Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,078,548	$ 480,794
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	128,452
Inventory:
Land under development	71,102
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	16,210	20,182
Contract land deposits, net	173,404	131,930
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	48,927	48,927
Total assets	2,480,726	1,779,485
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	865	4,983
Total liabilities	1,101,418	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 September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011	206	206
Additional paid-in-capital	1,134,306	1,072,779
Deferred compensation trust - 152,223 and 152,964 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	(25,331)	(25,581)
Deferred compensation liability	25,331	25,581
Retained earnings	4,278,453	4,158,492
Less treasury stock at cost - 15,681,381 and 15,578,565 shares at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	(4,033,657)	(3,856,678)
Total shareholders' equity	1,379,308	1,374,799
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,480,726	1,779,485
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	1,071,999	475,566
Receivables	9,973	6,789
Inventory:
Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers	551,059	363,833
Unsold lots and housing units	69,452	82,578
Land under development	71,102	78,045
Manufacturing materials and other	8,563	8,694
Total Inventory	700,176	533,150
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	16,210	20,182
Contract land deposits, net	173,404	131,930
Property, plant and equipment, net	27,140	23,243
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	41,580	41,580
Other assets, net	285,417	268,878
Total assets	2,325,899	1,501,318
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	156,614	125,649
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	226,750	185,423
Liabilities related to consolidated variable interest entity	1,356	1,013
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	865	4,983
Customer deposits	94,940	61,223
Senior notes	598,967
Total liabilities	1,079,492	378,291
Mortgage Banking [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	5,544	4,766
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	128,452	252,352
Inventory:
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,173	1,694
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	7,347	7,347
Other assets, net	11,311	12,008
Total assets	154,827	278,167
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	21,926	26,395
Total liabilities	$ 21,926	$ 26,395