Note 2 - Computation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019		Sep. 30, 2019		Jun. 30, 2019		Mar. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018		Sep. 30, 2018		Jun. 30, 2018		Mar. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to The New Home Company Inc.	$ (2,998)		$ (4,624)		$ 1,572		$ (1,987)		$ (16,150)		$ 2,459		$ 115		$ (640)		$ (8,037)		$ (14,216)		$ 17,152
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)																	20,063,148		20,703,967		20,849,736
Stock options and unvested restricted stock units (in shares)																	0		0		145,762
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)																	20,063,148		20,703,967		20,995,498
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to The New Home Company Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ (0.15)	[1]	$ (0.23)	[1]	$ 0.08	[1]	$ (0.10)	[1]	$ (0.80)	[1]	$ 0.12	[1]	$ 0.01	[1]	$ (0.03)	[1]	$ (0.40)	[1]	$ (0.69)	[1]	$ 0.82
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to The New Home Company Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ (0.15)	[1]	$ (0.23)	[1]	$ 0.08	[1]	$ (0.10)	[1]	$ (0.80)	[1]	$ 0.12	[1]	$ 0.01	[1]	$ (0.03)	[1]	$ (0.40)	[1]	$ (0.69)	[1]	$ 0.82
Antidilutive stock options and unvested restricted stock units not included in diluted earnings per share (in shares)																	1,320,400		1,311,802		7,074

[1] Some amounts do not add to our full year results presented on our consolidated statement of operations due to rounding differences in quarterly and annual weighted average share calculations.