Meritage Homes Corporation Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

ACQUISITIONS AND GOODWILL - Summary of Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 32,962	$ 32,962
Additions	0	0
Ending balance	32,962	32,962
Operating Segments [Member] \| Financial Services [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0	0
Additions	0	0
Ending balance	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Reportable Subsegments [Member] \| Homebuilding [Member] \| West [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0	0
Additions	0	0
Ending balance	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Reportable Subsegments [Member] \| Homebuilding [Member] \| Central [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0	0
Additions	0	0
Ending balance	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Reportable Subsegments [Member] \| Homebuilding [Member] \| East [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	32,962	32,962
Additions	0	0
Ending balance	32,962	32,962
Corporate [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0	0
Additions	0	0
Ending balance	$ 0	$ 0