Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) Lot	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Contract land deposits	$ 387,861	$ 385,534
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	69,100
Contract land deposits in cash	$ 380,500
Letters of credit related to lots	$ 3,500
Contract on Raw Ground with Landowners [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Lots controlled by NVR | Lot	9,300
Contract land deposits	$ 7,400
Letters of credit related to land contract	350
Refundable deposits and letters of credit	$ 3,800