Note 8 (Detail)	Jul. 31, 2012
Cash Equivalents Policy, Number of Days	90 days

Maximum number of days of maturity for cash deposited in checking accounts, overnight repurchase agreements, certificates of deposit, Treasury Bills and government money market funds, to be considered cash and cash equivalents.

No definition available.

Name:	hov_CashEquivalentsPolicyNumberOfDays
Namespace Prefix:	hov_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant