XML 54 R43.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.4.0.3

INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) joint_venture | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($) | [1] | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in unconsolidated entities | $ 10,592 |  | $ 11,370 |  |
Capitalized interest | $ 64,126 | [1] | 61,202 | $ 56,843 | $ 54,060
Equity Method Land Ventures [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of joint ventures | joint_venture | 2 |  |  |  |
Capitalized interest |  |  | 445 |  |
Mortgage Joint Ventures [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of joint ventures | joint_venture | 1 |  |  |  |
Investments in unconsolidated entities | $ 1,800 |  | $ 2,500 |  |
[1] | Approximately $445,000 of the capitalized interest is related to our joint venture investments and is a component of Investments in unconsolidated entities in our consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015

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 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 Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of interest costs that were capitalized to properties under development during the land development and construction period of a project, and which are included in inventory. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RealEstateInventoryCapitalizedInterestCosts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=mth_EquityMethodLandVenturesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=mth_MortgageJointVenturesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |