Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Acquisitions and Goodwill - Details Textual (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Acquisitions and Goodwill - Details Textual (Details) (USD $)
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2015
Aug. 01, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]        
Additions   $ 32,962,000us-gaap_Goodwill $ 32,962,000us-gaap_Goodwill  
Nashville Acquisition [Member]        
Goodwill [Line Items]        
Cash Paid for Acquisitions 18,600,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= mth_NashvilleAcquisitionMember
     
Additions 10,200,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= mth_NashvilleAcquisitionMember
     
Remaining basis of other assets and liabilities after goodwill, almost entirely comprised of acquired inventory 8,400,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= mth_NashvilleAcquisitionMember
     
Legendary Communities Acquisition [Member]        
Goodwill [Line Items]        
Cash Paid for Acquisitions   130,700,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= mth_LegendaryCommunitiesAcquisitionMember
   
Additions       22,700,000us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= mth_LegendaryCommunitiesAcquisitionMember
Remaining basis of other assets and liabilities after goodwill, almost entirely comprised of acquired inventory       $ 108,000,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= mth_LegendaryCommunitiesAcquisitionMember