Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 480,794	$ 1,193,750
Inventory:
Land under development	78,045
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	20,182	22,371
Contract land deposits, net	(131,930)	(100,786)
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	252,352
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	48,927	48,927
Deferred tax assets, net	155,881	184,930
Total assets	1,779,485	2,260,061
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Note payable	0	90,338
Total liabilities	404,686	519,687
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 20,556,198 and 20,557,913 shares issued as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	206	206
Additional paid-in-capital	1,072,779	951,234
Deferred compensation trust - 152,964 and 158,894 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	(25,581)	(27,582)
Deferred compensation liability	25,581	27,582
Retained earnings	4,158,492	4,029,072
Less treasury stock at cost - 15,578,565 and 14,894,357 shares as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	(3,856,678)	(3,240,138)
Total shareholders' equity	1,374,799	1,740,374
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,779,485	2,260,061
Homebuilding:
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	475,566	1,190,731
Receivables	6,789	6,948
Inventory:
Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers	363,833	275,272
Unsold lots and housing units	82,578	70,542
Land under development	78,045	78,058
Manufacturing materials and other	8,694	7,457
Total Inventory	533,150	431,329
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	20,182	22,371
Contract land deposits, net	131,930	100,786
Property, plant and equipment, net	23,243	19,523
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	41,580	41,580
Deferred tax assets, net	155,881	184,930
Other assets	112,997	58,075
Total assets	1,501,318	2,056,273
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	125,649	115,578
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	183,810	237,052
Liabilities related to consolidated variable interest entity	1,013	500
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	4,983	7,592
Customer deposits	61,223	53,705
Other term debt	1,613	1,751
Total liabilities	378,291	416,178
Mortgage Banking:
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	4,766	2,661
Inventory:
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	252,352	177,244
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,694	950
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	7,347	7,347
Other assets	12,008	15,586
Total assets	278,167	203,788
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	26,395	13,171
Note payable	0	90,338
Total liabilities	$ 26,395	$ 103,509