Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 593,263	$ 480,794
Inventory:
Land under development	70,993
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	16,648	20,182
Contract land deposits, net	155,860	131,930
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	150,378
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	48,927	48,927
Total assets	1,990,960	1,779,485
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	1,050	4,983
Total liabilities	469,136	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 June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011	206	206
Additional paid-in-capital	1,113,118	1,072,779
Deferred compensation trust - 152,223 and 152,964 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	(25,331)	(25,581)
Deferred compensation liability	25,331	25,581
Retained earnings	4,225,453	4,158,492
Less treasury stock at cost- 15,418,099 and 15,578,565 shares at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	(3,816,953)	(3,856,678)
Total shareholders' equity	1,521,824	1,374,799
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,990,960	1,779,485
Homebuilding
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	587,646	475,566
Receivables	9,612	6,789
Inventory:
Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers	530,577	363,833
Unsold lots and housing units	89,712	82,578
Land under development	70,993	78,045
Manufacturing materials and other	9,881	8,694
Total Inventory	701,163	533,150
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	16,648	20,182
Contract land deposits, net	155,860	131,930
Property, plant and equipment, net	25,114	23,243
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	41,580	41,580
Other assets	275,630	268,878
Total assets	1,813,253	1,501,318
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	158,358	125,649
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	190,377	185,423
Liabilities related to consolidated variable interest entity	1,743	1,013
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	1,050	4,983
Customer deposits	90,255	61,223
Total liabilities	441,783	378,291
Mortgage Banking
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	5,006	4,766
Inventory:
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	150,378	252,352
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,947	1,694
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	7,347	7,347
Other assets	13,029	12,008
Total assets	177,707	278,167
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	27,353	26,395
Total liabilities	$ 27,353	$ 26,395