Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Lot	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Contract land deposits	$ 363,120	$ 350,750
Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum range of deposits required under the purchase agreements	10.00%
Lots controlled by NVR | Lot	67,200
Contract land deposits in cash	$ 360,600
Letters of credit related to lots	$ 2,200
Contract on Raw Ground with Landowners [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Lots controlled by NVR | Lot	7,100
Contract land deposits	$ 2,500
Letters of credit related to land contract	350
Refundable deposits and letters of credit	$ 2,700