Note 2 - Computation of Loss Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020		Sep. 30, 2020		Jun. 30, 2020		Mar. 31, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019		Sep. 30, 2019		Jun. 30, 2019		Mar. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018
Net loss attributable to The New Home Company Inc.	$ (1,238)		$ 1,188		$ (24,293)		$ (8,476)		$ (2,998)		$ (4,624)		$ 1,572		$ (1,987)		$ (32,819)		$ (8,037)		$ (14,216)
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)																	18,680,993		20,063,148		20,703,967
Stock options and unvested restricted stock units (in shares)																	0		0		0
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)																	18,680,993		20,063,148		20,703,967
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to The New Home Company Inc.(1) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	[1]	$ 0.07	[1]	$ (1.32)	[1]	$ (0.42)	[1]	$ (0.15)	[1]	$ (0.23)	[1]	$ 0.08	[1]	$ (0.10)	[1]	$ (1.76)	[1]	$ (0.40)	[1]	$ (0.69)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to The New Home Company Inc.(1) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	[1]	$ 0.06	[1]	$ (1.32)	[1]	$ (0.42)	[1]	$ (0.15)	[1]	$ (0.23)	[1]	$ 0.08	[1]	$ (0.10)	[1]	$ (1.76)	[1]	$ (0.40)	[1]	$ (0.69)
Antidilutive stock options and unvested restricted stock units not included in diluted loss per share (in shares)																	1,886,226		1,320,400		1,311,802

[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.