XML 67 R63.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Operating and Reporting Segments (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
--- | --- | ---
Segment information on assets |  |  |  |
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | $ 12,983 | [1] | $ 15,208 |
Real estate | 1,004,825 |  | 815,425 |
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 12,008 |  | 11,088 |
Other assets | 451,386 |  | 379,657 |
Total assets | 1,481,202 |  | 1,221,378 |
Corporate and Unallocated [Member] |  |  |  |
Segment information on assets |  |  |  |
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | 0 | [2] | 0 | [2]
Real estate | 0 | [2] | 0 | [2]
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 835 | [2] | 653 | [2]
Other assets | 266,434 | [2] | 271,372 | [2]
Total assets | 267,269 | [2] | 272,025 | [2]
West [Member] |  |  |  |
Segment information on assets |  |  |  |
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | 3,516 |  | 3,216 |
Real estate | 204,737 |  | 207,656 |
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 177 |  | 176 |
Other assets | 18,417 |  | 8,911 |
Total assets | 226,847 |  | 219,959 |
Central [Member] |  |  |  |
Segment information on assets |  |  |  |
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | 8,367 |  | 11,158 |
Real estate | 672,037 |  | 529,885 |
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 10,983 |  | 10,245 |
Other assets | 145,271 |  | 90,532 |
Total assets | 836,658 |  | 641,820 |
East [Member] |  |  |  |
Segment information on assets |  |  |  |
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | 1,100 |  | 834 |
Real estate | 128,051 |  | 77,884 |
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 13 |  | 14 |
Other assets | 21,264 |  | 8,842 |
Total assets | $ 150,428 |  | $ 87,574 |
[1] | Amount is reflected in our consolidated balance sheet in the line item “Deposits on real estate under option or contract” as of September 30, 2012.
[2] | Balance consists primarily of cash and other corporate assets not allocated to the reporting segments.

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

X
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 12 -Article 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (CON) -Number 6 -Paragraph 25 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 18 -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The carrying amount of the asset transferred to a third party to serve as a deposit, which typically serves as security against failure by the transferor to perform under terms of an agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 17 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 8 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8,17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DepositAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Total of (1) improvements, (2) held-for-sale, (3) land and land under development, (4) construction-in-process, (5) mortgage loans held-in-inventory, and (6) other real estate investments which are considered inventory due to being held for sale or disposition. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InventoryRealEstate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The aggregate carrying amounts, as of the balance sheet date, of assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 17 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 10 -Article 7 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant