Note 20 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]

	October 31, 2012
(Dollars In Thousands)	Homebuilding			Land Development			Total
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	29,657		$	1,686		$	31,343
Inventories		177,170			14,853			192,023
Other assets		12,886			5			12,891
Total assets	$	219,713		$	16,544		$	236,257
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	24,651		$	12,233		$	36,884
Notes payable		79,675						79,675
Total liabilities		104,326			12,233			116,559
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		45,285			794			46,079
Others		70,102			3,517			73,619
Total equity		115,387			4,311			119,698
Total liabilities and equity	$	219,713		$	16,544		$	236,257
Debt to capitalization ratio		41	%		0	%		40	%

	October 31, 2011
(Dollars In Thousands)	Homebuilding			Land Development			Total
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,380		$	287		$	21,667
Inventories		310,743			14,786			325,529
Other assets		25,388						25,388
Total assets	$	357,511		$	15,073		$	372,584
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	21,035		$	11,710		$	32,745
Notes payable		199,821			21			199,842
Total liabilities		220,856			11,731			232,587
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		52,013			1,312			53,325
Others		84,642			2,030			86,672
Total equity		136,655			3,342			139,997
Total liabilities and equity	$	357,511		$	15,073		$	372,584
Debt to capitalization ratio		59	%		1	%		59	%

	For The Twelve Months Ended October 31, 2012
(Dollars In Thousands)	Homebuilding			Land Development			Total
Revenues	$	323,177		$	11,531		$	334,708
Cost of sales and expenses		(300,892	)		(9,318	)		(310,210	)
Joint venture net income	$	22,285		$	2,213		$	24,498
Our share of net income	$	4,763		$	1,108		$	5,871

	For The Twelve Months Ended October 31, 2011
(Dollars In Thousands)	Homebuilding			Land Development			Total
Revenues	$	177,301		$	12,226		$	189,527
Cost of sales and expenses		(181,651	)		(11,114	)		(192,765	)
Joint venture net (loss) income	$	(4,350	)	$	1,112		$	(3,238	)
Our share of net (loss) income	$	(8,395	)	$	647		$	(7,748	)

	For The Twelve Months Ended October 31, 2010
(Dollars In Thousands)	Homebuilding			Land Development			Total
Revenues	$	137,073		$	19,307		$	156,380
Cost of sales and expenses		(135,878	)		(21,260	)		(157,138	)
Joint venture net income (loss)	$	1,195		$	(1,953	)	$	(758	)
Our share of net income	$	683		$	469		$	1,152