Variable Interest Entities and Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Lot Joint_Ventures	Dec. 31, 2012 Lot
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum range of deposits required under the purchase agreements	10.00%
Power of developer's equity holders to direct operating activities of the development entity	100.00%
Lots controlled by NVR	53,700	53,200
Cash deposited related to lots	$ 257,200	$ 256,600
Letters of credit related to lots	2,900	3,300
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	11,000
Aggregate investment	92,500
Number of joint ventures NVR is not primary beneficiary	3
Expected production of finished lots	7,700
Number of joint ventures	4
Other assets [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Aggregate investment	$ 85,800
Number of joint ventures NVR is not primary beneficiary	3
Not under contract with NVR [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total lots not under contract with NVR under the joint venture	2,700