Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($) joint_venture lot	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Aggregate investment	$ 27,800
Number of joint ventures | joint_venture	4
Expected production of finished lots | lot	6,200
Total lots controlled by company under the joint venture | lot	2,850
Total lots either under contract with unrelated parties or not under the current contract | lot	3,350
Additional funding commitments in the aggregate	$ 4,200
Number of joint ventures with additional funding commitment | joint_venture	1
Number of joint ventures NVR is not primary beneficiary | joint_venture	3
Other Assets [Member]
Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Aggregate investment	$ 27,800	$ 26,700
Home Building [Member]
Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	23,238	17,943
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	274,127	346,035
Consolidated Joint Venture [Member] | Home Building [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	274	$ 281	$ 300	$ 320
Consolidated Joint Venture [Member] | Home Building [Member] | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	$ 248