XML 124 R59.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 6 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jun. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2012
Cash paid during the period for: |  |
Interest, net of interest capitalized | $ 7,061 | $ 13,726
Income taxes | 992 | 909
Non-cash operating activities: |  |
Real estate not owned | $ 0 | $ 233

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

X
- Definition The non-cash impact of consolidation of purchase and option contracts. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mth_RealEstateNotOwned
Namespace Prefix: | mth_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4297-108586 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 25 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of cash paid for interest during the period net of cash paid for interest that is capitalized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4297-108586 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration