Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) Lot	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Contract land deposits	$ 416,313	$ 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	72,300
Contract land deposits in cash	$ 399,700
Letters of credit related to lots	$ 2,000
Contract on Raw Ground with Landowners [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Lots controlled by NVR | Lot	10,900
Contract land deposits	$ 16,600
Letters of credit related to land contract	350
Refundable deposits and letters of credit	$ 2,300