Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 575,159	$ 480,794
Inventory:
Land under development	70,225
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	17,546	20,182
Contract land deposits, net	140,328	131,930
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	113,723
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	48,927	48,927
Total assets	1,850,912	1,779,485
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Total liabilities	432,671	404,686
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 20,556,198 shares issued as of both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011	206	206
Additional paid-in-capital	1,074,215	1,072,779
Deferred compensation trust-152,223 and 152,964 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	(25,331)	(25,581)
Deferred compensation liability	25,331	25,581
Retained earnings	4,178,615	4,158,492
Less treasury stock at cost-15,490,168 and 15,578,565 shares at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	(3,834,795)	(3,856,678)
Total shareholders' equity	1,418,241	1,374,799
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,850,912	1,779,485
Homebuilding:
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	567,922	475,566
Receivables	6,028	6,789
Inventory:
Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers	468,434	363,833
Unsold lots and housing units	88,571	82,578
Land under development	70,225	78,045
Manufacturing materials and other	8,516	8,694
Total Inventory	635,746	533,150
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	17,546	20,182
Contract land deposits, net	140,328	131,930
Property, plant and equipment, net	24,256	23,243
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	41,580	41,580
Other assets	275,664	268,878
Total assets	1,709,070	1,501,318
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	137,066	125,649
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	186,024	185,423
Liabilities related to consolidated variable interest entity	1,128	1,013
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	2,348	4,983
Customer deposits	79,374	61,223
Total liabilities	405,940	378,291
Mortgage Banking:
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	6,461	4,766
Inventory:
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	113,723	252,352
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,710	1,694
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	7,347	7,347
Other assets	12,601	12,008
Total assets	141,842	278,167
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	26,731	26,395
Total liabilities	$ 26,731	$ 26,395