Note 14 (Details) - Earnings per Share Calculation (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Hovnanian	$ 8,466	$ 34,676	$ (1,524)	$ 18,213
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares	(15)	(76)		(52)
Numerator for basic earnings per share	8,451	34,600	(1,524)	18,161
Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares	15	76		52
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to nonvested shares	(15)	(76)		(52)
Plus: interest on senior exchangeable notes	893
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$ 9,344	$ 34,600	$ (1,524)	$ 18,161
Denominator for basic earnings per share (in Shares)	146,056	138,472	144,840	121,357
Share based payments (in Shares)	1,610	80		23
Senior exchangeable notes (in Shares)	15,157
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted average shares outstanding (in Shares)	162,823	138,552	144,840	121,380
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.25	$ (0.01)	$ 0.15
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.25	$ (0.01)	$ 0.15

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of convertible debt securities using the if-converted method.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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The after-tax amount of interest recognized in the period associated with any convertible debt.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

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Net Income or Loss Available to Common Stockholders plus adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive convertible securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

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Earnings allocated (not distributed) to participating securities under the two-class method to the extent that participating securities may share in earnings as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed.

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The earnings that is allocated to common stock and participating securities to the extent that each security may share in earnings as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed. Includes the adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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This element represents the weighted average total number of shares issued throughout the period including the first (beginning balance outstanding) and last (ending balance outstanding) day of the period before considering any reductions (for instance, shares held in treasury) to arrive at the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Weighted average relates to the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares have been issued and outstanding to the total time in that period. Such concept is used in determining the weighted average number of shares outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share (basic).

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