Note 21 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) - Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Equity of:
Debt to capitalization ratio	22.00%								22.00%
Our share of net income	$ 4,048	$ 211	$ 1,067	$ 2,571	$ 5,234	$ 3,690	$ 827	$ 2,289	$ 7,897	$ 12,040	$ 5,401
Homebuilding [Member] | Homebuilding Venture [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	22,415				30,102				22,415	30,102
Inventories	208,620				101,735				208,620	101,735
Other assets	11,986				6,868				11,986	6,868
Total assets	243,021				138,705				243,021	138,705
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	27,175				28,016				27,175	28,016
Notes payable	45,506				23,904				45,506	23,904
Total liabilities	72,681				51,920				72,681	51,920
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	59,106				44,141				59,106	44,141
Others	111,234				42,644				111,234	42,644
Total equity	170,340				86,785				170,340	86,785
Total liabilities and equity	243,021				138,705				243,021	138,705
Debt to capitalization ratio	21.00%				22.00%				21.00%	22.00%
Revenues									173,126	307,993	323,177
Cost of sales and expenses									(158,233)	(276,795)	(300,892)
Joint venture net income									14,893	31,198	22,285
Our share of net income									7,710	9,581	4,763
Homebuilding [Member] | Land Development Venture [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	205				639				205	639
Inventories	16,194				11,080				16,194	11,080
Total assets	16,399				11,719				16,399	11,719
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1,039				4,047				1,039	4,047
Notes payable	5,650								5,650
Total liabilities	6,689				4,047				6,689	4,047
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	2,990				2,703				2,990	2,703
Others	6,720				4,969				6,720	4,969
Total equity	9,710				7,672				9,710	7,672
Total liabilities and equity	16,399				11,719				16,399	11,719
Debt to capitalization ratio	37.00%				0.00%				37.00%	0.00%
Revenues									7,888	14,659	11,531
Cost of sales and expenses									(7,313)	(9,396)	(9,318)
Joint venture net income									575	5,263	2,213
Our share of net income									287	2,631	1,108
Homebuilding [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	22,620				30,741				22,620	30,741
Inventories	224,814				112,815				224,814	112,815
Other assets	11,986				6,868				11,986	6,868
Total assets	259,420				150,424				259,420	150,424
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	28,214				32,063				28,214	32,063
Notes payable	51,156				23,904				51,156	23,904
Total liabilities	79,370				55,967				79,370	55,967
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	62,096				46,844				62,096	46,844
Others	117,954				47,613				117,954	47,613
Total equity	180,050				94,457				180,050	94,457
Total liabilities and equity	259,420				150,424				259,420	150,424
Debt to capitalization ratio	22.00%				20.00%				22.00%	20.00%
Revenues									181,014	322,652	334,708
Cost of sales and expenses									(165,546)	(286,191)	(310,210)
Joint venture net income									15,468	36,461	24,498
Our share of net income									$ 7,997	$ 12,212	$ 5,871