The reserve account established to account for expected but unspecified losses related to contract land deposits.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

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-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 12

-Article 7

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 18

-Article 5

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- Definition

Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash Equivalents

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6676-107765

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3044-108585

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- Definition

Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b),(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319

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- Definition

Carrying amount of finite-lived intangible assets, indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill. Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Intangible assets are assets, not including financial assets, lacking physical substance.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (bb)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=d3e5710-111685

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Segment Disclosures - Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	$ 2,376,134us-gaap_Assets	$ 2,351,335us-gaap_Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	532,513	545,419	879,323	866,253
Contract land deposit reserve	(55,140)nvr_LossReserveOnContractLandDeposits	(56,074)nvr_LossReserveOnContractLandDeposits
Mortgage Banking [Member]
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	194,368	263,316
Cash and cash equivalents	10,436	30,158
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	1,632,462	1,615,009
Operating Segments [Member] \| Homebuilding Mid Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	970,021	917,689
Operating Segments [Member] \| Homebuilding North East [Member]
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	117,425	103,631
Operating Segments [Member] \| Homebuilding Mid East [Member]
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	207,490	192,781
Operating Segments [Member] \| Homebuilding South East [Member]
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	150,505	144,939
Operating Segments [Member] \| Mortgage Banking [Member]
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	187,021	255,969
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated variable interest entity	3,545	3,590
Cash and cash equivalents	520,532	514,780
Deferred taxes	167,119	165,189
Intangible assets and goodwill	53,946	54,291
Contract land deposit reserve	(55,140)	(56,074)
Consolidation adjustments and other [Member]
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	53,670	54,550
Reconciling Items Sub-Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated assets	$ 743,672	$ 736,326