Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,153,507	$ 480,794
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	188,929
Inventory:
Land under development	68,336
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	15,626	20,182
Contract land deposits, net	191,538	131,930
Goodwill	441
Finite-lived intangible assets	8,778
Deferred tax assets, net	145,618	155,881
Total assets	2,604,842	1,779,485
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	4,574	4,983
Senior notes	598,988
Total liabilities	1,124,365	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 December 31, 2012 and 2011	206	206
Additional paid-in-capital	1,169,699	1,072,779
Deferred compensation trust - 152,223 and 152,964 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	(25,331)	(25,581)
Deferred compensation liability	25,331	25,581
Retained earnings	4,339,080	4,158,492
Less treasury stock at cost - 15,642,068 and 15,578,565 shares as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	(4,028,508)	(3,856,678)
Total shareholders' equity	1,480,477	1,374,799
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,604,842	1,779,485
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	1,139,103	475,566
Receivables	9,421	6,789
Inventory:
Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers	515,498	363,833
Unsold lots and housing units	81,932	82,578
Land under development	68,336	78,045
Manufacturing materials and other	12,365	8,694
Total Inventory	678,131	533,150
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	15,626	20,182
Contract land deposits, net	191,538	131,930
Property and equipment, net	27,016	23,243
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	41,580	41,580
Goodwill	441
Finite-lived intangible assets	8,778
Deferred tax assets, net	145,618	155,881
Other assets	125,018	112,997
Total assets	2,382,270	1,501,318
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	163,446	125,649
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	234,804	185,423
Liabilities related to consolidated variable interest entity	2,180	1,013
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	4,574	4,983
Customer deposits	99,687	61,223
Senior notes	598,988
Total liabilities	1,103,679	378,291
Mortgage Banking [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	13,498	4,766
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	188,929	252,352
Inventory:
Property and equipment, net	2,465	1,694
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	7,347	7,347
Other assets	10,333	12,008
Total assets	222,572	278,167
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	20,686	26,395
Total liabilities	$ 20,686	$ 26,395