Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 466,293	$ 866,253
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	198,597
Inventory:
Land under development	55,668
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	6,232	7,268
Contract land deposits, net	283,579	236,885
Total assets	2,413,076	2,486,148
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	661	3,365
Total liabilities	1,261,682	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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	206	206
Additional paid-in-capital	1,299,533	1,212,050
Deferred compensation trust - 108,614 and 109,256 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 respectively	(17,333)	(17,741)
Deferred compensation liability	17,333	17,741
Retained earnings	4,787,736	4,605,557
Less treasury stock at cost - 16,388,669 and 16,121,605 shares at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	(4,936,081)	(4,556,461)
Total shareholders' equity	1,151,394	1,261,352
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,413,076	2,486,148
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	455,387	844,274
Receivables	11,465	9,529
Inventory:
Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers	837,626	568,831
Unsold lots and housing units	108,879	117,467
Land under development	55,668	41,328
Building materials and other	11,560	10,939
Total Inventory	1,013,733	738,565
Assets related to consolidated variable interest entity	6,232	7,268
Contract land deposits, net	283,579	236,885
Property, plant and equipment, net	46,365	32,599
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	41,580	41,580
Goodwill and finite-lived intangible assets, net	5,710	6,747
Other assets	316,189	307,933
Total assets	2,180,240	2,225,380
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	227,936	181,687
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	289,696	316,227
Liabilities related to consolidated variable interest entity	2,320	1,646
Non-recourse debt related to consolidated variable interest entity	661	3,365
Customer deposits	119,423	101,022
Senior notes	599,143	599,075
Total liabilities	1,239,179	1,203,022
Mortgage Banking [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	8,308	21,311
Mortgage loans held for sale, net	198,597	210,641
Inventory:
Property, plant and equipment, net	6,459	4,699
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net	7,347	7,347
Other assets	12,125	16,770
Total assets	232,836	260,768
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	22,503	21,774
Total liabilities	$ 22,503	$ 21,774