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Operating and Reporting Segments Operating and Reporting Segments (Details 2) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment Of Real Estate And Joint Venture And Other Real Estate Related Impairments	$ 987	$ 2,009	$ 15,324
West [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment Of Real Estate And Joint Venture And Other Real Estate Related Impairments	514	1,618	11,333
Central [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment Of Real Estate And Joint Venture And Other Real Estate Related Impairments	235	219	2,896
East [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment Of Real Estate And Joint Venture And Other Real Estate Related Impairments	$ 238	$ 172	$ 1,095

X

- Definition

The charge against earnings in the period to reduce the carrying amount of real property, joint venture investment balances and other real estate related capitalized costs to fair value.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	mth_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration