Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Income taxes receivable – including net deferred tax benefits	$ 1,483		[1]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	49,500	64,200
Inventories:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	52,800	61,100
Total assets	1,618,887	1,684,250	[1]
Secured debt	978,000
Senior notes	459,000
TEU senior subordinated amortizing notes	4,180	6,091	[1]
Accrued interest	30,019	20,199	[1]
Total notes payable	1,559,213	1,562,395	[1]
Income taxes payable		6,882	[1]
Total liabilities	2,097,407	2,169,595	[1]
Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value - authorized 100,000 shares; issued 5,600 shares with a liquidation preference of $140,000 at April 30, 2013 and at October 31, 2012	135,299	135,299	[1]
Paid in capital - common stock	685,398	668,735	[1]
Accumulated deficit	(1,185,693)	(1,175,703)	[1]
Treasury stock - at cost	(115,360)	(115,360)	[1]
Total Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. stockholders’ equity deficit	(478,840)	(485,575)	[1]
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures	320	230	[1]
Total equity deficit	(478,520)	(485,345)	[1]
Total liabilities and equity	1,618,887	1,684,250	[1]
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit	26,200
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Land Mortgages [Member]
Inventories:
Secured debt	30,384	38,302	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured By Operating Properties [Member]
Inventories:
Secured debt	18,263	18,775	[1]
Homebuilding [Member]
Cash	236,419	258,323	[1]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	32,764	41,732	[1]
Inventories:
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	700,921	671,851	[1]
Land and land options held for future development or sale	228,265	218,996	[1]
Consolidated inventory not owned - other options	106,121	90,619	[1]
Total inventories	1,035,307	981,466	[1]
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	52,821	61,083	[1]
Receivables, deposits, and notes – net	45,129	61,794	[1]
Property, plant, and equipment – net	47,037	48,524	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other assets	55,127	66,694	[1]
Total assets	1,504,604	1,519,616	[1]
Liabilities from inventory not owned	91,150	77,791	[1]
Total liabilities	444,526	455,224	[1]
Equity:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	271,736	296,510	[1]
Customers’ deposits	32,993	23,846	[1]
Financial Services [Member]
Cash	8,443	14,909	[1]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	16,701	22,470	[1]
Mortgage loans held for sale at fair value	85,463	117,024	[1]
Other assets	2,193	10,231	[1]
Inventories:
Total assets	112,800	164,634	[1]
Total liabilities	93,668	145,094	[1]
Equity:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	27,680	37,609	[1]
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit	65,988	107,485	[1]
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Inventories:
Secured debt	977,980	977,369	[1]
Senior Notes [Member]
Inventories:
Senior notes	459,005	458,736	[1]
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Inventories:
Senior notes	23,149	23,149	[1]
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Inventories:
Senior notes	64,880	76,851	[1]
Common Class A [Member]
Equity:
Common stock	1,363	1,300	[1]
Common Class B [Member]
Equity:
Common stock	$ 153	$ 154	[1]

[1] Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2012.