Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 879,323	$ 866,253
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	123,833
Inventory:
Land under development	46,083
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	6,588	7,268
Contract land deposits, net	246,204	236,885
Total assets	2,524,753	2,486,148
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	2,153	3,365
Total liabilities	1,198,671	1,224,796
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 20,555,330 shares issued as of both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	206	206
Additional paid-in-capital	1,259,410	1,212,050
Deferred compensation trust - 109,256 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	(17,741)	(17,741)
Deferred compensation liability	17,741	17,741
Retained earnings	4,629,406	4,605,557
Less treasury stock at cost - 16,061,912 and 16,121,605 shares at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	(4,562,940)	(4,556,461)
Total shareholders' equity	1,326,082	1,261,352
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,524,753	2,486,148
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	874,062	844,274
Receivables	10,055	9,529
Inventory:
Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers	687,080	568,831
Unsold lots and housing units	98,478	117,467
Land under development	46,083	41,328
Building materials and other	10,357	10,939
Total Inventory	841,998	738,565
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	6,588	7,268
Contract land deposits, net	246,204	236,885
Property, plant and equipment, net	34,321	32,599
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	41,580	41,580
Goodwill and finite-lived intangible assets, net	6,401	6,747
Other assets	311,684	307,933
Total assets	2,372,893	2,225,380
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	186,459	181,687
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	271,875	316,227
Liabilities related to consolidated variable interest entity	1,689	1,646
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	2,153	3,365
Customer deposits	119,101	101,022
Senior notes	599,098	599,075
Total liabilities	1,180,375	1,203,022
Mortgage Banking [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	4,477	21,311
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	123,833	210,641
Inventory:
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,999	4,699
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	7,347	7,347
Other assets	11,204	16,770
Total assets	151,860	260,768
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	18,296	21,774
Total liabilities	$ 18,296	$ 21,774