Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) - Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Equity of:
Debt to capitalization ratio	30.00%		30.00%
Our share of net income	$ 1,466	$ 1,067	$ 2,918	$ 3,638
Homebuilding [Member] \| Homebuilding Venture [Member] \| Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	17,682		17,682		22,415
Inventories	306,132		306,132		208,620
Other assets	9,132		9,132		11,986
Total assets	332,946		332,946		243,021
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	23,428		23,428		27,175
Notes payable	91,397		91,397		45,506
Total liabilities	114,825		114,825		72,681
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	66,691		66,691		59,106
Others	151,430		151,430		111,234
Total equity	218,121		218,121		170,340
Total liabilities and equity	332,946		332,946		243,021
Debt to capitalization ratio	30.00%		30.00%		21.00%
Revenues	27,648	33,746	64,774	85,019
Cost of sales and expenses	(29,258)	(31,644)	(59,117)	(77,725)
Joint venture net income	(1,610)	2,102	5,657	7,294
Our share of net income	1,465	1,030	2,932	3,577
Homebuilding [Member] \| Land Development Venture [Member] \| Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	122		122		205
Inventories	14,550		14,550		16,194
Total assets	14,672		14,672		16,399
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	584		584		1,039
Notes payable	4,915		4,915		5,650
Total liabilities	5,499		5,499		6,689
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	3,014		3,014		2,990
Others	6,159		6,159		6,720
Total equity	9,173		9,173		9,710
Total liabilities and equity	14,672		14,672		16,399
Debt to capitalization ratio	35.00%		35.00%		37.00%
Revenues	1,483	3,355	2,615	5,269
Cost of sales and expenses	(1,722)	(3,466)	(2,807)	(5,085)
Joint venture net income	(239)	(111)	(192)	184
Our share of net income	(119)	(55)	(96)	92
Homebuilding [Member] \| Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	17,804		17,804		22,620
Inventories	320,682		320,682		224,814
Other assets	9,132		9,132		11,986
Total assets	347,618		347,618		259,420
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	24,012		24,012		28,214
Notes payable	96,312		96,312		51,156
Total liabilities	120,324		120,324		79,370
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	69,705		69,705		62,096
Others	157,589		157,589		117,954
Total equity	227,294		227,294		180,050
Total liabilities and equity	347,618		347,618		259,420
Debt to capitalization ratio	30.00%		30.00%		22.00%
Revenues	29,131	37,101	67,389	90,288
Cost of sales and expenses	(30,980)	(35,110)	(61,924)	(82,810)
Joint venture net income	(1,849)	1,991	5,465	7,478
Our share of net income	$ 1,346	$ 975	$ 2,836	$ 3,669

Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) - Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified