Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 814,197	$ 1,153,507
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	153,928
Inventory:
Land under development	59,409
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	9,808	15,626
Contract land deposits, net	218,527	191,538
Total assets	2,518,897	2,604,842
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	559	4,574
Total liabilities	1,243,803	1,124,365
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 20,555,330 and 20,556,198 shares issued as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	206	206
Additional paid-in-capital	1,208,653	1,169,699
Deferred compensation trust - 109,256 and 152,223 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	(17,741)	(25,331)
Deferred compensation liability	17,741	25,331
Retained earnings	4,507,746	4,339,080
Less treasury stock at cost - 16,008,428 and 15,642,068 shares at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	(4,441,511)	(4,028,508)
Total shareholders' equity	1,275,094	1,480,477
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,518,897	2,604,842
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	804,629	1,139,103
Receivables	13,137	9,421
Inventory:
Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers	750,209	515,498
Unsold lots and housing units	97,102	81,932
Land under development	59,409	68,336
Manufacturing materials and other	10,350	12,365
Total Inventory	917,070	678,131
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	9,808	15,626
Contract land deposits, net	218,527	191,538
Property, plant and equipment, net	31,622	27,016
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	41,580	41,580
Goodwill and finite-lived intangible assets, net	7,520	9,219
Other assets, net	287,485	270,636
Total assets	2,331,378	2,382,270
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	221,343	163,446
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	270,750	234,804
Liabilities related to consolidated variable interest entity	2,476	2,180
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	559	4,574
Customer deposits	122,227	99,687
Senior notes	599,053	598,988
Total liabilities	1,216,408	1,103,679
Mortgage Banking [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	6,960	13,498
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	153,928	188,929
Inventory:
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,165	2,465
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	7,347	7,347
Other assets, net	15,119	10,333
Total assets	187,519	222,572
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	27,395	20,686
Total liabilities	$ 27,395	$ 20,686