Note 6 - Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Condensed Combined Financial Statements for Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 31,484	$ 45,945
Restricted cash		13,852	19,205
Real estate inventories		241,416	374,607
Other assets		3,843	4,231
Total assets		290,595	443,988
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		16,778	43,158
Notes payable		28,665	71,299
Total liabilities		45,443	114,457
The New Home Company's equity(1)	[1]	27,722	33,617
Other partners' equity		217,430	295,914
Total equity		245,152	329,531
Total liabilities and equity		$ 290,595	$ 443,988
Debt-to-capitalization ratio		10.50%	17.80%
Debt-to-equity ratio		11.70%	21.60%
Revenues		$ 164,038	$ 181,623	$ 147,447
Cost of sales and expenses		230,953	209,527	147,976
Net loss of unconsolidated joint ventures		(66,915)	(27,904)	(529)
Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations		(3,503)	(19,653)	866
Russel Ranch [Member]
Revenues		33,144	38,789	0
Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations	[2]	(3,656)	(20,283)	(462)
Land sales		31,103	36,676	0
Inventory impairments		70,000	28,776	0
Gross Margin		(67,959)	(26,663)	0
Expenses		(2,879)	(3,289)	(2,680)
Net loss		$ (70,838)	$ (29,952)	$ (2,680)

[1] Balance represents the Company's interest, as reflected in the financial records of the respective joint ventures. This balance differs from the investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures balance reflected in the Company's consolidated balance sheets by $2.5 million due to interest capitalized to the Company's investment in joint ventures and certain other differences in outside basis.

[2] Balance represents equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures included in the statements of operations related to the Company's investment in these two unconsolidated joint ventures. The balance may differ from the amount of profit or loss allocated to the Company as reflected in each joint venture's financial records primarily due to basis differences such as other-than-temporary impairment charges, interest capitalized to the Company's investment in joint ventures, and/or profit deferral from lot sales from the joint ventures to the Company.