Equity-Based Compensation, Profit Sharing and Deferred Compensation Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Equity-Based Compensation, Profit Sharing and Deferred Compensation Plans [Abstract]

Equity-Based Compensation Plan

	Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contract Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Stock Options
Outstanding at beginning of period		1,053,425		$	529.18
Granted		39,960			711.86
Exercised		(333,380	)		324.92
Forfeited		(21,835	)		669.63
Expired		(468	)		769.40
Outstanding at end of period		737,702		$	627.08		6.9	$	43,465
Exercisable at end of period		258,900		$	509.73		4.1	$	45,636
RSUs (1)
Outstanding at beginning of period		149,727
Granted		11,394
Forfeited		(6,638	)
Outstanding at end of period		154,483						$	105,975
Vested at end of period		73,130						$	50,167

(1) RSU grants were issued at a $0 exercise price.

Black-Scholes option-pricing model assumptions

	2011		2010		2009
Estimated option life		4.79 years		5.02 years		4.70 years
Risk free interest rate (range)		0.44% - 2.86%		0.99% - 2.84%		1.78% - 3.65%
Expected volatility (range)		31.29% - 37.43%		34.34% - 41.12%		31.83% - 41.72%
Expected dividend rate		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share of options granted	$	230.38	$	256.35	$	187.10

Exercised option proceeds

	2011		2010		2009
Aggregate exercise proceeds (1)	$	108,322	$	78,626	$	79,157
Aggregate intrinsic value on exercise dates	$	142,381	$	165,007	$	135,652

(1) Aggregate exercise proceeds include the option exercise price received in cash or the fair market value of NVR stock surrendered by the optionee in lieu of cash.