Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 Lot JointVenture	Dec. 31, 2012 Lot JointVenture	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2013 Other Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Other Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Other Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 New Joint Venture Unrelated Partner [Member] Lot
Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 22,850	$ 1,000	$ 61,600	$ 11,000			$ 11,850
Aggregate investment	92,700	82,900			90,500	74,000
Expected production of finished lots	9,300	7,400					1,300
Number of joint ventures	4	4
Total lots not under contract with NVR under the joint venture	3,400	2,800
Additional funding commitments in the aggregate	$ 11,850	$ 5,000
Lots being sold to the Company							50.00%
Number of joint ventures NVR is not primary beneficiary	3
Number of joint ventures with additional funding commitment	2	1