Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,087,731	$ 1,153,507
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	128,050
Inventory:
Land under development	96,233
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	11,436	15,626
Contract land deposits, net	193,216	191,538
Goodwill and finite-lived intangible assets, net	57,746	58,146
Total assets	2,665,055	2,604,842
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	2,539	4,574
Total liabilities	1,112,963	1,124,365
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 20,556,198 shares issued as of both March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012	206	206
Additional paid-in-capital	1,184,961	1,169,699
Deferred compensation trust - 109,623 and 152,223 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	(17,864)	(25,331)
Deferred compensation liability	17,864	25,331
Retained earnings	4,374,121	4,339,080
Less treasury stock at cost - 15,559,314 and 15,642,068 shares at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	(4,007,196)	(4,028,508)
Total shareholders' equity	1,552,092	1,480,477
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,665,055	2,604,842
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	1,082,792	1,139,103
Receivables	14,536	9,421
Inventory:
Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers	653,799	515,498
Unsold lots and housing units	79,639	81,932
Land under development	96,233	68,336
Manufacturing materials and other	12,179	12,365
Total Inventory	841,850	678,131
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	11,436	15,626
Contract land deposits, net	193,216	191,538
Property, plant and equipment, net	27,736	27,016
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	41,580	41,580
Goodwill and finite-lived intangible assets, net	8,819	9,219
Other assets, net	288,525	270,636
Total assets	2,510,490	2,382,270
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	170,129	163,446
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	193,004	234,804
Liabilities related to consolidated variable interest entity	2,175	2,180
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	2,539	4,574
Customer deposits	124,862	99,687
Senior notes	599,010	598,988
Total liabilities	1,091,719	1,103,679
Mortgage Banking [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	4,396	13,498
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	128,050	188,929
Inventory:
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,833	2,465
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	7,347	7,347
Other assets, net	11,939	10,333
Total assets	154,565	222,572
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	21,244	20,686
Total liabilities	$ 21,244	$ 20,686