Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Operating and Reporting Segments (Details 2)

v2.4.1.9
Operating and Reporting Segments (Details 2) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Deposits on real estate under option or contract $ 91,922us-gaap_DepositAssets [1] $ 94,989us-gaap_DepositAssets
Real estate 1,943,055us-gaap_InventoryRealEstate 1,877,682us-gaap_InventoryRealEstate
Investments in unconsolidated entities 10,271us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures 10,780us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
Other assets 321,210us-gaap_OtherAssets 332,687us-gaap_OtherAssets
Total assets 2,366,458us-gaap_Assets 2,316,138us-gaap_Assets
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Deposits on real estate under option or contract 0us-gaap_DepositAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember 		0us-gaap_DepositAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
Real estate 0us-gaap_InventoryRealEstate
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember 		0us-gaap_InventoryRealEstate
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
Investments in unconsolidated entities 1,525us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember 		2,015us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
Other assets 130,308us-gaap_OtherAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember 		[2] 132,884us-gaap_OtherAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember 		[2]
Total assets 131,833us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember 		134,899us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Deposits on real estate under option or contract 0us-gaap_DepositAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_FinancialServicesMember 		0us-gaap_DepositAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_FinancialServicesMember
Real estate 0us-gaap_InventoryRealEstate
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_FinancialServicesMember 		0us-gaap_InventoryRealEstate
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_FinancialServicesMember
Investments in unconsolidated entities 0us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_FinancialServicesMember 		0us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_FinancialServicesMember
Other assets 2,164us-gaap_OtherAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_FinancialServicesMember 		958us-gaap_OtherAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_FinancialServicesMember
Total assets 2,164us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_FinancialServicesMember 		958us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_FinancialServicesMember
Homebuilding, West Region [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Deposits on real estate under option or contract 30,680us-gaap_DepositAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingWestRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		34,622us-gaap_DepositAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingWestRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember
Real estate 972,589us-gaap_InventoryRealEstate
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingWestRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		943,600us-gaap_InventoryRealEstate
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingWestRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember
Investments in unconsolidated entities 205us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingWestRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		204us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingWestRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember
Other assets 49,177us-gaap_OtherAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingWestRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		48,120us-gaap_OtherAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingWestRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember
Total assets 1,052,651us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingWestRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		1,026,546us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingWestRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember
Homebuilding, Central Region [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Deposits on real estate under option or contract 31,706us-gaap_DepositAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingCentralRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		31,317us-gaap_DepositAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingCentralRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember
Real estate 467,929us-gaap_InventoryRealEstate
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingCentralRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		446,208us-gaap_InventoryRealEstate
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingCentralRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember
Investments in unconsolidated entities 8,541us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingCentralRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		8,561us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingCentralRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember
Other assets 69,472us-gaap_OtherAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingCentralRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		[3] 80,689us-gaap_OtherAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingCentralRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		[3]
Total assets 577,648us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingCentralRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		566,775us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingCentralRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember
Homebuilding, East Region [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Deposits on real estate under option or contract 29,536us-gaap_DepositAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingEastRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		29,050us-gaap_DepositAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingEastRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember
Real estate 502,537us-gaap_InventoryRealEstate
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingEastRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		487,874us-gaap_InventoryRealEstate
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingEastRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember
Investments in unconsolidated entities 0us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingEastRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		0us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingEastRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember
Other assets 70,089us-gaap_OtherAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingEastRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		[4] 70,036us-gaap_OtherAssets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingEastRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		[4]
Total assets $ 602,162us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingEastRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember 		$ 586,960us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis
= mth_HomebuildingEastRegionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsegmentsConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ReportableSubsegmentsMember
[1] Amount is reflected in our consolidated balance sheet in the line item “Deposits on real estate under option or contract” as of March 31, 2015.
[2] Balance consists primarily of cash and securities and our deferred tax asset.
[3] Balance consists primarily of development reimbursements from local municipalities and cash.
[4] Balance consists primarily of goodwill (see Note 9) and cash.