Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 553,705	$ 866,253
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	170,470
Inventory:
Land under development	63,789
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	6,802	7,268
Contract land deposits, net	253,808	236,885
Total assets	2,382,063	2,486,148
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	1,258	3,365
Total liabilities	1,282,848	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 June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	206	206
Additional paid-in-capital	1,277,755	1,212,050
Deferred compensation trust - 109,256 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of both June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	(17,741)	(17,741)
Deferred compensation liability	17,741	17,741
Retained earnings	4,697,584	4,605,557
Less treasury stock at cost - 16,342,156 and 16,121,605 shares at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	(4,876,330)	(4,556,461)
Total shareholders' equity	1,099,215	1,261,352
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,382,063	2,486,148
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	538,940	844,274
Receivables	15,196	9,529
Inventory:
Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers	788,848	568,831
Unsold lots and housing units	89,275	117,467
Land under development	63,789	41,328
Building materials and other	10,593	10,939
Total Inventory	952,505	738,565
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	6,802	7,268
Contract land deposits, net	253,808	236,885
Property, plant and equipment, net	44,252	32,599
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	41,580	41,580
Goodwill and finite-lived intangible assets, net	6,055	6,747
Other assets	311,060	307,933
Total assets	2,170,198	2,225,380
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	231,633	181,687
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	296,045	316,227
Liabilities related to consolidated variable interest entity	2,277	1,646
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	1,258	3,365
Customer deposits	128,320	101,022
Senior notes	599,120	599,075
Total liabilities	1,258,653	1,203,022
Mortgage Banking [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	12,919	21,311
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	170,470	210,641
Inventory:
Property, plant and equipment, net	6,433	4,699
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	7,347	7,347
Other assets	14,696	16,770
Total assets	211,865	260,768
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	24,195	21,774
Total liabilities	$ 24,195	$ 21,774