XML 28 R43.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details Textual) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |
Amortization of Equity Method Investment Assets | $ 0 | $ 27,999 |
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 9,756,000 |  | 11,638,000
Equity method investment difference between carrying amount and underlying equity | 579,000 |  | 579,000
Equity Method Land Ventures [Member] |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of joint ventures | 2 |  |
Mortgage And Title Business Joint Ventures [Member] |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |
Investments in mortgage and title joint ventures | $ 1,200,000 |  | $ 2,900,000
Mortgage Joint Ventures [Member] |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of joint ventures | 1 |  |

X
- Definition Amortization of equity method investment assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mth_AmortizationOfEquityMethodInvestmentAssets
Namespace Prefix: | mth_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Equity method investments in mortgage and title joint ventures. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mth_InvestmentsInMortgageAndTitleJointVentures
Namespace Prefix: | mth_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition The number of active joint ventures. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mth_NumberOfActiveJointVentures
Namespace Prefix: | mth_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Difference between amount at which an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting is carried (reported) on the balance sheet and amount of underlying equity in net assets the reporting Entity has in the investee. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity
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
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration