Contract Land Deposits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Lot	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Lot	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 Lot
Lots controlled by NVR	50,000		50,000		48,200
Cash deposited related to lots	$ 243,200		$ 243,200		$ 202,300
Letters of credit related to lots	2,800		2,800		3,200
Pre-tax recovery of contract land deposits			200
Pre-tax charges related to impairment of contract land deposits	900	2,700		6,800
Contract land deposit asset impairment valuation allowance	$ 69,800		$ 69,800		$ 70,300