Note 21 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2014

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]

	October 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Homebuilding		Land Development		Total
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$22,415		$205		$22,620
Inventories	208,620		16,194		224,814
Other assets	11,986		-		11,986
Total assets	$243,021		$16,399		$259,420
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$27,175		$1,039		$28,214
Notes payable	45,506		5,650		51,156
Total liabilities	72,681		6,689		79,370
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	59,106		2,990		62,096
Others	111,234		6,720		117,954
Total equity	170,340		9,710		180,050
Total liabilities and equity	$243,021		$16,399		$259,420
Debt to capitalization ratio	21	%	37	%	22	%

	October 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)	Homebuilding		Land Development		Total
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$30,102		$639		$30,741
Inventories	101,735		11,080		112,815
Other assets	6,868		-		6,868
Total assets	$138,705		$11,719		$150,424
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$28,016		$4,047		$32,063
Notes payable	23,904		-		23,904
Total liabilities	51,920		4,047		55,967
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	44,141		2,703		46,844
Others	42,644		4,969		47,613
Total equity	86,785		7,672		94,457
Total liabilities and equity	$138,705		$11,719		$150,424
Debt to capitalization ratio	22	%	0	%	20	%

	For The Twelve Months Ended October 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Homebuilding		Land Development		Total
Revenues	$173,126		$7,888		$181,014
Cost of sales and expenses	(158,233	)	(7,313	)	(165,546	)
Joint venture net income	$14,893		$575		$15,468
Our share of net income	$7,710		$287		$7,997

	For The Twelve Months Ended October 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)	Homebuilding		Land Development		Total
Revenues	$307,993		$14,659		$322,652
Cost of sales and expenses	(276,795	)	(9,396	)	(286,191	)
Joint venture net income	$31,198		$5,263		$36,461
Our share of net income	$9,581		$2,631		$12,212

	For The Twelve Months Ended October 31, 2012
(Dollars in thousands)	Homebuilding		Land Development		Total
Revenues	$323,177		$11,531		$334,708
Cost of sales and expenses	(300,892	)	(9,318	)	(310,210	)
Joint venture net income	$22,285		$2,213		$24,498
Our share of net income	$4,763		$1,108		$5,871