Contract Land Deposits (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 Lot	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 Lot	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 Lot
Contract Land Deposits (Textual) [Abstract]
Lots controlled by NVR	50,300		50,300		48,200
Cash deposited related to lots	$ 224,900		$ 224,900		$ 202,300
Letters of credit related to lots	3,700		3,700		3,200
Pre-tax recovery of contract land deposits	100		1,200
Pre-tax charges related to impairment of contract land deposits		2,700		4,100
Contract land deposit asset impairment valuation allowance	$ 69,000		$ 69,000		$ 70,300