XML 48 R59.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 Lot | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |
Rent expense under operating leases | $ 33,607 | $ 33,172 | $ 36,699
Maximum range of deposits required under the purchase agreements | 10.00% |  |
Term of business plan | 5 years |  |
Contingent forfeitable deposits with land developers | 47,525 |  |
Number of finished building lots | 92 |  |
Purchase price of finished lots committed to purchase under specific performance obligations | 8,500 |  |
Contingent obligations under bond or letter of credit arrangements | 46,300 |  |
Contingent obligation under letters of credit arrangements | $ 10,623 |  |

X
- Details
Name: | nvr_CommitmentsAndContingentLiabilitiesTextualAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | nvr_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition 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. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nvr_ContingentForfeitableDepositsWithLandDevelopers
Namespace Prefix: | nvr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Contingent obligations under bond or letter of credit arrangements with local municipalities, government agencies, or land developers + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nvr_ContingentObligationsUnderBondOrLetterOfCreditArrangements
Namespace Prefix: | nvr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Contingent obligations under letter of credit arrangements with local municipalities, government agencies, or land developers. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nvr_ContingentObligationsUnderLetterOfCreditArrangements
Namespace Prefix: | nvr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum percentage of deposits required under the purchase agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nvr_MaximumPercentageOfDepositsRequiredUnderPurchaseAgreements
Namespace Prefix: | nvr_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of finished building lots under specific performance. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nvr_NumberOfFinishedBuildingLots
Namespace Prefix: | nvr_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Purchase price of finished lots committed to purchase. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nvr_PurchasePriceOfFinishedLotsCommittedToPurchase
Namespace Prefix: | nvr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Term of business plan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nvr_TermOfBusinessPlan
Namespace Prefix: | nvr_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Rental expense for the reporting period incurred under operating leases, including minimum and any contingent rent expense, net of related sublease income. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41499-112717 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration