Meritage Homes Corporation Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Real Estate and Capitalized Interest (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011 Cummunities	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011 Cummunities
Number of communities with real estate inventory impairments & fair value of these communities
Number of Communities Impaired	2		2
Impairment Charges	$ 311	$ 0	$ 311
Fair Value of Communities Impaired (Carrying Value less Impairments)	6,827		6,827
West [Member]
Number of communities with real estate inventory impairments & fair value of these communities
Number of Communities Impaired	0		0
Impairment Charges	0		0
Central [Member]
Number of communities with real estate inventory impairments & fair value of these communities
Number of Communities Impaired	2		2
Impairment Charges	311		311
Fair Value of Communities Impaired (Carrying Value less Impairments)	6,827		6,827
East [Member]
Number of communities with real estate inventory impairments & fair value of these communities
Number of Communities Impaired	0		0
Impairment Charges	$ 0		$ 0