Typical time period from loan origination to commitment of the loan to a third-party purchaser.

No definition available.

Name:	dhi_CommitmentOfHedgedLoansToThirdPartyPurchasers
Namespace Prefix:	dhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Mortgage loans held for sale not committed to third-party purchasers.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dhi_MortgageLoansHeldForSaleNotCommitted
Namespace Prefix:	dhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	dhi_MortgageLoansTextualAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	dhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This represents the number of major financial institutions to which an entity sold loans pursuant to a repurchase agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dhi_NumberOfMajorFinancialInstitutions
Namespace Prefix:	dhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of mortgage loans sold to major purchasers during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dhi_PercentageOfMortgageLoansSoldToMajorPurchasers
Namespace Prefix:	dhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The charge against earnings in the period for losses on other mortgage loans, real estate owned and future loan repurchase obligations due to limited recourse provisions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dhi_RecourseExpense
Namespace Prefix:	dhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The reserves for expected future losses under the reinsurance program.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dhi_ReinsuranceLossReserves
Namespace Prefix:	dhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net gain (loss) resulting from a sale of loans, including adjustments to record loans classified as held-for-sale at the lower-of-cost-or-market and fair value adjustments to loan held for investment purposes.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(h))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.3(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfLoansNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount of mortgage loans to individuals not classified as held for investment but are held-for-sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 948

-SubTopic 310

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6490309&loc=d3e48678-111004

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(a)(3))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher OTS

-Name Federal Regulation (FR)

-Number Title 12

-Chapter V

-Section 563c.102

-Subsection I

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph h

-LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Permanent Investor

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6520390

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 65

-Paragraph 1, 34

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6375948&loc=d3e4428-111522

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansHeldForSaleMortgages
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount of the outstanding balance due under the mortgage loan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 948

-SubTopic 310

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-29)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6589523&loc=d3e617274-123014

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph c

-Subparagraph Schedule IV

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 29

-Article 12

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04.(c) Schedule IV)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6882300&loc=d3e5864-122674

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCarryingAmountOfMortgages
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of all derivatives designated as a fair value hedging instrument. The notional amount relates to a number of currency units, shares, bushels, pounds, or other units specified in a derivative instrument.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Notional Amount

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfFairValueHedgeInstruments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of all interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments. Notional amount refers to the monetary amount specified in the interest rate derivative contract.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Notional Amount

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5579245-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfInterestRateDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Mortgage Loans (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 Institution	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
Mortgage Loans [Abstract]
Commitment of hedged loans to third party purchasers			3 days
Loss reserves related to reinsurance	$ 1.9		$ 1.9		$ 0.9
Interest rate lock commitments [Member]
Mortgage Loans [Abstract]
Notional amount of interest rate derivatives	282.6		282.6
Best-efforts and mandatory commitments [Member]
Mortgage Loans [Abstract]
Notional amount of interest rate derivatives	21.2		21.2
Hedging Instruments related to IRLCs [Member]
Mortgage Loans [Abstract]
Notional amount of interest rate derivatives	236.0		236.0
Financial Services [Member]
Mortgage Loans [Abstract]
Percentage of mortgage loans sold to major purchasers			73.00%
Number of Major Financial Institutions			1
Aggregate fair value of mortgage loans held for sale	295.1		295.1		294.1
Aggregate outstanding principal balance of mortgage loans held for sale	286.5		286.5		284.6
Net gain on sales of loans	20.7	11.1	45.8	30.9
Recourse expense	(2.0)	(3.5)	(4.7)	(7.7)
Mortgage loans held for sale not committed to third-party purchasers	80.6		80.6
Notional amounts of hedging instruments, Total	$ 81.0		$ 81.0