083 from the aggregate principal balance of $168,387.
	The undesignated derivative instruments are included on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet, as of June 30, 2014, as follows:
			Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value
	Derivative Assets:
	Rate lock commitments		NVRM - Other assets		$	4,446
	Derivative Liabilities:
	Forward sales contracts		NVRM - Accounts payable		$	1,950
			and other liabilities
	The fair value measurement as of June 30, 2014 was as follows:
							Assumed			Interest							Total Fair
			Notional or				Gain/(Loss)			Rate		Servicing		Security			Value
			Principal				From Loan			Movement		Rights		Price			Measurement
			Amount				Sale			Effect		Value		Change			Gain/(Loss)
	Rate lock commitments		$	413,089			$	(1,088	)	$	1,413	$	4,121	$	—		$	4,446
	Forward sales contracts		$	504,091				—			—		—		(1,950	)		(1,950	)
	Mortgages held for sale		$	168,387				(456	)		738		1,801		—			2,083
	Total Fair Value Measurement						$	(1,544	)	$	2,151	$	5,922	$	(1,950	)	$	4,579
	For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, NVR Mortgage Finance, Inc. (“NVRM”) recorded a fair value adjustment to income of $4,059 and $2,481, respectively. Unrealized gains/losses from the change in the fair value measurements are included in earnings as a component of mortgage banking fees in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. The fair value measurement will be impacted in the future by the change in the value of the servicing rights, interest rate movements, security price fluctuations, and the volume and product mix of the Company’s closed loans and locked loan commitments.

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	14	Debt
	As of June 30, 2014, the Company had Senior Notes outstanding with a principal balance of $600,000. The Senior Notes were issued at a discount to yield 3.97% and have been reflected net of the unamortized discount in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Senior Notes mature on September 15, 2022 and bear interest at 3.95%, payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15.
	NVRM provides for its mortgage origination and other operating activities using cash generated from operations, borrowings from its parent company, NVR, as well as a revolving mortgage repurchase agreement (the “Repurchase Agreement”), which is non-recourse to NVR. The Repurchase Agreement provides for loan purchases up to $25,000, subject to certain sub-limits. At June 30, 2014, there was no outstanding debt under the Repurchase Agreement. Amounts outstanding under the Repurchase Agreement are collateralized by the Company’s mortgage loans held for sale. As of June 30, 2014, there were no borrowing base limitations reducing the amount available for borrowings under the Repurchase Agreement. The Repurchase Agreement was renewed with materially consistent terms and conditions and expires on July 29, 2015.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	15	Commitments and Contingencies
	In October 2004, Patrick Tracy, whom NVR had employed as a Sales and Marketing Representative (“SMR”), filed a lawsuit against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York alleging that NVR had misclassified him and other SMRs as outside sales personnel exempt from certain state and federal wage laws, including overtime pay requirements. Mr. Tracy’s attorneys subsequently filed several other lawsuits in various courts asserting substantially similar claims on behalf of various classes or groups of SMRs. None of those courts have held that the claims are appropriate for class, collective, or other group treatment, and the Western District of New York ruled in April 2013 that the claims in Mr. Tracy’s case could not proceed on such a basis. The Western District of New York reached the same conclusion in July 2014 regarding a separate case that Mr. Tracy’s attorneys brought on behalf of other SMRs.
	In October 2013, Mr. Tracy’s individual claims were tried by a jury, which returned a unanimous verdict in NVR’s favor and found that the Company had properly classified Mr. Tracy as an exempt outside sales person. The plaintiff filed a notice of appeal on February 27, 2014, but he has not yet identified any issues as to which he may seek appellate review. The remainder of the cases noted above are in various stages of pre-trial proceedings, many of them stayed or administratively closed pending a final disposition of the Tracy action.
	The Company believes that its compensation practices in regard to SMRs are entirely lawful and has vigorously defended all claims challenging those practices. In light of the points noted above, the Company has not recorded any associated liabilities on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in conjunction with any of those claims.
	In June 2010, the Company received a Request for Information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) pursuant to Section 308 of the Clean Water Act. The request sought information about storm water discharge practices in connection with homebuilding projects completed or underway by the Company in New York and New Jersey. The Company cooperated with this request, and provided information to the EPA. The Company was subsequently informed by the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) that the EPA forwarded the information on the matter to the DOJ, and the DOJ requested that the Company meet with the government to discuss the status of the case. Meetings took place in January 2012 and August 2012 with representatives from both the EPA and DOJ. It is as yet unclear what next steps the DOJ will take in the matter. The Company intends to continue cooperating with any future EPA and/or DOJ inquiries. At this time, the Company cannot predict the outcome of this inquiry, nor can it reasonably estimate the potential costs that may be associated with its eventual resolution.
	The Company and its subsidiaries are also involved in various other litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, and based on advice of legal counsel, this litigation is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. Legal costs incurred in connection with outstanding litigation are expensed as incurred.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	16	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Variable_Interest_Entities_Tab

Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Total Risk Related to Lot Options	'
	NVR’s total risk of loss related to contract land deposits as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, was as follows:
			June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Contract land deposits		$	309,677		$	296,646
	Loss reserve on contract land deposits			(55,869	)		(59,761	)
	Contract land deposits, net			253,808			236,885
	Contingent obligations in the form of letters of credit			6,427			2,459
	Contingent specific performance obligations (1)			1,505			1,707
	Total risk of loss		$	261,740		$	241,051
	-1	At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company was committed to purchase 10 and 13 finished lots, respectively, under specific performance obligations.

Joint_Ventures_Tables

Joint Ventures (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Condensed Balance Sheets of Consolidated JV	'
	The condensed balance sheets at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, of the consolidated JV were as follows:
		June 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Cash	$	1,846	$	668
	Restricted cash		185		248
	Other assets		400		542
	Land under development		4,371		5,810
	Total assets	$	6,802	$	7,268
	Debt	$	1,258	$	3,365
	Accrued expenses		1,475		862
	Equity		4,069		3,041
	Total liabilities and equity	$	6,802	$	7,268

Capitalized_Interest_Tables

Capitalized Interest (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Summary of Interest Costs Incurred, Capitalized, Expensed and Charged to Cost of Sales	'
	NVR’s interest costs incurred, capitalized, expensed and charged to cost of sales during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$	3,618		$	1,577		$	3,294		$	893
	Interest incurred		6,200			6,264			12,423			12,514
	Interest charged to interest expense		(5,723	)		(5,374	)		(11,517	)		(10,940	)
	Interest charged to cost of sales		(285	)		(13	)		(390	)		(13	)
	Interest capitalized, end of period	$	3,810		$	2,454		$	3,810		$	2,454

EquityBased_Compensation_Expen1

Equity-Based Compensation Expense (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model Assumptions	'
	The fair value of the Options granted during 2014 was estimated on the grant date using the Pricing Model, based on the following assumptions:
	Estimated average holding period (years)	5.16
	Risk free interest rate (range)	1.064% - 2.489%
	Expected volatility (range)	18.585% - 30.571%
	Expected dividend rate	0.00%
	Grant-date fair value per share of options granted	$267.71
Stock-Based Compensation Plans	'
	Weighted Avg.
		Options			Exercise Price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		667,036		$	740.18
	Granted		670,450			1,094.24
	Exercised		(92,303	)		656.45
	Forfeited		(16,387	)		830.02
	Outstanding at June 30, 2014		1,228,796		$	938.45
	Exercisable at June 30, 2014		183,983		$	629.72

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Weighted Average Shares and Share Equivalents Used to Calculate Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The following weighted average shares and share equivalents were used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic EPS		4,349,000		4,889,000		4,408,000		4,934,000
	Dilutive Securities:
	Stock options and restricted share units		146,000		124,000		149,000		133,000
	Weighted average number of shares and share equivalents outstanding used to calculate diluted EPS		4,495,000		5,013,000		4,557,000		5,067,000

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Changes in Shareholders' Equity	'
	A summary of changes in shareholders’ equity is presented below:
				Additional								Deferred			Deferred
		Common		Paid-In			Retained		Treasury			Compensation			Compensation
		Stock		Capital			Earnings		Stock			Trust			Liability		Total
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	206	$	1,212,050		$	4,605,557	$	(4,556,461	)	$	(17,741	)	$	17,741	$	1,261,352
	Net income		—		—			92,027		—			—			—		92,027
	Purchase of common stock for treasury		—		—			—		(347,448	)		—			—		(347,448	)
	Equity-based compensation		—		26,641			—		—			—			—		26,641
	Tax benefit from equity benefit plan activity		—		6,050			—		—			—			—		6,050
	Proceeds from stock options exercised		—		60,593			—		—			—			—		60,593
	Treasury stock issued upon option exercise and restricted share vesting		—		(27,579	)		—		27,579			—			—		—
	Balance, June 30, 2014	$	206	$	1,277,755		$	4,697,584	$	(4,876,330	)	$	(17,741	)	$	17,741	$	1,099,215

Product_Warranties_Tables

Product Warranties (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Summary of Changes in Product Warranties Reserve	'
	The following table reflects the changes in the Company’s warranty reserve during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Warranty reserve, beginning of period	$	98,765		$	63,057		$	101,507		$	62,742
	Provision		13,193			25,612			23,453			33,903
	Payments		(14,768	)		(11,328	)		(27,770	)		(19,304	)
	Warranty reserve, end of period	$	97,190		$	77,341		$	97,190		$	77,341

Segment_Disclosures_Tables

Segment Disclosures (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Revenues	'
	Following are tables presenting segment revenues, profit and assets, with reconciliations to the amounts reported for the consolidated enterprise, where applicable:
			Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenues:
	Homebuilding Mid Atlantic		$	657,825		$	594,902		$	1,122,855		$	1,026,770
	Homebuilding North East			92,438			82,260			171,230			144,871
	Homebuilding Mid East			221,088			213,463			371,736			384,219
	Homebuilding South East			112,729			101,585			217,446			187,218
	Mortgage Banking			17,974			17,682			30,097			37,070
	Total consolidated revenues		$	1,102,054		$	1,009,892		$	1,913,364		$	1,780,148
Profit	'
	Profit:
	Homebuilding Mid Atlantic		$	67,347		$	48,727		$	108,358		$	85,266
	Homebuilding North East			8,398			6,397			14,705			10,083
	Homebuilding Mid East			11,116			9,412			10,867			11,235
	Homebuilding South East			7,895			5,101			15,941			8,748
	Mortgage Banking			7,427			9,316			9,267			21,118
	Total segment profit			102,183			78,953			159,138			136,450
	Contract land deposit reserve adjustment (1)			1,672			2,845			3,655			3,852
	Equity-based compensation expense (2)			(15,938	)		(10,589	)		(26,641	)		(18,652	)
	Corporate capital allocation (3)			34,511			29,673			63,477			55,291
	Unallocated corporate overhead			(15,513	)		(20,972	)		(41,473	)		(46,170	)
	Consolidation adjustments and other			7,488			5,479			11,629			15,138
	Corporate interest expense			(5,579	)		(5,208	)		(11,254	)		(10,623	)
	Reconciling items sub-total			6,641			1,228			(607	)		(1,164	)
	Consolidated income before taxes		$	108,824		$	80,181		$	158,531		$	135,286
	-1	This item represents changes to the contract land deposit impairment reserve, which are not allocated to the reportable segments.
	-2	The increase in equity-based compensation expense in the three month period ended June 30, 2014 was attributable to the issuance of Options under the 2014 Plan during the second quarter of 2014. The increase in equity-based compensation expense in the six month period ended June 30, 2014 is primarily attributable to the second quarter 2014 Options granted and RSUs granted in the second quarter of 2013. See Note 6 for additional discussion of equity-based compensation.
	-3	This item represents the elimination of the corporate capital allocation charge included in the respective homebuilding reportable segments.
Assets	'
			June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Assets:
	Homebuilding Mid Atlantic		$	944,257		$	810,270
	Homebuilding North East			95,993			84,958
	Homebuilding Mid East			223,559			172,167
	Homebuilding South East			146,000			106,389
	Mortgage Banking			204,518			253,421
	Total segment assets			1,614,327			1,427,205
	Consolidated variable interest entity			6,802			7,268
	Cash and cash equivalents			538,940			844,274
	Deferred taxes			166,695			162,378
	Intangible assets and goodwill			54,982			55,674
	Contract land deposit reserve			(55,869	)		(59,761	)
	Consolidation adjustments and other			56,186			49,110
	Reconciling items sub-total			767,736			1,058,943
	Consolidated assets		$	2,382,063		$	2,486,148
Corporate Capital Allocation Charge	'
	The corporate capital allocation charge is based on the segment’s monthly average asset balance, and was as follows for the periods presented:
			Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Homebuilding Mid Atlantic		$	21,742		$	18,609		$	39,898		$	34,716
	Homebuilding North East			2,733			2,353			5,182			4,347
	Homebuilding Mid East			6,180			5,716			11,478			10,731
	Homebuilding South East			3,856			2,995			6,919			5,497
	Total		$	34,511		$	29,673		$	63,477		$	55,291

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Undesignated Derivative Instruments	'
	The undesignated derivative instruments are included on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet, as of June 30, 2014, as follows:
		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value
	Derivative Assets:
	Rate lock commitments	NVRM - Other assets		$	4,446
	Derivative Liabilities:
	Forward sales contracts	NVRM - Accounts payable		$	1,950
		and other liabilities
Fair Value Measurement	'
	The fair value measurement as of June 30, 2014 was as follows:
						Assumed			Interest							Total Fair
		Notional or				Gain/(Loss)			Rate		Servicing		Security			Value
		Principal				From Loan			Movement		Rights		Price			Measurement
		Amount				Sale			Effect		Value		Change			Gain/(Loss)
	Rate lock commitments	$	413,089			$	(1,088	)	$	1,413	$	4,121	$	—		$	4,446
	Forward sales contracts	$	504,091				—			—		—		(1,950	)		(1,950	)
	Mortgages held for sale	$	168,387				(456	)		738		1,801		—			2,083
	Total Fair Value Measurement					$	(1,544	)	$	2,151	$	5,922	$	(1,950	)	$	4,579

Variable_Interest_Entities_Add

Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'
Maximum range of deposits required under the purchase agreements	10.00%
Power of developer's equity holders to direct operating activities of the development entity	100.00%
Lots controlled by NVR	60,900
Contract land deposits in cash	306,200
Letters of credit related to lots	2,400
Contract with Land Owners [Member]	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'
Lots controlled by NVR	4,900
Contract land deposits	3,500
Letters of credit related to land contract	4,000
Refundable deposits and letters of credit	7,300
Development Entities [Member]	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'
Voting rights description	'NVR has no voting rights in any of the development entities

Variable_Interest_Entities_Tot

Variable Interest Entities - Total Risk Related to Lot Options (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'
Contract land deposits	$309,677	$296,646
Loss reserve on contract land deposits	-55,869	-59,761
Contract land deposits, net	253,808	236,885
Contingent obligations in the form of letters of credit	6,427	2,459
Contingent specific performance obligations	1,505	1,707
Total risk of loss	$261,740	$241,051

Variable_Interest_Entities_Tot1

Variable Interest Entities - Total Risk Related to Lot Options (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Lot	Lot
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'
Finished lots committed to purchase under specific performance obligations	10	13

Joint_Ventures_Additional_Info

Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	JointVenture
	Lot
Joint Ventures [Line Items]	'
Aggregate investment	$85,500
Expected production of finished lots	9,000
Number of joint ventures	4
Total lots not under contract with NVR under the joint venture	3,400
Other Assets [Member]	'
Joint Ventures [Line Items]	'
Aggregate investment	$82,200
Number of joint ventures NVR is not primary beneficiary	3

Joint_Ventures_Condensed_Balan

Joint Ventures - Condensed Balance Sheets of Consolidated JV (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'	'
Cash	$1,846	$668
Restricted cash	185	248
Other assets	400	542
Land under development	4,371	5,810
Total assets	6,802	7,268
Debt	1,258	3,365
Accrued expenses	1,475	862
Equity	4,069	3,041
Total liabilities and equity	$6,802	$7,268

Land_Under_Development_Additio

Land Under Development - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
	Lot	Lot
	Parcels	Parcels
Real Estate [Abstract]	'	'
Number of raw parcels of land acquired	6	6
Carrying value of raw parcels of land	$63,789	$63,789
Number of finished lots for use in homebuilding operations	1,150	1,150
Finished lots under lot purchase agreements	125	125
Acquisition costs of raw parcel of land	$12,000	'
Number of finished lots intended to be developed from current period raw land acquisition	440	440

Capitalized_Interest_Summary_o

Capitalized Interest - Summary of Interest Costs Incurred, Capitalized, Expensed and Charged to Cost of Sales (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Interest Costs Incurred [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$3,618	$1,577	$3,294	$893
Interest incurred	6,200	6,264	12,423	12,514
Interest charged to interest expense	-5,723	-5,374	-11,517	-10,940
Interest charged to cost of sales	-285	-13	-390	-13
Interest capitalized, end of period	$3,810	$2,454	$3,810	$2,454

EquityBased_Compensation_Expen2

Equity-Based Compensation Expense - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock based compensation expense, net of forfeitures	$15,938	$10,589	$26,641	$18,652
Total unrecognized compensation cost for all outstanding Options and RSUs	$229,300	'	$229,300	'
Weighted-average period over which the unrecognized compensation will be recorded	'	'	'2 years 9 months 18 days	'
2014 Equity Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options granted	291,675	'	'	'
Options [Member] | 2014 Equity Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Shares authorized under the plan	950,000	'	950,000	'
Options issued under plan	623,350	'	'	'
Option vesting rights	'Over four years in 25% increments on December 31, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.	'	'	'
Vesting options granted period	'4 years	'	'	'
Number of years for option expiration	'10 years	'	'	'
Options [Member] | 2010 Equity Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options issued under plan	'	'	47,100	'
Option vesting rights	'	'	'25% increments on December 31, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, based solely on continued employment.	'
Number of years for option expiration	'	'	'10 years	'
Performance Shares [Member] | 2014 Equity Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options granted	331,675	'	'	'
RSU [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options issued under plan	'	'	16,283	'
Option vesting rights	'	'	'33% increments beginning on December 31, 2016	'
Percentage of RSUs vesting rights	'	'	33.00%	'
Restricted share units weighted average fair value per share of grants	'	'	$1,153.41	'
Outstanding RSUs	55,990	'	55,990	'
Outstanding RSUs, exercise price	$0	'	$0	'
RSUs exercisable	0	'	0	'

EquityBased_Compensation_Expen3

Equity-Based Compensation Expense - Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model Assumptions (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Estimated average holding period (years)	'5 years 1 month 28 days
Risk free interest rate (range), minimum	1.06%
Risk free interest rate (range), maximum	2.49%
Expected volatility (range), minimum	18.59%
Expected volatility (range), maximum	30.57%
Expected dividend rate	0.00%
Grant-date fair value per share of options granted	$267.71

EquityBased_Compensation_Expen4

Equity-Based Compensation Expense - Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Outstanding at beginning of period (Options)	667,036
Granted (Options)	670,450
Exercised (Options)	-92,303
Forfeited (Options)	-16,387
Outstanding at end of period (Options)	1,228,796
Exercisable at end of period (Options)	183,983
Outstanding at beginning of period (Weighted Avg. Exercise Price)	$740.18
Granted (Weighted Avg. Exercise Price)	$1,094.24
Exercised (Weighted Avg. Exercise Price)	$656.45
Forfeited (Weighted Avg. Exercise Price)	$830.02
Outstanding at end of period (Weighted Avg. Exercise Price)	$938.45
Exercisable at end of period (Weighted Avg. Exercise Price)	$629.72

Earnings_Per_Share_Weighted_Av

Earnings Per Share - Weighted Average Shares and Share Equivalents to Calculate Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic EPS	4,349	4,889	4,408	4,934
Dilutive Securities:	'	'	'	'
Stock options and restricted share units	146	124	149	133
Weighted average number of shares and share equivalents outstanding used to calculate diluted EPS	4,495	5,013	4,557	5,067

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (Options [Member])	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive options	752,924	136,962	752,924	136,962

Excess_Reorganization_Value_Go1

Excess Reorganization Value, Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	$441	'	'	$441	'
Finite-lived intangible assets	5,614	'	'	5,614	'
Weighted average life of finite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'	'5 years	'
Amortization expense	346	'	525	691	925
Impairment of excess reorganization value and goodwill	'	$0	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Additional income tax expense due to reversal of previously recognized tax deductions	$6,900

Shareholders_Equity_Summary_of

Shareholders' Equity - Summary of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Common Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Additional Paid-In-Capital [Member]

Retained Earnings [Member]

Treasury Stock [Member]

Deferred Compensation Trust [Member]

Deferred Compensation Trust [Member]

Deferred Compensation Liability [Member]

Deferred Compensation Liability [Member]

Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning Balance

'

'

$1,261,352

'

$206

$206

$1,212,050

$4,605,557

($4,556,461)

($17,741)

($17,741)

$17,741

$17,741

Net income

68,178

50,690

92,027

85,731

'

'

'

92,027

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase of common stock for treasury

'

'

-347,448

'

'

'

'

'

-347,448

'

'

'

'

Equity-based compensation

'

'

26,641

'

'

'

26,641

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax benefit from equity benefit plan activity

'

'

6,050

'

'

'

6,050

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from stock options exercised

'

'

60,593

6,671

'

'

60,593

'

'

'

'

'

'

Treasury stock issued upon option exercise and restricted share vesting

'

'

0

'

'

'

-27,579

'

27,579

'

'

'

'

Ending Balance

$1,099,215

'

$1,099,215

'

$206

$206

$1,277,755

$4,697,584

($4,876,330)

($17,741)

($17,741)

$17,741

$17,741

Shareholders_Equity_Additional

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Common stock repurchased	317,739
Treasury stock issued upon option exercise and restricted share vesting	97,000

Product_Warranties_Summary_of_

Product Warranties - Summary of Changes in Product Warranties Reserve (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Warranty reserve, beginning of period	$98,765	$63,057	$101,507	$62,742
Provision	13,193	25,612	23,453	33,903
Payments	-14,768	-11,328	-27,770	-19,304
Warranty reserve, end of period	$97,190	$77,341	$97,190	$77,341

Product_Warranties_Additional_

Product Warranties - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Warranty accrual related to a single completed community	$3,000	$15,600	$3,975	$15,600

Segment_Disclosures_Additional

Segment Disclosures - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Senior notes interest rate	3.95%
Senior notes maturity	15-Sep-22
Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Senior notes interest rate	3.95%
Homebuilding [Member]	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Number of reportable segments	4
Mortgage Banking [Member]	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Number of reportable segments	1

Segment_Disclosures_Revenues_D

Segment Disclosures - Revenues (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total consolidated revenues	$1,102,054	$1,009,892	$1,913,364	$1,780,148
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	657,825	594,902	1,122,855	1,026,770
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding North East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	92,438	82,260	171,230	144,871
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding Mid East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	221,088	213,463	371,736	384,219
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding South East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	112,729	101,585	217,446	187,218
Operating Segments [Member] | Mortgage Banking [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Mortgage Banking	$17,974	$17,682	$30,097	$37,070

Segment_Disclosures_Profit_Det

Segment Disclosures - Profit (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated income before taxes	$108,824	$80,181	$158,531	$135,286
Equity-based compensation expense	'	'	-26,641	-18,652
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated income before taxes	102,183	78,953	159,138	136,450
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated income before taxes	67,347	48,727	108,358	85,266
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding North East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated income before taxes	8,398	6,397	14,705	10,083
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding Mid East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated income before taxes	11,116	9,412	10,867	11,235
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding South East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated income before taxes	7,895	5,101	15,941	8,748
Operating Segments [Member] | Mortgage Banking [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Mortgage Banking	7,427	9,316	9,267	21,118
Reconciling Items Sub-Total [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting reconciling item for operating profit	6,641	1,228	-607	-1,164
Reconciling Items Sub-Total [Member] | Contract Land Deposit Reserve Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting reconciling item for operating profit	1,672	2,845	3,655	3,852
Reconciling Items Sub-Total [Member] | Equity-Based Compensation Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity-based compensation expense	-15,938	-10,589	-26,641	-18,652
Reconciling Items Sub-Total [Member] | Corporate Capital Allocation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting reconciling item for operating profit	34,511	29,673	63,477	55,291
Reconciling Items Sub-Total [Member] | Unallocated Corporate Overhead [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting reconciling item for operating profit	-15,513	-20,972	-41,473	-46,170
Reconciling Items Sub-Total [Member] | Consolidation Adjustments and Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting reconciling item for operating profit	7,488	5,479	11,629	15,138
Reconciling Items Sub-Total [Member] | Corporate Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Profit Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting reconciling item for operating profit	($5,579)	($5,208)	($11,254)	($10,623)

Segment_Disclosures_Assets_Det

Segment Disclosures - Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	$2,382,063	$2,486,148	'	'
Consolidated variable interest entity	6,802	7,268	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	553,705	866,253	778,424	1,153,507
Contract land deposit reserve	-55,869	-59,761	'	'
Homebuilding [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	2,170,198	2,225,380	'	'
Consolidated variable interest entity	6,802	7,268	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	538,940	844,274	'	'
Intangible assets and goodwill	6,055	6,747	'	'
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	1,614,327	1,427,205	'	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	944,257	810,270	'	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding North East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	95,993	84,958	'	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding Mid East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	223,559	172,167	'	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding South East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	146,000	106,389	'	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Mortgage Banking [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	204,518	253,421	'	'
Reconciling Items Sub-Total [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidated variable interest entity	6,802	7,268	'	'
Deferred taxes	166,695	162,378	'	'
Intangible assets and goodwill	54,982	55,674	'	'
Contract land deposit reserve	-55,869	-59,761	'	'
Reconciling items sub-total	767,736	1,058,943	'	'
Reconciling Items Sub-Total [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	538,940	844,274	'	'
Corporate Non-Segment Reconciling Items Sub-Total [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Consolidation adjustments and other	$56,186	$49,110	'	'

Segment_Disclosures_Corporate_

Segment Disclosures - Corporate Capital Allocation Charge (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Corporate Capital Allocation	$34,511	$29,673	$63,477	$55,291
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Corporate Capital Allocation	21,742	18,609	39,898	34,716
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding North East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Corporate Capital Allocation	2,733	2,353	5,182	4,347
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding Mid East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Corporate Capital Allocation	6,180	5,716	11,478	10,731
Operating Segments [Member] | Homebuilding South East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Corporate Capital Allocation	$3,856	$2,995	$6,919	$5,497

Fair_Value_Additional_Informat

Fair Value - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014
		Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Level 2 [Member]	Level 2 [Member]	Level 2 [Member]	Homebuilding [Member]	Homebuilding [Member]	Homebuilding [Member]
					Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]			Level 2 [Member]
					Mortgage Banking [Member]	Mortgage Banking [Member]			Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
					Forward Sales Contracts [Member]	Rate Lock Commitments [Member]			Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes fair value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$600,900
Senior Notes carrying value	'	'	'	'	'	'	599,120	599,075	599,120
Notional amount of contractual commitments	'	'	'	'	504,091	413,089	'	'	'
Average basis points of loan amount	1.11%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fallout rate of measuring fair value of rate lock commitments	11.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value of mortgage loans held for sale	170,470	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Change in fair value of loans held for sale	2,083	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate principal balance of loans held for sale	'	'	'	168,387	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value adjustment income (expense)	'	$4,059	$2,481	'	'	'	'	'	'

Fair_Value_Undesignated_Deriva

Fair Value - Undesignated Derivative Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Assets [Member] | Rate Lock Commitments [Member]	'
Derivative Assets:	'
Fair value of derivatives, assets	$4,446
Accounts Payable and Other Liabilities [Member] | Forward Sales Contracts [Member]	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'
Fair value of derivatives, liabilities	$1,950

Fair_Value_Fair_Value_Measurem

Fair Value - Fair Value Measurement (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Assumed Gain/(Loss) From Loan Sale	($1,544)
Interest Rate Movement Effect	2,151
Servicing Rights Value	5,922
Security Price Change	-1,950
Total Fair Value Measurement Gain/(Loss)	4,579
Mortgage Banking [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Rate Lock Commitments [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Notional or Principal Amount	413,089
Assumed Gain/(Loss) From Loan Sale	-1,088
Interest Rate Movement Effect	1,413
Servicing Rights Value	4,121
Total Fair Value Measurement Gain/(Loss)	4,446
Mortgage Banking [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Sales Contracts [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Notional or Principal Amount	504,091
Security Price Change	-1,950
Total Fair Value Measurement Gain/(Loss)	-1,950
Mortgage Banking [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Mortgages Held for Sale [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Notional or Principal Amount	168,387
Assumed Gain/(Loss) From Loan Sale	-456
Interest Rate Movement Effect	738
Servicing Rights Value	1,801
Total Fair Value Measurement Gain/(Loss)	$2,083

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Senior notes principal amount	$600,000
Senior notes effective interest rate	3.97%
Senior notes maturity	15-Sep-22
Senior notes interest rate	3.95%
Frequency of senior notes payment	'Semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15
Repurchase agreement maximum loan borrowing capacity	25,000
Borrowing base	0
Debt outstanding under repurchase agreement	$0
Expiration date of repurchase agreement	29-Jul-15