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, 2026	Jan. 31, 2025	Oct. 31, 2025	Oct. 31, 2024
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 2,734,676		$ 2,633,913
Total liabilities	1,897,042		1,802,978
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	835,739		830,935
Noncontrolling interest	1,895		0
Total equity	837,634	$ 811,426	830,935	$ 800,349
Total liabilities and equity	2,734,676		2,633,913
Revenues	631,952	673,623
Net income	20,859	28,191
Our share of net income	3,440	9,205
Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenues	73,710	133,913
Cost of sales and expenses	(69,278)	(120,258)
Net income	4,432	13,655
Our share of net income	3,440	$ 9,205
Homebuilding Joint Venture [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	37,173		104,066
Inventories	542,184		487,965
Other assets	12,557		128,385
Total assets	591,914		720,416
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	68,406		305,153
Notes payable	102,153		121,948
Total liabilities	170,559		427,101
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	144,229		160,903
Noncontrolling interest	277,126		132,412
Total equity	421,355		293,315
Total liabilities and equity	$ 591,914		$ 720,416
Debt to capitalization ratio	20.00%		29.00%