Note 20 (Detail) - Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 31,963		$ 31,963		$ 31,343
Inventories	153,336		153,336		192,023
Other assets	9,246		9,246		12,891
Total assets	194,545		194,545		236,257
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	23,526		23,526		36,884
Notes payable	60,285		60,285		79,675
Total liabilities	83,811		83,811		116,559
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	46,525		46,525		46,079
Others	64,209		64,209		73,619
Total equity	110,734		110,734		119,698
Total liabilities and equity	194,545		194,545		236,257
Debt to capitalization ratio	35.00%		35.00%		40.00%
Revenues	76,084	81,261	144,041	137,214
Cost of sales and expenses	(72,332)	(75,173)	(131,570)	(131,072)
Joint venture net income	3,752	6,088	12,471	6,142
Our share of net income	827	1,495	3,116	1,473
Segment [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Our share of net income	807	1,035	716	984
Segment [Member] | Land Development [Member]
Our share of net income	78	633	2,510	749
Segment [Member]
Our share of net income	885	1,668	3,226	1,733
Homebuilding [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	31,821		31,821		29,657
Inventories	140,007		140,007		177,170
Other assets	9,241		9,241		12,886
Total assets	181,069		181,069		219,713
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	18,090		18,090		24,651
Notes payable	60,285		60,285		79,675
Total liabilities	78,375		78,375		104,326
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	43,828		43,828		45,285
Others	58,866		58,866		70,102
Total equity	102,694		102,694		115,387
Total liabilities and equity	181,069		181,069		219,713
Debt to capitalization ratio	37.00%		37.00%		41.00%
Revenues	74,423	78,534	134,566	131,131
Cost of sales and expenses	(70,826)	(73,792)	(127,115)	(126,487)
Joint venture net income	3,597	4,742	7,451	4,644
Land Development [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	142		142		1,686
Inventories	13,329		13,329		14,853
Other assets	5		5		5
Total assets	13,476		13,476		16,544
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	5,436		5,436		12,233
Total liabilities	5,436		5,436		12,233
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	2,697		2,697		794
Others	5,343		5,343		3,517
Total equity	8,040		8,040		4,311
Total liabilities and equity	13,476		13,476		16,544
Debt to capitalization ratio	0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
Revenues	1,661	2,727	9,475	6,083
Cost of sales and expenses	(1,506)	(1,381)	(4,455)	(4,585)
Joint venture net income	$ 155	$ 1,346	$ 5,020	$ 1,498