Contract Land Deposits (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 Lot JointVenture Land	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Lot JointVenture Land	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010 Lot
Contract Land Deposits (Textuals) [Abstract]
Lots controlled by NVR	47,400		47,400		50,400
Cash deposited related to lots	$ 197,300		$ 197,300		$ 174,300
Letters of credit related to lots	3,500		3,500		6,600
Pre-tax impairment (recovery) of contract land deposits	2,700	300	6,800	(650)
Valuation allowance of contract land deposits assets	$ 69,800		$ 69,800		$ 73,500