10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2023

OR

☐ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission file number 1-8551

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

22-1851059 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

90 Matawan Road, 5th Floor, Matawan, NJ 07747 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

732-747-7800 (Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

N/A (Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share	HOV	New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights(1)	N/A	New York Stock Exchange
Depositary Shares each representing 1/1,000th of a share of 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock	HOVNP	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

(1) Each share of Common Stock includes an associated Preferred Stock Purchase Right. Each Preferred Stock Purchase Right initially represents the right, if such Preferred Stock Purchase Right becomes exercisable, to purchase from the Company one ten-thousandth of a share of its Series B Junior Preferred Stock for each share of Common Stock. The Preferred Stock Purchase Rights currently cannot trade separately from the underlying Common Stock.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer ☐ Accelerated Filer ☒  Nonaccelerated Filer ☐   Smaller Reporting Company ☐ Emerging Growth Company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ☐  No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 5,276,785 shares of Class A Common Stock and 720,307 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding as of March 1, 2023.

1

true

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.  

FORM 10-Q  

INDEX	PAGE NUMBER
PART I. Financial Information
Item l. Financial Statements:
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) as of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022	3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022	4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (unaudited) for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022	5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022	7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	8
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	27
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	41
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	41
PART II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	42
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	42
Item 6. Exhibits	43
Signatures	45

2

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

	January 31,			October 31,
	2023			2022
ASSETS
Homebuilding:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	234,929		$	326,198
Restricted cash and cash equivalents		8,154			13,382
Inventories:
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development		1,066,455			1,058,183
Land and land options held for future development or sale		125,561			152,406
Consolidated inventory not owned		315,022			308,595
Total inventories		1,507,038			1,519,184
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures		101,013			74,940
Receivables, deposits and notes, net		37,577			37,837
Property and equipment, net		28,089			25,819
Prepaid expenses and other assets		58,260			63,884
Total homebuilding		1,975,060			2,061,244
Financial services		112,756			155,993
Deferred tax assets, net		347,369			344,793
Total assets	$	2,435,185		$	2,562,030
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Homebuilding:
Nonrecourse mortgages secured by inventory, net of debt issuance costs	$	133,886		$	144,805
Accounts payable and other liabilities		331,314			439,952
Customers’ deposits		71,243			74,020
Liabilities from inventory not owned, net of debt issuance costs		209,579			202,492
Senior notes and credit facilities (net of discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs)		1,145,261			1,146,547
Accrued interest		52,036			32,415
Total homebuilding		1,943,319			2,040,231
Financial services		91,078			135,581
Income taxes payable		4,991			3,167
Total liabilities		2,039,388			2,178,979
Equity:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value - authorized 100,000 shares; issued and outstanding 5,600 shares with a liquidation preference of $140,000 at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022		135,299			135,299
Common stock, Class A, $0.01 par value - authorized 16,000,000 shares; issued 6,178,146 shares at January 31, 2023 and 6,159,886 shares at October 31, 2022		62			62
Common stock, Class B, $0.01 par value (convertible to Class A at time of sale) - authorized 2,400,000 shares; issued 747,994 shares at January 31, 2023 and 733,374 shares at October 31, 2022		7			7
Paid in capital - common stock		729,158			727,663
Accumulated deficit		(336,366	)		(352,413	)
Treasury stock - at cost – 901,379 shares of Class A common stock at January 31, 2023 and 782,901 shares at October 31, 2022; 27,669 shares of Class B common stock at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022		(132,382	)		(127,582	)
Total Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. stockholders’ equity		395,778			383,036
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures		19			15
Total equity		395,797			383,051
Total liabilities and equity	$	2,435,185		$	2,562,030

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

3

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended January 31,
	2023			2022
Revenues:
Homebuilding:
Sale of homes	$	499,645		$	551,366
Land sales and other revenues		3,557			638
Total homebuilding		503,202			552,004
Financial services		12,164			13,309
Total revenues		515,366			565,313
Expenses:
Homebuilding:
Cost of sales, excluding interest		391,040			427,917
Cost of sales interest		15,022			13,745
Inventory impairments and land option write-offs		477			99
Total cost of sales		406,539			441,761
Selling, general and administrative		47,918			42,746
Total homebuilding expenses		454,457			484,507
Financial services		9,053			10,400
Corporate general and administrative		25,490			29,435
Other interest		15,093			13,393
Other expenses, net		386			368
Total expenses		504,479			538,103
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures		7,160			8,191
Income before income taxes		18,047			35,401
State and federal income tax provision (benefit):
State		2,211			2,543
Federal		(2,880	)		8,050
Total income taxes		(669	)		10,593
Net income		18,716			24,808
Less: preferred stock dividends		2,669			2,669
Net income available to common stockholders	$	16,047		$	22,139
Per share data:
Basic:
Net income per common share	$	2.37		$	3.12
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		6,186			6,389
Assuming dilution:
Net income per common share	$	2.26		$	3.07
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		6,468			6,501

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

4

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Three MONTH PERIOD ENDED January 31, 2023

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

	A Common Stock					B Common Stock				Preferred Stock
	Shares					Shares				Shares
	Issued and					Issued and				Issued and				Paid-In		Accumulated			Treasury			Noncontrolling
	Outstanding			Amount		Outstanding		Amount		Outstanding		Amount		Capital		Deficit			Stock			Interest		Total
Balance, October 31, 2022		5,376,985		$	62		705,705	$	7		5,600	$	135,299	$	727,663	$	(352,413	)	$	(127,582	)	$	15	$	383,051
Stock options, amortization and issuances		209													8										8
Preferred dividend declared ($476.56 per share)																	(2,669	)							(2,669	)
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures		18,051					14,620								1,487										1,487
Changes in noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures																							4		4
Share repurchases		(118,478	)																	(4,800	)				(4,800	)
Net income																	18,716								18,716
Balance, January 31, 2023		5,276,767		$	62		720,325	$	7		5,600	$	135,299	$	729,158	$	(336,366	)	$	(132,382	)	$	19	$	395,797

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

5

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Three MONTH PERIOD ENDED January 31, 2022

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

	A Common Stock				B Common Stock					Preferred Stock
	Shares				Shares					Shares
	Issued and				Issued and					Issued and				Paid-In			Accumulated			Treasury			Noncontrolling
	Outstanding		Amount		Outstanding			Amount		Outstanding		Amount		Capital			Deficit			Stock			Interest			Total
Balance, October 31, 2021		5,595,734	$	61		659,207		$	7		5,600	$	135,299	$	722,118		$	(567,228	)	$	(115,360	)	$	487		$	175,384
Stock options, amortization and issuances		804													4												4
Preferred dividend declared ($476.56 per share)																		(2,669	)								(2,669	)
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures		17,654				17,445									(552	)											(552	)
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock		48				(48	)																				-
Changes in noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures																								(88	)		(88	)
Net income																		24,808									24,808
Balance, January 31, 2022		5,614,240	$	61		676,604		$	7		5,600	$	135,299	$	721,570		$	(545,089	)	$	(115,360	)	$	399		$	196,887

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited). 

6

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
		2023			2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	18,716		$	24,808
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation		1,410			1,175
Stock-based compensation		2,070			1,635
Amortization of debt discounts, premiums and deferred financing costs		330			(280	)
Gain on sale of property and assets		(14	)		(5	)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures		(7,160	)		(8,191	)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures		692			2,100
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures		-			62
Inventory impairments and land option write-offs		477			99
Decrease (Increase) in assets:
Inventories		11,669			(159,227	)
Receivables, deposits and notes		5,772			(2,139	)
Origination of mortgage loans		(215,477	)		(272,877	)
Sale of mortgage loans		251,923			342,090
Deferred tax assets		(2,576	)		9,465
(Decrease) increase in liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued interest and other liabilities		(98,125	)		(70,490	)
Customers’ deposits		(2,777	)		14,924
State income tax payable		1,824			1,122
Net cash used in operating activities		(31,246	)		(115,729	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and assets		69			5
Purchase of property, equipment, and other fixed assets		(3,740	)		(2,453	)
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures, net of reimbursements		(22,238	)		(1,033	)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures		2,633			554
Net cash used in investing activities		(23,276	)		(2,927	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from mortgages and notes		57,704			136,021
Payments related to mortgages and notes		(68,958	)		(63,892	)
Proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs		1,310			8,737
Payments related to model sale leaseback financing programs		(3,303	)		(3,553	)
Proceeds from land bank financing programs		21,317			21,425
Payments related to land bank financing programs		(12,553	)		(13,642	)
Payments for partner distributions to consolidated joint venture		-			(150	)
Net payments related to mortgage warehouse lines of credit		(35,971	)		(63,311	)
Preferred dividends paid		(2,669	)		(2,669	)
Repurchases of common stock		(4,800	)		-
Deferred financing costs from land banking financing programs and note issuances		(464	)		(1,848	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(48,387	)		17,118
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents		(102,909	)		(101,538	)
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period		382,190			311,396
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	$	279,281		$	209,858
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows:
Cash (received) paid during the period for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest (see Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)	$	(3,904	)	$	(5,254	)
Income taxes	$	84		$	7
Reconciliation of Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Homebuilding: Cash and cash equivalents	$	234,929		$	137,898
Homebuilding: Restricted cash and cash equivalents		8,154			14,260
Financial Services: Cash and cash equivalents, included in financial services assets		4,682			6,846
Financial Services: Restricted cash and cash equivalents, included in financial services assets		31,516			50,854
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows	$	279,281		$	209,858

7

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

1. Basis of Presentation

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (“HEI”) conducts all of its homebuilding and financial services operations through its subsidiaries (references herein to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to HEI and its consolidated subsidiaries and should be understood to reflect the consolidated business of HEI’s subsidiaries). Historically, the Company had seven reportable segments consisting of six homebuilding segments (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West) and its financial services segment. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we realigned our homebuilding operating segments and determined that, in addition to our financial services segment, we now had three reportable homebuilding segments comprised of (1) Northeast, (2) Southeast and (3) West (see Note 17). All prior period amounts related to the segment change have been retrospectively reclassified to conform to the new presentation.

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include HEI's accounts and those of all of its consolidated subsidiaries after elimination of all intercompany balances and transactions. Noncontrolling interest represents the proportionate equity interest in a consolidated joint venture that is not 100% owned by the Company directly or indirectly.

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, and accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. In the opinion of management, all adjustments for interim periods presented have been made, which include normal recurring accruals and deferrals necessary for a fair presentation of our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and these differences could have a significant impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results which might be expected for a full year.  

2. Stock Compensation

During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the Board of Directors approved certain grants under a new Long-Term Incentive Program (the “2023 LTIP”) that contain performance-based vesting conditions. The performance period for the 2023 LTIP commenced on November 1, 2022 and will end on October 31, 2025. At the end of the performance period, 50% of the awards, if any, are payable in cash-settled phantom shares and the remaining 50% of the awards, if any, are payable in shares of Company stock, subject to a mandatory two-year post-vesting hold period.

For the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, stock-based compensation expense was $2.1 million (pre and post tax) and $1.6 million ($1.1 million, net of tax), respectively. Included in stock-based compensation expense was $8 thousand and $45 thousand of stock option expense for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

8

3. Interest

Interest costs incurred, expensed and capitalized were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Interest capitalized at beginning of period	$	59,600		$	58,159
Plus interest incurred(1)		34,326			32,783
Less cost of sales interest expensed		(15,022	)		(13,745	)
Less other interest expensed(2)(3)		(15,093	)		(13,393	)
Less interest contributed to unconsolidated joint venture(4)		(3,016	)		-
Interest capitalized at end of period(5)	$	60,795		$	63,804

(1)

Data does not include interest incurred by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries.

(2)

Other interest expensed includes interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt, which amounted to $6.6 million and $11.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Other interest also includes interest on completed homes, land in planning and fully developed lots without homes under construction, which does not qualify for capitalization and therefore is expensed as incurred. This component of other interest was $8.5 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(3) Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest, is the sum of other interest expensed, as defined above, and interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries adjusted for the change in accrued interest on notes payable, which is calculated as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Other interest expensed	$	15,093		$	13,393
Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries		624			468
Increase in accrued interest		(19,621	)		(19,115	)
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	$	(3,904	)	$	(5,254	)

(4)	Represents capitalized interest which was included as part of the assets contributed to joint ventures, as discussed in Note 18. There was no impact to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a result of these transactions.
(5)	Capitalized interest amounts are shown gross before allocating any portion of impairments, if any, to capitalized interest.

4. Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value

During the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, we had 361 and 382 communities under development and held for future development or sale, which we evaluated for indicators of impairment. We did not identify impairment indicators for any community during the three months ended  January 31, 2023 or 2022.

We write off certain costs when communities are redesigned, abandoned or we do not exercise our options. Total aggregate write-offs related to these items were $0.5 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The number of lots walked away from during the three months ended  January 31, 2023 and 2022 were 2,182 and 420, respectively. The walk-aways occurred across each of our segments for both periods.

We decide to mothball (or stop development on) certain communities when we determine that the current performance does not justify further investment at the time. During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we did not mothball any communities, nor did we sell or re-activate any previously mothballed communities. As of both January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, the net aggregate book value of our two mothballed communities was $1.4 million, which was net of impairments in prior periods of $20.3 million.

We sell and lease back certain of our model homes with the right to participate in the potential profit when each home is sold to a third party at the end of the respective lease. As a result of our continued involvement, these sale and leaseback transactions are considered a financing rather than a sale. Our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022 included inventory of $47.4 million and $48.5 million, respectively, recorded to “Consolidated inventory not owned,” with a corresponding amount of $49.3 million and $51.2 million, respectively, recorded to “Liabilities from inventory not owned” for the amount of net cash received from the transactions.

We have land banking arrangements, whereby we sell our land parcels to the land bankers and they provide us an option to purchase back finished lots on a predetermined schedule. Because of our options to repurchase these parcels, these transactions are considered a financing rather than a sale. Our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022 included inventory of $267.6 million and $260.1 million, respectively, recorded to “Consolidated inventory not owned,” with a corresponding amount of $160.3 million and $151.3 million, respectively, recorded to “Liabilities from inventory not owned” for the amount of net cash received from the transactions.

9

 

5. Variable Interest Entities

The Company enters into land and lot option purchase contracts to procure land or lots for the construction of homes. Under these contracts, we will fund a stated deposit in consideration for the right, but not the obligation, to purchase land or lots at a future point in time with predetermined terms. Under the terms of the option purchase contracts, many of the option deposits are not refundable at our discretion. Certain option purchase contracts may result in the creation of a variable interest in the entity (“VIE”) that owns the land parcel under option.

We analyze our option purchase contracts to determine whether the corresponding land sellers are VIEs and, if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. Although the Company does not have legal title to the underlying land, we are required to consolidate a VIE if we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. In determining whether it is the primary beneficiary, the Company considers, among other things, whether it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and whether we have the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. As a result of our analyses, we have concluded the Company is not the primary beneficiary of any VIEs from which it is purchasing land under option purchase contracts.

Including deposits on our unconsolidated VIEs, at January 31, 2023, we had total cash deposits amounting to $187.7 million to purchase land and lots with a total purchase price of $1.8 billion. The maximum exposure to loss with respect to our land and lot options is limited to the deposits plus any pre-development costs invested in the property.

6. Warranty Costs

We have an owner-controlled insurance program for certain of our subcontractors whereby the subcontractors pay us an insurance premium (through a reduction of amounts we would otherwise owe such subcontractors for their work on our homes) based on the risk type of the trade. We absorb the liability associated with their work on our homes as part of our overall general liability insurance at no additional cost to us because our existing general liability and construction defect insurance policy and related reserves for amounts under our deductible covers construction defects regardless of whether we or our subcontractors are responsible for the defect. For the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, we received $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively, from subcontractors related to the owner-controlled insurance program, which we accounted for as reductions to inventory.

We accrue for warranty costs that are covered under our existing general liability and construction defect policy as part of our general liability insurance deductible. For homes to be delivered in fiscal 2023 and previously delivered in 2022, our deductible under our general liability insurance is or was $25.0 million, aggregate for construction defect and warranty claims. For bodily injury claims, our deductible per occurrence in fiscal 2023 and 2022 is or was $0.5 million, up to a $5.0 million limit in California and $0.25 million, up to a $5.0 million limit in all other states. Our aggregate retention for construction defect, warranty and bodily injury claims is or was $25.0 million for fiscal 2023 and 2022. In addition, we establish a warranty accrual for lower cost-related issues to cover home repairs, community amenities and land development infrastructure that are not covered under our general liability and construction defect policy. We accrue an estimate for these warranty costs at the time each home is closed and control is transferred to the homebuyer. Additions and charges in the warranty reserve and general liability reserve for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Balance, beginning of period	$	97,718		$	94,916
Additions – Selling, general and administrative		1,577			2,216
Additions – Cost of sales		1,303			1,424
Charges incurred during the period		(8,802	)		(4,154	)
Changes to pre-existing reserves		(729	)		(1,049	)
Balance, end of period	$	91,067		$	93,353

The majority of the charges incurred during the first quarter of fiscal 2023 represented payments for construction defects related to the settlement of two litigation matters. Insurance claims paid by our insurance carriers, excluding insurance deductibles paid, were less than $0.1 million for both the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 for prior year deliveries.

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7. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and we are subject to extensive and complex laws and regulations that affect the development of land and home building, sales and customer financing processes, including zoning, density, building standards and mortgage financing. These laws and regulations often provide broad discretion to the administering governmental authorities. This can delay or increase the cost of development or homebuilding. The significant majority of our litigation matters are related to construction defect claims. Our estimated losses from construction defect litigation matters, if any, are included in our construction defect reserves.

We also are subject to a variety of local, state, federal and foreign laws and regulations concerning protection of health and the environment, including those regulating the emission or discharge of materials into the environment, the management of storm water runoff at construction sites, the handling, use, storage and disposal of hazardous substances, impacts to wetlands and other sensitive environments, and the remediation of contamination at properties that we have owned or developed or currently own or are developing (“environmental laws”). The particular environmental laws that apply to a site may vary greatly according to the community site, for example, due to the community, the environmental conditions at or near the site, and the present and former uses of the site. These environmental laws may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance, remediation and/or other costs, and can prohibit or severely restrict development and homebuilding activity. In addition, noncompliance with these laws and regulations could result in fines and penalties, obligations to remediate or take corrective action, permit revocations or other sanctions; and contamination or other environmental conditions at or in the vicinity of our developments may result in claims against us for personal injury, property damage or other losses.

We anticipate that increasingly stringent requirements will continue to be imposed on developers and homebuilders in the future. In addition, some of these laws and regulations that significantly affect how certain properties may be developed are contentious, attract intense political attention, and may be subject to significant changes over time. For example, regulations governing wetlands permitting under the federal Clean Water Act have been the subject of extensive rulemakings for many years, resulting in several major joint rulemakings by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that have expanded and contracted the scope of wetlands subject to regulation; and such rulemakings have been the subject of many legal challenges, some of which remain pending. It is unclear how these and related developments, including at the state or local level, ultimately may affect the scope of regulated wetlands where we operate. Although we cannot reliably predict the extent of any effect these developments regarding wetlands, or any other requirements that may take effect, may have on us, they could result in time-consuming and expensive compliance programs and in substantial expenditures, which could cause delays and increase our cost of operations. In addition, our ability to obtain or renew permits or approvals and the continued effectiveness of permits already granted or approvals already obtained is dependent upon many factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as changes in policies, rules and regulations and their interpretations and application.

In 2015, the condominium association of the Four Seasons at Great Notch condominium community (the “Great Notch Plaintiff”) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Passaic County (the “Court”) alleging various construction defects, design defects, and geotechnical issues relating to the community. The operative complaint (“Complaint”) asserts claims against Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and several of its affiliates, including K. Hovnanian at Great Notch, LLC, K. Hovnanian Construction Management, Inc., and K. Hovnanian Companies, LLC. The Complaint also asserts claims against various other design professionals and contractors. The Special Masters appointed by the Court to decide non-dispositive motions issued an opinion that (a) granted the Great Notch Plaintiff’s motion to permit it to assert a claim to pierce the corporate veil of K. Hovnanian at Great Notch, LLC to hold its alleged parent entities liable for any damages awarded against it, and (b) further stated that the Great Notch Plaintiff is not permitted to pursue that claim until after any trial on the underlying liability claims. To date, the Hovnanian-affiliated defendants have reached a partial settlement with the Great Notch Plaintiff as to a portion of the Great Notch Plaintiff’s claims against them for an amount immaterial to the Company. On its remaining claims against the Hovnanian-affiliated defendants, the Great Notch Plaintiff has asserted damages of approximately $119.5 million, which amount is potentially subject to treble damages pursuant to the Great Notch Plaintiff’s claim under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. The trial had been scheduled for April 17, 2023; however, the Court has adjourned the trial and has not yet set a new date. The Hovnanian-affiliated defendants intend to defend these claims vigorously.

In December 2020, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ("NJDEP") and the Administrator of the New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund (the “Spill Fund”) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Union County against Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., in addition to other unrelated parties, in connection with contamination at Hickory Manor, a residential condominium development. Alleged predecessors of certain defendants had used the Hickory Manor property for decades for manufacturing purposes. In 1998, NJDEP confirmed that groundwater at this site was impacted from an off-site source. The site was later remediated, resulting in the NJDEP issuing an unconditional site-wide No Further Action determination letter and Covenant Not to Sue in 1999. Subsequently, one of our affiliates was involved in redeveloping the property as a residential community. The complaint asserts claims under the New Jersey Spill Act and other state law claims and alleges that the NJDEP and the Spill Fund have incurred over $5.3 million since 2009 to investigate vapor intrusion at the development and to install vapor mitigation systems. Among other things, the complaint seeks recovery of the costs incurred, an order that defendants perform additional required remediation and disgorgement of profits on our affiliate’s sales of the units in the development. Discovery is ongoing. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. intends to defend these claims vigorously.

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8. Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Customer's Deposits

Cash equivalents include certificates of deposit, U.S. Treasury bills and government money–market funds with maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. Our cash balances are held at a few financial institutions and may, at times, exceed insurable amounts. We believe we help to mitigate this risk by depositing our cash in major high credit quality financial institutions. At January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, $13.9 million and $13.4 million, respectively, of our total cash and cash equivalents was in cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents.

Homebuilding "Restricted cash and cash equivalents" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $8.2 million and $13.4 million as of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively, which primarily consists of cash collateralizing our letter of credit agreements and facilities (see Note 12).

Financial services restricted cash and cash equivalents, which are included in "Financial services" assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, totaled $31.5 million and $36.1 million as of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively. Included in these balances were (1) financial services customers’ deposits of $28.4 million at January 31, 2023 and $29.7 million as of  October 31, 2022, respectively, which are subject to restrictions on our use, and (2) restricted cash under the terms of our mortgage warehouse lines of credit of $3.1 million at January 31, 2023 and $6.4 million as of October 31, 2022, respectively. 

Homebuilding "Customers deposits" are shown as a liability on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. These liabilities are significantly more than the applicable periods’ restricted cash balances because in some states the deposits are not restricted from use and, in other states, we are able to release the majority of these customer deposits to cash by pledging letters of credit and surety bonds.

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9. Leases

We rent certain office space for use in our operations. Our lease population at  January 31, 2023 is comprised of operating leases where we are the lessee, primarily for our corporate office and division offices.

Lease costs are included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, primarily in "Selling, general and administrative" homebuilding expenses and payments on our lease liabilities are presented in the table below. Our short-term lease costs and sublease income are de minimis.

	Three Months Ended January 31,
(In thousands)	2023		2022
Operating lease costs	$	2,859	$	2,588
Cash payments on lease liabilities	$	2,386	$	2,440

Operating right-of-use lease assets ("ROU assets") are classified within "Prepaid expenses and other assets" on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, while lease liabilities are classified within "Accounts payable and other liabilities". During the three months ended January 31, 2023, the Company recorded a net increase of $0.4 million to both its ROU assets and lease liabilities as a result of new leases and lease renewals that commenced during the period. The following table contains additional information about our leases:

(In thousands)	January 31, 2023			October 31, 2022
ROU assets	$	17,650		$	17,899
Lease liabilities	$	18,498		$	18,862
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)		3.4			3.5
Weighted-average discount rate		9.5	%		9.5	%

Maturities of our operating lease liabilities as of January 31, 2023 are as follows:

Fiscal Year Ended October 31,	(In thousands)
2023 (excluding the three months ended January 31, 2023)	$	6,321
2024		5,779
2025		4,653
2026		3,111
2027		1,863
Total operating lease payments (1)		21,727
Less: imputed interest		(3,229	)
Present value of operating lease liabilities	$	18,498

(1) Lease payments exclude $13.7 million of legally binding minimum lease payments for office leases signed but not yet commenced as of January 31, 2023. The related ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are not reflected on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2023.

10. Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

Our wholly owned mortgage banking subsidiary, K. Hovnanian American Mortgage, LLC (“K. Hovnanian Mortgage”), originates mortgage loans, primarily from the sale of our homes. Such mortgage loans are sold in the secondary mortgage market within a short period of time of origination. Mortgage loans held for sale are collateralized by the underlying property. Loans held for sale are recorded at fair value with the changes in the value recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in “Financial services” revenue. We currently use forward sales of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), interest rate commitments from borrowers and forward commitments to sell loans to third parties to protect us from interest rate fluctuations. 

At January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, $58.0 million and $92.5 million, respectively, of mortgages held for sale were pledged against our mortgage warehouse lines of credit (see Note 11). We may incur losses with respect to mortgages that were previously sold that are delinquent and which had underwriting defects, but only to the extent the losses are not covered by mortgage insurance or the resale value of the home. The reserves for these estimated losses are included in “Financial services” liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of both   January 31, 2023 and 2022, we had reserves specifically for 14 identified mortgage loans, as well as reserves for an estimate of future losses on mortgages sold but not yet identified to us.

The activity in our loan origination reserves during the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023		2022
Loan origination reserves, beginning of period	$	1,795	$	1,632
Provisions for losses during the period		32		41
Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates		-		-
Loan origination reserves, end of period	$	1,827	$	1,673

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11. Mortgages

Nonrecourse

We have nonrecourse mortgage loans for certain communities totaling $133.9 million and $144.8 million, net of debt issuance costs, at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively, which are secured by the related real property, including any improvements, with an aggregate book value of $416.1 million and $418.9 million, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on these obligations was 7.7% and 6.7% at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively, and the mortgage loan payments on each community primarily correspond to home deliveries.

Mortgage Loans

K. Hovnanian Mortgage originates mortgage loans primarily from the sale of our homes. Such mortgage loans and related servicing rights are generally sold in the secondary mortgage market within a short period of time. K. Hovnanian Mortgage finances the origination of mortgage loans through various master repurchase agreements, which are recorded in "Financial services" liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Our secured Master Repurchase Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“Chase Master Repurchase Agreement”), which was amended on January 31, 2023 to extend the maturity date to January 31, 2024, is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $50.0 million. The loan is secured by the mortgages held for sale and is repaid when we sell the underlying mortgage loans to permanent investors. Interest is payable monthly on outstanding advances at an adjusted Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), which was 4.63% at January 31, 2023, plus the applicable margin of 2.25% to 2.375%. As of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Chase Master Repurchase Agreement was $15.7 million and $14.1 million, respectively.

K. Hovnanian Mortgage has another secured Master Repurchase Agreement with Customers Bank (“Customers Master Repurchase Agreement”) which is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $50.0 million through its maturity on March 8, 2023, which we expect to be renewed for a one year term. The loan is secured by the mortgages held for sale and is repaid when we sell the underlying mortgage loans to permanent investors. Interest is payable daily or as loans are sold to permanent investors on outstanding advances at the current Bloomberg Short Term Bank Yield Index ("BSBY") rate, plus the applicable margin ranging from 2.125% to 4.5% based on the type of loan and the number of days outstanding on the warehouse line. As of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Customers Master Repurchase Agreement was $20.3 million and $43.1 million, respectively.

K. Hovnanian Mortgage also has a secured Master Repurchase Agreement with Comerica Bank (“Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement”) which was amended on January 12, 2023 to extend the maturity date to January 10, 2024, and is a short-term borrowing facility through its maturity. The Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement provides up to $60.0 million on the 15th day of the last month of the Company's fiscal quarters and reverts back to up to $50.0 million 30 days thereafter. The loan is secured by the mortgages held for sale and is repaid when we sell the underlying mortgage loans to permanent investors. Interest is payable monthly at the daily adjusting BSBY rate, subject to a floor of 0.50%, plus the applicable margin of 1.75% or 3.25% based upon the type of loan. As of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement was $22.4 million and $37.1 million, respectively.

The Chase Master Repurchase Agreement, Customers Master Repurchase Agreement and Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement (together, the “Master Repurchase Agreements”) require K. Hovnanian Mortgage to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial condition tests. Because of the extremely short period of time mortgages are held by K. Hovnanian Mortgage before the mortgages are sold to investors (generally a period of a few weeks), the immateriality to us on a consolidated basis of the size of the Master Repurchase Agreements, the levels required by these financial covenants, our ability based on our immediately available resources to contribute sufficient capital to cure any default, were such conditions to occur, and our right to cure any conditions of default based on the terms of the applicable agreement, we do not consider any of these covenants to be substantive or material. As of January 31, 2023, we believe we were in compliance with the covenants under the Master Repurchase Agreements.

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12. Senior Notes and Credit Facilities

Senior notes and credit facilities balances as of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, were as follows:

	January 31,			October 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Senior Secured Notes:
10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due November 15, 2025	$	158,502		$	158,502
7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		250,000			250,000
10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		282,322			282,322
11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		162,269			162,269
Total Senior Secured Notes	$	853,093		$	853,093
Senior Notes:
8.0% Senior Notes due November 1, 2027 (1)	$	-		$	-
13.5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2026		90,590			90,590
5.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2040		90,120			90,120
Total Senior Notes	$	180,710		$	180,710
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility due February 1, 2027	$	39,551		$	39,551
Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility due January 31, 2028	$	81,498		$	81,498
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility (2)	$	-		$	-
Subtotal senior notes and credit facilities	$	1,154,852		$	1,154,852
Net (discounts) premiums	$	1,930		$	4,079
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$	(11,521	)	$	(12,384	)
Total senior notes and credit facilities, net of discounts, premiums and unamortized debt issuance costs	$	1,145,261		$	1,146,547

(1) $26.0 million of 8.0% Senior Notes due 2027 (the "8.0% 2027 Notes") are owned by a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary of HEI. Therefore, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, such notes are not reflected on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets of HEI.

(2) At January 31, 2023, provides for up to $125.0 million in aggregate amount of senior secured first lien revolving loans. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we amended our Secured Credit Facility, which amendments became effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. As amended, the revolving loans thereunder have a maturity of June 30, 2024 and borrowings bear interest, at K. Hovnanian’s option, at either (i) a term secured overnight financing rate (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus an applicable margin of 4.50% or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin of 3.50%. In addition, K. Hovnanian will pay an unused commitment fee on the undrawn revolving commitments at a rate of 1.00% per annum.

General

Except for K. Hovnanian, the issuer of the notes and borrower under the Credit Facilities (as defined below), our home mortgage subsidiaries, certain of our title insurance subsidiaries, joint ventures and subsidiaries holding interests in our joint ventures, we and each of our subsidiaries are guarantors of the Credit Facilities, the senior secured notes and senior notes outstanding at January 31, 2023 (except for the 8.0% 2027 Notes which are not guaranteed by K. Hovnanian at Sunrise Trail III, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) (collectively, the “Notes Guarantors”).

The credit agreements governing the Credit Facilities and the indentures governing the senior secured and senior notes (together, the “Debt Instruments”) outstanding at January 31, 2023 do not contain any financial maintenance covenants, but do contain restrictive covenants that limit, among other things, the ability of HEI and certain of its subsidiaries, including K. Hovnanian, to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends and make distributions on common and preferred stock, repay/repurchase certain indebtedness prior to its respective stated maturity, repurchase (including through exchanges) common and preferred stock, make other restricted payments (including investments), sell certain assets (including in certain land banking transactions), incur liens, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. The Debt Instruments also contain customary events of default which would permit the lenders or holders thereof to exercise remedies with respect to the collateral (as applicable), declare the loans made under the Unsecured Term Loan Facility (defined below) (the “Unsecured Term Loans”), loans made under the Secured Term Loan Facility (defined below) (the “Secured Term Loans”) and loans made under the Secured Credit Agreement (as defined below) (the “Secured Revolving Loans”) or notes to be immediately due and payable if not cured within applicable grace periods, including the failure to make timely payments on the Unsecured Term Loans, Secured Term Loans, Secured Revolving Loans or notes or other material indebtedness, cross default to other material indebtedness, the failure to comply with agreements and covenants and specified events of bankruptcy and insolvency, with respect to the Unsecured Term Loans, Secured Term Loans and Secured Revolving Loans, material inaccuracy of representations and warranties and with respect to the Unsecured Term Loans, Secured Term Loans and Secured Revolving Loans, a change of control, and, with respect to the Secured Term Loans, Secured Revolving Loans and senior secured notes, the failure of the documents granting security for the obligations under the secured Debt Instruments to be in full force and effect, and the failure of the liens on any material portion of the collateral securing the obligations under the secured Debt Instruments to be valid and perfected. As of January 31, 2023, we believe we were in compliance with the covenants of the Debt Instruments.

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If our consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio is less than 2.0 to 1.0, as defined in the applicable Debt Instrument, we are restricted from making certain payments, including dividends (in each such case, our secured debt leverage ratio must also be less than 4.0 to 1.0), and from incurring indebtedness other than certain permitted indebtedness and nonrecourse indebtedness. Beginning as of October 31, 2021, as a result of our improved operating results, our fixed coverage ratio was above 2.0 to 1.0 and our secured debt leverage ratio was below 4.0 to 1.0, therefore we were no longer restricted from paying dividends. As such, we made dividend payments of $2.7 million to preferred shareholders in the first quarter of both fiscal 2023 and 2022. Market conditions continue to adversely impact our business, and it is therefore likely that by the end of fiscal 2023 we will be restricted under our Debt Instruments from continuing to pay dividends on our Series A preferred stock. Dividends on the Series A preferred stock are not cumulative and, accordingly, if for any reason we do not declare a dividend on the Series A preferred stock for a quarterly dividend period (regardless of our availability of funds), holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have no right to receive a dividend for that period, and we will have no obligation to pay a dividend for that period.

Under the terms of our Debt Instruments, we have the right to make certain redemptions and prepayments and, depending on market conditions, our strategic priorities and covenant restrictions, may do so from time to time. We also continue to actively analyze and evaluate our capital structure and explore transactions to simplify our capital structure and to strengthen our balance sheet, including those that reduce leverage, interest rates and/or extend maturities, and will seek to do so with the right opportunity. We may also continue to make debt or equity purchases and/or exchanges from time to time through tender offers, exchange offers, redemptions, open market purchases, private transactions, or otherwise, or seek to raise additional debt or equity capital, depending on market conditions and covenant restrictions.

Secured Obligations

On October 31, 2019, K. Hovnanian, HEI, the Notes Guarantors, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent, and affiliates of certain investment managers (the “Investors”), as lenders, entered into a credit agreement (the “Secured Credit Agreement” and, together with the Unsecured Term Loan Facility (defined below) and the Secured Term Loan Facility, the “Credit Facilities”) providing for up to $125.0 million in aggregate amount of Secured Revolving Loans to be used for general corporate purposes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein. Secured Revolving Loans are to be borrowed by K. Hovnanian and guaranteed by the Notes Guarantors. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we amended our Secured Credit Agreement, which amendments became effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. As amended, the revolving loans thereunder have a maturity of June 30, 2024 and borrowings bear interest, at K. Hovnanian’s option, at either (i) a term secured overnight financing rate (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus an applicable margin of 4.50% or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin of 3.50%. In addition, K. Hovnanian will pay an unused commitment fee on the undrawn revolving commitments at a rate of 1.00% per annum.

                  The 7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due 2026 (the "1.125 Lien Notes") have a maturity of February 15, 2026 and bear interest at a rate of 7.75% per annum payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year, to holders of record at the close of business on February 1 and August 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding such interest payment dates. K. Hovnanian may redeem some or all of the 1.125 Lien Notes at 103.875% of principal commencing February 15, 2022, at 101.937% of principal commencing February 15, 2023 and at 100.0% of principal commencing February 15, 2024.

                  The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due 2026 (the "1.25 Lien Notes") have a maturity of February 15, 2026 and bear interest at a rate of 10.5% per annum payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year to holders of record at the close of business on February 1 and August 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding such interest payment dates. K. Hovnanian may redeem some or all of the 1.25 Lien Notes at 105.25% of principal commencing February 15, 2022, at 102.625% of principal commencing February 15, 2023 and at 100.0% of principal commencing February 15, 2024.

The 10.0% 1.75 Lien Notes due 2025 (the "1.75 Lien Notes") have a maturity of November 15, 2025 and bear interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 of each year to holders of record at the close of business on May 1 or November 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding each such interest payment date. At any time and from time to time prior to November 15, 2023, K. Hovnanian may redeem some or all of the 1.75 Lien Notes at a redemption price equal to 102.50% of their principal amount and at any time and from time to time after November 15, 2023, K. Hovnanian may redeem some or all of the 1.75 Lien Notes at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of their principal amount.

The 11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due 2026 (the "1.5 Lien Notes") have a maturity of February 15, 2026 and bear interest at a rate of 11.25% per annum payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year to holders of record at the close of business on February 1 and August 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding such interest payment dates. The 1.5 Lien Notes are redeemable in whole or in part at our option at any time prior to February 15, 2026 at 100.0% of their principal amount.

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On December 10, 2019, K. Hovnanian entered into a Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility due January 31, 2028 (the “Secured Term Loan Facility”). The secured term loans under the Secured Term Loan Facility (the “Secured Term Loans”) bear interest at a rate equal to 10.0% per annum and will mature on January 31, 2028, with interest payable in arrears on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. At any time and from time to time prior to November 15, 2023, K. Hovnanian may voluntarily prepay some or all of the Secured Term Loans at a prepayment price equal to 102.50% of their principal amount and at any time and from time to time after November 15, 2023, K. Hovnanian may voluntarily prepay some or all of the Secured Term Loans at a prepayment price equal to 100.0% of their principal amount.

                  Each series of secured notes and the guarantees thereof, the Secured Term Loans and the guarantees thereof and the Secured Credit Agreement and the guarantees thereof are secured by the same assets. Among the secured debt, the liens securing the Secured Credit Agreement are senior to the liens securing all of K. Hovnanian’s other secured notes and the Secured Term Loan. The liens securing the 1.125 Lien Notes are senior to the liens securing the 1.25 Lien Notes, 1.5 Lien Notes, the 1.75 Lien Notes, the Secured Term Loans and any other future secured obligations that are junior in priority with respect to the assets securing the 1.125 Lien Notes, the liens securing the 1.25 Lien Notes are senior to the liens securing the 1.5 Lien Notes, the 1.75 Lien Notes, the Secured Term Loans and any other future secured obligations that are junior in priority with respect to the assets securing the 1.25 Lien Notes, the liens securing the 1.5 Lien Notes are senior to the liens securing the 1.75 Lien Notes, the Secured Term Loans and any other future secured obligations that are junior in priority with respect to the assets securing the 1.5 Lien Notes, the liens securing the 1.75 Lien Notes and the Secured Term Loans (which are secured on a pari passu basis with each other) are senior to any other future secured obligations that are junior in priority with respect to the assets securing the 1.75 Lien Notes and the Secured Term Loans, in each case, with respect to the assets securing such debt.

As of January 31, 2023, the collateral securing the Secured Credit Agreement, the Secured Term Loan Facility and the secured notes included (1) $242.3 million of cash and cash equivalents, which included $5.8 million of restricted cash collateralizing certain letters of credit (subsequent to such date, fluctuations as a result of cash uses include general business operations and real estate and other investments along with cash inflow primarily from deliveries); (2) $470.7 million aggregate book value of real property, which does not include the impact of inventory investments, home deliveries or impairments thereafter and which may differ from the value if it were appraised; and (3) equity interests in joint venture holding companies with an aggregate book value of $96.9 million.

Unsecured Obligations

The 13.5% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “13.5% 2026 Notes”) bear interest at 13.5% per annum and mature on February 1, 2026. Interest on the 13.5% 2026 Notes is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year to holders of record at the close of business on January 15 or July 15, as the case may be, immediately preceding each such interest payment date. The 13.5% 2026 Notes are redeemable in whole or in part at K. Hovnanian’s option at any time prior to February 1, 2025 at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount plus an applicable “Make Whole Amount”. At any time and from time to time on or after February 1, 2025, K. Hovnanian may also redeem some or all of the 13.5% 2026 Notes at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of their principal amount.

The 5.0% Senior Notes due 2040 (the “5.0% 2040 Notes”) bear interest at 5.0% per annum and mature on February 1, 2040. Interest on the 5.0% 2040 Notes is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year to holders of record at the close of business on January 15 or July 15, as the case may be, immediately preceding each such interest payment date. At any time and from time to time, K. Hovnanian may redeem some or all of the 5.0% 2040 Notes at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of their principal amount. 

The Unsecured Term Loans bear interest at a rate equal to 5.0% per annum and interest is payable in arrears, on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. The Unsecured Term Loans will mature on February 1, 2027.

Other

We have certain stand-alone cash collateralized letter of credit agreements and facilities under which there was a total of $5.7 million and $6.0 million letters of credit outstanding at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively. These agreements and facilities require us to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash we have available for other uses. At January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, the amount of cash collateral in these segregated accounts was $5.8 million and $6.1 million, respectively, which is reflected in “Restricted cash and cash equivalents” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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13. Per Share Calculation

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented below were calculated as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)	2023			2022
Numerator:
Net income	$	18,716		$	24,808
Less: preferred stock dividends		(2,669	)		(2,669	)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(1,403	)		(2,189	)
Numerator for basic earnings per share	$	14,644		$	19,950
Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		1,403			2,189
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities		(1,403	)		(2,189	)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	14,644		$	19,950
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average shares outstanding		6,186			6,389
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock-based payments		282			112
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted-average shares outstanding		6,468			6,501
Basic earnings per share	$	2.37		$	3.12
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.26		$	3.07

In addition, 80 thousand and 24 thousand shares related to out-of-the money stock options, which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for both the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for each period.   

14. Preferred Stock

On July 12, 2005, we issued 5,600 shares of 7.625% Series A preferred stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share. Dividends on Series A preferred stock are not cumulative and are payable at an annual rate of 7.625%. The Series A preferred stock is not convertible into the Company’s common stock and is redeemable in whole or in part at our option at the liquidation preference of the shares. The Series A preferred stock is traded as depositary shares, with each depositary share representing 1/1000th of a share of Series A preferred stock. During both the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 we paid dividends of $2.7 million on the Series A preferred stock.

15. Common Stock

Each share of Class A common stock entitles its holder to one vote per share, and each share of Class B common stock generally entitles its holder to ten votes per share. The amount of any regular cash dividend payable on a share of Class A common stock will be an amount equal to 110% of the corresponding regular cash dividend payable on a share of Class B common stock. If a shareholder desires to sell shares of Class B common stock, such stock must be converted into shares of Class A common stock at a one-to-one conversion rate.

18

 

On August 4, 2008, our Board of Directors (the “Board”) adopted a shareholder rights plan (the “Rights Plan”), which was amended on January 11, 2018 and January 18, 2021, designed to preserve shareholder value and the value of certain tax assets primarily associated with net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards and built-in losses under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our ability to use NOLs and built-in losses would be limited if there was an “ownership change” under Section 382. This would occur if shareholders owning (or deemed under Section 382 to own) 5% or more of our stock increase their collective ownership of the aggregate amount of our outstanding shares by more than 50 percentage points over a defined period of time. The Rights Plan was adopted to reduce the likelihood of an “ownership change” occurring as defined by Section 382. Under the Rights Plan, one right was distributed for each share of Class A common Stock and Class B common Stock outstanding as of the close of business on August 15, 2008. Effective August 15, 2008, if any person or group acquires 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock without the approval of the Board, there would be a triggering event causing significant dilution in the voting power of such person or group. However, existing shareholders who owned, at the time of the Rights Plan’s initial adoption on August 4, 2008, 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock will trigger a dilutive event only if they acquire additional shares. The approval of the Board’s decision to adopt the Rights Plan may be terminated by the Board at any time, prior to the Rights being triggered. The Rights Plan will continue in effect until August 14, 2024, unless it expires earlier in accordance with its terms. The approval of the Board’s decision to initially adopt the Rights Plan and the amendments thereto were approved by shareholders. Our shareholders also approved an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to restrict certain transfers of Class A common stock in order to preserve the tax treatment of our NOLs and built-in losses under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Subject to certain exceptions pertaining to pre-existing 5% shareholders and holders of Class B common stock, the transfer restrictions in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation generally restrict any direct or indirect transfer (such as transfers of our stock that result from the transfer of interests in other entities that own our stock) if the effect would be to (i) increase the direct or indirect ownership of our stock by any person (or public group) from less than 5% to 5% or more of our common stock; (ii) increase the percentage of our common stock owned directly or indirectly by a person (or public group) owning or deemed to own 5% or more of our common stock; or (iii) create a new “public group” (as defined in the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations). Transfers included under the transfer restrictions include sales to persons (or public groups) whose resulting percentage ownership (direct or indirect) of common stock would exceed the 5% thresholds discussed above, or to persons whose direct or indirect ownership of common stock would by attribution cause another person (or public group) to exceed such threshold.

                On July 3, 2001, the Board authorized a stock repurchase program to purchase up to 0.2 million shares of Class A common stock. On  September 1, 2022, the Board terminated our prior repurchase program and authorized a new program for the repurchase of up to $50.0 million of our Class A common stock. Under the new repurchase program, repurchases  may be made from time to time in open market transactions, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing and the actual dollar amount repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price, future tax implications and economic and market conditions. The repurchase program  may be changed, suspended or discontinued at any time and does not have a specified expiration date. 

During the three months ended  January 31, 2023, we repurchased 118,478 shares under the new stock repurchase program, with a market value of $4.8 million, or $40.51 per share, which were added to "Treasury stock" on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2023. There were no shares repurchased during the three months ended  January 31, 2022. As of January 31, 2023, $33.0 million of our Class A common stock is available to be purchased under the stock repurchase program.

16. Income Taxes

The total income tax benefit for the three months ended January 31, 2023 was $0.7 million. The benefit was primarily due to $6.2 million of energy efficient tax credits on homes closed in the prior fiscal year, which was offset by federal and state tax expense as a result of pretax income.

The total income tax expense for the three months ended January 31, 2022 was $10.6 million. The expense was primarily due to federal and state tax expense recorded as a result of our pretax income. The federal tax expense is not paid in cash as it is offset by the use of our existing NOL carryforwards.

Our federal net operating losses of $909.5 million expire between 2029 and 2038, and $21.1 million have an indefinite carryforward period. Of our $2.3 billion of state NOLs, $411.4 million expire between 2023 through 2027; $1.4 billion expire between 2028 through 2032; $369.7 million expire between 2033 through 2037; $73.7 million expire between 2038 through 2042; and $51.5 million have an indefinite carryforward period.

The Company recognizes deferred income taxes for deferred tax benefits arising from NOL carryforwards and temporary differences between book and tax income which will be recognized in future years as an offset against future taxable income. A valuation allowance is provided to offset deferred tax assets ("DTAs") if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the DTAs will not be realized. Future realization of DTAs depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character. Sources of taxable income include future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, expected future taxable income, taxable income in prior carryback years if permitted under the tax law and tax planning strategies. Management has determined that it is more likely than not that sufficient taxable income will be generated in the future to realize its DTAs, net of any valuation allowance. The Company’s DTAs as of January 31, 2023 were $347.4 million.

As of January 31, 2023, we considered all available positive and negative evidence to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, our valuation allowance for our DTAs was appropriate. Overall, the positive evidence, both objective and subjective, outweighed the negative evidence. The significant positive improvement in our operations in the last three years, coupled with our contract backlog of $1.2 billion as of January 31, 2023 provided positive evidence to support the conclusion that a full valuation allowance is not necessary for all of our DTAs. As such, we used our go forward projections to estimate our usage of our existing federal and state DTAs. Based on this analysis, we determined that the current valuation allowance for our DTAs of $95.7 million as of January 31, 2023 is appropriate.

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17. Operating and Reporting Segments

We currently have homebuilding operations in 14 states that are aggregated into reportable segments based primarily upon geographic proximity.

Historically, the Company had seven reportable segments consisting of six homebuilding segments (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West) and its financial services segment. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we reevaluated our reportable segments as a result of changes in the business and our management thereof. In particular, we considered the fact that, since our segments were last established, the Company had exited the Minnesota, North Carolina and Tampa markets and is currently in the process of exiting the Chicago market. Applying the principles set forth under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 280, including that our business trends are reflective of economic conditions in markets with general geographic proximity, we realigned our homebuilding operating segments.

HEI’s reportable segments now consist of the following three homebuilding segments and a financial services segment.

Homebuilding:

(1)	Northeast (Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia)
(2)	Southeast (Florida, Georgia and South Carolina)
(3)	West (Arizona, California and Texas)

All prior period amounts related to the segment change have been retrospectively reclassified throughout to conform to the new presentation.

Operations of the homebuilding segments primarily include the sale and construction of single-family attached and detached homes, attached townhomes and condominiums, urban infill and active lifestyle homes in planned residential developments. In addition, from time to time, operations of the homebuilding segments include sales of land. Operations of the financial services segment include mortgage banking and title services provided to the homebuilding operations’ customers. Our financial services subsidiaries do not typically retain or service mortgages that we originate but sell the mortgages and related servicing rights to investors.

Evaluation of segment performance is based primarily on income (loss) before income taxes. Income (loss) before income taxes for the homebuilding segments consist of revenues generated from the sales of homes and land, income (loss) from unconsolidated entities, management fees and other income, less the cost of homes and land sold, selling, general and administrative expenses and interest expense. Income (loss) before income taxes for the financial services segment consist of revenues generated from mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services, less the cost of such services and corporate general and administrative expenses.

20

 

Financial information relating to our reportable segments was as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Revenues:
Northeast	$	211,462		$	174,945
Southeast		73,794			55,582
West		215,734			321,470
Total homebuilding		500,990			551,997
Financial services		12,164			13,309
Corporate and unallocated		2,212			7
Total revenues	$	515,366		$	565,313
Income before income taxes:
Northeast	$	28,512		$	19,838
Southeast		11,623			10,162
West		9,889			43,935
Total homebuilding		50,024			73,935
Financial services		3,111			2,909
Corporate and unallocated (1)		(35,088	)		(41,443	)
Income before income taxes	$	18,047		$	35,401

(1) Corporate and unallocated for the three months ended January 31, 2023 included corporate general and administrative expenses of $25.5 million, interest expense of $6.6 million (a component of Other interest in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations), and $3.0 million of other net expenses. Corporate and unallocated for the three months ended  January 31, 2022 included corporate general and administrative costs of $29.4 million, interest expense of $11.5 million and $0.5 million of other net expenses.

	January 31,		October 31,
(In thousands)	2023		2022
Assets:
Northeast	$	494,830	$	530,884
Southeast		357,831		330,894
West		824,696		802,704
Total homebuilding		1,677,357		1,664,482
Financial services		112,756		155,993
Corporate and unallocated		645,072		741,555
Total assets	$	2,435,185	$	2,562,030

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18. Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures

We enter into homebuilding and land development joint ventures from time to time as a means of accessing lot positions, expanding our market opportunities, establishing strategic alliances, managing our risk profile, leveraging our capital base and enhancing returns on capital.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we contributed four communities we owned, including one active community, to one new unconsolidated joint venture for $41.1 million of net cash.

The tables set forth below summarize the combined financial information related to our unconsolidated homebuilding and land development joint ventures that are accounted for under the equity method.

(In thousands)	January 31, 2023
				Land
	Homebuilding			Development			Total
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	132,931		$	859		$	133,790
Inventories		501,596			-			501,596
Other assets		25,388			-			25,388
Total assets	$	659,915		$	859		$	660,774
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	479,122		$	642		$	479,764
Notes payable		58,767			-			58,767
Total liabilities		537,889			642			538,531
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		97,047			209			97,256
Others		24,979			8			24,987
Total equity		122,026			217			122,243
Total liabilities and equity	$	659,915		$	859		$	660,774
Debt to capitalization ratio		33	%		0	%		32	%

(In thousands)	October 31, 2022
				Land
	Homebuilding			Development			Total
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	153,176		$	868		$	154,044
Inventories		441,140			-			441,140
Other assets		20,037			-			20,037
Total assets	$	614,353		$	868		$	615,221
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	471,813		$	651		$	472,464
Notes payable		34,880			-			34,880
Total liabilities		506,693			651			507,344
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		73,142			209			73,351
Others		34,518			8			34,526
Total equity		107,660			217			107,877
Total liabilities and equity	$	614,353		$	868		$	615,221
Debt to capitalization ratio		24	%		0	%		24	%

22

 

As of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, we had advances outstanding of $3.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively, to these unconsolidated joint ventures. These amounts were included in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” in the tables above. In some cases, our net investment in these unconsolidated joint ventures is less than our proportionate share of the equity reflected in the table above because of the differences between asset impairments recorded against our unconsolidated joint venture investments and any impairments recorded in the applicable unconsolidated joint venture. During the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, we did not write-down any of our unconsolidated joint venture investments.

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2023
(In thousands)				Land
	Homebuilding			Development		Total
Revenues	$	79,601		$	-	$	79,601
Cost of sales and expenses		(76,885	)		-		(76,885	)
Joint venture net income	$	2,716		$	-	$	2,716
Our share of net income	$	7,160		$	-	$	7,160

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2022
(In thousands)				Land
	Homebuilding			Development			Total
Revenues	$	69,591		$	113		$	69,704
Cost of sales and expenses		(65,582	)		(26	)		(65,608	)
Joint venture net income	$	4,009		$	87		$	4,096
Our share of net income	$	8,147		$	45		$	8,192

The reason “Our share of net income” in our homebuilding joint ventures is higher than the “Joint venture net income” shown in the tables above is a result of our varying ownership percentages in each investment. For both the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, we had investments in eight and ten unconsolidated joint ventures, respectively, and our ownership in these joint ventures ranged from 20% to over 50% for both periods. Therefore, depending on mix, if the unconsolidated joint ventures in which we have higher sharing percentages are more profitable than our other unconsolidated joint ventures, that results in us having a higher overall percentage of income in the aggregate than would occur if all joint ventures had the same sharing percentage; conversely, if the unconsolidated joint ventures in which we have lower sharing percentages are more profitable than our other unconsolidated joint ventures, that results in us having a lower overall percentage of income in the aggregate than would occur if all joint ventures had the same sharing percentage. For the three months ended January 31, 2023, "Our share of net income" was higher than the "Joint venture net income" due to the recognition of income in excess of our current sharing percentage for one of our unconsolidated joint ventures in accordance with the joint venture agreement, which provides a higher earning percentage than ownership percentage when the joint venture partner exceeds defined rate of return thresholds. This was slightly offset by a second unconsolidated joint venture that experienced increased income during the period for which we currently recognize a lower profit-sharing percentage based on the joint venture's agreements. In addition, we had previously written off our investment in one of our unconsolidated joint ventures that was generating losses and therefore for the three months ended January 31, 2023 we did not recognize any losses on this investment. Had we not fully written off our investment, our share of the net loss in this unconsolidated joint venture would have been approximately 50%, which would have reduced our overall share of net income across all of our unconsolidated joint ventures. As a result, this unconsolidated joint venture loss significantly reduced the profit when looking at all of our eight unconsolidated joint ventures, in the aggregate, without having any impact on our share of net income or loss recorded in the applicable period.

23

 

To compensate us for the administrative services we provide as the manager of certain unconsolidated joint ventures, we receive a management fee based on a percentage of the applicable unconsolidated joint venture’s revenues. These management fees, which totaled $3.6 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, are recorded in “Selling, general and administrative” homebuilding expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Typically, our unconsolidated joint ventures obtain separate project specific mortgage financing. For some of our unconsolidated joint ventures, obtaining financing was challenging; therefore, some of our unconsolidated joint ventures are capitalized only with equity. Any unconsolidated joint venture financing is on a nonrecourse basis, with guarantees from us limited only to performance and completion of development, environmental warranties and indemnification, standard indemnification for fraud, misrepresentation and other similar actions, including a voluntary bankruptcy filing. In some instances, the unconsolidated joint venture entity is considered a VIE due to the returns being capped to the equity holders; however, in these instances, we have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary, and therefore we do not consolidate these entities.

19. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (“ASU 2020-04”). ASU 2020-04 provides companies with optional expedients to ease the potential accounting burden on contracts affected by the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. This guidance was effective for the Company beginning on March 12, 2020 and we may elect to apply the amendments prospectively. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848”, to extend the temporary accounting rules under ASC 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, but we do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 

24

 

20. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We use a fair-value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1: Fair value determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

Level 2: Fair value determined using significant other observable inputs.

Level 3: Fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs.

Our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

		Fair Value at			Fair Value at
	Fair Value	January 31,			October 31,
(In thousands)	Hierarchy	2023			2022
Mortgage loans held for sale (1)	Level 2	$	74,891		$	110,548
Forward contracts	Level 2		(37	)		752
Total		$	74,854		$	111,300
Interest rate lock commitments	Level 3		-			-
Total		$	74,854		$	111,300

(1)  The aggregate unpaid principal balance was $74.5 million and $110.2 million at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively.

We elected the fair value option for our loans held for sale. Management believes the fair value option improves financial reporting by mitigating volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring the fair value of the loans and derivative instruments used to economically hedge them without having to apply complex hedge accounting. Fair value of loans held for sale is based on independent quoted market prices, where available, or the prices for other mortgage loans with similar characteristics.

The financial services segment had a pipeline of loan applications in process of $555.7 million at January 31, 2023. Loans in process for which interest rates were committed to the borrowers totaled $85.9 million as of January 31, 2023. Substantially all of these commitments were for periods of 60 days or less. Since a portion of these commitments are expected to expire without being exercised by the borrowers, the total commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

The financial services segment uses investor commitments and forward sales of mandatory MBS to hedge its mortgage-related interest rate exposure. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk. Credit risk is primarily managed by entering into MBS forward commitments and option contracts. In the event of default by the purchaser, our risk is the difference between the contract price and fair value of the MBS forward commitments and option contracts. At January 31, 2023, we had no open commitments to sell mandatory MBS.

Changes in fair value option that are included in income are shown, by financial instrument and financial statement line item, below: 

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2023
	Mortgage		Interest Rate
	Loans Held		Lock		Forward
(In thousands)	For Sale		Commitments		Contracts
Change in fair value included in financial services revenue	$	421	$	-	$	(37	)

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2022
	Mortgage		Interest Rate
	Loans Held		Lock			Forward
(In thousands)	For Sale		Commitments			Contracts
Change in fair value included in financial services revenue	$	1,982	$	(645	)	$	135

We did not have any assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

25

 

The fair value of our cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents and customers' deposits approximates their carrying amount, based on Level 1 inputs.

The fair value of each series of our Notes and Credit Facilities are listed below. Level 2 measurements are estimated based on recent trades or quoted market prices for the same issues or based on recent trades or quoted market prices for our debt of similar security and maturity to achieve comparable yields. Level 3 measurements are estimated based on third-party broker quotes or management's estimate of the fair value based on available trades for similar debt instruments. As shown in the table below, our 1.75 Lien Notes, 1.125 Lien Notes and 1.25 Lien Notes were a Level 2 measurement at January 31, 2023 due to recent trades on such notes (whereas such notes were a Level 3 measurement at October 31, 2022).

Fair Value as of  January 31, 2023

(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Senior Secured Notes:
10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due November 15, 2025		-		164,842		-		164,842
7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		243,308		-		243,308
10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		284,665		-		284,665
11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		-		158,955		158,955
Senior Notes:
13.5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2026		-		-		96,523		96,523
5.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2040		-		-		45,881		45,881
Senior Credit Facilities:
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility due February 1, 2027		-		-		33,436		33,436
Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility due January 31, 2028		-		-		84,106		84,106
Total fair value	$	-	$	692,815	$	418,901	$	1,111,716

Fair Value as of  October 31, 2022

(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Senior Secured Notes:
10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due November 15, 2025		-		-		165,844		165,844
7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		-		240,393		240,393
10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		-		272,966		272,966
11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		-		162,566		162,566
Senior Notes:
13.5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2026		-		-		94,282		94,282
5.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2040		-		-		55,654		55,654
Senior Credit Facilities:
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility due February 1, 2027		-		-		31,301		31,301
Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility due January 31, 2028		-		-		85,247		85,247
Total fair value	$	-	$	-	$	1,108,253	$	1,108,253

The Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility is not included in the above tables because there were no borrowings outstanding thereunder as of  January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022.

21. Transactions with Related Parties

From time to time, an engineering firm owned by Tavit Najarian, a relative of Ara K. Hovnanian, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, provides services to the Company. During the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, the services provided by such engineering firm to the Company totaled $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Neither the Company nor Mr. Hovnanian has a financial interest in the relative’s company from whom the services were provided.

26

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (“HEI”) conducts all of its homebuilding and financial services operations through its subsidiaries (references herein to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to HEI and its consolidated subsidiaries and should be understood to reflect the consolidated business of HEI’s subsidiaries).

Segments

Historically, the Company had seven reportable segments consisting of six homebuilding segments (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West) and a financial services segment. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we reevaluated our reportable segments as a result of changes in the business and our management thereof. In particular, we considered the fact that, since our segments were last established, the Company had exited the Minnesota, North Carolina and Tampa markets and is currently in the process of exiting the Chicago market. Applying the principles set forth under Accounting Standards Codification 280, Segment Reporting, including that our business trends are reflective of economic conditions in markets with general geographic proximity, we realigned our homebuilding operating segments and determined that, in addition to our financial services segment, we now have three reportable homebuilding segments comprised of (1) Northeast, (2) Southeast and (3) West, as noted below. All prior period amounts related to the segment change have been retrospectively reclassified to conform to the new presentation.

Key Performance Indicators

The following key performance indicators are commonly used in the homebuilding industry and by management as a means to better understand our operating performance and trends affecting our business and compare our performance with the performance of other homebuilders. We believe these key performance indicators also provide useful information to investors in analyzing our performance:

● Net contracts is a volume indicator which represents the number of new contracts executed during the period for the purchase of homes, less cancellations of contracts in the same period. The dollar value of net contracts represents the dollars associated with net contracts executed in the period. These values are an indicator of potential future revenues;

● Contract backlog is a volume indicator which represents the number of homes that are under contract, but not yet delivered as of the stated date. The dollar value of contract backlog represents the dollar amount of the homes in contract backlog. These values are an indicator of potential future revenues;

● Active selling communities is a volume indicator which represents the number of communities which are open for sale with ten or more home sites available as of the end of a period. We identify communities based on product type; therefore, at times there are multiple communities at one land site. These values are an indicator of potential revenues;

● Net contracts per average active selling community is used to indicate the pace at which homes are being sold (put into contract) in active selling communities and is calculated by dividing the number of net contracts in a period by the average number of active selling communities in the same period. Sales pace is an indicator of market strength and demand; and

● Contract cancellation rates is a volume indicator which represents the number of sales contracts cancelled in the period divided by the number of gross sales contracts executed during the period. Contract cancellation rates as a percentage of backlog is calculated by dividing the number of cancelled contracts in the period by the contract backlog at the beginning of the period. Cancellation rates as compared to prior periods can be an indicator of market strength or weakness.   

Overview

Market Conditions and Operating Results

The demand for new and existing homes is dependent on a variety of demographic and economic factors, including job and wage growth, household formation, consumer confidence, mortgage financing, interest rates, inflation and overall housing affordability.

From early January 2022, 30-year mortgage rates increased rapidly from 3.2% to a high of 7.1% at the end of October 2022, and then back down slightly to 6.1% at the end of January 2023. The quick and sharp increase in interest rates from 2021 to 2022, persistently high levels of inflation and doubt about the stability of the economy, continues to negatively impact housing demand. During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we were aggressive in our pricing, incentives and concessions in order to increase affordability, which had a positive effect on our sales pace, but due to the general uncertainty potential buyers still remain cautious about their decision to purchase a home. As a result, our net contracts and net contracts per average active selling community remained adversely impacted compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2022, although we did see positive improvement throughout the quarter. Our gross contract cancellation rate for the three months ended January 31, 2023 was higher than the three months ended January 31, 2022 but decreased compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. For the month of January 2023 our gross contract cancellation rate was 27%, which remained above our historical average. We continue to experience extended build times due to lingering supply chain issues but given the lower volume of homes in construction we expect to see improvements resulting from an increase in available labor going forward. In addition, we have renegotiated the timing or pricing of certain land contracts and continue to build on our national initiatives to drive down costs with our vendors and trade partners who are also being affected by the difficult macro-economic environment. Although recent sales per community in January and February have begun to improve, given the slower sales pace in the second half of fiscal 2022 and the first quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year and uncertainty in the homebuilding market, the Company will be taking measures in the second quarter of fiscal 2023 to reduce its overhead expenses through a combination of workforce reductions and certain other cost reduction measures.

We expect continued pressure on our results from higher wages due to inflation, as well as increased advertising spending, and less favorable margins on the mortgage rates we offer customers in order to attract buyers. The changing conditions in the housing market caused by increased mortgage rates and other factors make it difficult to predict how strongly our business will be adversely impacted as we head into the spring selling season.

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Information on our operating results for the three months ended January 31, 2023 are as follows:

● Sale of homes revenues decreased to $499.6 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 from $551.4 million for the three months ended January 31, 2022. There was a 20.1% decrease in the number of home deliveries, due in part to the prior year deliveries being unusually high as a result of an extremely strong sales pace in late fiscal 2021 and early fiscal 2022. Partially offsetting the decrease in home deliveries was an increase in average prices of 13.4% for the three months ended January 31, 2023, compared to the prior year period, as home prices increased rapidly in virtually all of our markets through the first half of fiscal 2022, along with the geographic and community mix of our deliveries.

● Gross margin dollars decreased 15.0% for the three months ended January 31, 2023, as compared to the same period of the prior year, as a result of the decrease in gross margin percentage to 18.7% for the three months ended January 31, 2023 from 19.9% for the three months ended January 31, 2022. Gross margin percentage, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges, decreased from 22.4% for the three months ended January 31, 2022 to 21.8% for the three months ended January 31, 2023. The decreases were primarily due to our use of incentives and concessions to make our homes more affordable in the markets in which we operate, partially offset by a reduction in construction costs.

● Selling, general and administrative costs (including corporate general and administrative expenses) ("Total SGA") was $73.4 million, or 14.2% of total revenues, in the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared with $72.2 million, or 12.8% of total revenues, in the three months ended January 31, 2022. The increase in Total SGA as a percentage of total revenues is primarily due to the decrease in revenues for the three months ended January 31, 2023, as compared to the same period of the prior year, as discussed above.

● Other interest increased to $15.1 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 from $13.4 million for the three months ended January 31, 2022, primarily due to additional inventory financing resulting from an increase in average inventory not owned.

● Pre-tax income decreased to $18.0 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 from pre-tax income of $35.4 million for the three months ended January 31, 2022. Net income decreased to $18.7 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 from net income of $24.8 million for the three months ended January 31, 2022. Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 included a $6.2 million tax benefit from energy efficient home credits. Earnings per share, basic and diluted, decreased to $2.37 and $2.26, respectively, for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to $3.12 and $3.07, respectively, for the three months ended January 31, 2022. 

● Net contracts decreased 49.2% for the three months ended January 31, 2023, compared to the same period of the prior year, as the slow sales pace across the industry during the second half of fiscal 2022 continued into the first quarter of fiscal 2023, primarily as a result of fluctuating interest rates and a continuing uncertain economic outlook. However, sales pace per community did improve in each consecutive month of the first quarter of fiscal 2023.

● Net contracts per average active selling community decreased to 6.5 for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to 13.1 in the same period of the prior year. The decline was due to the decrease in net contracts discussed above.

● Contract backlog decreased from 3,624 homes at January 31, 2022 to 2,028 homes at January 31, 2023, and the dollar value of contract backlog decreased to $1.2 billion, a 37.6% decrease in dollar value compared to the prior year. The decreases were primarily attributed to lower sales and an increase in cancellations as buyers continue to try and navigate a difficult environment. Our gross contract cancellation rate of 30% in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was an improvement sequentially from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 when it was 41%.

● Our cash position allowed us to spend $134.4 million on land purchases and land development during the three months ended January 31, 2023 and still have total liquidity of $365.7 million, including $234.9 million of homebuilding cash and cash equivalents as of January 31, 2023 and $125.0 million of borrowing capacity under our senior secured revolving credit facility. 

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Results of Operations

Total Revenues

Compared to the same period in the prior year, revenues increased (decreased) as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,		January 31,		Dollar			Percentage
(Dollars in thousands)	2023		2022		Change			Change
Homebuilding:
Sale of homes	$	499,645	$	551,366	$	(51,721	)		(9.4	)%
Land sales and other revenues		3,557		638		2,919			457.5	%
Financial services		12,164		13,309		(1,145	)		(8.6	)%
Total revenues	$	515,366	$	565,313	$	(49,947	)		(8.8	)%

Homebuilding: Sale of Homes

For the three months ended January 31, 2023, sale of homes revenues decreased 9.4% compared to the same period in the prior year. The sale of homes revenue decrease is due to a 20.1% decrease in homes delivered, partially offset by a 13.4% increase in the average price per home for the three months ended January 31, 2023, compared with the prior year period. The average price per home increased to $532,671 in the three months ended January 31, 2023 from $469,647 in the three months ended January 31, 2022. The increase in average price was the result of increases in home prices in virtually all of our markets, primarily during the first half of fiscal 2022, along with the geographic and community mix of our deliveries. Land sales are ancillary to our homebuilding operations and are expected to continue in the future. For further detail on changes in segment revenues see “Homebuilding: Operations by Segment” below. For further detail on land sales and other revenues, see “Homebuilding: Land Sales and Other Revenues” below.

Information on the sale of homes is set forth in the table below:

	Three Months Ended January 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except average sales price)	2023		2022		% Change
Consolidated total:
Housing revenues	$	499,645	$	551,366		(9.4	)%
Homes delivered		938		1,174		(20.1	)%
Average sales price	$	532,671	$	469,647		13.4	%
Unconsolidated joint ventures (1)
Housing revenues	$	78,670	$	63,620		23.7	%
Homes delivered		107		109		(1.8	)%
Average sales price	$	735,234	$	583,670		26.0	%

(1) Represents housing revenues and home deliveries for our unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures for the period. We provide this data as a supplement to our consolidated results as an indicator of the volume managed in our unconsolidated joint ventures. See Note 18 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a further discussion of our unconsolidated joint ventures.

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Homebuilding: Land Sales and Other Revenues

Land sales and other revenues increased $2.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year. Other revenues include interest income, which increased as a result of an increase in rates on cash and cash equivalent accounts in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year. In addition, other revenues include income from contract cancellations where deposits have been forfeited due to contract terminations, which increased due to higher cancellations in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Revenue associated with land sales can vary significantly due to the mix of land parcels sold. There was one land sale in both of the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, and a $0.3 million increase in land sales revenue.

Homebuilding: Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includes expenses for consolidated housing and land and lot sales, including inventory impairments and land option write-offs (defined as “land charges” in the tables below). A breakout of such expenses for homebuilding and land and lot sales and the gross margins for each is set forth below.

Homebuilding gross margin, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges is a non-GAAP financial measure. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to homebuilding gross margin determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP as an indicator of operating performance.

Management believes this non-GAAP measure enables investors to better understand our operating performance. This measure is also useful internally, helping management evaluate our operating results on a consolidated basis and relative to other companies in our industry. In particular, the magnitude and volatility of land charges for the Company, and for other homebuilders, have been significant and, as such, have made comparable financial analysis of our industry more difficult. Homebuilding metrics excluding land charges, as well as interest amortized to cost of sales, and other similar presentations prepared by analysts and other companies are frequently used to assist investors in understanding and comparing the operating characteristics of homebuilding activities by eliminating many of the differences in companies’ respective levels of impairments and debt.

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2023			2022
Sale of homes	$	499,645		$	551,366
Cost of sales, excluding interest expense and land charges		390,963			427,873
Homebuilding gross margin, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges		108,682			123,493
Cost of sales interest expense, excluding land sales interest expense		15,001			13,724
Homebuilding gross margin, after cost of sales interest expense, before land charges		93,681			109,769
Land charges		477			99
Homebuilding gross margin	$	93,204		$	109,670
Homebuilding gross margin percentage		18.7	%		19.9	%
Homebuilding gross margin percentage, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges		21.8	%		22.4	%
Homebuilding gross margin percentage, after cost of sales interest expense, before land charges		18.8	%		19.9	%

Cost of sales as a percentage of consolidated home sales revenues are presented below:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
	2023			2022
Sale of homes		100.0	%		100.0	%
Cost of sales, excluding interest expense and land charges:
Housing, land and development costs		68.0	%		69.0	%
Commissions		3.3	%		3.6	%
Financing concessions		2.3	%		0.8	%
Overheads		4.6	%		4.2	%
Total cost of sales, before interest expense and land charges		78.2	%		77.6	%
Cost of sales interest		3.0	%		2.5	%
Land charges		0.1	%		0.0	%
Homebuilding gross margin percentage		18.7	%		19.9	%
Homebuilding gross margin percentage, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges		21.8	%		22.4	%
Homebuilding gross margin percentage, after cost of sales interest expense, before land charges		18.8	%		19.9	%

We sell a variety of home types in various communities, each yielding a different gross margin. The decrease in gross margins for the three months ended January 31, 2023, was primarily due to the increase in our use of incentives and concessions to make our homes more affordable. 

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Land and lot sale expenses and gross margins are set forth below:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023		2022
Land and lot sales	$	329	$	34
Cost of sales, excluding interest		77		44
Land and lot sales gross margin, excluding interest		252		(10	)
Land and lot sales interest expense		21		21
Land and lot sales gross margin, including interest	$	231	$	(31	)

Land sales are ancillary to our residential homebuilding operations and are expected to continue in the future but may fluctuate significantly.

Homebuilding: Inventory Impairments and Land Option Write-Offs

Inventory impairments and land option write-offs reflects certain inventories we have either written off or written down to their estimated fair value totaling $0.5 million and $0.1 million in expense for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. There were no inventory impairments during the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022. During the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, we wrote-off residential land option, approval and engineering costs. Such write-offs occurred across each of our segments in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 and 2022.

Homebuilding: Selling, General and Administrative

Homebuilding selling, general and administrative (“SGA”) expenses increased $5.2 million to $47.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to fees incurred on unused builder forward commitments we are offering to lower mortgage rates for our customers, which began in the second half of fiscal 2022. Also contributing to the increase in SGA was an increase in compensation expense related to merit-based salary increases.

Homebuilding: Key Performance Indicators

Net Contracts Per Average Active Selling Community

Net contracts per average active selling community for the three months ended January 31, 2023 were 6.5 compared to 13.1 for the same period in the prior year. Our reported level of sales contracts (net of cancellations) were impacted by a decrease in the pace of sales in all of our segments. As noted above, the current level of demand for new homes is significantly lower due to high levels of inflation, a sharp increase in mortgage rates from the prior year and continued concern about an economic recession. During the quarter, net contracts per average active selling community did increase from 1.5 in November to 3.0 in January as mortgage rates started to stabilize slightly during the period for potential home buyers. 

Contract Cancellation Rates

The following table provides historical quarterly cancellation rates, which represents the number of cancelled contracts in the quarter divided by the number of gross sales contracts executed in the quarter, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures:

Quarter	2023		2022			2021			2020			2019
First	30	%	14		%	17		%	19		%	24		%
Second				17	%		16	%		23	%		19	%
Third				27	%		16	%		18	%		19	%
Fourth				41	%		15	%		18	%		21	%

The following table provides quarterly contract cancellations as a percentage of the beginning backlog, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures:

Quarter	2023		2022			2021			2020			2019
First	16	%	8		%	11		%	14		%	16		%
Second				9	%		9	%		20	%		20	%
Third				8	%		6	%		21	%		16	%
Fourth				13	%		6	%		14	%		14	%

Most cancellations occur within the legal rescission period, which varies by state but is generally less than two weeks after the signing of the contract. Cancellations also occur as a result of a buyer’s failure to qualify for a mortgage, which generally occurs during the first few weeks after signing. As shown in the tables above, contract cancellations over the past several years have generally been within what we believe to be a normal range, with fiscal 2021 and first half of fiscal 2022 cancellation rates, in particular, being below historical norms as a result of the strong market conditions. However, during the last three quarters, due to the sharp decline in gross sales and an increase in cancellations, our cancellation rate as a percentage of gross sales increased significantly to 27%, 41% and 30%, respectively, which is higher than our historical normal range. Additionally, our cancellation rate as a percentage of beginning backlog for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was 16%, which is also above our historical normal range of 13%. Market conditions remain uncertain and it is difficult to predict what cancellation rates will be in the future.

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Contract Backlog

Our consolidated sales contracts and homes in contract backlog, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures, by segment is set forth below:

	Net Contracts for the
	Three Months Ended				Contract Backlog as of
	January 31,				January 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2023		2022		2023		2022
Northeast:
Dollars	$	185,850	$	261,577	$	432,508	$	761,929
Number of homes		311		468		782		1,395
Southeast:
Dollars	$	82,191	$	126,454	$	319,344	$	292,384
Number of homes		164	$	228		525		545
West:
Dollars	$	147,087	$	410,231	$	425,669	$	831,289
Number of homes		313		855		721		1,684
Total:
Dollars	$	415,128	$	798,262	$	1,177,521	$	1,885,602
Number of homes		788		1,551		2,028		3,624

Contract backlog dollars decreased 37.6% as of January 31, 2023 compared to January 31, 2022, and the number of homes in backlog decreased 44.0% for the same period. The decrease in backlog dollars and number of homes for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year was driven by the slower sales environment in the second half of fiscal 2022 and first quarter of fiscal 2023. 

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Homebuilding: Operations by Segment

Financial information relating to our homebuilding operations by segment was as follows:

	Three Months Ended January 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except average sales price)	2023		2022		Variance			Variance %
Northeast
Homebuilding revenue	$	211,462	$	174,945	$	36,517			20.9	%
Income before income taxes	$	28,512	$	19,838	$	8,674			43.7	%
Homes delivered		371		358		13			3.6	%
Average sales price	$	568,394	$	487,930	$	80,464			16.5	%
Southeast
Homebuilding revenue	$	73,794	$	55,582	$	18,212			32.8	%
Income before income taxes	$	11,623	$	10,162	$	1,461			14.4	%
Homes delivered		141		104		37			35.6	%
Average sales price	$	522,950	$	533,606	$	(10,656	)		(2.0	)%
West
Homebuilding revenue	$	215,734	$	321,470	$	(105,736	)		(32.9	)%
Income before income taxes	$	9,889	$	43,935	$	(34,046	)		(77.5	)%
Homes delivered		426		712		(286	)		(40.2	)%
Average sales price	$	504,777	$	451,112	$	53,665			11.9	%

Homebuilding Results by Segment

Northeast - Homebuilding revenue increased 20.9% for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase for the three months ended January 31, 2023 was attributed to a 3.6% increase in homes delivered as well as a 16.5% increase in average sales price. The increase in average sales price was the result of price increases in certain communities.

Income before income taxes increased $8.7 million to $28.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 as compared to the same period in the prior year. This was primarily due to the increase in homebuilding revenue discussed above, a $1.8 million decrease in SGA, and a slight increase in gross margin percentage.

Southeast – Homebuilding revenue increased 32.8% for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was due to a 35.6% increase in homes delivered, partially offset by a 2.0% decrease in average sales price. The decrease in average sales price was the result of new communities delivering lower priced, smaller single-family homes and townhomes in lower-end submarkets of the segment for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to a mix of more deliveries in higher-end submarkets for the three months ended January 31, 2022. This decrease is partially offset by price increases in certain communities. 

Income before income taxes increased $1.5 million to $11.6 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year. This was primarily due to the increase in homebuilding revenue discussed above and an increase in gross margin percentage.

West – Homebuilding revenue decreased 32.9% for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease was due to a 40.2% decrease in homes delivered, partially offset by an 11.9% increase in average sales price. The increase in average sales price was the result of price increases in certain communities.

Income before income taxes decreased $34.0 million to $9.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease is primarily due to the decrease in homebuilding revenue discussed above and a decrease in gross margin percentage.

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Financial Services

Financial services consist primarily of originating mortgages from our home buyers, selling such mortgages in the secondary market, and title insurance activities. We use mandatory investor commitments and forward sales of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) to hedge our mortgage-related interest rate exposure on agency and government loans. For the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, Federal Housing Administration and Veterans Administration (“FHA/VA”) loans represented 29.1% and 24.3%, respectively, of our total loans. For the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year, our conforming conventional loan originations as a percentage of our total loans decreased from 74.6% to 70.1%, respectively. The origination of loans which exceed conforming conventions decreased to 0.8% for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to 1.1% for the same period in the prior year.

During the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, financial services provided $3.1 million and $2.9 million of income before income taxes, respectively. The slight increase in financial services income before income taxes was primarily due to the decrease in total financial services costs from closing less loans in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year and an increase in the basis point spread between the loans originated and the implied rate from our sale of the loans. In the market areas served by our wholly owned mortgage banking subsidiaries, 63.3% and 64.1% of our noncash homebuyers obtained mortgages originated by these subsidiaries during the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Corporate General and Administrative

Corporate general and administrative expenses include operations at our headquarters in New Jersey. These expenses include payroll, stock compensation, facility costs and rent and other costs associated with our executive offices, legal expenses, information services, human resources, corporate accounting, training, treasury, process redesign, internal audit, national and digital marketing, construction services and administration of insurance, quality and safety. Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased to $25.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to $29.4 million for the three months ended January 31, 2022, primarily due to a decrease in compensation expense, mainly related to the grants of phantom stock awards under our 2019 long-term incentive plan, for which expense is impacted by the change in our stock price each period. During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, stock awards were granted under a new Long-Term Incentive Program (the “2023 LTIP”) that consists of 50% cash-settled phantom shares and 50% equity-settled shares. The 2023 LTIP included phantom shares based on analysis that demonstrated a higher likelihood of dilution to our book value per share if the entire award was settled in shares rather than cash via phantom shares.

Other Interest

Other interest increased $1.7 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year. Our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) are less than our debt, and therefore the portion of interest not covered by qualifying assets is directly expensed. Other interest increased primarily due to additional inventory financing resulting from an increase in average inventory not owned.

Income from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

Income from unconsolidated joint ventures consists of our share of the earnings or losses of our unconsolidated joint ventures. Income from unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $1.0 million to $7.2 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to receiving the final distribution from one of our unconsolidated joint ventures in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. 

Income Taxes 

The total income tax benefit for the three months ended January 31, 2023 was $0.7 million. The benefit was primarily due to $6.2 million in energy efficient home tax credits offset by federal and state tax expense as a result of pretax income. The total income tax expense for the three months ended January 31, 2022 was $10.6 million. The expense was primarily due to federal and state tax expense recorded as a result of our pretax income. The federal tax expense is not paid in cash as it is offset by the use of our existing NOL carryforwards.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Overview

Our total liquidity at January 31, 2023 was $365.7 million, including $234.9 million in homebuilding cash and cash equivalents and $125.0 million of borrowing capacity under our senior secured revolving credit facility. We believe that our cash on hand together with available borrowings on our senior secured revolving credit facility will be sufficient for at least the next 12 months to finance our working capital requirements.

We have historically funded our homebuilding and financial services operations with cash flows from operating activities, borrowings under our credit facilities, the issuance of new debt and equity securities, and other financing activities. We may not be able to obtain desired financing even if market conditions, including then-current market available interest rates (in recent years, we have not been able to access the traditional capital and bank lending markets at competitive interest rates due to our highly leveraged capital structure), would otherwise be favorable, which could also impact our ability to grow our business. 

Operating, Investing and Financing Cash Flow Activities

We spent $134.4 million on land and land development during the first quarter of fiscal 2023. After land and land development spending and all other operating activities, including revenue received from deliveries, cash used in operations was $31.2 million. During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, cash used in investing activities was $23.3 million, primarily due to a new unconsolidated joint venture entered into during the period, along with the acquisition of certain fixed assets, partially offset by distributions from existing unconsolidated joint ventures. Cash used in financing activities was $48.4 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2023, primarily due to net payments related to our mortgage warehouse lines of credit, net payments for nonrecourse mortgage financings and model sale leaseback financings, repurchases of common stock and the payment of preferred dividends, partially offset by net proceeds from land banking financings during the period. We intend to continue to use nonrecourse mortgages, model sale leasebacks, joint ventures, and, subject to covenant restrictions in our debt instruments, land banking programs as our business needs dictate.

Our cash uses during the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 were for operating expenses, land purchases, land deposits, land development, construction spending, model sale leasebacks, state income taxes, interest payments, preferred dividends, equity repurchases, litigation matters and investments in unconsolidated joint ventures. During these periods, we provided for our cash requirements from available cash on hand, housing and land sales, land banking transactions, income from unconsolidated joint ventures, financial service revenues and other revenues.

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Our net income historically does not approximate cash flow from operating activities. The difference between net income and cash flow from operating activities is primarily caused by changes in inventory levels together with changes in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets, mortgage loans held for sale, accrued interest, deferred income taxes, accounts payable and other liabilities, and noncash charges relating to depreciation, stock compensation and impairments. When we are expanding our operations, inventory levels, prepaid expenses and other assets increase causing cash flow from operating activities to decrease. Certain liabilities also increase as operations expand and partially offset the negative effect on cash flow from operations caused by the increase in inventory, prepaid expenses and other assets. Similarly, as our mortgage operations expand, net income from these operations increases, but for cash flow purposes, net income is partially offset by the net change in mortgage assets and liabilities. The opposite is true as our investment in new land purchases and development of new communities decrease, causing us to generate positive cash flow from operations. 

Debt Transactions

Senior notes and credit facilities balances as of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, were as follows:

	January 31,			October 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Senior Secured Notes	$	853,093		$	853,093
Senior Notes	$	180,710		$	180,710
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility due February 1, 2027	$	39,551		$	39,551
Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility due January 31, 2028	$	81,498		$	81,498
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility (1)	$	-		$	-
Less: Net (discounts), premiums and unamortized debt issuance costs	$	(9,591	)	$	(8,305	)
Total senior notes and credit facilities, net of discounts, premiums and unamortized debt issuance costs	$	1,145,261		$	1,146,547

(1) At January 31, 2023, provides for up to $125.0 million in aggregate amount of senior secured first lien revolving loans. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we amended our Secured Credit Facility, which amendments became effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. As amended, the revolving loans thereunder have a maturity of June 30, 2024 and borrowings bear interest, at K. Hovnanian’s option, at either (i) a term secured overnight financing rate (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus an applicable margin of 4.50% or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin of 3.50%. In addition, K. Hovnanian will pay an unused commitment fee on the undrawn revolving commitments at a rate of 1.00% per annum.

Except for K. Hovnanian, the issuer of the notes and borrower under the Credit Facilities (as defined below), our home mortgage subsidiaries, certain of our title insurance subsidiaries, joint ventures and subsidiaries holding interests in our joint ventures, we and each of our subsidiaries are guarantors of the Credit Facilities, the senior secured notes and senior notes outstanding at January 31, 2023 (except for the 8.0% Senior Notes due 2027 which are not guaranteed by K. Hovnanian at Sunrise Trail III, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) (collectively, the “Notes Guarantors”).

The credit agreements governing the Credit Facilities and the indentures governing the senior secured and senior notes (together, the “Debt Instruments”) outstanding at January 31, 2023 do not contain any financial maintenance covenants, but do contain restrictive covenants that limit, among other things, the ability of HEI and certain of its subsidiaries, including K. Hovnanian, to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends and make distributions on common and preferred stock, repay/repurchase certain indebtedness prior to its respective stated maturity, repurchase (including through exchanges) common and preferred stock, make other restricted payments (including investments), sell certain assets (including in certain land banking transactions), incur liens, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. The Debt Instruments also contain customary events of default which would permit the lenders or holders thereof to exercise remedies with respect to the collateral (as applicable), declare the loans made under the Unsecured Term Loan Facility (defined below) (the “Unsecured Term Loans”), loans made under the Secured Term Loan Facility (defined below) (the “Secured Term Loans”) and loans made under the Secured Credit Agreement (as defined below) (the “Secured Revolving Loans”) or notes to be immediately due and payable if not cured within applicable grace periods, including the failure to make timely payments on the Unsecured Term Loans, Secured Term Loans, Secured Revolving Loans or notes or other material indebtedness, cross default to other material indebtedness, the failure to comply with agreements and covenants and specified events of bankruptcy and insolvency, with respect to the Unsecured Term Loans, Secured Term Loans and Secured Revolving Loans, material inaccuracy of representations and warranties and with respect to the Unsecured Term Loans, Secured Term Loans and Secured Revolving Loans, a change of control, and, with respect to the Secured Term Loans, Secured Revolving Loans and senior secured notes, the failure of the documents granting security for the obligations under the secured Debt Instruments to be in full force and effect, and the failure of the liens on any material portion of the collateral securing the obligations under the secured Debt Instruments to be valid and perfected. As of January 31, 2023, we believe we were in compliance with the covenants of the Debt Instruments.

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If our consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio is less than 2.0 to 1.0, as defined in the applicable Debt Instrument, we are restricted from making certain payments, including dividends (in each such case, our secured debt leverage ratio must also be less than 4.0 to 1.0), and from incurring indebtedness other than certain permitted indebtedness and nonrecourse indebtedness. Beginning as of October 31, 2021, as a result of our improved operating results, our fixed coverage ratio was above 2.0 to 1.0 and our secured debt leverage ratio was below 4.0 to 1.0, therefore we were no longer restricted from paying dividends. As such, we made dividend payments of $2.7 million to preferred shareholders in the first quarter of both fiscal 2023 and 2022. As discussed above, market conditions continue to adversely impact our business, and it is therefore likely that by the end of fiscal 2023 we will be restricted under our Debt Instruments from continuing to pay dividends on our Series A preferred stock. Dividends on the Series A preferred stock are not cumulative and, accordingly, if for any reason we do not declare a dividend on the Series A preferred stock for a quarterly dividend period (regardless of availability of funds), holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have no right to receive a dividend for that period, and we will have no obligation to pay a dividend for that period.

Under the terms of our Debt Instruments, we have the right to make certain redemptions and prepayments and, depending on market conditions, our strategic priorities and covenant restrictions, may do so from time to time (for example, we redeemed $100 million aggregate principal amount of our senior secured notes during the second quarter of fiscal 2022). We also continue to actively analyze and evaluate our capital structure and explore transactions to simplify our capital structure and to strengthen our balance sheet, including those that reduce leverage, interest rates and/or extend maturities, and will seek to do so with the right opportunity. We may also continue to make debt or equity purchases and/or exchanges from time to time through tender offers, exchange offers, redemptions, open market purchases, private transactions, or otherwise, or seek to raise additional debt or equity capital, depending on market conditions and covenant restrictions.

Any liquidity-enhancing or other capital raising or refinancing transaction will depend on identifying counterparties, negotiation of documentation and applicable closing conditions and any required approvals. Due to covenant restrictions in our Debt Instruments, we are currently limited in the amount of debt we can incur, even if market conditions, including then-current market available interest rates (in recent years, we have not been able to access the traditional capital and bank lending markets at competitive interest rates due to our highly leveraged capital structure), would otherwise be favorable, which could also impact our ability to grow our business.

See Note 12 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of K. Hovnanian’s Credit Facilities, senior secured notes and senior notes, including information with respect to the collateral securing our secured Debt Instruments.

Mortgages and Notes Payable

We have nonrecourse mortgage loans for certain communities totaling $133.9 million and $144.8 million (net of debt issuance costs) at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively, which are secured by the related real property, including any improvements, with an aggregate book value of $416.1 million and $418.9 million, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on these obligations was 7.7% and 6.7% at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively, and the mortgage loan payments on each community primarily correspond to home deliveries.

Our wholly owned mortgage banking subsidiary, K. Hovnanian American Mortgage, LLC (“K. Hovnanian Mortgage”), originates mortgage loans primarily from the sale of our homes. Such mortgage loans and related servicing rights are sold in the secondary mortgage market within a short period of time. K. Hovnanian Mortgage finances the origination of mortgage loans through various master repurchase agreements, which are recorded in "Financial services" liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The loans are secured by the mortgages held for sale and are repaid when we sell the underlying mortgage loans to permanent investors. As of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, we had an aggregate of $58.4 million and $94.3 million, respectively, outstanding under several of K. Hovnanian Mortgage’s short-term borrowing facilities.

See Note 11 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of these agreements.

Equity

On September 1, 2022, our Board of Directors terminated our prior repurchase program and authorized a new program for the repurchase of up to $50.0 million of our Class A common stock. Under the new repurchase program, repurchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing and the actual dollar amount repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price, future tax implications and economic and market conditions. The repurchase program may be changed, suspended or discontinued at any time and does not have a specified expiration date.

During the three months ended January 31, 2023, we repurchased 118,478 shares under the new stock repurchase program, with a market value of $4.8 million, or $40.51 per share, which were added to "Treasury stock" on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2023. There were no shares repurchased during the three months ended January 31, 2022. As of January 31, 2023, $33.0 million of our Class A common stock is available to be purchased under the stock repurchase program.

On July 12, 2005, we issued 5,600 shares of 7.625% Series A preferred stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share. Dividends on Series A preferred stock are not cumulative and are payable at an annual rate of 7.625%. The Series A preferred stock is not convertible into the Company’s common stock and is redeemable in whole or in part at our option at the liquidation preference of the shares. The Series A preferred stock is traded as depositary shares, with each depositary share representing 1/1000th of a share of Series A preferred stock. During both the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 we paid dividends of $2.7 million on the Series A preferred stock.

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Unconsolidated Joint Ventures 

We have investments in unconsolidated joint ventures in various markets where our homebuilding operations are located. Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures increased $26.1 million to $101.0 million at January 31, 2023 compared to October 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to a new joint venture formed in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, along with income recorded from one of our existing unconsolidated joint ventures during the period. As of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, we had investments in seven and six unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures, respectively, and one unconsolidated land development joint venture for both periods. We have no guarantees associated with our unconsolidated joint ventures, other than guarantees limited to performance and completion of development activities, environmental indemnification and standard warranty and representation against fraud, misrepresentation and similar actions, including a voluntary bankruptcy.

Inventories

Total inventory, excluding consolidated inventory not owned, decreased $18.6 million to $1.2 billion at January 31, 2023 compared to October 31, 2022. Total inventory, excluding consolidated inventory not owned, decreased in the Northeast by $54.5 million, partially offset by increases of $17.2 million in the Southeast and $18.7 million in the West. The net decrease was primarily attributable to home deliveries, along with inventory contributed to a new joint venture, partially offset by new land purchases and land development during the period. In the last few years, we have been able to acquire new land parcels at prices that we believe will generate reasonable returns under current homebuilding market conditions. This trend may not continue in either the near or the long term. Substantially all homes under construction or completed and included in inventory at January 31, 2023 are expected to be delivered during the next six to nine months. 

Consolidated inventory not owned, which consists of options related to land banking and model financing, increased $6.4 million from October 31, 2022 to January 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in land banking transactions, partially offset by a decrease in the sale and leaseback of certain model homes during the period. We have land banking arrangements, whereby we sell land parcels to land bankers and they provide us an option to purchase finished lots on a predetermined schedule. On our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, at January 31, 2023, inventory of $267.6 million was recorded to “Consolidated inventory not owned,” with a corresponding amount of $160.3 million (net of debt issuance costs) recorded to “Liabilities from inventory not owned” for the amount of net cash received from land banking transactions. We also sell and lease back certain of our model homes with the right to participate in the potential profit when each home is sold to a third-party at the end of the respective lease. On our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, at January 31, 2023, inventory of $47.4 million was recorded to “Consolidated inventory not owned,” with a corresponding amount of $49.3 million (net of debt issuance costs) recorded to “Liabilities from inventory not owned” for the amount of net cash received from sale and leaseback transactions.

We mothball (or stop development on) certain communities when we determine the current performance does not justify further investment at the time. That is, we believe we will generate higher returns if we decide against spending money to improve land today and save the raw land until such time as the markets improve or we determine to sell the property. As of January 31, 2023, we had mothballed land in two communities. The book value associated with these communities included on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in “Land and land options held for future development or sale” at January 31, 2023 was $1.4 million, which was net of impairment charges recorded in prior periods of $20.3 million. During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we did not mothball any additional communities, nor did we sell or re-activate any previously mothballed communities.

Inventories held for sale, which are land parcels where we have decided not to build homes and are actively marketing the land for sale, represented $10.2 million of our total inventories held for sale at January 31, 2023, and are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. There were no inventories held for sale at October 31, 2022. In determining fair value for land held for sale, management considers, among other things, prices for land in recent comparable sale transactions, market analysis studies, which include the estimated price a willing buyer would pay for the land (other than in a forced liquidation sale) and recent bona fide offers received from outside third parties.

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The following tables summarize home sites included in our total residential real estate. The decrease in total home sites available at January 31, 2023 compared to October 31, 2022 is attributable to delivering homes and terminating certain option agreements during the period, partially offset by acquiring new land parcels.

			Active		Proposed
	Active		Communities		Developable		Total
	Communities(1)		Homes		Homes		Homes
January 31, 2023:
Northeast		33		3,928		10,269		14,197
Southeast		21		1,776		1,873		3,649
West		67		6,570		4,956		11,526
Consolidated total		121		12,274		17,098		29,372
Unconsolidated joint ventures (2)		12		3,680		236		3,916
Owned				6,153		2,181		8,334
Optioned				5,872		14,917		20,789
Construction to permanent financing lots				249		-		249
Consolidated total				12,274		17,098		29,372

			Active		Proposed
	Active		Communities		Developable		Total
	Communities(1)		Homes		Homes		Homes
October 31, 2022:
Northeast		32		4,296		10,726		15,022
Southeast		21		1,898		2,823		4,721
West		68		6,909		5,148		12,057
Consolidated total		121		13,103		18,697		31,800
Unconsolidated joint ventures (2)		13		3,355		-		3,355
Owned				6,634		2,388		9,022
Optioned				6,187		16,309		22,496
Construction to permanent financing lots				282		-		282
Consolidated total				13,103		18,697		31,800

(1)	Active communities are open for sale communities with ten or more home sites available. We identify communities based on product type. Therefore, at times there are multiple communities at one land site.
(2)	Represents active communities and home sites for our unconsolidated homebuilding joint ventures for the period. We provide this data as a supplement to our consolidated results as an indicator of the volume managed in our unconsolidated joint ventures. See Note 18 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of our unconsolidated joint ventures.

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The following table summarizes our started or completed unsold homes and models, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures, in active and substantially completed communities.

	January 31, 2023						October 31, 2022:
	Unsold						Unsold
	Homes		Models		Total		Homes		Models		Total
Northeast		76		36		112		92		32		124
Southeast		71		5		76		72		5		77
West		521		22		543		516		22		538
Total		668		63		731		680		59		739
Started or completed unsold homes and models per active selling communities (1)		5.5		0.5		6.0		5.6		0.5		6.1

(1) Active selling communities (which are communities that are open for sale with ten or more home sites available) were 121 at both January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively. This ratio does not include substantially completed communities, which are communities with less than ten home sites available.

Financial Services Assets and Liabilities

Financial services assets decreased $43.2 million to $112.8 million at January 31, 2023, compared to October 31, 2022. Financial services assets consist primarily of residential mortgage receivables held for sale of which $70.9 million and $108.6 million at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively, were being temporarily warehoused and are awaiting sale in the secondary mortgage market. The decrease in mortgage loans held for sale from October 31, 2022 was primarily related to a decrease in the volume of loans originated during the first quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, partially offset by a slight increase in the average loan value. 

Financial services liabilities decreased $44.5 million to $91.1 million at January 31, 2023 compared to October 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in amounts outstanding under our mortgage warehouse lines of credit and directly correlates to the decrease in the volume of mortgage loans held for sale during the period.

Inflation

The annual rate of inflation in the United States hit 6.4% in January 2023, nearly the highest in more than three decades, as measured by the Consumer Price Index. Inflation has a long-term effect, because higher costs for land, materials and labor results in increasing sales prices of our homes. Historically, these price increases have been commensurate with the general rate of inflation in our housing markets and have not had a significant adverse effect on the sale of our homes. A significant risk faced by the housing industry generally is that rising house construction costs, including land and interest costs, could substantially outpace increases in the income of potential purchasers and therefore limit our ability to raise home sale prices, which may result in lower gross margins.

Inflation has a lesser short-term effect, because we generally negotiate fixed-price contracts with many, but not all, of our subcontractors and material suppliers for the construction of our homes. These prices usually are applicable for a specified number of residential buildings or for a time period of between three to 12 months. Construction costs for residential buildings represented approximately 57.7% of our homebuilding cost of sales for the three months ended January 31, 2023.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2023, elevated inflation continues to create economic uncertainty and have an impact on interest rates, which in turn adversely impacted our home sales.

Critical Accounting Policies

As disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, our most critical accounting policies relate to inventories, unconsolidated joint ventures, warranty and construction defect reserves and income taxes. Since October 31, 2022, there have been no significant changes to those critical accounting policies.

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Safe Harbor Statement

All statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts should be considered as “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements related to the Company's goals and expectations with respect to its financial results for future financial periods. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in, or suggested by, such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. By their nature, forward-looking statements: (i) speak only as of the date they are made, (ii) are not guarantees of future performance or results and (iii) are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict or quantify. Therefore, actual results could differ materially and adversely from those forward-looking statements as result of a variety of factors. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to:

● Changes in general and local economic, industry and business conditions and impacts of a significant homebuilding downturn;   

● Shortages in, and price fluctuations of, raw materials and labor, including due to geopolitical events, changes in trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and duties on homebuilding materials and products, and related trade disputes with, and retaliatory measures taken by other countries;

● Fluctuations in interest rates and the availability of mortgage financing; 

● Adverse weather and other environmental conditions and natural disasters;

●  The seasonality of the Company’s business;

● The availability and cost of suitable land and improved lots and sufficient liquidity to invest in such land and lots;

● Reliance on, and the performance of, subcontractors; 

●  Regional and local economic factors, including dependency on certain sectors of the economy, and employment levels affecting home prices and sales activity in the markets where the Company builds homes;

● Increases in cancellations of agreements of sale;

● Increases in inflation;

● Changes in tax laws affecting the after-tax costs of owning a home; 

● Legal claims brought against us and not resolved in our favor, such as product liability litigation, warranty claims and claims made by mortgage investors;

● Levels of competition; 

● Utility shortages and outages or rate fluctuations;

● Information technology failures and data security breaches; 

● Negative publicity; 

● High leverage and restrictions on the Company’s operations and activities imposed by the agreements governing the Company’s outstanding indebtedness;

● Availability and terms of financing to the Company;

● The Company’s sources of liquidity;

● Changes in credit ratings;

● Government regulation, including regulations concerning development of land, the home building, sales and customer financing processes, tax laws and the environment;

● Operations through unconsolidated joint ventures with third parties;

● Significant influence of the Company’s controlling stockholders;

● Availability of net operating loss carryforwards; 

● Loss of key management personnel or failure to attract qualified personnel; and

● The outbreak and spread of COVID-19 and the measures that governments, agencies, law enforcement and/or health authorities implement to address it, as well as continuing macroeconomic effects of the pandemic.

Certain risks, uncertainties and other factors are described in detail in Part I, Item 1 “Business” and Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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Item 3.     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Substantially all of our long-term debt requires fixed interest payments and we have limited exposure to variable rates. In connection with our mortgage operations, mortgage loans held for sale and the associated mortgage warehouse lines of credit under our Master Repurchase Agreements are subject to interest rate risk; however, such obligations reprice frequently and are short-term in duration. In addition, we hedge the interest rate risk on mortgage loans by obtaining forward commitments from private investors. Accordingly, the interest rate risk from mortgage loans is not significant. We do not use financial instruments to hedge interest rate risk except with respect to mortgage loans. The following table sets forth as of January 31, 2023, our long-term debt obligations, principal cash flows by scheduled maturity, weighted-average interest rates and estimated fair value (“FV”).

	Long Term Debt as of January 31, 2023 by Fiscal Year of Maturity Date
																						FV at
(Dollars in thousands)	2023			2024			2025			2026			2027			Thereafter			Total			1/31/23
Long term debt(1):
Fixed rate	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	943,683		$	39,551		$	171,618		$	1,154,852		$	1,111,716
Weighted average interest rate		-	%		-	%		-	%		10.10	%		5.00	%		7.37	%		9.52	%

(1)	Does not include:
	● the mortgage warehouse lines of credit made under our Master Repurchase Agreements;
	● $133.9 million of nonrecourse mortgages secured by inventory, which have various maturities spread over the next two to three years and are paid off as homes are delivered; and
	● our $125.0 million Secured Credit Facility under which there were no borrowings outstanding as of January 31, 2023.

.

Item 4.     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of January 31, 2023. Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to accomplish their objectives.

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended January 31, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For information with respect to our legal proceedings, see Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities

None.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases by the Company of its common stock during the periods indicated: 

	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share	Total Number of Shares Purchased of Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Program (1)	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Program (1)
November 1, 2022 through November 30, 2022	118,475	$ 40.51	118,475	$ 32,977,920
December 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022	-	$ -	-	$ 32,977,920
January 1, 2023 through January 31, 2023	-	$ -	-	$ 32,977,920

(1) On September 1, 2022, the Board terminated our prior repurchase program and authorized a new program for the repurchase of up to $50.0 million of our Class A common stock. Under the new repurchase program, repurchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing and the actual dollar amount repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price, future tax implications and economic and market conditions. The repurchase program may be changed, suspended or discontinued at any time and does not have a specified expiration date.

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Item 6.	EXHIBITS
3(a)	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on March 29, 2019).
3(b)	Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended July 31, 2021).
4(a)	Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on March 29, 2019).
4(b)	Specimen Class B Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on March 29, 2019).
4(c)	Certificate of Designations, Powers, Preferences and Rights of the 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., dated July 12, 2005.(Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on July 13, 2005).
4(d)	Certificate of Designations of the Series B Junior Preferred Stock of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., dated August 14, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended July 31, 2008).
4(e)	Rights Agreement, dated as of August 14, 2008, between Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and National City Bank, as Rights Agent, which includes the Form of Certificate of Designation as Exhibit A, Form of Right Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights as Exhibit C (Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A of the Registrant filed on August 14, 2008).
4(f)	Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2018, between Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to National City Bank), as Rights Agent, which includes the amended and restated Form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit 1 and the amended and restated Summary of Rights as Exhibit 2 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed on January 11, 2018).
4(g)	Amendment No. 2 to Rights Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2021, between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to National City Bank), as Rights Agent, which includes the amended and restated Form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit 1 and the amended and restated Summary of Rights as Exhibit 2 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed January 19, 2021).
10(a)*	Form of 2023 Long-Term Incentive Program Award Agreement - Class A.
10(b)*	Form of 2023 Long-Term Incentive Program Award Agreement - Class B.
10(c)*	Form of 2023 Long-Term Incentive Program Phantom Share Agreement.

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31(a)	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
31(b)	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
32(a)	Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
32(b)	Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
101	The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2023, formatted in inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (Inline XBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity Deficit for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
104	Cover Page from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended January 31, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL (and contained in Exhibit 101).
	* Management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.

(Registrant)

DATE:	March 6, 2023
	/s/J. LARRY SORSBY
	J. Larry Sorsby
	Executive Vice President,
	Chief Financial Officer and Director
DATE:	March 6, 2023
	/s/BRAD G. O’CONNOR
	Brad G. O’Connor
	Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer

45

EX-10.A

Exhibit 10(a)

2020 HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

2023 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PROGRAM AWARD AGREEMENT

Participant:
Date of Grant:	[Date]	Deemed Share Price:	$XX.XX
Maximum LTIP Award (total):		Target LTIP Award (total):
Maximum Number of Class A Shares:		Target Number of Class A Shares:

1.    Grant of LTIP Award. For valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the "Company"), hereby grants the Long-Term Incentive Program award opportunity (the “Award”) listed above to the Participant, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. This grant is made pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 2020 Company Second Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and the 2023 Long-Term Incentive Program adopted thereunder (the “LTIP”), which Plan and LTIP, as amended from time to time, are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Agreement. The Award represents an unfunded, unsecured right of the Participant to receive Class A Shares (“Shares”) on the date(s) specified under the LTIP, subject to the performance and time vesting conditions set forth thereunder. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings as in the Plan or the LTIP, as applicable. A copy of the LTIP is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

2.    Amount of Award; Vesting and Timing of Payments. The target amount of the Award listed above represents the amount of Shares that the Participant will be eligible to receive if the performance levels achieved during the Performance Period correspond to a payout level of 100% of target under the terms of the LTIP, assuming the time vesting requirements set forth under the LTIP are also met. The actual amount of Shares payable in respect of the Award may be more or less than the targeted amounts, and the amounts (if any) that become payable under the Award will be paid to the Participant at such times and subject to such performance, time vesting and delivery conditions as set forth under the LTIP.

3.    Adjustments Upon Certain Events. Subject to the terms of the Plan and the LTIP, in the event of any change in the outstanding Shares by reason of any Share dividend or split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, spin-off or combination transaction or exchange of Shares or other similar events (collectively, an "Adjustment Event"), the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, make an appropriate and equitable adjustment in the number of Shares subject to this Agreement to reflect such Adjustment Event. Any such adjustment made by the Committee shall be final and binding upon the Participant, the Company and all other interested persons.

4.    No Right to Continued Employment. Neither the Plan, the LTIP nor this Agreement shall be construed as giving the Participant the right to be retained in the employ of, or in any consulting relationship to, the Company or any Affiliate. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss the Participant, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, the LTIP or this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.

5.    No Acquired Rights. In participating in the Plan and the LTIP, the Participant acknowledges and accepts that the Board and the Committee have the power to amend or terminate the Plan and the LTIP, to the extent permitted thereunder, at any time and that the opportunity given to the Participant to participate in the Plan and the LTIP is entirely at the discretion of the Committee and does not obligate the Company or any of its Affiliates to offer such participation in the future (whether on the same or different terms). The Participant further acknowledges and accepts that such Participant's participation in the Plan and the LTIP is not to be considered part of any normal or expected compensation and that the termination of the Participant's employment under any circumstances whatsoever will give the Participant no claim or right of action against the Company or its Affiliates in respect of any loss of rights under this Agreement, the Plan or the LTIP that may arise as a result of such termination of employment.

6.    No Rights of a Shareholder; Dividend Adjustments.

(a)    The Participant shall have no voting, dividend or other rights or privileges as a shareholder of the Company until the Shares in question have been issued or transferred to the Participant.

(b)    If on any date while the Award is outstanding hereunder the Company shall pay any dividend on the Shares (other than a dividend payable in Shares), the target number of Shares covered by this Award shall, as of such dividend payment date, be increased by a number of Shares equal to: (a) the product of (x) the target number of Shares previously covered by the Award as of the related dividend record date, multiplied by (y) the per Share amount of any cash dividend (or, in the case of any dividend payable in whole or in part other than in cash, the per Share value of such dividend, as determined in good faith by the Committee), divided by (b) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the payment date of such dividend. In the case of any dividend declared on Shares that is payable in the form of Shares, the target number of Shares granted to the Participant under this Award shall be increased by a number equal to the product of (a) the target number of Shares covered by this Award on the related dividend record date, multiplied by (b) the number of Shares (including any fraction thereof) payable as a dividend on a Share. Any Shares attributable to dividends under this Section 6(b) shall be subject to the performance and service vesting and payment provisions set forth in Exhibit A.

7.    Legend on Certificates. Any Shares issued or transferred to the Participant pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which such Shares are listed, and any applicable Federal or state laws or relevant securities laws of the jurisdiction of the domicile of the Participant, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any certificates representing such Shares to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. Whenever reference in this Agreement is made to the issuance or delivery of certificates representing Shares, the Company may elect to issue or deliver such Shares in book entry form in lieu of certificates.

8.    Transferability. This Award may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and any purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance not permitted by this Section 8 shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.

9.    Withholding. The Participant may be required to pay to the Company or any Affiliate and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold from any transfer of Shares due under this Agreement, the LTIP or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount owing to the Participant, applicable withholding taxes with respect to any transfer under this Agreement, the LTIP or under the Plan and to take such action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant's employment with the Company terminates prior to the payment or transfer of all of the Shares under this Agreement, the payment of any applicable withholding taxes with respect to any further transfer of Shares under this Award shall be made solely through withholding of Shares otherwise payable under this Agreement in amounts equal to the statutory minimum withholding liability.

10.    Non-Solicitation Covenants.

(a)    The Participant acknowledges and agrees that, during the Participant's employment with the Company and its Affiliates and upon the Participant's termination of employment with the Company and its Affiliates for any reason, for a period commencing on the termination of such employment and ending on the second anniversary of such termination, the Participant shall not, whether on Participant's own behalf or on behalf of or in conjunction with any person, company, business entity or other organization whatsoever, directly or indirectly:

(i)    solicit any employee of the Company or its Affiliates with whom the Participant had any contact during the last two years of the Participant's employment, or who worked in the same business segment or division as the Participant during that period to terminate employment with the Company or its Affiliates;

(ii)    solicit the employment or services of, or hire, any such employee whose employment with the Company or its Affiliates terminated coincident with, or within twelve (12) months prior to or after the termination of Participant's employment with the Company and its Affiliates;

(iii)    directly or indirectly, solicit to cease to work with the Company or its Affiliates any consultant then under contract with the Company or its Affiliates.

(b)    It is expressly understood and agreed that although the Participant and the Company consider the restrictions contained in this Section 10 to be reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of competent jurisdiction that the time or any other restriction contained in this Agreement is an unenforceable restriction against the Participant, the provisions of this Agreement shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed amended to apply as to such maximum time and terri‐tory and to such maximum extent as such court may judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable. Alternatively, if any court of competent jurisdiction finds that any restric‐tion contained in this Agreement is unenforceable, and such restriction cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained herein.

11.    Specific Performance. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company's remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 10 would be inadequate and the Company would suffer irreparable damages as a result of such breach or threatened breach. In recognition of this fact, the Participant agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to cease making any payments or providing any benefit otherwise required by this Agreement and obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available.

12.    Choice of Law. THE INTERPRETATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

13.    Award Subject to Plan and LTIP. By entering into this Agreement, the Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Participant has received and read a copy of the Plan and the LTIP. The Award is subject to the Plan and the LTIP. In the event of a conflict between any term or provision contained herein and a term or provision of the Plan or LTIP, the applicable terms and provisions of the Plan and LTIP will govern and prevail.

14.    Signature in Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

15.    409A. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the Plan or the LTIP, this Award shall not be deferred, accelerated, extended, paid out or modified in a manner that would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon the Participant. In the event it is reasonably determined by the Committee that, as a result of Section 409A of the Code, the transfer of Shares under this Agreement may not be made at the time contemplated hereunder without causing the Participant to be subject to taxation under Section 409A of the Code (including due to the Participant’s status as a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), the Company will make such payment on the first day that would not result in the Participant incurring any tax liability under Section 409A of the Code.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.

By: _______________________________

PARTICIPANT

By: _______________________________

[Insert Terms of 2023 Long-Term Incentive Program]

EX-10.B

Exhibit 10(b)

2020 HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

2023 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PROGRAM AWARD AGREEMENT

Participant:
Date of Grant:	[Date]	Deemed Share Price:	$XX.XX
Maximum LTIP Award (total):		Target LTIP Award (total):
Maximum Number of Class B Shares:		Target Number of Class B Shares:

1.    Grant of LTIP Award. For valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the "Company"), hereby grants the Long-Term Incentive Program award opportunity (the “Award”) listed above to the Participant, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. This grant is made pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 2020 Company Second Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and the 2023 Long-Term Incentive Program adopted thereunder (the “LTIP”), which Plan and LTIP, as amended from time to time, are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Agreement. The Award represents an unfunded, unsecured right of the Participant to receive Class B Shares (“Shares”) on the date(s) specified under the LTIP, subject to the performance and time vesting conditions set forth thereunder. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings as in the Plan or the LTIP, as applicable. A copy of the LTIP is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

2.    Amount of Award; Vesting and Timing of Payments. The target amount of the Award listed above represents the amount of Shares that the Participant will be eligible to receive if the performance levels achieved during the Performance Period correspond to a payout level of 100% of target under the terms of the LTIP, assuming the time vesting requirements set forth under the LTIP are also met. The actual amount of Shares payable in respect of the Award may be more or less than the targeted amounts, and the amounts (if any) that become payable under the Award will be paid to the Participant at such times and subject to such performance, time vesting and delivery conditions as set forth under the LTIP.

3.    Adjustments Upon Certain Events. Subject to the terms of the Plan and the LTIP, in the event of any change in the outstanding Shares by reason of any Share dividend or split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, spin-off or combination transaction or exchange of Shares or other similar events (collectively, an "Adjustment Event"), the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, make an appropriate and equitable adjustment in the number of Shares subject to this Agreement to reflect such Adjustment Event. Any such adjustment made by the Committee shall be final and binding upon the Participant, the Company and all other interested persons.

4.    No Right to Continued Employment. Neither the Plan, the LTIP nor this Agreement shall be construed as giving the Participant the right to be retained in the employ of, or in any consulting relationship to, the Company or any Affiliate. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss the Participant, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, the LTIP or this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.

5.    No Acquired Rights. In participating in the Plan and the LTIP, the Participant acknowledges and accepts that the Board and the Committee have the power to amend or terminate the Plan and the LTIP, to the extent permitted thereunder, at any time and that the opportunity given to the Participant to participate in the Plan and the LTIP is entirely at the discretion of the Committee and does not obligate the Company or any of its Affiliates to offer such participation in the future (whether on the same or different terms). The Participant further acknowledges and accepts that such Participant's participation in the Plan and the LTIP is not to be considered part of any normal or expected compensation and that the termination of the Participant's employment under any circumstances whatsoever will give the Participant no claim or right of action against the Company or its Affiliates in respect of any loss of rights under this Agreement, the Plan or the LTIP that may arise as a result of such termination of employment.

6.    No Rights of a Shareholder; Dividend Adjustments.

(a)    The Participant shall have no voting, dividend or other rights or privileges as a shareholder of the Company until the Shares in question have been issued or transferred to the Participant.

(b)    If on any date while the Award is outstanding hereunder the Company shall pay any dividend on the Shares (other than a dividend payable in Shares), the target number of Shares covered by this Award shall, as of such dividend payment date, be increased by a number of Shares equal to: (a) the product of (x) the target number of Shares previously covered by the Award as of the related dividend record date, multiplied by (y) the per Share amount of any cash dividend (or, in the case of any dividend payable in whole or in part other than in cash, the per Share value of such dividend, as determined in good faith by the Committee), divided by (b) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the payment date of such dividend. In the case of any dividend declared on Shares that is payable in the form of Shares, the target number of Shares granted to the Participant under this Award shall be increased by a number equal to the product of (a) the target number of Shares covered by this Award on the related dividend record date, multiplied by (b) the number of Shares (including any fraction thereof) payable as a dividend on a Share. Any Shares attributable to dividends under this Section 6(b) shall be subject to the performance and service vesting and payment provisions set forth in Exhibit A.

7.    Legend on Certificates. Any Shares issued or transferred to the Participant pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which such Shares are listed, and any applicable Federal or state laws or relevant securities laws of the jurisdiction of the domicile of the Participant, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any certificates representing such Shares to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. Whenever reference in this Agreement is made to the issuance or delivery of certificates representing Shares, the Company may elect to issue or deliver such Shares in book entry form in lieu of certificates.

8.    Transferability. This Award may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and any purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance not permitted by this Section 8 shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.

9.    Withholding. The Participant may be required to pay to the Company or any Affiliate and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold from any transfer of Shares due under this Agreement, the LTIP or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount owing to the Participant, applicable withholding taxes with respect to any transfer under this Agreement, the LTIP or under the Plan and to take such action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant's employment with the Company terminates prior to the payment or transfer of all of the Shares under this Agreement, the payment of any applicable withholding taxes with respect to any further transfer of Shares under this Award shall be made solely through withholding of Shares otherwise payable under this Agreement in amounts equal to the statutory minimum withholding liability.

10.    Non-Solicitation Covenants.

(a)    The Participant acknowledges and agrees that, during the Participant's employment with the Company and its Affiliates and upon the Participant's termination of employment with the Company and its Affiliates for any reason, for a period commencing on the termination of such employment and ending on the second anniversary of such termination, the Participant shall not, whether on Participant's own behalf or on behalf of or in conjunction with any person, company, business entity or other organization whatsoever, directly or indirectly:

(i)    solicit any employee of the Company or its Affiliates with whom the Participant had any contact during the last two years of the Participant's employment, or who worked in the same business segment or division as the Participant during that period to terminate employment with the Company or its Affiliates;

(ii)    solicit the employment or services of, or hire, any such employee whose employment with the Company or its Affiliates terminated coincident with, or within twelve (12) months prior to or after the termination of Participant's employment with the Company and its Affiliates;

(iii)    directly or indirectly, solicit to cease to work with the Company or its Affiliates any consultant then under contract with the Company or its Affiliates.

(b)    It is expressly understood and agreed that although the Participant and the Company consider the restrictions contained in this Section 10 to be reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of competent jurisdiction that the time or any other restriction contained in this Agreement is an unenforceable restriction against the Participant, the provisions of this Agreement shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed amended to apply as to such maximum time and terri‐tory and to such maximum extent as such court may judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable. Alternatively, if any court of competent jurisdiction finds that any restric‐tion contained in this Agreement is unenforceable, and such restriction cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained herein.

11.    Specific Performance. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company's remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 10 would be inadequate and the Company would suffer irreparable damages as a result of such breach or threatened breach. In recognition of this fact, the Participant agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to cease making any payments or providing any benefit otherwise required by this Agreement and obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available.

12.    Choice of Law. THE INTERPRETATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

13.    Award Subject to Plan and LTIP. By entering into this Agreement, the Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Participant has received and read a copy of the Plan and the LTIP. The Award is subject to the Plan and the LTIP. In the event of a conflict between any term or provision contained herein and a term or provision of the Plan or LTIP, the applicable terms and provisions of the Plan and LTIP will govern and prevail.

14.    Signature in Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

15.    409A. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the Plan or the LTIP, this Award shall not be deferred, accelerated, extended, paid out or modified in a manner that would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon the Participant. In the event it is reasonably determined by the Committee that, as a result of Section 409A of the Code, the transfer of Shares under this Agreement may not be made at the time contemplated hereunder without causing the Participant to be subject to taxation under Section 409A of the Code (including due to the Participant’s status as a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), the Company will make such payment on the first day that would not result in the Participant incurring any tax liability under Section 409A of the Code.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.

By: _______________________________

PARTICIPANT

By: _______________________________

[Insert Terms of 2023 Long-Term Incentive Program]

EX-10.C

Exhibit 10(c)

2023 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PROGRAM AWARD AGREEMENT

(Phantom Share Grant)

Participant:
Date of Grant:	[Date]	Deemed Share Price:	$XX.XX
Maximum LTIP Award (total):		Target LTIP Award (total):
Maximum Number of Phantom Shares:		Target Number of Phantom Shares:

1.    Grant of LTIP Award. For valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the "Company"), hereby grants the Long-Term Incentive Program award opportunity (the “Award”) listed above to the Participant, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. The Award granted hereunder is made as a standalone award, separate and apart from, and outside of, the 2020 Company Second Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), and shall not constitute an Award granted under or pursuant to that Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms, conditions, and definitions set forth in the Plan and the 2023 Long-Term Incentive Program adopted in connection with the Plan (the “LTIP”), which Plan and LTIP, as amended from time to time, shall apply to the Award as though the Award had been granted under the Plan (including but not limited to the adjustment provision contained in the Plan), and the Award shall be subject to such terms, conditions and definitions which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Award shall not be counted for purposes of calculating the aggregate number of shares that may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards under the Plan or for purposes of calculating the award limitations under the Plan (including pursuant to Section 3 of the Plan). The Award represents an unfunded, unsecured right of the Participant to receive cash payments, all of which shall represent the value of a number of Shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (“Phantom Shares”) on the date(s) specified under the LTIP, subject to the performance and time vesting conditions set forth thereunder. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings as in the Plan or the LTIP, as applicable. A copy of the LTIP is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

2.    Amount of Award; Vesting and Timing of Payments. The target amount of the Award listed above represents the amount of payment of cash in respect of Phantom Shares that the Participant will be eligible to receive if the performance levels achieved during the Performance Period correspond to a payout level of 100% of target under the terms of the LTIP, assuming the time vesting requirements set forth under the LTIP are also met. The actual amount of cash in respect of Phantom Shares payable in respect of the Award may be more or less than the targeted amounts, and the amounts (if any) that become payable under the Award will be paid to the Participant at such times and subject to such performance, and time vesting conditions as set forth under the LTIP.

3.    Adjustments Upon Certain Events. Subject to the terms of the Plan and the LTIP, in the event of any change in the outstanding Shares by reason of any Share dividend or split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, spin-off or combination transaction or exchange of Shares or other similar events (collectively, an "Adjustment Event"), the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, make an appropriate and equitable adjustment in the number of Phantom Shares subject to this Agreement to reflect such Adjustment Event. Any such adjustment made by the Committee shall be final and binding upon the Participant, the Company and all other interested persons.

4.    No Right to Continued Employment. Neither the Plan, the LTIP nor this Agreement shall be construed as giving the Participant the right to be retained in the employ of, or in any consulting relationship to, the Company or any Affiliate. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss the Participant, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, the LTIP or this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.

5.    No Acquired Rights. The Participant acknowledges and accepts that the Board and the Committee have the power to amend or terminate the Plan and the LTIP, to the extent permitted thereunder, at any time and that the granting of this Award to the Participant to participate is entirely at the discretion of the Committee and does not obligate the Company or any of its Affiliates to offer such participation in the future (whether on the same or different terms). The Participant further acknowledges and accepts that this Award is not to be considered part of any normal or expected compensation and that the termination of the Participant's employment under any circumstances whatsoever will give the Participant no claim or right of action against the Company or its Affiliates in respect of any loss of rights under this Agreement, the Plan or the LTIP that may arise as a result of such termination of employment.

6.    No Rights of a Shareholder; Dividend Adjustments.

(a)    The Participant shall have no voting, dividend or other rights or privileges as a shareholder of the Company.

(b)    If on any date while the Award is outstanding hereunder the Company shall pay any dividend on the Shares (other than a dividend payable in Shares), the target number of Phantom Shares covered by this Award shall, as of such dividend payment date, be increased by a number of Phantom Shares equal to: (a) the product of (x) the target number of Phantom Shares previously covered by the Award as of the related dividend record date, multiplied by (y) the per Share amount of any cash dividend (or, in the case of any dividend payable in whole or in part other than in cash, the per Share value of such dividend, as determined in good faith by the Committee), divided by (b) the Fair Market Value of a Phantom Share on the payment date of such dividend. In the case of any dividend declared on Shares that is payable in the form of Shares, the target number of Phantom Shares granted to the Participant under this Award shall be increased by a number equal to the product of (a) the target number of Phantom Shares covered by this Award on the related dividend record date, multiplied by (b) the number of Shares (including any fraction thereof) payable as a dividend on a Share. Any Phantom Shares attributable to dividends under this Section 6(b) shall be subject to the performance and service vesting and payment provisions set forth in Exhibit A.

7.    Transferability. This Award may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and any purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance not permitted by this Section 7 shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.

8.    Withholding. The Participant may be required to pay to the Company or any Affiliate and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold from any transfer of cash due under this Agreement or from any compensation or other amount owing to the Participant, applicable withholding taxes with respect to any transfer under this Agreement and to take such action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant's employment with the Company terminates prior to the payment or transfer of all of the cash under this Agreement, the payment of any applicable withholding taxes with respect to any further payments of cash under this Award shall be made solely through withholding of cash otherwise payable under this Agreement in amounts equal to the statutory minimum withholding liability.

9.    Non-Solicitation Covenants.

(a)    The Participant acknowledges and agrees that, during the Participant's employment with the Company and its Affiliates and upon the Participant's termination of employment with the Company and its Affiliates for any reason, for a period commencing on the termination of such employment and ending on the second anniversary of such termination, the Participant shall not, whether on Participant's own behalf or on behalf of or in conjunction with any person, company, business entity or other organization whatsoever, directly or indirectly:

(i)    solicit any employee of the Company or its Affiliates with whom the Participant had any contact during the last two years of the Participant's employment, or who worked in the same business segment or division as the Participant during that period to terminate employment with the Company or its Affiliates;

(ii)    solicit the employment or services of, or hire, any such employee whose employment with the Company or its Affiliates terminated coincident with, or within twelve (12) months prior to or after the termination of Participant's employment with the Company and its Affiliates;

(iii)    directly or indirectly, solicit to cease to work with the Company or its Affiliates any consultant then under contract with the Company or its Affiliates.

(b)    It is expressly understood and agreed that although the Participant and the Company consider the restrictions contained in this Section 10 to be reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of competent jurisdiction that the time or any other restriction contained in this Agreement is an unenforceable restriction against the Participant, the provisions of this Agreement shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed amended to apply as to such maximum time and terri‐tory and to such maximum extent as such court may judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable. Alternatively, if any court of competent jurisdiction finds that any restric‐tion contained in this Agreement is unenforceable, and such restriction cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained herein.

10.    Specific Performance. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company's remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 9 would be inadequate and the Company would suffer irreparable damages as a result of such breach or threatened breach. In recognition of this fact, the Participant agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to cease making any payments or providing any benefit otherwise required by this Agreement and obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available.

11.    Choice of Law. THE INTERPRETATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

12.    Plan and LTIP. By entering into this Agreement, the Participant agrees and acknowledges that a copy of the Plan and the LTIP has been made available to the Participant. In the event of a conflict between any term or provision contained herein and a term or provision of the Plan or LTIP, the applicable terms and provisions of the Plan and LTIP will govern and prevail.

13.    Signature in Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

14.    409A. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the Plan or the LTIP, this Award shall not be deferred, accelerated, extended, paid out or modified in a manner that would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon the Participant. In the event it is reasonably determined by the Committee that, as a result of Section 409A of the Code, the payment of cash under this Agreement may not be made at the time contemplated hereunder without causing the Participant to be subject to taxation under Section 409A of the Code (including due to the Participant’s status as a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), the Company will make such payment on the first day that would not result in the Participant incurring any tax liability under Section 409A of the Code.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.

By: _______________________________

PARTICIPANT

By: _______________________________

[Insert Terms of 2023 Long-Term Incentive Program]

EX-31.A

CERTIFICATIONS

Exhibit 31(a)

I, Ara K. Hovnanian, certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 31, 2023 of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (the “registrant”);

2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 6, 2023

/s/ARA K. HOVNANIAN
Ara K. Hovnanian
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.B

CERTIFICATIONS

Exhibit 31(b)

I, J. Larry Sorsby, certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 31, 2023 of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (the “registrant”);

2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 6, 2023

/s/J. LARRY SORSBY
J. Larry Sorsby
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.A

Exhibit 32(a)

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10‑Q for the period ended January 31, 2023 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Ara K. Hovnanian, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: March 6, 2023

/s/ARA K. HOVNANIAN
Ara K. Hovnanian
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.B

Exhibit 32(b)

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10‑Q for the period ended January 31, 2023 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, J. Larry Sorsby, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: March 6, 2023

/s/J. LARRY SORSBY
J. Larry Sorsby
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

XML

Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Mar. 01, 2023
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0000357294
Entity Registrant Name	HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2023
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-8551
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	22-1851059
Entity Address, Address Line One	90 Matawan Road, 5th Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	Matawan
Entity Address, State or Province	NJ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	07747
City Area Code	732
Local Phone Number	747-7800
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		720,307
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Stock Purchase Rights(1)
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
No Trading Symbol Flag	true
Depository Shares [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Depositary Shares each representing 1/1,000th of a share of 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock
Trading Symbol	HOVNP
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Trading Symbol	HOV
Security Exchange Name	NYSE

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022
ASSETS
Property and equipment, net	$ 28,089	$ 25,819
Assets	2,435,185	2,562,030
Assets	2,435,185	2,562,030
Deferred tax assets, net	347,369	344,793
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Senior notes and credit facilities (net of discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs)	1,145,261	1,146,547
Liabilities	2,039,388	2,178,979
Liabilities	2,039,388	2,178,979
Income taxes payable	4,991	3,167
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value - authorized 100,000 shares; issued and outstanding 5,600 shares with a liquidation preference of $140,000 at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022	135,299	135,299
Paid in capital - common stock	729,158	727,663
Accumulated deficit	(336,366)	(352,413)
Treasury stock - at cost – 901,379 shares of Class A common stock at January 31, 2023 and 782,901 shares at October 31, 2022; 27,669 shares of Class B common stock at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022	(132,382)	(127,582)
Total Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. stockholders’ equity	395,778	383,036
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures	19	15
Total equity	395,797	383,051
Total liabilities and equity	2,435,185	2,562,030
Common Class A [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Common Stock	62	62
Common Class B [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Common Stock	7	7
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	234,929	326,198
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	8,154	13,382
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	1,066,455	1,058,183
Land and land options held for future development or sale	125,561	152,406
Consolidated inventory not owned	315,022	308,595
Total inventories	1,507,038	1,519,184
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	101,013	74,940
Receivables, deposits and notes, net	37,577	37,837
Prepaid expenses and other assets	58,260	63,884
Assets	1,975,060	2,061,244
Assets	1,975,060	2,061,244
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	331,314	439,952
Customers’ deposits	71,243	74,020
Liabilities from inventory not owned, net of debt issuance costs	209,579	202,492
Senior notes and credit facilities (net of discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs)	1,145,261	1,146,547
Accrued interest	52,036	32,415
Liabilities	1,943,319	2,040,231
Liabilities	1,943,319	2,040,231
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured By Inventory [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Secured Debt, Total	133,886	144,805
Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	4,682
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	31,516
Assets	112,756	155,993
Assets	112,756	155,993
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities	91,078	135,581
Liabilities	$ 91,078	$ 135,581

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	5,600	5,600
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	5,600	5,600
Preferred stock, liquidation preference	$ 140	$ 140
Common Class A [Member]
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	16,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	6,178,146	6,159,886
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares held in Treasury (in shares)	901,379	782,901
Common Class B [Member]
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	2,400,000	2,400,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	747,994	733,374
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares held in Treasury (in shares)	27,669	27,669

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Revenues		$ 515,366	$ 565,313
Total expenses		504,479	538,103
Corporate general and administrative		25,490	29,435
Other interest expensed	[1],[2]	15,093	13,393
Other expenses, net		386	368
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures		7,160	8,191
Income before income taxes		18,047	35,401
Tax provision (benefit)		(669)	10,593
Net income		18,716	24,808
Less: preferred stock dividends		2,669	2,669
Net income available to common stockholders		$ 16,047	$ 22,139
Net income per common share (in dollars per share)		$ 2.37	$ 3.12
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding basic (in shares)		6,186	6,389
Net income per common share (in dollars per share)		$ 2.26	$ 3.07
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)		6,468	6,501
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Tax provision (benefit)		$ 2,211	$ 2,543
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Tax provision (benefit)		(2,880)	8,050
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues		503,202	552,004
Cost of sales, excluding interest		391,040	427,917
Cost of sales interest		15,022	13,745
Inventory impairments and land option write-offs		477	99
Total cost of sales		406,539	441,761
Selling, general and administrative		47,918	42,746
Total expenses		454,457	484,507
Homebuilding [Member] | Sale of Homes [Member]
Revenues		499,645	551,366
Homebuilding [Member] | Land Sales and Other Revenues [Member]
Revenues		3,557	638
Financial Services [Member]
Revenues		12,164	13,309
Total expenses		$ 9,053	$ 10,400

[1] Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest, is the sum of other interest expensed, as defined above, and interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries adjusted for the change in accrued interest on notes payable, which is calculated as follows:

[2] Other interest expensed includes interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt, which amounted to $6.6 million and $11.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Other interest also includes interest on completed homes, land in planning and fully developed lots without homes under construction, which does not qualify for capitalization and therefore is expensed as incurred. This component of other interest was $8.5 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock Outstanding [Member] Common Class A [Member]	Common Stock Outstanding [Member] Common Class B [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Common Class A [Member]	Total
Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2021	5,595,734	659,207	5,600
Balance at Oct. 31, 2021	$ 61	$ 7	$ 135,299	$ 722,118	$ (567,228)	$ (115,360)	$ 487		$ 175,384
Stock options, amortization and issuances (in shares)	804
Stock options, amortization and issuances				4					4
Preferred dividend declared ($476.56 per share)					(2,669)				(2,669)
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures (in shares)	17,654	17,445
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures				(552)					(552)
Changes in noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures							(88)		(88)
Net income (loss)					24,808				24,808
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock (in shares)	48	(48)
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock									0
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 31, 2022	5,614,240	676,604	5,600
Balance at Jan. 31, 2022	$ 61	$ 7	$ 135,299	721,570	(545,089)	(115,360)	399		196,887
Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2022	5,376,985	705,705	5,600
Balance at Oct. 31, 2022	$ 62	$ 7	$ 135,299	727,663	(352,413)	(127,582)	15		383,051
Stock options, amortization and issuances (in shares)	209
Stock options, amortization and issuances				8					8
Preferred dividend declared ($476.56 per share)					(2,669)				(2,669)
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures (in shares)	18,051	14,620
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures				1,487					1,487
Changes in noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures							4		4
Share repurchases (in shares)	(118,478)							118,478
Share repurchases						(4,800)		$ (4,800)	(4,800)
Net income (loss)					18,716				18,716
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 31, 2023	5,276,767	720,325	5,600
Balance at Jan. 31, 2023	$ 62	$ 7	$ 135,299	$ 729,158	$ (336,366)	$ (132,382)	$ 19		$ 395,797

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 476.56	$ 476.56

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 18,716	$ 24,808
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	1,410	1,175
Stock-based compensation	2,070	1,635
Amortization of debt discounts, premiums and deferred financing costs	330	(280)
Gain on sale of property and assets	(14)	(5)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(7,160)	(8,191)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	692	2,100
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures	0	62
Decrease (Increase) in assets:
Inventories	11,669	(159,227)
Receivables, deposits and notes	5,772	(2,139)
Origination of mortgage loans	(215,477)	(272,877)
Sale of mortgage loans	251,923	342,090
Deferred tax assets	(2,576)	9,465
(Decrease) increase in liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued interest and other liabilities	(98,125)	(70,490)
Customers’ deposits	(2,777)	14,924
State income tax payable	1,824	1,122
Net cash used in operating activities	(31,246)	(115,729)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and assets	69	5
Purchase of property, equipment, and other fixed assets	(3,740)	(2,453)
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures, net of reimbursements	(22,238)	(1,033)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,633	554
Net cash used in investing activities	(23,276)	(2,927)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from mortgages and notes	57,704	136,021
Payments related to mortgages and notes	(68,958)	(63,892)
Proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs	1,310	8,737
Payments related to model sale leaseback financing programs	(3,303)	(3,553)
Proceeds from land bank financing programs	21,317	21,425
Payments related to land bank financing programs	(12,553)	(13,642)
Payments for partner distributions to consolidated joint venture	0	(150)
Preferred dividends paid	(2,669)	(2,669)
Repurchases of common stock	(4,800)	0
Deferred financing costs from land banking financing programs and note issuances	(464)	(1,848)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(48,387)	17,118
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents	(102,909)	(101,538)
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period	382,190	311,396
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	279,281	209,858
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows:
Interest, net of capitalized interest (see Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)	(3,904)	(5,254)
Income taxes	84	7
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	279,281	209,858
Homebuilding [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Inventory impairments and land option write-offs	477	99
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows:
Cash and cash equivalents	234,929	137,898
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	8,154	14,260
Financial Services [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments related to mortgage warehouse lines of credit	(35,971)	(63,311)
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows:
Cash and cash equivalents	4,682	6,846
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$ 31,516	$ 50,854

XML

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

1. Basis of Presentation

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (“HEI”) conducts all of its homebuilding and financial services operations through its subsidiaries (references herein to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to HEI and its consolidated subsidiaries and should be understood to reflect the consolidated business of HEI’s subsidiaries). Historically, the Company had seven reportable segments consisting of six homebuilding segments (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West) and its financial services segment. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we realigned our homebuilding operating segments and determined that, in addition to our financial services segment, we now had three reportable homebuilding segments comprised of (1) Northeast, (2) Southeast and (3) West (see Note 17). All prior period amounts related to the segment change have been retrospectively reclassified to conform to the new presentation.

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include HEI's accounts and those of all of its consolidated subsidiaries after elimination of all intercompany balances and transactions. Noncontrolling interest represents the proportionate equity interest in a consolidated joint venture that is not 100% owned by the Company directly or indirectly.

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, and accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. In the opinion of management, all adjustments for interim periods presented have been made, which include normal recurring accruals and deferrals necessary for a fair presentation of our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and these differences could have a significant impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results which might be expected for a full year.  

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Note 2 - Stock Compensation

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Text Block]

2. Stock Compensation

During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the Board of Directors approved certain grants under a new Long-Term Incentive Program (the “2023 LTIP”) that contain performance-based vesting conditions. The performance period for the 2023 LTIP commenced on November 1, 2022 and will end on October 31, 2025. At the end of the performance period, 50% of the awards, if any, are payable in cash-settled phantom shares and the remaining 50% of the awards, if any, are payable in shares of Company stock, subject to a mandatory two-year post-vesting hold period.

For the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, stock-based compensation expense was $2.1 million (pre and post tax) and $1.6 million ($1.1 million, net of tax), respectively. Included in stock-based compensation expense was $8 thousand and $45 thousand of stock option expense for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

XML

Note 3 - Interest

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Home Building Interest [Text Block]

3. Interest

Interest costs incurred, expensed and capitalized were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Interest capitalized at beginning of period	$	59,600		$	58,159
Plus interest incurred(1)		34,326			32,783
Less cost of sales interest expensed		(15,022	)		(13,745	)
Less other interest expensed(2)(3)		(15,093	)		(13,393	)
Less interest contributed to unconsolidated joint venture(4)		(3,016	)		-
Interest capitalized at end of period(5)	$	60,795		$	63,804

(1)

Data does not include interest incurred by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries.

(2)

Other interest expensed includes interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt, which amounted to $6.6 million and $11.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Other interest also includes interest on completed homes, land in planning and fully developed lots without homes under construction, which does not qualify for capitalization and therefore is expensed as incurred. This component of other interest was $8.5 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(3) Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest, is the sum of other interest expensed, as defined above, and interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries adjusted for the change in accrued interest on notes payable, which is calculated as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Other interest expensed	$	15,093		$	13,393
Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries		624			468
Increase in accrued interest		(19,621	)		(19,115	)
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	$	(3,904	)	$	(5,254	)

(4)	Represents capitalized interest which was included as part of the assets contributed to joint ventures, as discussed in Note 18. There was no impact to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a result of these transactions.
(5)	Capitalized interest amounts are shown gross before allocating any portion of impairments, if any, to capitalized interest.

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Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Inventory Impairments and Land Option Cost Write-offs [Text Block]

4. Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value

During the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, we had 361 and 382 communities under development and held for future development or sale, which we evaluated for indicators of impairment. We did not identify impairment indicators for any community during the three months ended  January 31, 2023 or 2022.

We write off certain costs when communities are redesigned, abandoned or we do not exercise our options. Total aggregate write-offs related to these items were $0.5 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The number of lots walked away from during the three months ended  January 31, 2023 and 2022 were 2,182 and 420, respectively. The walk-aways occurred across each of our segments for both periods.

We decide to mothball (or stop development on) certain communities when we determine that the current performance does not justify further investment at the time. During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we did not mothball any communities, nor did we sell or re-activate any previously mothballed communities. As of both January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, the net aggregate book value of our two mothballed communities was $1.4 million, which was net of impairments in prior periods of $20.3 million.

We sell and lease back certain of our model homes with the right to participate in the potential profit when each home is sold to a third party at the end of the respective lease. As a result of our continued involvement, these sale and leaseback transactions are considered a financing rather than a sale. Our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022 included inventory of $47.4 million and $48.5 million, respectively, recorded to “Consolidated inventory not owned,” with a corresponding amount of $49.3 million and $51.2 million, respectively, recorded to “Liabilities from inventory not owned” for the amount of net cash received from the transactions.

We have land banking arrangements, whereby we sell our land parcels to the land bankers and they provide us an option to purchase back finished lots on a predetermined schedule. Because of our options to repurchase these parcels, these transactions are considered a financing rather than a sale. Our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022 included inventory of $267.6 million and $260.1 million, respectively, recorded to “Consolidated inventory not owned,” with a corresponding amount of $160.3 million and $151.3 million, respectively, recorded to “Liabilities from inventory not owned” for the amount of net cash received from the transactions.

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Note 5 - Variable Interest Entities

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Variable Interest Entity Disclosure [Text Block]

5. Variable Interest Entities

The Company enters into land and lot option purchase contracts to procure land or lots for the construction of homes. Under these contracts, we will fund a stated deposit in consideration for the right, but not the obligation, to purchase land or lots at a future point in time with predetermined terms. Under the terms of the option purchase contracts, many of the option deposits are not refundable at our discretion. Certain option purchase contracts may result in the creation of a variable interest in the entity (“VIE”) that owns the land parcel under option.

We analyze our option purchase contracts to determine whether the corresponding land sellers are VIEs and, if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. Although the Company does not have legal title to the underlying land, we are required to consolidate a VIE if we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. In determining whether it is the primary beneficiary, the Company considers, among other things, whether it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and whether we have the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. As a result of our analyses, we have concluded the Company is not the primary beneficiary of any VIEs from which it is purchasing land under option purchase contracts.

Including deposits on our unconsolidated VIEs, at January 31, 2023, we had total cash deposits amounting to $187.7 million to purchase land and lots with a total purchase price of $1.8 billion. The maximum exposure to loss with respect to our land and lot options is limited to the deposits plus any pre-development costs invested in the property.

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Note 6 - Warranty Costs

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block]

6. Warranty Costs

We have an owner-controlled insurance program for certain of our subcontractors whereby the subcontractors pay us an insurance premium (through a reduction of amounts we would otherwise owe such subcontractors for their work on our homes) based on the risk type of the trade. We absorb the liability associated with their work on our homes as part of our overall general liability insurance at no additional cost to us because our existing general liability and construction defect insurance policy and related reserves for amounts under our deductible covers construction defects regardless of whether we or our subcontractors are responsible for the defect. For the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, we received $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively, from subcontractors related to the owner-controlled insurance program, which we accounted for as reductions to inventory.

We accrue for warranty costs that are covered under our existing general liability and construction defect policy as part of our general liability insurance deductible. For homes to be delivered in fiscal 2023 and previously delivered in 2022, our deductible under our general liability insurance is or was $25.0 million, aggregate for construction defect and warranty claims. For bodily injury claims, our deductible per occurrence in fiscal 2023 and 2022 is or was $0.5 million, up to a $5.0 million limit in California and $0.25 million, up to a $5.0 million limit in all other states. Our aggregate retention for construction defect, warranty and bodily injury claims is or was $25.0 million for fiscal 2023 and 2022. In addition, we establish a warranty accrual for lower cost-related issues to cover home repairs, community amenities and land development infrastructure that are not covered under our general liability and construction defect policy. We accrue an estimate for these warranty costs at the time each home is closed and control is transferred to the homebuyer. Additions and charges in the warranty reserve and general liability reserve for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Balance, beginning of period	$	97,718		$	94,916
Additions – Selling, general and administrative		1,577			2,216
Additions – Cost of sales		1,303			1,424
Charges incurred during the period		(8,802	)		(4,154	)
Changes to pre-existing reserves		(729	)		(1,049	)
Balance, end of period	$	91,067		$	93,353

The majority of the charges incurred during the first quarter of fiscal 2023 represented payments for construction defects related to the settlement of two litigation matters. Insurance claims paid by our insurance carriers, excluding insurance deductibles paid, were less than $0.1 million for both the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 for prior year deliveries.

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Note 7 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

7. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and we are subject to extensive and complex laws and regulations that affect the development of land and home building, sales and customer financing processes, including zoning, density, building standards and mortgage financing. These laws and regulations often provide broad discretion to the administering governmental authorities. This can delay or increase the cost of development or homebuilding. The significant majority of our litigation matters are related to construction defect claims. Our estimated losses from construction defect litigation matters, if any, are included in our construction defect reserves.

We also are subject to a variety of local, state, federal and foreign laws and regulations concerning protection of health and the environment, including those regulating the emission or discharge of materials into the environment, the management of storm water runoff at construction sites, the handling, use, storage and disposal of hazardous substances, impacts to wetlands and other sensitive environments, and the remediation of contamination at properties that we have owned or developed or currently own or are developing (“environmental laws”). The particular environmental laws that apply to a site may vary greatly according to the community site, for example, due to the community, the environmental conditions at or near the site, and the present and former uses of the site. These environmental laws may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance, remediation and/or other costs, and can prohibit or severely restrict development and homebuilding activity. In addition, noncompliance with these laws and regulations could result in fines and penalties, obligations to remediate or take corrective action, permit revocations or other sanctions; and contamination or other environmental conditions at or in the vicinity of our developments may result in claims against us for personal injury, property damage or other losses.

We anticipate that increasingly stringent requirements will continue to be imposed on developers and homebuilders in the future. In addition, some of these laws and regulations that significantly affect how certain properties may be developed are contentious, attract intense political attention, and may be subject to significant changes over time. For example, regulations governing wetlands permitting under the federal Clean Water Act have been the subject of extensive rulemakings for many years, resulting in several major joint rulemakings by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that have expanded and contracted the scope of wetlands subject to regulation; and such rulemakings have been the subject of many legal challenges, some of which remain pending. It is unclear how these and related developments, including at the state or local level, ultimately may affect the scope of regulated wetlands where we operate. Although we cannot reliably predict the extent of any effect these developments regarding wetlands, or any other requirements that may take effect, may have on us, they could result in time-consuming and expensive compliance programs and in substantial expenditures, which could cause delays and increase our cost of operations. In addition, our ability to obtain or renew permits or approvals and the continued effectiveness of permits already granted or approvals already obtained is dependent upon many factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as changes in policies, rules and regulations and their interpretations and application.

In 2015, the condominium association of the Four Seasons at Great Notch condominium community (the “Great Notch Plaintiff”) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Passaic County (the “Court”) alleging various construction defects, design defects, and geotechnical issues relating to the community. The operative complaint (“Complaint”) asserts claims against Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and several of its affiliates, including K. Hovnanian at Great Notch, LLC, K. Hovnanian Construction Management, Inc., and K. Hovnanian Companies, LLC. The Complaint also asserts claims against various other design professionals and contractors. The Special Masters appointed by the Court to decide non-dispositive motions issued an opinion that (a) granted the Great Notch Plaintiff’s motion to permit it to assert a claim to pierce the corporate veil of K. Hovnanian at Great Notch, LLC to hold its alleged parent entities liable for any damages awarded against it, and (b) further stated that the Great Notch Plaintiff is not permitted to pursue that claim until after any trial on the underlying liability claims. To date, the Hovnanian-affiliated defendants have reached a partial settlement with the Great Notch Plaintiff as to a portion of the Great Notch Plaintiff’s claims against them for an amount immaterial to the Company. On its remaining claims against the Hovnanian-affiliated defendants, the Great Notch Plaintiff has asserted damages of approximately $119.5 million, which amount is potentially subject to treble damages pursuant to the Great Notch Plaintiff’s claim under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. The trial had been scheduled for April 17, 2023; however, the Court has adjourned the trial and has not yet set a new date. The Hovnanian-affiliated defendants intend to defend these claims vigorously.

In December 2020, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ("NJDEP") and the Administrator of the New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund (the “Spill Fund”) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Union County against Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., in addition to other unrelated parties, in connection with contamination at Hickory Manor, a residential condominium development. Alleged predecessors of certain defendants had used the Hickory Manor property for decades for manufacturing purposes. In 1998, NJDEP confirmed that groundwater at this site was impacted from an off-site source. The site was later remediated, resulting in the NJDEP issuing an unconditional site-wide No Further Action determination letter and Covenant Not to Sue in 1999. Subsequently, one of our affiliates was involved in redeveloping the property as a residential community. The complaint asserts claims under the New Jersey Spill Act and other state law claims and alleges that the NJDEP and the Spill Fund have incurred over $5.3 million since 2009 to investigate vapor intrusion at the development and to install vapor mitigation systems. Among other things, the complaint seeks recovery of the costs incurred, an order that defendants perform additional required remediation and disgorgement of profits on our affiliate’s sales of the units in the development. Discovery is ongoing. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. intends to defend these claims vigorously.

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Note 8 - Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Customer's Deposits

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Cash and Cash Equivalents Disclosure [Text Block]

8. Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Customer's Deposits

Cash equivalents include certificates of deposit, U.S. Treasury bills and government money–market funds with maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. Our cash balances are held at a few financial institutions and may, at times, exceed insurable amounts. We believe we help to mitigate this risk by depositing our cash in major high credit quality financial institutions. At January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, $13.9 million and $13.4 million, respectively, of our total cash and cash equivalents was in cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents.

Homebuilding "Restricted cash and cash equivalents" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $8.2 million and $13.4 million as of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively, which primarily consists of cash collateralizing our letter of credit agreements and facilities (see Note 12).

Financial services restricted cash and cash equivalents, which are included in "Financial services" assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, totaled $31.5 million and $36.1 million as of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively. Included in these balances were (1) financial services customers’ deposits of $28.4 million at January 31, 2023 and $29.7 million as of  October 31, 2022, respectively, which are subject to restrictions on our use, and (2) restricted cash under the terms of our mortgage warehouse lines of credit of $3.1 million at January 31, 2023 and $6.4 million as of October 31, 2022, respectively. 

Homebuilding "Customers deposits" are shown as a liability on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. These liabilities are significantly more than the applicable periods’ restricted cash balances because in some states the deposits are not restricted from use and, in other states, we are able to release the majority of these customer deposits to cash by pledging letters of credit and surety bonds.

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Note 9 - Leases

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block]

9. Leases

We rent certain office space for use in our operations. Our lease population at  January 31, 2023 is comprised of operating leases where we are the lessee, primarily for our corporate office and division offices.

Lease costs are included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, primarily in "Selling, general and administrative" homebuilding expenses and payments on our lease liabilities are presented in the table below. Our short-term lease costs and sublease income are de minimis.

	Three Months Ended January 31,
(In thousands)	2023		2022
Operating lease costs	$	2,859	$	2,588
Cash payments on lease liabilities	$	2,386	$	2,440

Operating right-of-use lease assets ("ROU assets") are classified within "Prepaid expenses and other assets" on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, while lease liabilities are classified within "Accounts payable and other liabilities". During the three months ended January 31, 2023, the Company recorded a net increase of $0.4 million to both its ROU assets and lease liabilities as a result of new leases and lease renewals that commenced during the period. The following table contains additional information about our leases:

(In thousands)	January 31, 2023			October 31, 2022
ROU assets	$	17,650		$	17,899
Lease liabilities	$	18,498		$	18,862
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)		3.4			3.5
Weighted-average discount rate		9.5	%		9.5	%

Maturities of our operating lease liabilities as of January 31, 2023 are as follows:

Fiscal Year Ended October 31,	(In thousands)
2023 (excluding the three months ended January 31, 2023)	$	6,321
2024		5,779
2025		4,653
2026		3,111
2027		1,863
Total operating lease payments (1)		21,727
Less: imputed interest		(3,229	)
Present value of operating lease liabilities	$	18,498

(1) Lease payments exclude $13.7 million of legally binding minimum lease payments for office leases signed but not yet commenced as of January 31, 2023. The related ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are not reflected on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2023.

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Note 10 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]

10. Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

Our wholly owned mortgage banking subsidiary, K. Hovnanian American Mortgage, LLC (“K. Hovnanian Mortgage”), originates mortgage loans, primarily from the sale of our homes. Such mortgage loans are sold in the secondary mortgage market within a short period of time of origination. Mortgage loans held for sale are collateralized by the underlying property. Loans held for sale are recorded at fair value with the changes in the value recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in “Financial services” revenue. We currently use forward sales of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), interest rate commitments from borrowers and forward commitments to sell loans to third parties to protect us from interest rate fluctuations. 

At January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, $58.0 million and $92.5 million, respectively, of mortgages held for sale were pledged against our mortgage warehouse lines of credit (see Note 11). We may incur losses with respect to mortgages that were previously sold that are delinquent and which had underwriting defects, but only to the extent the losses are not covered by mortgage insurance or the resale value of the home. The reserves for these estimated losses are included in “Financial services” liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of both   January 31, 2023 and 2022, we had reserves specifically for 14 identified mortgage loans, as well as reserves for an estimate of future losses on mortgages sold but not yet identified to us.

The activity in our loan origination reserves during the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023		2022
Loan origination reserves, beginning of period	$	1,795	$	1,632
Provisions for losses during the period		32		41
Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates		-		-
Loan origination reserves, end of period	$	1,827	$	1,673

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Note 11 - Mortgages

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Line of Credit [Text Block]

11. Mortgages

Nonrecourse

We have nonrecourse mortgage loans for certain communities totaling $133.9 million and $144.8 million, net of debt issuance costs, at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively, which are secured by the related real property, including any improvements, with an aggregate book value of $416.1 million and $418.9 million, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on these obligations was 7.7% and 6.7% at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively, and the mortgage loan payments on each community primarily correspond to home deliveries.

Mortgage Loans

K. Hovnanian Mortgage originates mortgage loans primarily from the sale of our homes. Such mortgage loans and related servicing rights are generally sold in the secondary mortgage market within a short period of time. K. Hovnanian Mortgage finances the origination of mortgage loans through various master repurchase agreements, which are recorded in "Financial services" liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Our secured Master Repurchase Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“Chase Master Repurchase Agreement”), which was amended on January 31, 2023 to extend the maturity date to January 31, 2024, is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $50.0 million. The loan is secured by the mortgages held for sale and is repaid when we sell the underlying mortgage loans to permanent investors. Interest is payable monthly on outstanding advances at an adjusted Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), which was 4.63% at January 31, 2023, plus the applicable margin of 2.25% to 2.375%. As of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Chase Master Repurchase Agreement was $15.7 million and $14.1 million, respectively.

K. Hovnanian Mortgage has another secured Master Repurchase Agreement with Customers Bank (“Customers Master Repurchase Agreement”) which is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $50.0 million through its maturity on March 8, 2023, which we expect to be renewed for a one year term. The loan is secured by the mortgages held for sale and is repaid when we sell the underlying mortgage loans to permanent investors. Interest is payable daily or as loans are sold to permanent investors on outstanding advances at the current Bloomberg Short Term Bank Yield Index ("BSBY") rate, plus the applicable margin ranging from 2.125% to 4.5% based on the type of loan and the number of days outstanding on the warehouse line. As of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Customers Master Repurchase Agreement was $20.3 million and $43.1 million, respectively.

K. Hovnanian Mortgage also has a secured Master Repurchase Agreement with Comerica Bank (“Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement”) which was amended on January 12, 2023 to extend the maturity date to January 10, 2024, and is a short-term borrowing facility through its maturity. The Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement provides up to $60.0 million on the 15th day of the last month of the Company's fiscal quarters and reverts back to up to $50.0 million 30 days thereafter. The loan is secured by the mortgages held for sale and is repaid when we sell the underlying mortgage loans to permanent investors. Interest is payable monthly at the daily adjusting BSBY rate, subject to a floor of 0.50%, plus the applicable margin of 1.75% or 3.25% based upon the type of loan. As of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement was $22.4 million and $37.1 million, respectively.

The Chase Master Repurchase Agreement, Customers Master Repurchase Agreement and Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement (together, the “Master Repurchase Agreements”) require K. Hovnanian Mortgage to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial condition tests. Because of the extremely short period of time mortgages are held by K. Hovnanian Mortgage before the mortgages are sold to investors (generally a period of a few weeks), the immateriality to us on a consolidated basis of the size of the Master Repurchase Agreements, the levels required by these financial covenants, our ability based on our immediately available resources to contribute sufficient capital to cure any default, were such conditions to occur, and our right to cure any conditions of default based on the terms of the applicable agreement, we do not consider any of these covenants to be substantive or material. As of January 31, 2023, we believe we were in compliance with the covenants under the Master Repurchase Agreements.

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Note 12 - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Long-Term Debt [Text Block]

12. Senior Notes and Credit Facilities

Senior notes and credit facilities balances as of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, were as follows:

	January 31,			October 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Senior Secured Notes:
10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due November 15, 2025	$	158,502		$	158,502
7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		250,000			250,000
10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		282,322			282,322
11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		162,269			162,269
Total Senior Secured Notes	$	853,093		$	853,093
Senior Notes:
8.0% Senior Notes due November 1, 2027 (1)	$	-		$	-
13.5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2026		90,590			90,590
5.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2040		90,120			90,120
Total Senior Notes	$	180,710		$	180,710
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility due February 1, 2027	$	39,551		$	39,551
Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility due January 31, 2028	$	81,498		$	81,498
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility (2)	$	-		$	-
Subtotal senior notes and credit facilities	$	1,154,852		$	1,154,852
Net (discounts) premiums	$	1,930		$	4,079
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$	(11,521	)	$	(12,384	)
Total senior notes and credit facilities, net of discounts, premiums and unamortized debt issuance costs	$	1,145,261		$	1,146,547

(1) $26.0 million of 8.0% Senior Notes due 2027 (the "8.0% 2027 Notes") are owned by a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary of HEI. Therefore, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, such notes are not reflected on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets of HEI.

(2) At January 31, 2023, provides for up to $125.0 million in aggregate amount of senior secured first lien revolving loans. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we amended our Secured Credit Facility, which amendments became effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. As amended, the revolving loans thereunder have a maturity of June 30, 2024 and borrowings bear interest, at K. Hovnanian’s option, at either (i) a term secured overnight financing rate (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus an applicable margin of 4.50% or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin of 3.50%. In addition, K. Hovnanian will pay an unused commitment fee on the undrawn revolving commitments at a rate of 1.00% per annum.

General

Except for K. Hovnanian, the issuer of the notes and borrower under the Credit Facilities (as defined below), our home mortgage subsidiaries, certain of our title insurance subsidiaries, joint ventures and subsidiaries holding interests in our joint ventures, we and each of our subsidiaries are guarantors of the Credit Facilities, the senior secured notes and senior notes outstanding at January 31, 2023 (except for the 8.0% 2027 Notes which are not guaranteed by K. Hovnanian at Sunrise Trail III, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) (collectively, the “Notes Guarantors”).

The credit agreements governing the Credit Facilities and the indentures governing the senior secured and senior notes (together, the “Debt Instruments”) outstanding at January 31, 2023 do not contain any financial maintenance covenants, but do contain restrictive covenants that limit, among other things, the ability of HEI and certain of its subsidiaries, including K. Hovnanian, to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends and make distributions on common and preferred stock, repay/repurchase certain indebtedness prior to its respective stated maturity, repurchase (including through exchanges) common and preferred stock, make other restricted payments (including investments), sell certain assets (including in certain land banking transactions), incur liens, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. The Debt Instruments also contain customary events of default which would permit the lenders or holders thereof to exercise remedies with respect to the collateral (as applicable), declare the loans made under the Unsecured Term Loan Facility (defined below) (the “Unsecured Term Loans”), loans made under the Secured Term Loan Facility (defined below) (the “Secured Term Loans”) and loans made under the Secured Credit Agreement (as defined below) (the “Secured Revolving Loans”) or notes to be immediately due and payable if not cured within applicable grace periods, including the failure to make timely payments on the Unsecured Term Loans, Secured Term Loans, Secured Revolving Loans or notes or other material indebtedness, cross default to other material indebtedness, the failure to comply with agreements and covenants and specified events of bankruptcy and insolvency, with respect to the Unsecured Term Loans, Secured Term Loans and Secured Revolving Loans, material inaccuracy of representations and warranties and with respect to the Unsecured Term Loans, Secured Term Loans and Secured Revolving Loans, a change of control, and, with respect to the Secured Term Loans, Secured Revolving Loans and senior secured notes, the failure of the documents granting security for the obligations under the secured Debt Instruments to be in full force and effect, and the failure of the liens on any material portion of the collateral securing the obligations under the secured Debt Instruments to be valid and perfected. As of January 31, 2023, we believe we were in compliance with the covenants of the Debt Instruments.

If our consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio is less than 2.0 to 1.0, as defined in the applicable Debt Instrument, we are restricted from making certain payments, including dividends (in each such case, our secured debt leverage ratio must also be less than 4.0 to 1.0), and from incurring indebtedness other than certain permitted indebtedness and nonrecourse indebtedness. Beginning as of October 31, 2021, as a result of our improved operating results, our fixed coverage ratio was above 2.0 to 1.0 and our secured debt leverage ratio was below 4.0 to 1.0, therefore we were no longer restricted from paying dividends. As such, we made dividend payments of $2.7 million to preferred shareholders in the first quarter of both fiscal 2023 and 2022. Market conditions continue to adversely impact our business, and it is therefore likely that by the end of fiscal 2023 we will be restricted under our Debt Instruments from continuing to pay dividends on our Series A preferred stock. Dividends on the Series A preferred stock are not cumulative and, accordingly, if for any reason we do not declare a dividend on the Series A preferred stock for a quarterly dividend period (regardless of our availability of funds), holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have no right to receive a dividend for that period, and we will have no obligation to pay a dividend for that period.

Under the terms of our Debt Instruments, we have the right to make certain redemptions and prepayments and, depending on market conditions, our strategic priorities and covenant restrictions, may do so from time to time. We also continue to actively analyze and evaluate our capital structure and explore transactions to simplify our capital structure and to strengthen our balance sheet, including those that reduce leverage, interest rates and/or extend maturities, and will seek to do so with the right opportunity. We may also continue to make debt or equity purchases and/or exchanges from time to time through tender offers, exchange offers, redemptions, open market purchases, private transactions, or otherwise, or seek to raise additional debt or equity capital, depending on market conditions and covenant restrictions.

Secured Obligations

On October 31, 2019, K. Hovnanian, HEI, the Notes Guarantors, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent, and affiliates of certain investment managers (the “Investors”), as lenders, entered into a credit agreement (the “Secured Credit Agreement” and, together with the Unsecured Term Loan Facility (defined below) and the Secured Term Loan Facility, the “Credit Facilities”) providing for up to $125.0 million in aggregate amount of Secured Revolving Loans to be used for general corporate purposes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein. Secured Revolving Loans are to be borrowed by K. Hovnanian and guaranteed by the Notes Guarantors. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we amended our Secured Credit Agreement, which amendments became effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. As amended, the revolving loans thereunder have a maturity of June 30, 2024 and borrowings bear interest, at K. Hovnanian’s option, at either (i) a term secured overnight financing rate (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus an applicable margin of 4.50% or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin of 3.50%. In addition, K. Hovnanian will pay an unused commitment fee on the undrawn revolving commitments at a rate of 1.00% per annum.

                  The 7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due 2026 (the "1.125 Lien Notes") have a maturity of February 15, 2026 and bear interest at a rate of 7.75% per annum payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year, to holders of record at the close of business on February 1 and August 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding such interest payment dates. K. Hovnanian may redeem some or all of the 1.125 Lien Notes at 103.875% of principal commencing February 15, 2022, at 101.937% of principal commencing February 15, 2023 and at 100.0% of principal commencing February 15, 2024.

                  The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due 2026 (the "1.25 Lien Notes") have a maturity of February 15, 2026 and bear interest at a rate of 10.5% per annum payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year to holders of record at the close of business on February 1 and August 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding such interest payment dates. K. Hovnanian may redeem some or all of the 1.25 Lien Notes at 105.25% of principal commencing February 15, 2022, at 102.625% of principal commencing February 15, 2023 and at 100.0% of principal commencing February 15, 2024.

The 10.0% 1.75 Lien Notes due 2025 (the "1.75 Lien Notes") have a maturity of November 15, 2025 and bear interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 of each year to holders of record at the close of business on May 1 or November 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding each such interest payment date. At any time and from time to time prior to November 15, 2023, K. Hovnanian may redeem some or all of the 1.75 Lien Notes at a redemption price equal to 102.50% of their principal amount and at any time and from time to time after November 15, 2023, K. Hovnanian may redeem some or all of the 1.75 Lien Notes at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of their principal amount.

The 11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due 2026 (the "1.5 Lien Notes") have a maturity of February 15, 2026 and bear interest at a rate of 11.25% per annum payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year to holders of record at the close of business on February 1 and August 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding such interest payment dates. The 1.5 Lien Notes are redeemable in whole or in part at our option at any time prior to February 15, 2026 at 100.0% of their principal amount.

On December 10, 2019, K. Hovnanian entered into a Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility due January 31, 2028 (the “Secured Term Loan Facility”). The secured term loans under the Secured Term Loan Facility (the “Secured Term Loans”) bear interest at a rate equal to 10.0% per annum and will mature on January 31, 2028, with interest payable in arrears on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. At any time and from time to time prior to November 15, 2023, K. Hovnanian may voluntarily prepay some or all of the Secured Term Loans at a prepayment price equal to 102.50% of their principal amount and at any time and from time to time after November 15, 2023, K. Hovnanian may voluntarily prepay some or all of the Secured Term Loans at a prepayment price equal to 100.0% of their principal amount.

                  Each series of secured notes and the guarantees thereof, the Secured Term Loans and the guarantees thereof and the Secured Credit Agreement and the guarantees thereof are secured by the same assets. Among the secured debt, the liens securing the Secured Credit Agreement are senior to the liens securing all of K. Hovnanian’s other secured notes and the Secured Term Loan. The liens securing the 1.125 Lien Notes are senior to the liens securing the 1.25 Lien Notes, 1.5 Lien Notes, the 1.75 Lien Notes, the Secured Term Loans and any other future secured obligations that are junior in priority with respect to the assets securing the 1.125 Lien Notes, the liens securing the 1.25 Lien Notes are senior to the liens securing the 1.5 Lien Notes, the 1.75 Lien Notes, the Secured Term Loans and any other future secured obligations that are junior in priority with respect to the assets securing the 1.25 Lien Notes, the liens securing the 1.5 Lien Notes are senior to the liens securing the 1.75 Lien Notes, the Secured Term Loans and any other future secured obligations that are junior in priority with respect to the assets securing the 1.5 Lien Notes, the liens securing the 1.75 Lien Notes and the Secured Term Loans (which are secured on a pari passu basis with each other) are senior to any other future secured obligations that are junior in priority with respect to the assets securing the 1.75 Lien Notes and the Secured Term Loans, in each case, with respect to the assets securing such debt.

As of January 31, 2023, the collateral securing the Secured Credit Agreement, the Secured Term Loan Facility and the secured notes included (1) $242.3 million of cash and cash equivalents, which included $5.8 million of restricted cash collateralizing certain letters of credit (subsequent to such date, fluctuations as a result of cash uses include general business operations and real estate and other investments along with cash inflow primarily from deliveries); (2) $470.7 million aggregate book value of real property, which does not include the impact of inventory investments, home deliveries or impairments thereafter and which may differ from the value if it were appraised; and (3) equity interests in joint venture holding companies with an aggregate book value of $96.9 million.

Unsecured Obligations

The 13.5% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “13.5% 2026 Notes”) bear interest at 13.5% per annum and mature on February 1, 2026. Interest on the 13.5% 2026 Notes is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year to holders of record at the close of business on January 15 or July 15, as the case may be, immediately preceding each such interest payment date. The 13.5% 2026 Notes are redeemable in whole or in part at K. Hovnanian’s option at any time prior to February 1, 2025 at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount plus an applicable “Make Whole Amount”. At any time and from time to time on or after February 1, 2025, K. Hovnanian may also redeem some or all of the 13.5% 2026 Notes at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of their principal amount.

The 5.0% Senior Notes due 2040 (the “5.0% 2040 Notes”) bear interest at 5.0% per annum and mature on February 1, 2040. Interest on the 5.0% 2040 Notes is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year to holders of record at the close of business on January 15 or July 15, as the case may be, immediately preceding each such interest payment date. At any time and from time to time, K. Hovnanian may redeem some or all of the 5.0% 2040 Notes at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of their principal amount. 

The Unsecured Term Loans bear interest at a rate equal to 5.0% per annum and interest is payable in arrears, on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. The Unsecured Term Loans will mature on February 1, 2027.

Other

We have certain stand-alone cash collateralized letter of credit agreements and facilities under which there was a total of $5.7 million and $6.0 million letters of credit outstanding at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively. These agreements and facilities require us to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash we have available for other uses. At January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, the amount of cash collateral in these segregated accounts was $5.8 million and $6.1 million, respectively, which is reflected in “Restricted cash and cash equivalents” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Note 13 - Per Share Calculation

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

13. Per Share Calculation

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented below were calculated as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)	2023			2022
Numerator:
Net income	$	18,716		$	24,808
Less: preferred stock dividends		(2,669	)		(2,669	)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(1,403	)		(2,189	)
Numerator for basic earnings per share	$	14,644		$	19,950
Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		1,403			2,189
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities		(1,403	)		(2,189	)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	14,644		$	19,950
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average shares outstanding		6,186			6,389
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock-based payments		282			112
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted-average shares outstanding		6,468			6,501
Basic earnings per share	$	2.37		$	3.12
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.26		$	3.07

In addition, 80 thousand and 24 thousand shares related to out-of-the money stock options, which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for both the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for each period.   

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Note 14 - Preferred Stock

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Preferred Stock [Text Block]

14. Preferred Stock

On July 12, 2005, we issued 5,600 shares of 7.625% Series A preferred stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share. Dividends on Series A preferred stock are not cumulative and are payable at an annual rate of 7.625%. The Series A preferred stock is not convertible into the Company’s common stock and is redeemable in whole or in part at our option at the liquidation preference of the shares. The Series A preferred stock is traded as depositary shares, with each depositary share representing 1/1000th of a share of Series A preferred stock. During both the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 we paid dividends of $2.7 million on the Series A preferred stock.

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Note 15 - Common Stock

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

15. Common Stock

Each share of Class A common stock entitles its holder to one vote per share, and each share of Class B common stock generally entitles its holder to ten votes per share. The amount of any regular cash dividend payable on a share of Class A common stock will be an amount equal to 110% of the corresponding regular cash dividend payable on a share of Class B common stock. If a shareholder desires to sell shares of Class B common stock, such stock must be converted into shares of Class A common stock at a one-to-one conversion rate.

On August 4, 2008, our Board of Directors (the “Board”) adopted a shareholder rights plan (the “Rights Plan”), which was amended on January 11, 2018 and January 18, 2021, designed to preserve shareholder value and the value of certain tax assets primarily associated with net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards and built-in losses under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our ability to use NOLs and built-in losses would be limited if there was an “ownership change” under Section 382. This would occur if shareholders owning (or deemed under Section 382 to own) 5% or more of our stock increase their collective ownership of the aggregate amount of our outstanding shares by more than 50 percentage points over a defined period of time. The Rights Plan was adopted to reduce the likelihood of an “ownership change” occurring as defined by Section 382. Under the Rights Plan, one right was distributed for each share of Class A common Stock and Class B common Stock outstanding as of the close of business on August 15, 2008. Effective August 15, 2008, if any person or group acquires 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock without the approval of the Board, there would be a triggering event causing significant dilution in the voting power of such person or group. However, existing shareholders who owned, at the time of the Rights Plan’s initial adoption on August 4, 2008, 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock will trigger a dilutive event only if they acquire additional shares. The approval of the Board’s decision to adopt the Rights Plan may be terminated by the Board at any time, prior to the Rights being triggered. The Rights Plan will continue in effect until August 14, 2024, unless it expires earlier in accordance with its terms. The approval of the Board’s decision to initially adopt the Rights Plan and the amendments thereto were approved by shareholders. Our shareholders also approved an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to restrict certain transfers of Class A common stock in order to preserve the tax treatment of our NOLs and built-in losses under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Subject to certain exceptions pertaining to pre-existing 5% shareholders and holders of Class B common stock, the transfer restrictions in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation generally restrict any direct or indirect transfer (such as transfers of our stock that result from the transfer of interests in other entities that own our stock) if the effect would be to (i) increase the direct or indirect ownership of our stock by any person (or public group) from less than 5% to 5% or more of our common stock; (ii) increase the percentage of our common stock owned directly or indirectly by a person (or public group) owning or deemed to own 5% or more of our common stock; or (iii) create a new “public group” (as defined in the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations). Transfers included under the transfer restrictions include sales to persons (or public groups) whose resulting percentage ownership (direct or indirect) of common stock would exceed the 5% thresholds discussed above, or to persons whose direct or indirect ownership of common stock would by attribution cause another person (or public group) to exceed such threshold.

                On July 3, 2001, the Board authorized a stock repurchase program to purchase up to 0.2 million shares of Class A common stock. On  September 1, 2022, the Board terminated our prior repurchase program and authorized a new program for the repurchase of up to $50.0 million of our Class A common stock. Under the new repurchase program, repurchases  may be made from time to time in open market transactions, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing and the actual dollar amount repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price, future tax implications and economic and market conditions. The repurchase program  may be changed, suspended or discontinued at any time and does not have a specified expiration date. 

During the three months ended  January 31, 2023, we repurchased 118,478 shares under the new stock repurchase program, with a market value of $4.8 million, or $40.51 per share, which were added to "Treasury stock" on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2023. There were no shares repurchased during the three months ended  January 31, 2022. As of January 31, 2023, $33.0 million of our Class A common stock is available to be purchased under the stock repurchase program.

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Note 16 - Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

16. Income Taxes

The total income tax benefit for the three months ended January 31, 2023 was $0.7 million. The benefit was primarily due to $6.2 million of energy efficient tax credits on homes closed in the prior fiscal year, which was offset by federal and state tax expense as a result of pretax income.

The total income tax expense for the three months ended January 31, 2022 was $10.6 million. The expense was primarily due to federal and state tax expense recorded as a result of our pretax income. The federal tax expense is not paid in cash as it is offset by the use of our existing NOL carryforwards.

Our federal net operating losses of $909.5 million expire between 2029 and 2038, and $21.1 million have an indefinite carryforward period. Of our $2.3 billion of state NOLs, $411.4 million expire between 2023 through 2027; $1.4 billion expire between 2028 through 2032; $369.7 million expire between 2033 through 2037; $73.7 million expire between 2038 through 2042; and $51.5 million have an indefinite carryforward period.

The Company recognizes deferred income taxes for deferred tax benefits arising from NOL carryforwards and temporary differences between book and tax income which will be recognized in future years as an offset against future taxable income. A valuation allowance is provided to offset deferred tax assets ("DTAs") if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the DTAs will not be realized. Future realization of DTAs depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character. Sources of taxable income include future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, expected future taxable income, taxable income in prior carryback years if permitted under the tax law and tax planning strategies. Management has determined that it is more likely than not that sufficient taxable income will be generated in the future to realize its DTAs, net of any valuation allowance. The Company’s DTAs as of January 31, 2023 were $347.4 million.

As of January 31, 2023, we considered all available positive and negative evidence to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, our valuation allowance for our DTAs was appropriate. Overall, the positive evidence, both objective and subjective, outweighed the negative evidence. The significant positive improvement in our operations in the last three years, coupled with our contract backlog of $1.2 billion as of January 31, 2023 provided positive evidence to support the conclusion that a full valuation allowance is not necessary for all of our DTAs. As such, we used our go forward projections to estimate our usage of our existing federal and state DTAs. Based on this analysis, we determined that the current valuation allowance for our DTAs of $95.7 million as of January 31, 2023 is appropriate.

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Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

17. Operating and Reporting Segments

We currently have homebuilding operations in 14 states that are aggregated into reportable segments based primarily upon geographic proximity.

Historically, the Company had seven reportable segments consisting of six homebuilding segments (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West) and its financial services segment. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we reevaluated our reportable segments as a result of changes in the business and our management thereof. In particular, we considered the fact that, since our segments were last established, the Company had exited the Minnesota, North Carolina and Tampa markets and is currently in the process of exiting the Chicago market. Applying the principles set forth under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 280, including that our business trends are reflective of economic conditions in markets with general geographic proximity, we realigned our homebuilding operating segments.

HEI’s reportable segments now consist of the following three homebuilding segments and a financial services segment.

Homebuilding:

(1)	Northeast (Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia)
(2)	Southeast (Florida, Georgia and South Carolina)
(3)	West (Arizona, California and Texas)

All prior period amounts related to the segment change have been retrospectively reclassified throughout to conform to the new presentation.

Operations of the homebuilding segments primarily include the sale and construction of single-family attached and detached homes, attached townhomes and condominiums, urban infill and active lifestyle homes in planned residential developments. In addition, from time to time, operations of the homebuilding segments include sales of land. Operations of the financial services segment include mortgage banking and title services provided to the homebuilding operations’ customers. Our financial services subsidiaries do not typically retain or service mortgages that we originate but sell the mortgages and related servicing rights to investors.

Evaluation of segment performance is based primarily on income (loss) before income taxes. Income (loss) before income taxes for the homebuilding segments consist of revenues generated from the sales of homes and land, income (loss) from unconsolidated entities, management fees and other income, less the cost of homes and land sold, selling, general and administrative expenses and interest expense. Income (loss) before income taxes for the financial services segment consist of revenues generated from mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services, less the cost of such services and corporate general and administrative expenses.

Financial information relating to our reportable segments was as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Revenues:
Northeast	$	211,462		$	174,945
Southeast		73,794			55,582
West		215,734			321,470
Total homebuilding		500,990			551,997
Financial services		12,164			13,309
Corporate and unallocated		2,212			7
Total revenues	$	515,366		$	565,313
Income before income taxes:
Northeast	$	28,512		$	19,838
Southeast		11,623			10,162
West		9,889			43,935
Total homebuilding		50,024			73,935
Financial services		3,111			2,909
Corporate and unallocated (1)		(35,088	)		(41,443	)
Income before income taxes	$	18,047		$	35,401

(1) Corporate and unallocated for the three months ended January 31, 2023 included corporate general and administrative expenses of $25.5 million, interest expense of $6.6 million (a component of Other interest in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations), and $3.0 million of other net expenses. Corporate and unallocated for the three months ended  January 31, 2022 included corporate general and administrative costs of $29.4 million, interest expense of $11.5 million and $0.5 million of other net expenses.

	January 31,		October 31,
(In thousands)	2023		2022
Assets:
Northeast	$	494,830	$	530,884
Southeast		357,831		330,894
West		824,696		802,704
Total homebuilding		1,677,357		1,664,482
Financial services		112,756		155,993
Corporate and unallocated		645,072		741,555
Total assets	$	2,435,185	$	2,562,030

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Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]

18. Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures

We enter into homebuilding and land development joint ventures from time to time as a means of accessing lot positions, expanding our market opportunities, establishing strategic alliances, managing our risk profile, leveraging our capital base and enhancing returns on capital.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we contributed four communities we owned, including one active community, to one new unconsolidated joint venture for $41.1 million of net cash.

The tables set forth below summarize the combined financial information related to our unconsolidated homebuilding and land development joint ventures that are accounted for under the equity method.

(In thousands)	January 31, 2023
				Land
	Homebuilding			Development			Total
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	132,931		$	859		$	133,790
Inventories		501,596			-			501,596
Other assets		25,388			-			25,388
Total assets	$	659,915		$	859		$	660,774
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	479,122		$	642		$	479,764
Notes payable		58,767			-			58,767
Total liabilities		537,889			642			538,531
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		97,047			209			97,256
Others		24,979			8			24,987
Total equity		122,026			217			122,243
Total liabilities and equity	$	659,915		$	859		$	660,774
Debt to capitalization ratio		33	%		0	%		32	%

(In thousands)	October 31, 2022
				Land
	Homebuilding			Development			Total
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	153,176		$	868		$	154,044
Inventories		441,140			-			441,140
Other assets		20,037			-			20,037
Total assets	$	614,353		$	868		$	615,221
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	471,813		$	651		$	472,464
Notes payable		34,880			-			34,880
Total liabilities		506,693			651			507,344
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		73,142			209			73,351
Others		34,518			8			34,526
Total equity		107,660			217			107,877
Total liabilities and equity	$	614,353		$	868		$	615,221
Debt to capitalization ratio		24	%		0	%		24	%

As of January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, we had advances outstanding of $3.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively, to these unconsolidated joint ventures. These amounts were included in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” in the tables above. In some cases, our net investment in these unconsolidated joint ventures is less than our proportionate share of the equity reflected in the table above because of the differences between asset impairments recorded against our unconsolidated joint venture investments and any impairments recorded in the applicable unconsolidated joint venture. During the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, we did not write-down any of our unconsolidated joint venture investments.

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2023
(In thousands)				Land
	Homebuilding			Development		Total
Revenues	$	79,601		$	-	$	79,601
Cost of sales and expenses		(76,885	)		-		(76,885	)
Joint venture net income	$	2,716		$	-	$	2,716
Our share of net income	$	7,160		$	-	$	7,160

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2022
(In thousands)				Land
	Homebuilding			Development			Total
Revenues	$	69,591		$	113		$	69,704
Cost of sales and expenses		(65,582	)		(26	)		(65,608	)
Joint venture net income	$	4,009		$	87		$	4,096
Our share of net income	$	8,147		$	45		$	8,192

The reason “Our share of net income” in our homebuilding joint ventures is higher than the “Joint venture net income” shown in the tables above is a result of our varying ownership percentages in each investment. For both the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, we had investments in eight and ten unconsolidated joint ventures, respectively, and our ownership in these joint ventures ranged from 20% to over 50% for both periods. Therefore, depending on mix, if the unconsolidated joint ventures in which we have higher sharing percentages are more profitable than our other unconsolidated joint ventures, that results in us having a higher overall percentage of income in the aggregate than would occur if all joint ventures had the same sharing percentage; conversely, if the unconsolidated joint ventures in which we have lower sharing percentages are more profitable than our other unconsolidated joint ventures, that results in us having a lower overall percentage of income in the aggregate than would occur if all joint ventures had the same sharing percentage. For the three months ended January 31, 2023, "Our share of net income" was higher than the "Joint venture net income" due to the recognition of income in excess of our current sharing percentage for one of our unconsolidated joint ventures in accordance with the joint venture agreement, which provides a higher earning percentage than ownership percentage when the joint venture partner exceeds defined rate of return thresholds. This was slightly offset by a second unconsolidated joint venture that experienced increased income during the period for which we currently recognize a lower profit-sharing percentage based on the joint venture's agreements. In addition, we had previously written off our investment in one of our unconsolidated joint ventures that was generating losses and therefore for the three months ended January 31, 2023 we did not recognize any losses on this investment. Had we not fully written off our investment, our share of the net loss in this unconsolidated joint venture would have been approximately 50%, which would have reduced our overall share of net income across all of our unconsolidated joint ventures. As a result, this unconsolidated joint venture loss significantly reduced the profit when looking at all of our eight unconsolidated joint ventures, in the aggregate, without having any impact on our share of net income or loss recorded in the applicable period.

To compensate us for the administrative services we provide as the manager of certain unconsolidated joint ventures, we receive a management fee based on a percentage of the applicable unconsolidated joint venture’s revenues. These management fees, which totaled $3.6 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, are recorded in “Selling, general and administrative” homebuilding expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Typically, our unconsolidated joint ventures obtain separate project specific mortgage financing. For some of our unconsolidated joint ventures, obtaining financing was challenging; therefore, some of our unconsolidated joint ventures are capitalized only with equity. Any unconsolidated joint venture financing is on a nonrecourse basis, with guarantees from us limited only to performance and completion of development, environmental warranties and indemnification, standard indemnification for fraud, misrepresentation and other similar actions, including a voluntary bankruptcy filing. In some instances, the unconsolidated joint venture entity is considered a VIE due to the returns being capped to the equity holders; however, in these instances, we have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary, and therefore we do not consolidate these entities.

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Note 19 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Text Block]

19. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (“ASU 2020-04”). ASU 2020-04 provides companies with optional expedients to ease the potential accounting burden on contracts affected by the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. This guidance was effective for the Company beginning on March 12, 2020 and we may elect to apply the amendments prospectively. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848”, to extend the temporary accounting rules under ASC 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, but we do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 

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Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

20. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We use a fair-value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1: Fair value determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

Level 2: Fair value determined using significant other observable inputs.

Level 3: Fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs.

Our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

		Fair Value at			Fair Value at
	Fair Value	January 31,			October 31,
(In thousands)	Hierarchy	2023			2022
Mortgage loans held for sale (1)	Level 2	$	74,891		$	110,548
Forward contracts	Level 2		(37	)		752
Total		$	74,854		$	111,300
Interest rate lock commitments	Level 3		-			-
Total		$	74,854		$	111,300

(1)  The aggregate unpaid principal balance was $74.5 million and $110.2 million at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively.

We elected the fair value option for our loans held for sale. Management believes the fair value option improves financial reporting by mitigating volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring the fair value of the loans and derivative instruments used to economically hedge them without having to apply complex hedge accounting. Fair value of loans held for sale is based on independent quoted market prices, where available, or the prices for other mortgage loans with similar characteristics.

The financial services segment had a pipeline of loan applications in process of $555.7 million at January 31, 2023. Loans in process for which interest rates were committed to the borrowers totaled $85.9 million as of January 31, 2023. Substantially all of these commitments were for periods of 60 days or less. Since a portion of these commitments are expected to expire without being exercised by the borrowers, the total commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

The financial services segment uses investor commitments and forward sales of mandatory MBS to hedge its mortgage-related interest rate exposure. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk. Credit risk is primarily managed by entering into MBS forward commitments and option contracts. In the event of default by the purchaser, our risk is the difference between the contract price and fair value of the MBS forward commitments and option contracts. At January 31, 2023, we had no open commitments to sell mandatory MBS.

Changes in fair value option that are included in income are shown, by financial instrument and financial statement line item, below: 

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2023
	Mortgage		Interest Rate
	Loans Held		Lock		Forward
(In thousands)	For Sale		Commitments		Contracts
Change in fair value included in financial services revenue	$	421	$	-	$	(37	)

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2022
	Mortgage		Interest Rate
	Loans Held		Lock			Forward
(In thousands)	For Sale		Commitments			Contracts
Change in fair value included in financial services revenue	$	1,982	$	(645	)	$	135

We did not have any assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The fair value of our cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents and customers' deposits approximates their carrying amount, based on Level 1 inputs.

The fair value of each series of our Notes and Credit Facilities are listed below. Level 2 measurements are estimated based on recent trades or quoted market prices for the same issues or based on recent trades or quoted market prices for our debt of similar security and maturity to achieve comparable yields. Level 3 measurements are estimated based on third-party broker quotes or management's estimate of the fair value based on available trades for similar debt instruments. As shown in the table below, our 1.75 Lien Notes, 1.125 Lien Notes and 1.25 Lien Notes were a Level 2 measurement at January 31, 2023 due to recent trades on such notes (whereas such notes were a Level 3 measurement at October 31, 2022).

Fair Value as of  January 31, 2023

(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Senior Secured Notes:
10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due November 15, 2025		-		164,842		-		164,842
7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		243,308		-		243,308
10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		284,665		-		284,665
11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		-		158,955		158,955
Senior Notes:
13.5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2026		-		-		96,523		96,523
5.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2040		-		-		45,881		45,881
Senior Credit Facilities:
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility due February 1, 2027		-		-		33,436		33,436
Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility due January 31, 2028		-		-		84,106		84,106
Total fair value	$	-	$	692,815	$	418,901	$	1,111,716

Fair Value as of  October 31, 2022

(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Senior Secured Notes:
10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due November 15, 2025		-		-		165,844		165,844
7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		-		240,393		240,393
10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		-		272,966		272,966
11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		-		162,566		162,566
Senior Notes:
13.5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2026		-		-		94,282		94,282
5.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2040		-		-		55,654		55,654
Senior Credit Facilities:
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility due February 1, 2027		-		-		31,301		31,301
Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility due January 31, 2028		-		-		85,247		85,247
Total fair value	$	-	$	-	$	1,108,253	$	1,108,253

The Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility is not included in the above tables because there were no borrowings outstanding thereunder as of  January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022.

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Note 21 - Transactions With Related Parties

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]

21. Transactions with Related Parties

From time to time, an engineering firm owned by Tavit Najarian, a relative of Ara K. Hovnanian, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, provides services to the Company. During the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, the services provided by such engineering firm to the Company totaled $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Neither the Company nor Mr. Hovnanian has a financial interest in the relative’s company from whom the services were provided.

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Note 3 - Interest (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes Tables

Schedule of Real Estate Inventory, Capitalized Interest Costs [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Interest capitalized at beginning of period	$	59,600		$	58,159
Plus interest incurred(1)		34,326			32,783
Less cost of sales interest expensed		(15,022	)		(13,745	)
Less other interest expensed(2)(3)		(15,093	)		(13,393	)
Less interest contributed to unconsolidated joint venture(4)		(3,016	)		-
Interest capitalized at end of period(5)	$	60,795		$	63,804

Cash Paid for Interest Net of Capitalized Interest [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Other interest expensed	$	15,093		$	13,393
Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries		624			468
Increase in accrued interest		(19,621	)		(19,115	)
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	$	(3,904	)	$	(5,254	)

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Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes Tables

Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Balance, beginning of period	$	97,718		$	94,916
Additions – Selling, general and administrative		1,577			2,216
Additions – Cost of sales		1,303			1,424
Charges incurred during the period		(8,802	)		(4,154	)
Changes to pre-existing reserves		(729	)		(1,049	)
Balance, end of period	$	91,067		$	93,353

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Note 9 - Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes Tables

Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended January 31,
(In thousands)	2023		2022
Operating lease costs	$	2,859	$	2,588
Cash payments on lease liabilities	$	2,386	$	2,440

(In thousands)	January 31, 2023			October 31, 2022
ROU assets	$	17,650		$	17,899
Lease liabilities	$	18,498		$	18,862
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)		3.4			3.5
Weighted-average discount rate		9.5	%		9.5	%

Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]

Fiscal Year Ended October 31,	(In thousands)
2023 (excluding the three months ended January 31, 2023)	$	6,321
2024		5,779
2025		4,653
2026		3,111
2027		1,863
Total operating lease payments (1)		21,727
Less: imputed interest		(3,229	)
Present value of operating lease liabilities	$	18,498

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Note 10 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes Tables

Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023		2022
Loan origination reserves, beginning of period	$	1,795	$	1,632
Provisions for losses during the period		32		41
Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates		-		-
Loan origination reserves, end of period	$	1,827	$	1,673

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Note 12 - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes Tables

Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]

	January 31,			October 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Senior Secured Notes:
10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due November 15, 2025	$	158,502		$	158,502
7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		250,000			250,000
10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		282,322			282,322
11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		162,269			162,269
Total Senior Secured Notes	$	853,093		$	853,093
Senior Notes:
8.0% Senior Notes due November 1, 2027 (1)	$	-		$	-
13.5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2026		90,590			90,590
5.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2040		90,120			90,120
Total Senior Notes	$	180,710		$	180,710
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility due February 1, 2027	$	39,551		$	39,551
Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility due January 31, 2028	$	81,498		$	81,498
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility (2)	$	-		$	-
Subtotal senior notes and credit facilities	$	1,154,852		$	1,154,852
Net (discounts) premiums	$	1,930		$	4,079
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$	(11,521	)	$	(12,384	)
Total senior notes and credit facilities, net of discounts, premiums and unamortized debt issuance costs	$	1,145,261		$	1,146,547

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Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes Tables

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)	2023			2022
Numerator:
Net income	$	18,716		$	24,808
Less: preferred stock dividends		(2,669	)		(2,669	)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(1,403	)		(2,189	)
Numerator for basic earnings per share	$	14,644		$	19,950
Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		1,403			2,189
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities		(1,403	)		(2,189	)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	14,644		$	19,950
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average shares outstanding		6,186			6,389
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock-based payments		282			112
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted-average shares outstanding		6,468			6,501
Basic earnings per share	$	2.37		$	3.12
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.26		$	3.07

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Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes Tables

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

	January 31,		October 31,
(In thousands)	2023		2022
Assets:
Northeast	$	494,830	$	530,884
Southeast		357,831		330,894
West		824,696		802,704
Total homebuilding		1,677,357		1,664,482
Financial services		112,756		155,993
Corporate and unallocated		645,072		741,555
Total assets	$	2,435,185	$	2,562,030

Operating Segments [Member]

Notes Tables

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended
	January 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Revenues:
Northeast	$	211,462		$	174,945
Southeast		73,794			55,582
West		215,734			321,470
Total homebuilding		500,990			551,997
Financial services		12,164			13,309
Corporate and unallocated		2,212			7
Total revenues	$	515,366		$	565,313
Income before income taxes:
Northeast	$	28,512		$	19,838
Southeast		11,623			10,162
West		9,889			43,935
Total homebuilding		50,024			73,935
Financial services		3,111			2,909
Corporate and unallocated (1)		(35,088	)		(41,443	)
Income before income taxes	$	18,047		$	35,401

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Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes Tables

Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]

(In thousands)	January 31, 2023
				Land
	Homebuilding			Development			Total
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	132,931		$	859		$	133,790
Inventories		501,596			-			501,596
Other assets		25,388			-			25,388
Total assets	$	659,915		$	859		$	660,774
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	479,122		$	642		$	479,764
Notes payable		58,767			-			58,767
Total liabilities		537,889			642			538,531
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		97,047			209			97,256
Others		24,979			8			24,987
Total equity		122,026			217			122,243
Total liabilities and equity	$	659,915		$	859		$	660,774
Debt to capitalization ratio		33	%		0	%		32	%

(In thousands)	October 31, 2022
				Land
	Homebuilding			Development			Total
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	153,176		$	868		$	154,044
Inventories		441,140			-			441,140
Other assets		20,037			-			20,037
Total assets	$	614,353		$	868		$	615,221
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	471,813		$	651		$	472,464
Notes payable		34,880			-			34,880
Total liabilities		506,693			651			507,344
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		73,142			209			73,351
Others		34,518			8			34,526
Total equity		107,660			217			107,877
Total liabilities and equity	$	614,353		$	868		$	615,221
Debt to capitalization ratio		24	%		0	%		24	%

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2023
(In thousands)				Land
	Homebuilding			Development		Total
Revenues	$	79,601		$	-	$	79,601
Cost of sales and expenses		(76,885	)		-		(76,885	)
Joint venture net income	$	2,716		$	-	$	2,716
Our share of net income	$	7,160		$	-	$	7,160

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2022
(In thousands)				Land
	Homebuilding			Development			Total
Revenues	$	69,591		$	113		$	69,704
Cost of sales and expenses		(65,582	)		(26	)		(65,608	)
Joint venture net income	$	4,009		$	87		$	4,096
Our share of net income	$	8,147		$	45		$	8,192

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Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Notes Tables

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

		Fair Value at			Fair Value at
	Fair Value	January 31,			October 31,
(In thousands)	Hierarchy	2023			2022
Mortgage loans held for sale (1)	Level 2	$	74,891		$	110,548
Forward contracts	Level 2		(37	)		752
Total		$	74,854		$	111,300
Interest rate lock commitments	Level 3		-			-
Total		$	74,854		$	111,300

Fair Value Option, Disclosures [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2023
	Mortgage		Interest Rate
	Loans Held		Lock		Forward
(In thousands)	For Sale		Commitments		Contracts
Change in fair value included in financial services revenue	$	421	$	-	$	(37	)

	Three Months Ended January 31, 2022
	Mortgage		Interest Rate
	Loans Held		Lock			Forward
(In thousands)	For Sale		Commitments			Contracts
Change in fair value included in financial services revenue	$	1,982	$	(645	)	$	135

Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis 2 [Table Text Block]

(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Senior Secured Notes:
10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due November 15, 2025		-		164,842		-		164,842
7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		243,308		-		243,308
10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		284,665		-		284,665
11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		-		158,955		158,955
Senior Notes:
13.5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2026		-		-		96,523		96,523
5.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2040		-		-		45,881		45,881
Senior Credit Facilities:
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility due February 1, 2027		-		-		33,436		33,436
Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility due January 31, 2028		-		-		84,106		84,106
Total fair value	$	-	$	692,815	$	418,901	$	1,111,716

(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Senior Secured Notes:
10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due November 15, 2025		-		-		165,844		165,844
7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		-		240,393		240,393
10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		-		272,966		272,966
11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026		-		-		162,566		162,566
Senior Notes:
13.5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2026		-		-		94,282		94,282
5.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2040		-		-		55,654		55,654
Senior Credit Facilities:
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility due February 1, 2027		-		-		31,301		31,301
Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility due January 31, 2028		-		-		85,247		85,247
Total fair value	$	-	$	-	$	1,108,253	$	1,108,253

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Note 1 - Basis of Presentation (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023
Number of Reportable Segments, Historically	7
Homebuilding [Member]
Number of Reportable Segments, Historically	6
Number of Reportable Segments	3

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Note 2 - Stock Compensation (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expense	$ 2,100	$ 1,600
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expense, after Tax	$ 2,100	1,100
Performance Shares [Member] | The 2023 LTIP [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Post-Vesting Hold Period (Year)	2 years
Performance Shares [Member] | Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member] | The 2023 LTIP [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	50.00%
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expense	$ 8	$ 45

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Note 3 - Interest (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Real Estate Inventory Expense Not Eligible for Capitalization	[1],[2]	$ 15,093	$ 13,393
Qualifying Assets Not Exceeding Debt [Member]
Real Estate Inventory Expense Not Eligible for Capitalization		6,600	11,500
Completed Homes, Land in Planning and Fully Developed Lots without Homes under Construction [Member]
Real Estate Inventory Expense Not Eligible for Capitalization		$ 8,500	$ 1,900

[1] Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest, is the sum of other interest expensed, as defined above, and interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries adjusted for the change in accrued interest on notes payable, which is calculated as follows:

[2] Other interest expensed includes interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt, which amounted to $6.6 million and $11.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Other interest also includes interest on completed homes, land in planning and fully developed lots without homes under construction, which does not qualify for capitalization and therefore is expensed as incurred. This component of other interest was $8.5 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Note 3 - Interest - Interest Costs Incurred, Expensed and Capitalized (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Interest capitalized at beginning of period		$ 59,600	$ 58,159
Plus interest incurred(1)	[1]	34,326	32,783
Less cost of sales interest expensed		(15,022)	(13,745)
Less other interest expensed(2)(3)	[2],[3]	(15,093)	(13,393)
Less interest contributed to unconsolidated joint venture(4)	[4]	(3,016)	0
Interest capitalized at end of period(5)	[5]	$ 60,795	$ 63,804

[1] Data does not include interest incurred by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries.

[2] Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest, is the sum of other interest expensed, as defined above, and interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries adjusted for the change in accrued interest on notes payable, which is calculated as follows:

[3] Other interest expensed includes interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt, which amounted to $6.6 million and $11.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Other interest also includes interest on completed homes, land in planning and fully developed lots without homes under construction, which does not qualify for capitalization and therefore is expensed as incurred. This component of other interest was $8.5 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

[4] Represents capitalized interest which was included as part of the assets contributed to joint ventures, as discussed in Note 18. There was no impact to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a result of these transactions.

[5] Capitalized interest amounts are shown gross before allocating any portion of impairments, if any, to capitalized interest.

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Note 3 - Interest - Cash Paid for Interest, Net of Capitalized Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Other interest expensed	[1],[2]	$ 15,093	$ 13,393
Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries		624	468
Increase in accrued interest		(19,621)	(19,115)
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest		$ (3,904)	$ (5,254)

[1] Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest, is the sum of other interest expensed, as defined above, and interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries adjusted for the change in accrued interest on notes payable, which is calculated as follows:

[2] Other interest expensed includes interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt, which amounted to $6.6 million and $11.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Other interest also includes interest on completed homes, land in planning and fully developed lots without homes under construction, which does not qualify for capitalization and therefore is expensed as incurred. This component of other interest was $8.5 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details Textual) - Homebuilding [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Number of Communities Evaluated for Impairment	361	382
Impairment of Real Estate	$ 0	$ 0
Land Option Write Offs	$ 500	$ 100
Number of Walk Away Lots	2,182	420
Number of Communities Mothballed During the Period	0
Number of Communities Mothballed	2		2
Inventory Real Estate Mothballed Communities	$ 1,400		$ 1,400
Inventory Real Estate Mothballed Communities Accumulated Impairment Charges	20,300		20,300
Liabilities from Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	209,579		202,492
Model Sale Leaseback Financing Arrangements [Member]
Inventory Real Estate, Other Options	47,400		48,500
Liabilities from Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	49,300		51,200
Land Banking Arrangement [Member]
Inventory Real Estate, Other Options	267,600		260,100
Liabilities from Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	$ 160,300		$ 151,300

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Note 5 - Variable Interest Entities (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Jan. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Deposits Associated with Land and Lot Options of Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities	$ 187.7
Purchase Price Associated with Land and Lot Options of Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities	$ 1,800.0

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Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Cash Received from Subcontractors for Owner Controlled Insurance Program	$ 1,000	$ 1,200
General Liability Insurance Deductible	25,000	25,000
Aggregate Retention for Construction Defects Warranty and Bodily Injury Claims	25,000	25,000
Payments by Insurance Companies for Claims	100	100
CALIFORNIA
Bodily Injury Insurance Deductible	500	500
Bodily Injury Insurance Limit	5,000	5,000
All States Other Than California [Member]
Bodily Injury Insurance Deductible	250	250
Bodily Injury Insurance Limit	$ 5,000	$ 5,000

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Note 6 - Warranty Costs - Warranty and General Liability Reserve (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Balance, beginning of period	$ 97,718	$ 94,916
Charges incurred during the period	(8,802)	(4,154)
Changes to pre-existing reserves	(729)	(1,049)
Balance, end of period	91,067	93,353
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Additions	1,577	2,216
Cost of Sales [Member]
Additions	$ 1,303	$ 1,424

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Note 7 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details Textual) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Great Notch Condominium Claims[Member]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 119.5
Spill Fund Lawsuit [Member]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 5.3

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Note 8 - Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Customer's Deposits (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2022
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total	$ 13,900	$ 13,400
Homebuilding [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total	8,154	13,382	$ 14,260
Financial Services [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total	31,516		$ 50,854
Financial Services [Member] | Customer Deposits [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total	28,400	29,700
Financial Services [Member] | Mortgage Warehouse Lines of Credit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total	3,100	6,400
Financial Services [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total	$ 31,500	$ 36,100

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Note 9 - Leases (Details Textual) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability	$ 0.4
Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not Yet Commenced	13.7
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Lease Liability	$ 0.4

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Note 9 - Leases - Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022	Oct. 31, 2022
Operating lease costs	$ 2,859	$ 2,588
Cash payments on lease liabilities	$ 2,386	$ 2,440
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) (Year)	3 years 4 months 24 days		3 years 6 months
Weighted-average discount rate	9.50%		9.50%
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
ROU assets	$ 17,650		$ 17,899
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Lease liabilities	$ 18,498		$ 18,862

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Note 9 - Leases - Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022
2023 (excluding the three months ended January 31, 2023)		$ 6,321
2024		5,779
2025		4,653
2026		3,111
2027		1,863
Total operating lease payments (1)	[1]	21,727
Less: imputed interest		(3,229)
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Present value of operating lease liabilities		$ 18,498	$ 18,862

[1] Lease payments exclude $13.7 million of legally binding minimum lease payments for office leases signed but not yet commenced as of October 31, 2022. The related ROU asset and operating lease liability are not reflected on the Company's balance sheet as of October 31, 2022.

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Note 10 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Jan. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2022
Number of Loans Reserved For	14		14
Asset Pledged as Collateral without Right [Member]
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Total	$ 58.0	$ 92.5

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Note 10 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale - Loan Origination Reserves (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Loan origination reserves, beginning of period	$ 1,795	$ 1,632
Provisions for losses during the period	32	41
Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates	0	0
Loan origination reserves, end of period	$ 1,827	$ 1,673

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Note 11 - Mortgages (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022
JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 50,000
Warehouse Agreement Borrowings	$ 15,700	$ 14,100
JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member] | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument Variable Rate Basis Adjusted Secured Overnight Financing Rate SOFR	4.63%
JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member] | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.25%
JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member] | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.375%
Customers Bank [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 50,000
Warehouse Agreement Borrowings	$ 20,300	43,100
Customers Bank [Member] | Bloomberg Short-term Bank Yield Index (BSBY) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.125%
Customers Bank [Member] | Bloomberg Short-term Bank Yield Index (BSBY) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	4.50%
Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured By Inventory [Member] | Mortgages [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Secured Debt, Total	$ 133,886	144,805
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	$ 416,100	$ 418,900
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	7.70%	6.70%
Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 60,000
Warehouse Agreement Borrowings	22,400	$ 37,100
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Reversion After Initial Period	$ 50,000
Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement [Member] | Bloomberg Short-term Bank Yield Index (BSBY) [Member]
Debt Instrument Variable Rate Basis Floor Rate	0.50%
Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement [Member] | Bloomberg Short-term Bank Yield Index (BSBY) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement [Member] | Bloomberg Short-term Bank Yield Index (BSBY) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.25%

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Note 12 - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2022	Oct. 31, 2019
Debt Covenant Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Minimum	2.0
Secured Debt Leverage Ratio	4.0
Dividends Payable	$ 2.7		$ 2.7
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 125.0
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Commitment Fee Rate	1.00%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Variable Rate Floor	1.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Applicable Margin	4.50%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Applicable Margin	3.50%
Stand-alone Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit Agreements and Facilities [Member]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 5.7	$ 6.0
Stand-alone Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit Agreements and Facilities [Member] | Restricted Cash [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	$ 5.8	$ 6.1
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Commitment Fee Rate	1.00%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Variable Rate Floor	1.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Applicable Margin	4.50%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Applicable Margin	3.50%
The Secured Credit Facility, the New Secured Notes, and the Second Lien Notes [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents Collateral [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	$ 242.3
The Secured Credit Facility, the New Secured Notes, and the Second Lien Notes [Member] | Restricted Cash [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	5.8
The Secured Credit Facility, the New Secured Notes, and the Second Lien Notes [Member] | Real Property [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	470.7
The Secured Credit Facility, the New Secured Notes, and the Second Lien Notes [Member] | Equity Interests in Joint Venture Holding Companies Collateral [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	96.9
The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2027 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 26.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.00%	8.00%
The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2027 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.00%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				$ 125.0
The 7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.75%	7.75%
The 7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Principal Commencing February 15, 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	103.875%
The 7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Principal Commencing February 15, 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	101.937%
The 7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Principal Commencing February 15, 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	10.50%	10.50%
The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Principal Commencing February 15, 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	105.25%
The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Principal Commencing February 15, 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	102.625%
The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Principal Commencing February 15, 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | After November 15, 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due 2025 [Member] | After November 15, 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	102.50%
The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due 2025 [Member] | Prior To February 15, 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due 2025 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	10.00%	10.00%
The 11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	11.25%	11.25%
Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility Due January 31, 2028 [Member] | After November 15, 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loan Credit Facility Due January 31, 2028 [Member] | Before Nov 15, 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	102.50%
The 13.5% Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	13.50%	13.50%
The 13.5% Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
The 13.5% Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
The 5.0% Senior Notes due 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%
The 5.0% Senior Notes due 2040 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
The 5.0% Senior Notes due 2040 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%	5.00%

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Note 12 - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022
Senior debt		$ 1,154,852	$ 1,154,852
Net (discounts) premiums		1,930	4,079
Unamortized debt issuance costs		(11,521)	(12,384)
Total senior notes and credit facilities, net of discounts, premiums and unamortized debt issuance costs		1,145,261	1,146,547
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior debt		853,093	853,093
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior debt		180,710	180,710
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility Due 2027 [Member]
Senior debt		39,551	39,551
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Senior debt	[1]	0	0
The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due 2025 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior debt		158,502	158,502
The 7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior debt		250,000	250,000
The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior debt		282,322	282,322
The 11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior debt		162,269	162,269
The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2027 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]
Senior debt	[2]	0	0
The 13.5% Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]
Senior debt		90,590	90,590
The 5.0% Senior Notes due 2040 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior debt		90,120	90,120
The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loans Due 2028 [Member] | Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]
Senior debt		$ 81,498	$ 81,498

[1] At January 31, 2023, provides for up to $125.0 million in aggregate amount of senior secured first lien revolving loans. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we amended our Secured Credit Facility, which amendments became effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. As amended, the revolving loans thereunder have a maturity of June 30, 2024 and borrowings bear interest, at K. Hovnanian’s option, at either (i) a term secured overnight financing rate (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus an applicable margin of 4.50% or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin of 3.50%. In addition, K. Hovnanian will pay an unused commitment fee on the undrawn revolving commitments at a rate of 1.00% per annum.

[2] $26.0 million of 8.0% Senior Notes due 2027 (the "8.0% 2027 Notes") are owned by a wholly owned consolidated subsidiary of HEI. Therefore, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, such notes are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of HEI.

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Note 12 - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities Balances (Details) (Parentheticals)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility Due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 01, 2027	Feb. 01, 2027
The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due 2025 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	10.00%	10.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Nov. 15, 2025	Nov. 15, 2025
The 7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.75%	7.75%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 15, 2026	Feb. 15, 2026
The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	10.50%	10.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 15, 2026	Feb. 15, 2026
The 11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	11.25%	11.25%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 15, 2026	Feb. 15, 2026
The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2027 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.00%	8.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Nov. 01, 2027	Nov. 01, 2027
The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2027 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.00%
The 13.5% Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	13.50%	13.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 01, 2026	Feb. 01, 2026
The 5.0% Senior Notes due 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%
The 5.0% Senior Notes due 2040 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%	5.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 01, 2040	Feb. 01, 2040
The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loans Due 2028 [Member] | Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jan. 31, 2028	Jan. 31, 2028

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Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details Textual) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Out of the Money Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount (in shares)	80	24

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Note 13 - Per Share Calculation - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Net income	$ 18,716	$ 24,808
Less: preferred stock dividends	(2,669)	(2,669)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(1,403)	(2,189)
Numerator for basic earnings per share	14,644	19,950
Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	1,403	2,189
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities	(1,403)	(2,189)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$ 14,644	$ 19,950
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	6,186	6,389
Stock-based payments (in shares)	282	112
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)	6,468	6,501
Net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.37	$ 3.12
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.26	$ 3.07

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Note 14 - Preferred Stock (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Jul. 12, 2005	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022	Oct. 31, 2022
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total (in shares)		5,600		5,600
Payments of Dividends, Total		$ 2,669	$ 2,669
Preferred Class A [Member]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total (in shares)	5,600
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	7.625%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 25,000
Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Number of Shares of Preferred Stock in Each Depositary Share (in shares)	0.001
Payments of Dividends, Total		$ 2,700

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Note 15 - Common Stock (Details Textual) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 01, 2022 USD ($)	Jan. 11, 2018	Aug. 15, 2008	Jul. 03, 2001 shares
Common Stock Dividends Percent of Increase from Class A to Class B	110.00%
Conversion of Stock From Class B to Class A Conversion Ratio	1
Shareholder Ownership Percentage of Increase			50.00%
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$ 4.8
Minimum [Member]
Shareholder Ownership Percentage			5.00%
Common Class A [Member]
Common Stock Voting Rights Votes per Share Number	1
Shareholder Ownership Percentage				4.90%
Number of Rights				1
Shareholders Pre Existing Ownership Percentage			5.00%
Shareholders Current Ownership Percentage			5.00%
Shareholders Ownership Percentage on Transfers			5.00%
Shareholders Ownership Percentage Threshold			5.00%
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased (in shares) | shares					200,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount		$ 50.0
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired (in shares) | shares	118,478
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$ 4.8
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 40.51
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Amount of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	$ 33.0
Common Class B [Member]
Common Stock Voting Rights Votes per Share Number	10

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Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	$ (669)	$ 10,593
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Amount, Total	6,200
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Total	347,400
Contract Backlog	1,200,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	95,700
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	(2,880)	8,050
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Between 2029 and 2038 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	909,500
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Indefinite Tax Period [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	21,100
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	2,211	$ 2,543
Operating Loss Carryforwards	2,300,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Indefinite Tax Period [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	51,500
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Between 2023 and 2027 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	411,400
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Between 2028 and 2032 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	1,400,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Between 2033 and 2037 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	369,700
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Between 2038 and 2042 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 73,700

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Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details Textual) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Jan. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Number of States in which Entity Operates		14
Number of Reportable Segments, Historically		7
Real Estate Inventory Expense Not Eligible for Capitalization	[1],[2]	$ 15,093	$ 13,393
Qualifying Assets Not Exceeding Debt [Member]
Real Estate Inventory Expense Not Eligible for Capitalization		6,600	11,500
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
General and Administrative Expense, Total		25,500	29,400
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total		(3,000)	500
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Qualifying Assets Not Exceeding Debt [Member]
Real Estate Inventory Expense Not Eligible for Capitalization		$ 6,600	$ 11,500
Homebuilding [Member]
Number of Reportable Segments, Historically		6
Number of Reportable Segments		3

[1] Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest, is the sum of other interest expensed, as defined above, and interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries adjusted for the change in accrued interest on notes payable, which is calculated as follows:

[2] Other interest expensed includes interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt, which amounted to $6.6 million and $11.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Other interest also includes interest on completed homes, land in planning and fully developed lots without homes under construction, which does not qualify for capitalization and therefore is expensed as incurred. This component of other interest was $8.5 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments - Financial Information Relating to Segment Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Revenues, Total		$ 515,366	$ 565,313
Income (loss) before income taxes		18,047	35,401
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Revenues, Total		2,212	7
Income (loss) before income taxes	[1]	(35,088)	(41,443)
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues, Total		503,202	552,004
Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		500,990	551,997
Income (loss) before income taxes		50,024	73,935
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		211,462	174,945
Income (loss) before income taxes		28,512	19,838
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		73,794	55,582
Income (loss) before income taxes		11,623	10,162
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		215,734	321,470
Income (loss) before income taxes		9,889	43,935
Financial Services [Member]
Revenues, Total		12,164	13,309
Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		12,164	13,309
Income (loss) before income taxes		$ 3,111	$ 2,909

[1] Corporate and unallocated for the three months ended January 31, 2023 included corporate general and administrative expenses of $25.5 million, interest expense of $6.6 million (a component of Other interest in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations), and $3.0 million of other net expenses. Corporate and unallocated for the three months ended January 31, 2022 included corporate general and administrative costs of $29.4 million, interest expense of $11.5 million and $0.5 million of other net expenses.

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Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments - Financial Information Relating to Segment Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022
Assets	$ 2,435,185	$ 2,562,030
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Assets	645,072	741,555
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets	1,975,060	2,061,244
Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	1,677,357	1,664,482
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	494,830	530,884
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	357,831	330,894
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	824,696	802,704
Financial Services [Member]
Assets	112,756	155,993
Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	$ 112,756	$ 155,993

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Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2021
Number of Communities Taken Control of from Joint Ventures	4
Number of Joint Ventures from which Remaining Equity Interest Purchased	1
Payments to Acquire Remaining Equity Interest in Unconsolidated Joint Venture	$ 41,100
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment	0
Revenues, Total	515,366	$ 565,313
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues, Total	503,202	552,004
Homebuilding [Member] | Management Fees [Member]
Revenues, Total	$ 3,600		$ 2,400
Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Estimated Percentage Share of Net Loss Without Investment Write Off					50.00%
Equity Method Investment, Number of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	8
Minimum [Member] | Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	20.00%		20.00%
Maximum [Member] | Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Advances to Affiliate	$ 3,800		$ 3,800	$ 1,600
Revenues, Total	$ 79,601	$ 69,704

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Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures - Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022	Oct. 31, 2022	Oct. 31, 2021
Assets	$ 2,435,185		$ 2,562,030
Liabilities	2,039,388		2,178,979
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	395,778		383,036
Others	19		15
Total equity	395,797	$ 196,887	383,051	$ 175,384
Total liabilities and equity	2,435,185		2,562,030
Revenues, Total	515,366	565,313
Joint venture net income (loss)	18,716	24,808
Our share of net income (loss)	7,160	8,191
Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	133,790		154,044
Inventories	501,596		441,140
Other assets	25,388		20,037
Assets	660,774		615,221
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	479,764		472,464
Notes payable	58,767		34,880
Liabilities	538,531		507,344
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	97,256		73,351
Others	24,987		34,526
Total equity	122,243		107,877
Total liabilities and equity	$ 660,774		$ 615,221
Debt to capitalization ratio	32.00%		24.00%
Revenues, Total	$ 79,601	69,704
Cost of sales and expenses	(76,885)	(65,608)
Joint venture net income (loss)	2,716	4,096
Our share of net income (loss)	7,160	8,192
Corporate Joint Venture [Member] | Homebuilding Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of net income (loss)	7,160	8,147
Corporate Joint Venture [Member] | Land Development Joint Venture [Member]
Our share of net income (loss)	0	45
Homebuilding Joint Venture [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	132,931		$ 153,176
Inventories	501,596		441,140
Other assets	25,388		20,037
Assets	659,915		614,353
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	479,122		471,813
Notes payable	58,767		34,880
Liabilities	537,889		506,693
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	97,047		73,142
Others	24,979		34,518
Total equity	122,026		107,660
Total liabilities and equity	$ 659,915		$ 614,353
Debt to capitalization ratio	33.00%		24.00%
Revenues, Total	$ 79,601	69,591
Cost of sales and expenses	(76,885)	(65,582)
Joint venture net income (loss)	2,716	4,009
Land Development Joint Venture [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	859		$ 868
Inventories	0		0
Other assets	0		0
Assets	859		868
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	642		651
Notes payable	0		0
Liabilities	642		651
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	209		209
Others	8		8
Total equity	217		217
Total liabilities and equity	$ 859		$ 868
Debt to capitalization ratio	0.00%		0.00%
Revenues, Total	$ 0	113
Cost of sales and expenses	0	(26)
Joint venture net income (loss)	$ 0	$ 87

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Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022
Loans Held for Sale Mortgages Unpaid Principal	$ 74,500	$ 110,200
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Line of Credit, Total	0
Loan Origination Commitments [Member]
Loan Applications in Process	$ 555,700
Loan Origination Commitments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Number of Days in Committment (Day)	60 days
Interest Rate Committed Loan Applications [Member]
Interest Rate Committed Loan Applications	$ 85,900

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Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Fair Value, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022
Total		$ 74,854	$ 111,300
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Mortgage loans held for sale	[1]	74,891	110,548
Total		74,854	111,300
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative Fair Value		(37)	752
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Derivative Fair Value		$ 0	$ 0

[1] The aggregate unpaid principal balance was $74.5 million and $110.2 million at January 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively.

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Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Changes in Fair Values Included in Income (Loss) (Details) - Financial Services Revenue Line Item [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Loans Held for Sale [Member]
Change in fair value included in financial services revenue	$ 421	$ 1,982
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Change in fair value included in financial services revenue	0	(645)
Forward Contracts [Member]
Change in fair value included in financial services revenue	$ (37)	$ 135

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Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022
Notes, Fair Value	$ 1,111,716	$ 1,108,253
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due 2025 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	164,842	165,844
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	243,308	240,393
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	284,665	272,966
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	158,955	162,566
Senior Notes [Member] | The 13.5% 2026 Notes [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	96,523	94,282
Senior Notes [Member] | The 5.0% 2040 Notes [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	45,881	55,654
Unsecured Senior Term Loan [Member] | Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility Due 2027 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	33,436	31,301
Senior Secured Term Loan [Member] | The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loans Due 2028 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	84,106	85,247
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due 2025 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | The 13.5% 2026 Notes [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | The 5.0% 2040 Notes [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Term Loan [Member] | Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility Due 2027 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Senior Secured Term Loan [Member] | The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loans Due 2028 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	692,815	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due 2025 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	164,842	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	243,308	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	284,665	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | The 13.5% 2026 Notes [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | The 5.0% 2040 Notes [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Term Loan [Member] | Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility Due 2027 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Senior Secured Term Loan [Member] | The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loans Due 2028 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	418,901	1,108,253
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due 2025 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	165,844
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	240,393
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	0	272,966
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	158,955	162,566
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | The 13.5% 2026 Notes [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	96,523	94,282
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | The 5.0% 2040 Notes [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	45,881	55,654
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Term Loan [Member] | Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility Due 2027 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	33,436	31,301
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior Secured Term Loan [Member] | The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loans Due 2028 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	$ 84,106	$ 85,247

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Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Notes (Details) (Parentheticals)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022
The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Notes due 2025 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	10.00%	10.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Nov. 15, 2025	Nov. 15, 2025
The 7.75% Senior Secured 1.125 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	7.75%	7.75%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 15, 2026	Feb. 15, 2026
The 10.5% Senior Secured 1.25 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	10.50%	10.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 15, 2026	Feb. 15, 2026
The 11.25% Senior Secured 1.5 Lien Notes due February 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	11.25%	11.25%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 15, 2026	Feb. 15, 2026
The 13.5% 2026 Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	13.50%	13.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 01, 2026	Feb. 01, 2026
The 5.0% 2040 Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	5.00%	5.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 01, 2040	Feb. 01, 2040
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility Due 2027 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 01, 2027	Feb. 01, 2027
The 10.0% Senior Secured 1.75 Lien Term Loans Due 2028 [Member] | Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jan. 31, 2028	Jan. 31, 2028

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Note 21 - Transactions With Related Parties (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022
Tavit Najarian [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$ 0.4	$ 0.2