Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Assets:    
Cash $ 6,471mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCashAndCashEquivalent $ 7,299mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCashAndCashEquivalent
Real estate 34,435us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentAssets 34,949us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentAssets
Other assets 2,990mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationOtherAssets 3,067mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationOtherAssets
Total assets 43,896us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAssets 45,315us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAssets
Liabilities and equity:    
Accounts payable and other liabilities 5,994mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAccountsPayableAndOtherLiabilities 2,889mth_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAccountsPayableAndOtherLiabilities
Notes and mortgages payable 13,346us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentLiabilities 13,453us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentLiabilities
Total liabilities and equity 43,896us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationLiabilitiesAndEquity 45,315us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationLiabilitiesAndEquity
Meritage Homes [Member]    
Liabilities and equity:    
Equity 7,735us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mth_MeritageHomesMember
10,332us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mth_MeritageHomesMember
JV Partners [Member]    
Liabilities and equity:    
Equity $ 16,821us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mth_JvPartnersMember
$ 18,641us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mth_JvPartnersMember