Geographic Concentration Risk Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] Business Acquisition Business Acquisition [Axis] Number of finished lots for use in homebuilding operations Number Of Finished Lots Intended To Be Developed From Raw Parcels Of Land Number of finished lots intended to be developed from raw parcels of land for use in homebuilding operation. Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid Corporate Reconciling Items And Eliminations [Member] Corporate Reconciling Items And Eliminations [Member] Corporate reconciling items and eliminations. Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Two Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Two Deferred tax assets, net Deferred taxes Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, after Accumulated Amortization Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, after Accumulated Amortization Other unallocated interest income Interest Income, Operating Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Deferred: Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] Revenues-Homebuilding Operations Revenue Recognition, Real Estate Transactions, Policy [Policy Text Block] Debt Instrument Debt Instrument [Axis] Accounts payable and other liabilities Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Liabilities Land Under Development Real Estate Held for Development and Sale, Policy [Policy Text Block] Finance Lease, Liability Finance Lease, Liability Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Maximum loan borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Production facilities Production Facility [Member] Production facility. Mortgage Banking Mortgage Banking Segment [Member] Mortgage Banking Segment Expenditures for property and equipment: Property, Plant and Equipment, Additions Inventory: Inventory, Net [Abstract] Financial Instruments Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block] Lessee, Operating and Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity Lessee, Operating and Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Lessee, Operating and Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity Summary of Interest Costs Incurred, Capitalized, Expensed and Charged to Cost of Sales Summary Of Interest Costs Incurred Capitalized Expensed And Charged To Cost Of Sales [Table Text Block] Summary of interest costs incurred capitalized expensed and charged to cost of sales. Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Financial Instruments Financial Instruments [Domain] Debt instrument, marginal interest rate Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Range Statistical Measurement [Domain] Exercised (Shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Net deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Net Number of trade names Number of Trade Names Number of Trade Names Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Senior notes interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Aggregate additional funding commitments related to raw land property development Aggregate Additional Funding Commitments Related To Raw Land Property Development Aggregate additional funding commitments related to raw land property development. Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table] Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Lessee, Operating Lease, Option to Extend Lessee, Operating Lease, Option to Extend Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Next Rolling Twelve Months Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Next Rolling 12 Months Capitalized Interest Capitalized Interest Disclosure [Text Block] The entire disclosure for capitalized interest costs. Corporate Capital Allocation Charge Reconciliation Of Corporate Capital Allocation Charge From Segment To Consolidated [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of corporate capital allocation charge from segment to consolidated. State Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit) Purchase of common stock for treasury Aggregate purchase price Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Net income Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model Assumptions Schedule of Share-Based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Anti-dilutive securities (in Shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Leases Lessee, Finance Leases [Text Block] Reversal of accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Expense, Reversal The reversal of accrued interest for an overpayment of income taxes computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between a tax position recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return of the entity. Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Five Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Five Contingent obligations in the form of letters of credit Letters Of Credit Related To Lots Letters of credit related to contract land deposits. Equity Component Equity Component [Domain] Unsold lots and housing units Unsold Lots And Housing Units Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of lots and capitalized construction costs of homes not covered under sales agreements with customers. Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Percentage of options vesting rights Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage Additions based on tax positions related to the current year Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions Leases Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block] Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block] Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Amortization Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Amortization Excess tax benefits from equity-based compensation Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Benefit from Stock Compensation Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Benefit from Stock Compensation Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Benefit from Stock Compensation Related Party Related Party [Domain] Plan Name Plan Name [Axis] Vested, but not issued at end of period (Aggregate Intrinsic Value) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested Outstanding Number Aggregate Intrinsic Value The total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of vested portions of equity-based payment instruments outstanding and currently exercisable under the equity-based plan as of the balance sheet date. Hedging Designation Hedging Designation [Domain] Expenditures for Property and Equipment Reconciliation Of Expenditures For Property And Equipment From Segment To Consolidated Table [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of expenditures for property and equipment from segment to consolidated. Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Forfeited (Weighted Average Exercise Price) Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Plan Name Plan Name [Domain] Capitalized Contract Cost, Net Capitalized Contract Cost, Net Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Weighted Average Shares and Share Equivalents Used to Calculate Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block] Employee Stock Employee Stock [Member] Outstanding at end of period (Weighted Average Remaining Contract Life (Years) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Award Type Award Type [Axis] Settlements Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities Homebuilding Inventory Inventory, Real Estate, Policy [Policy Text Block] Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] Operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Number of joint ventures Number Of Joint Ventures Number of joint ventures. Related Party Transaction [Domain] Related Party Transaction [Domain] Forfeited (Shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Other Commitments [Domain] Other Commitments [Domain] Document Annual Report Document Annual Report Vested, but not issued at end of period (Shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested Outstanding, Number Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested Outstanding, Number Legal Entity Legal Entity [Axis] Variable Interest Entities Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] Total liabilities Liabilities Provision Costs Accrued For New Warranty Contracts And Changes In Estimates For Pre Existing Warranties Represents the aggregate increase in the liability for accruals related to standard and extended product warranties issued during the reporting period and changes in estimates for pre-existing warranties. Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated [Table] Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated [Table] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items] Geographical Geographical [Axis] Senior Notes due 2022 Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Twenty Two [Member] Senior notes due two thousand twenty two. Payments Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Decrease for Payments Debt outstanding Warehouse Agreement Borrowings Number of metropolitan areas Ryan Homes product are sold Number Of Metropolitan Areas Sales The number of metropolitan areas that Ryan Homes products are sold in. Financing Receivable, Held-for-Sale, Not Part of Disposal Group, after Valuation Allowance Financing Receivable, Held-for-Sale, Not Part of Disposal Group, after Valuation Allowance Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Fair Value Hierarchy Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Revolving Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment ("PP&E") Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Current: Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Weighted Average Per Share Exercise Price Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Distribution of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution, Return of Capital Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Segments Segments [Axis] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information. Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture Deferred tax benefit Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Reductions for tax positions of prior years Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Financial Instrument Financial Instrument [Axis] Contract Land Deposits Contract Land Deposits Policy [Policy Text Block] Disclosure of accounting policy for fixed price purchase agreements used to secure finished lot purchases. Contingent forfeitable deposits with land developers Contingent Forfeitable Deposits With Land Developers Amounts represent required payments of forfeitable deposits with land developers under existing, fixed price purchase agreements, assuming that contractual development milestones are met by the developers. Finance Lease, Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Finance Lease, Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Consolidation Items Consolidation Items [Domain] Revenue Benchmark Revenue Benchmark [Member] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Option Grant Solely Contingent upon Continued Employment or Continued Service as a Director Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member] Capitalized Interest Costs Including Allowance for Funds Used During Construction RollForward Capitalized Interest Costs Including Allowance for Funds Used During Construction RollForward [Roll Forward] Capitalized Interest Costs Including Allowance for Funds Used During Construction RollForward [Roll Forward] Increase in commitment available Line Of Credit Maximum Incremental Commitment Amount The Maximum Incremental Commitment amount is the sum of all incremental commitments under the repurchase facility. Total assets Assets Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Contract land deposit reserve adjustment Contract Land Deposit Reserve Adjustment Contract land deposit reserve adjustment. Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Significant accounting policies. Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block] Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member] Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Three [Member] ScheduleofSupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedtoLeases ScheduleofSupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedtoLeases [Table Text Block] ScheduleofSupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedtoLeases Net commitments Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset, at Fair Value Exercised (Weighted Average Exercise Price) Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Senior Notes fair value Long-Term Debt, Fair Value Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Consolidated Joint Venture Consolidated Joint Venture [Member] Joint venture which is consolidated for financial statement purposes. NVR has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary because the Company has the controlling financial interest in the joint venture. Loss reserve on contract land deposits Contract land deposit reserve Loss reserve on contract land deposits Loss Reserve On Contract Land Deposits The reserve account established to account for expected but unspecified losses related to contract land deposits. Other Commitments [Axis] Other Commitments [Axis] Total lots controlled by company under the joint venture Joint Venture Lots Controlled By Company Joint venture lots controlled by company. Shareholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Segments Segments [Domain] Forward sales contracts Forward Contracts [Member] Equity-Based Compensation Plans Disclosure of Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award [Table Text Block] Interest charged to cost of sales Real Estate Inventory, Capitalized Interest Costs, Cost of Sales Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Two Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Two Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Provision for Income Taxes Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block] Equity Award Award Type [Domain] Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items] Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items] Weighted-average period over which the unrecognized compensation will be recorded Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Exercisable at end of period (Weighted Average Remaining Contract Life (Years) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Deferred Compensation Trust Deferred Compensation Trust [Member] Deferred compensation trust. Combined plan contribution Combined Plan Contributions Employee Stock Ownership Plan And Profit Sharing Plan This item represents the amount of contributions made during the period to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and Profit Sharing Plan (PSP). Security Price Change Fair Value Measurements Security Price Change Gain Loss Included In Earnings Security price change effect on fair value measurement. Deferred compensation Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Compensation Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Other accrued expenses and contract land deposit reserve Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Other Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers Lots And Housing Units Covered Under Sales Agreements With Customers Carrying amount as of balance sheet date of lots and capitalized construction costs of homes covered under sales agreements with customers. Expected dividend rate Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Proceeds from stock options exercised APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Recognition and Exercise Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Joint Ventures [Table] Joint Ventures [Table] Joint ventures. Leases [Abstract] Principles of Consolidation Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Options exercised (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Treasury Stock Reissued Upon Exercise Of Stock Option And Other Number of treasury shares reissued during the period to satisfy equity-based compensation obligations exercised by the holders of such rights. Senior notes proceeds Proceeds from Debt, Net of Issuance Costs Minimum Minimum [Member] Mid East Mid East [Member] The Homebuilding reportable segment in the Mid East geographic area is comprised of operating divisions in New York, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois. Home Building Home Building Segment [Member] Home Building Segment Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Finance Lease, Short-term Lease Payments Finance Lease, Short-term Lease Payments Finance Lease, Short-term Lease Payments Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Total accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued Related Party Transaction, lots purchased Related Party Transaction, lots purchased Related Party Transaction, lots purchased Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Auditor Name Auditor Name Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Accounting Standards Update [Axis] Fair Value Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Entity File Number Entity File Number $300M Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty [Member] $300M Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty [Member] $300M Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty Total Inventory Inventory, Operative Builders Variable Interest Entities Variable Interest Entity Disclosure [Text Block] Restricted cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Restricted share units grants during period Granted (Shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period RSUs Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Effective tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Employee Performance Based Stock Option [Member] Employee Performance Based Stock Option [Member] Employee Performance Based Stock Option [Member] Mortgage Loans Held for Sale, Derivatives and Hedging Activities Mortgage Banking Activity [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Contingent obligations under bonds or letters of credit arrangements Contingent Obligations Under Bond Or Letter Of Credit Arrangements Contingent obligations under bond or letter of credit arrangements with local municipalities, government agencies, or land developers Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Revenue derived Concentration Risk, Percentage Revenues Consolidated revenues Revenues Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] Warranty reserve, beginning of year Warranty reserve, end of year Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual Expected volatility (range), maximum Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Maximum (Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Manufacturing Facilities Manufacturing Facility [Member] State Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Credit Facility Credit Facility [Domain] Interest paid during the year, net of interest capitalized Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities Basic earnings per share (USD per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Other Assets Other Assets [Member] Other unallocated interest income Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Deferred compensation liability Deferred Compensation Liability, Current and Noncurrent Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] Concentration Risk Type Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Treasury Stock Treasury Stock [Member] Total shareholders' equity Beginning Balance Ending Balance Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Three Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Three Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability Vesting Vesting [Domain] Other Deferred Tax Assets, Other Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Exercised Option Proceeds Cash Proceeds Received and Tax Benefit from Share-Based Payment Awards [Table Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Net change in assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Servicing Rights Value Fair Value Measurements Changes In Servicing Rights Value Fair value measurement changes attributable to servicing rights value changes. Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Lease, Cost Lease, Cost Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Number of reportable segments Number of Reportable Segments Lease, Cost Lease, Cost [Table Text Block] Purchase of treasury stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant Income Taxes Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments and contingencies. Senior notes effective interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Model home furniture and fixtures Furniture and Fixtures [Member] Range Statistical Measurement [Axis] Number of shares repurchased (in Shares) Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Related Party Transaction [Axis] Related Party Transaction [Axis] Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Other, net Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement Equity Components Equity Components [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring Fair Value, Recurring [Member] Exercisable at end of period (Weighted Average Exercise Price) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus 2010 Plan Two Thousand Ten, Equity Plan [Member] Two Thousand Ten, Equity Plan [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Principal payments on finance lease liabilities Finance Lease, Principal Payments Finance Lease, Principal Payments Frequency of senior notes payment Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Three Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Three Variable Rate Variable Rate [Domain] Fair Value, Hierarchy Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Number of deferred compensation plans Number Of Deferred Compensation Plans Number of deferred compensation plans. Reconciling items: Corporate And Reconciling Items [Member] Corporate And Reconciling Items Auditor Firm ID Auditor Firm ID Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Four Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Four Operating Lease, Expense Operating Lease, Expense Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Operating income Operating Income (Loss) Inventory Deferred Tax Assets, Inventory Office facilities and other Office Facilities And Other Equipment [Member] Office facilities and other equipment. Decrease (increase) in inventory Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Sublimit for Issuance of Letters of Credit Sublimit For Issuance Of Letters Of Credit [Member] Sublimit for issuance of letters of credit. Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net Equity-based compensation expense Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Share-Based Compensation Cost Borrowing base limitations Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity Dilutive securities: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Adjustment [Abstract] Common shares outstanding (in Shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Aggregate investment Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures Goodwill acquired from business acquisition Goodwill District of Columbia DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Movement in Warranty Reserve [Roll Forward] Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward] Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares Property, Plant and Equipment, Type Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Axis] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Operating Lease, Short-term Lease Payments Operating Lease, Short-term Lease Payments Operating Lease, Short-term Lease Payments Income tax expense Total Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Geographical Geographical [Domain] Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Summary of Changes in Product Warranties Reserve Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Granted (Shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Federal Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Additional Paid-In Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Balance Sheet Location Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Deferred Compensation Liability Deferred Compensation Liability [Member] Deferred compensation liability. Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Aggregate intrinsic value on exercise dates Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling after Year Five Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling after Year Five Cost of sales Cost of Goods and Services Sold Mortgage Repurchase Reserve Mortgage Repurchase Reserve [Text Block] Mortgage Repurchase Reserve Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in Shares) Weighted average number of shares and share equivalents outstanding used to calculate diluted EPS (in Shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Expected volatility (range), minimum Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Minimum Less: accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Estimated option life Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Mid Atlantic Mid Atlantic [Member] The Homebuilding reportable segment in the Mid Atlantic geographic area is comprised of operating divisions in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and Washington, D.C. Number of joint ventures with additional funding commitment Number Joint Ventures With Additional Funding Commitment The number of joint ventures to which NVR has an additional funding commitment. Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Significant accounting policies. Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table] Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table] ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit [Member] Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit [Member] Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit [Member] Fair Value Measurement Unrealized Gain Loss From Change In Fair Value Measurements Included In Earnings [Table Text Block] Unrealized gain (loss) from change in fair value measurements of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments included in earnings. Contract land deposits, net Contract land deposits, net Deposits Assets Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 20,555,330 shares issued as of both December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 Common Stock, Value, Issued Land under development Carrying value of raw parcels of land Inventory, Real Estate, Land and Land Development Costs Debt Instrument, Name Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Senior Notes Senior Notes [Member] Reissued shares during the period, shares (in Shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Treasury Stock Reissued For Equity Plan Activity Number of treasury shares reissued during the period to satisfy equity-based compensation obligations exercised by the holders of such rights. Capitalized Interest Costs, Including Allowance for Funds Used During Construction [Abstract] Capitalized Interest Costs, Including Allowance for Funds Used During Construction [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Expected development credit offset amount Expected Development Credit Offset Amount Expected Development Credit Offset Amount Elm Street Elm Street [Member] Elm street. Summary of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] Profit before taxes: Operating Segments [Member] Exercisable at end of period (Aggregate Intrinsic Value) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Short-term Lease, Cost Short-Term Lease, Cost Other income Other Income Joint Ventures [Line Items] Joint Ventures [Line Items] Joint ventures. Mortgage loans sold and principal payments on mortgage loans held for sale Proceeds from Sale of Mortgage Loans Held-for-sale Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents, beginning of the year Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents, end of the year Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents Commitments and Contingent Liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Proceeds from the exercise of stock options Aggregate exercise proceeds Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Other, net Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount Finance Lease, Interest Expense Finance Lease, Interest Expense Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Accrued expenses and other liabilities Accrued expenses Accrued Liabilities Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Senior notes principal amount Debt Instrument, Face Amount Net Contract Land Deposit Impairment Recoveries Net Contract Land Deposit Impairment Recoveries Net Contract Land Deposit Impairment Recoveries Total lots either under contract with unrelated parties or not under the current contract Joint Venture Lots Either Under Contract With Unrelated Parties Or Not Under Contract Joint venture lots either under contract with unrelated parties or not under contract. Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Deferred tax assets: Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract] Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty [Member] $600M Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty [Member] $600M Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty Mortgage loans closed Payments for Origination of Mortgage Loans Held-for-sale Exercisable at end of period (Shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Stock Option, Shares Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract] Market price of developed lots Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party Depreciation and amortization Consolidated depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 2018 Plan Two Thousand Eighteen, Equity Plan [Member] Two Thousand Eighteen, Equity Plan [Member] Letters of credit related to lots Letter Of Credit On Lot Purchase Agreements Letter of credit on lot purchase agreements. Statutory federal income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-Term Debt Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Rolling Year Five Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Rolling Year Five Mortgages held for sale Mortgages Held For Sale [Member] Mortgages held for sale. Consolidation adjustments and other (4) Consolidation Adjustments And Other Consolidation adjustments and other. Options outstanding Outstanding at beginning of period (Shares) Outstanding at end of period (Shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Intangible assets and goodwill Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Property, plant and equipment, net Net Homebuilding PP&E Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Operating Lease, Payments Operating Lease, Payments Maximum range of deposits required under the purchase agreements Maximum Percentage Of Deposits Required Under Purchase Agreements Maximum percentage of deposits required under the purchase agreements. Options Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Less treasury stock at cost – 16,864,324 and 16,862,327 shares as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively Treasury Stock, Value 2014 Plan Two Thousand Fourteen, Equity Plan [Member] Two Thousand Fourteen, Equity Plan [Member] Expected number of lots from joint venture with Elm Street Expected Yield Of Related Party Lots Expected yield of finished lots with remaining land of related party. Treasury stock issued upon option exercise and restricted share vesting Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Refundable deposits Refundable Deposits Portion of deposits and letters of credit made on raw land contracts which may be refundable. Balance Sheet Location Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Total fair value measurement gain/(loss) Total Fair Value Measurement Gain/(Loss) Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net Estimated federal taxable income Estimated Federal Taxable Income Estimated federal taxable income. Maximum Maximum [Member] Letters of credit outstanding Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding Share-Based Payment Arrangement Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Member] Cash and cash equivalents Cash Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Rolling Twelve Months Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Rolling 12 Months Senior notes maturity date Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Repurchase Agreement Repurchase Agreement [Member] A revolving line of credit facility used by NVR Mortgage to finance the purchase of loans. Income taxes paid during the year, net of refunds Income Taxes Paid, Net Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Fair Value, Measurement Frequency Measurement Frequency [Domain] Common Stock Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Options issued under the plan (in Shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period Senior notes Senior Notes Senior Notes Assets Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Interest capitalized, beginning of year Interest capitalized, end of year Real Estate Inventory, Capitalized Interest Costs Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Total unrecognized compensation cost for all outstanding Options and RSUs Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Property, Plant and Equipment ("PP&E") Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Four Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Four Tax benefit related to equity-based compensation costs Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expense, Tax Benefit Outstanding at end of period (Aggregate Intrinsic Value) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Deferred compensation trust, shares Common stock, shares held in rabbi trust, shares (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Held in Employee Trust, Shares Property, Plant and Equipment, Type Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Domain] Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Distribution of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution Land Under Development Land Under Development Disclosure [Text Block] The entire disclosure for land under development. Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Commitments and contingencies. Consolidated interest income Interest Income Sum of interest income from operating activities and interest and fee income from mortgage loans considered to be held-for-sale. Debt issuance costs Payments of Debt Issuance Costs Operating Lease, Liability Operating Lease, Liability Shares contributed to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (in Shares) Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Shares Contributed to ESOP Segment Information, Nature of Operations, and Certain Concentrations Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Mortgage repurchase reserve Mortgage Repurchase Reserve, Real Estate Mortgage Repurchase Reserve, Real Estate Equity-Based Compensation Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block] Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid Fair value adjustment income (expense) Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net Number Of Joint Ventures Company Is Not Primary Beneficiary Number Of Joint Ventures Company Is Not Primary Beneficiary Number of joint ventures the Company is deemed not the primary beneficiary. Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Five Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Five [Member] Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Five LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and equity: Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Granted (Weighted Average Exercise Price) Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] $250M Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty [Member] $250M Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty [Member] $250M Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options And Restricted Share Units Outstanding Number Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options And Restricted Share Units Outstanding Number Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award options and restricted share units outstanding number. Contract land deposit impairments (recoveries) and other impairments, net Contract Land Deposit Impairment Recoveries Amount of impairment or subsequent recovery related to contract land deposits. Assumed Gain From Loan Sale Fair Value Measurement Assumed Gain Loss From Loan Sale Fair value measurement assumed gain (loss) from loan sale. Hedging Designation Hedging Designation [Axis] Auditor Location Auditor Location Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options Outstanding, Number Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options Outstanding, Number Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options Outstanding, Number Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Gross liabilities Derivative Asset, Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, Liability Offset Contract Land Deposits Contract land deposits Contract Land Deposits The gross amount as of the balance sheet date of deposits paid to secure the right to purchase finished lots. Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in Shares) Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic EPS (in Shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Corporate interest income Corporate interest income Corporate interest income Federal Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) Total Risk of Loss Related to Contract Land Deposits Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block] Share Repurchases of Common Stock Repurchase Of Common Stock [Table Text Block] Repurchase of common stock. Deferred compensation trust – 108,640 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of both December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 Common Stock, Shares Held in Employee Trust Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Outstanding at beginning of period (Weighted Average Exercise Price) Outstanding at end of period (Weighted Average Exercise Price) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Remaining Contractual Life and Aggregate Intrinsic Value Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract] Undesignated Derivative Instruments Schedule Of Undesignated Derivative Instruments In Statement Of Financial Position Fair Value [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the location and fair value amounts of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments reported in the statement of financial position. Receivables Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss Derivative, Notional Amount Derivative, Notional Amount Revenues Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Contingent obligations under letters of credit arrangements Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount (Increase) decrease in contract land deposits Increase (Decrease) in Deposits Outstanding Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Share-Based Payment Arrag Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Four [Member] Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Four Interest Expense Reconciliation Of Interest Expense From Segment To Consolidated Table [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of interest expense from segment to consolidated. Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Lessee, Leases Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block] Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Lots controlled by NVR Lots Controlled By Company Lots controlled by NVR. Equity-Based Compensation, Profit Sharing and Deferred Compensation Plans Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Other assets Other Assets Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Interest incurred Interest Costs Incurred Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Deferred Income Taxes on Consolidated Balance Sheets Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Mortgage Banking Fees Financing Receivable, Fee and Interest Income [Policy Text Block] Interest Rate Movement Effect Fair Value Measurements Interest Rate Movement Effect Interest rate movement effect on fair value measurement. Long-term Debt, Type Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Related Party Related Party [Axis] Summary of Equity-Based Compensation Plans with Grants Outstanding Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Grants Outstanding [Table Text Block] Schedule of share-based compensation arrangements by share-based payment award, grants outstanding. Stock options and restricted share units (in Shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-Based Payment Arrangements (Increase) decrease in receivables Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Warranty/Product Liability Reserves Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block] Not Designated as Hedging Instrument Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Total deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Gross Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Profit before Taxes Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Five Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Five Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Vesting Vesting [Axis] Diluted earnings per share (USD per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Expected production of finished lots Expected Production Of Finished Lots From Joint Ventures Expected production of finished lots from joint ventures. Option Grant Contingent upon Continued Employment or Service as a Director and Achievement of Performance Metric Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member] Unrecognized tax benefit Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Reserves Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Restricted share units vesting period or option vesting period Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Equity-based compensation APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition Consolidation Items Consolidation Items [Axis] Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table] Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table] Depreciation and Amortization Reconciliation Of Depreciation And Amortization From Segment To Consolidated Table [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of depreciation and amortization from segment to consolidated. Concentration Risk Type Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Risk free interest rate (range), minimum Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Minimum Auditor Information [Abstract] Auditor Information Balance at beginning of year Balance at end of year Unrecognized Tax Benefits Credit Agreement Credit Agreement [Member] Arrangement in which aggregate revolving loan commitments can be obtained by NVR for use in working capital and general corporate purposes. The total amount borrowed cannot exceed a specified maximum amount, which is also subject to certain sublimit. Amended Credit Agreement [Member] Amended Credit Agreement [Member] Amended Credit Agreement Pre-tax charges for loan losses related to mortgage loans sold Financing Receivable, Credit Loss, Expense (Reversal) Accounts payable Accounts Payable Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect effective tax rate Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate Profit before taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Domestic Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Number of years for options granted Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Expiration Period Risk free interest rate (range), maximum Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Maximum Gross assets Derivative Asset, Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, before Offset Reduction in unrecognized tax benefits Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Contract land deposits in cash under Lot Purchase Agreements Contract Land Deposits On Lot Purchase Agreements The gross amount as of the balance sheet date of deposits paid to secure the right to purchase finished lots under lot purchase agreements. Contract with Customer, Liability Contract with Customer, Liability Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Rate lock commitments Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member] Deferred compensation activity, net Deferred Compensation Activity Adjustments Deferred compensation activities during period Interest expense Corporate interest expense Consolidated interest expense Interest Expense Credit Facility Credit Facility [Axis] Line of credit facility, interest rate description Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Corporate capital allocation charge Corporate capital allocation charge Corporate Capital Allocation Charge The corporate capital allocation charge is eliminated in consolidation and is based on the segment’s average net assets employed. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Unallocated corporate overhead Unallocated Corporate Overhead Unallocated corporate overhead. Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized Debt issuance cost Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment Building materials and other Real Estate Inventory, Construction Materials Less: Deferred tax liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross Total risk of loss Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted Finance Lease, Interest Payment on Liability Finance Lease, Interest Payment on Liability Income Tax Expense Reconciliation Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block] North East North East [Member] The Homebuilding reportable segment in the North East geographic area is comprised of operating divisions in New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Net (decrease) increase in cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Amount $50M Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty [Member] $50M Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty [Member] $50M Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Real Estate [Abstract] Real Estate [Abstract] Measurement Frequency Measurement Frequency [Axis] Gain on sale of loans, net Gain (Loss) on Sale of Mortgage Loans Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award [Table] Additional funding commitments in the aggregate Aggregate Additional Funding Commitments Aggregate additional funding commitments. Mortgage Repurchase Reserve [Abstract] Mortgage Repurchase Reserve [Abstract] Mortgage Repurchase Reserve [Abstract] Expiration date Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date Summary of Options and RSUs granted during the year Summary of Equity-Based Compensation Plans with Grants Outstanding [Table Text Block] Summary of Equity-Based Compensation Plans with Grants Outstanding Entity Entity [Domain] Contract on Raw Ground with Landowners Raw Ground Contracts Variable Interest Entity Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] Raw ground contracts variable interest entity not primary beneficiary. Type of Adoption [Domain] Accounting Standards Update [Domain] City Area Code City Area Code General and administrative General and Administrative Expense ASSETS Assets: Assets [Abstract] Long-term Debt, Type Long-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Typical length of days loans sold into secondary market Originated Loan Time Period Before Sale Period of time originated loans are held before being sold into the secondary market. Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Amount South East South East [Member] The Homebuilding reportable segment in the South East geographic area is comprised of operating divisions in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Equity-based compensation expense Equity-based compensation expense (2) Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Weighted average grant-date fair value per share of options granted Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Variable Rate Variable Rate [Axis] Redemption of senior notes Repayments of Senior Debt Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Joint Ventures Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block] Purchase of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Interest Income Reconciliation Of Interest Income From Segment To Consolidated Table [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of interest income from segment to consolidated. Interest income Interest and Fee Income, Loans Held-for-sale, Mortgages Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Consolidation adjustments and other Consolidation Entries And Other For Assets Consolidation entries and other for assets. Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure [Abstract] Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure [Abstract] Accrued Liabilities [Member]