Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) Lot	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Contract land deposits in cash	$ 401,737	$ 411,150
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	74,300
Contract land deposits in cash under Lot Purchase Agreements	$ 389,900
Letters of credit related to lots	$ 2,500
Contract on Raw Ground with Landowners [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Lots controlled by NVR | Lot	8,700
Contract land deposits in cash	$ 11,800
Letters of credit related to land contract	100
Refundable deposits and letters of credit	$ 7,300