Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Assets:    
Cash $ 5,284mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCashAndCashEquivalent $ 6,471mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCashAndCashEquivalent
Real estate 34,437mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRealEstateInventory 34,435mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRealEstateInventory
Other assets 3,239mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationOtherAssets 2,990mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationOtherAssets
Total assets 42,960us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAssets 43,896us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAssets
Liabilities and equity:    
Accounts payable and other liabilities 5,186mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAccountsPayableAndOtherLiabilities 5,994mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAccountsPayableAndOtherLiabilities
Notes and mortgages payable 13,345mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationLongTermDebt 13,346mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationLongTermDebt
Total liabilities and equity 42,960us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationLiabilitiesAndEquity 43,896us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationLiabilitiesAndEquity
Meritage Homes [Member]    
Liabilities and equity:    
Equity 7,970us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mth_MeritageHomesMember 		[1] 7,735us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mth_MeritageHomesMember 		[1]
JV Partners [Member]    
Liabilities and equity:    
Equity $ 16,459us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mth_JvPartnersMember 		$ 16,821us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mth_JvPartnersMember
[1] Balance represents Meritage’s interest, as reflected in the financial records of the respective joint ventures. This balance may differ from the balance reflected in our consolidated financial statements due to the following reconciling items: (i) timing differences for revenue and distributions recognition, (ii) step-up basis and corresponding amortization, (iii) capitalization of interest on qualified assets, (iv) income deferrals as discussed in Note (2) below and (v) the cessation of allocation of losses from joint ventures in which we have previously written down our investment balance to zero and where we have no commitment to fund additional losses.