Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 29, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0001574596
Entity Registrant Name	New Home Co Inc.
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-36283
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	27-0560089
Entity Address, Address Line One	85 Enterprise, Suite 450
Entity Address, City or Town	Aliso Viejo
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92656
City Area Code	949
Local Phone Number	382-7800
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,231,954
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Series A Junior Participating Preferred Share Repurchase Rights
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
No Trading Symbol Flag	true
Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	NWHM
Security Exchange Name	NYSE