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Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 JointVenture | Sep. 30, 2014 JointVenture | Dec. 31, 2013
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Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |
Investments in unconsolidated entities | $ 10,780 us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures |  | $ 11,638 us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
Equity method land ventures [Member] |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of joint ventures | 2 mth_NumberOfActiveJointVentures / mth_ScheduleOfJointVentureInvestmentAxis = mth_EquityMethodLandVenturesMember |  |
Mortgage joint ventures |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of joint ventures | 1 mth_NumberOfActiveJointVentures / mth_ScheduleOfJointVentureInvestmentAxis = mth_MortgageJointVenturesMember | 1 mth_NumberOfActiveJointVentures / mth_ScheduleOfJointVentureInvestmentAxis = mth_MortgageJointVenturesMember |
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 2,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures / mth_ScheduleOfJointVentureInvestmentAxis = mth_MortgageJointVenturesMember |  | 2,900 us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures / mth_ScheduleOfJointVentureInvestmentAxis = mth_MortgageJointVenturesMember
South Edge Guarantee [Member] |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted | $ 13,243 us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure / us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis = mth_SouthEdgeGuaranteeMember |  |

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- Definition Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12069-110248 + Details
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Period Type: | instant

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- 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
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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
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- Details
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- Details
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