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

Acquisitions and Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 32,962us-gaap_Goodwill
Additions	0us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
Impairments	0us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
Goodwill, ending balance	32,962us-gaap_Goodwill
Operating Segments [Member] \| Financial Services [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	0
Additions	0
Impairments	0
Goodwill, ending balance	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Homebuilding [Member] \| Reportable Subsegments [Member] \| Homebuilding, West Region [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	0
Additions	0
Impairments	0
Goodwill, ending balance	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Homebuilding [Member] \| Reportable Subsegments [Member] \| Homebuilding, Central Region [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	0
Additions	0
Impairments	0
Goodwill, ending balance	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Homebuilding [Member] \| Reportable Subsegments [Member] \| Homebuilding, East Region [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	32,962
Additions	0
Impairments	0
Goodwill, ending balance	32,962
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	0
Additions	0
Impairments	0
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 0