Note 20 (Details) - Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Debt to capitalization ratio	28.00%		28.00%
Cost of sales and expenses	$ (471,659)	$ (395,910)	$ (1,278,051)	$ (1,075,640)
Our share of net income	3,690	852	6,806	2,324
Homebuilding [Member] | Segment [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Our share of net income	3,654	823	4,372	1,803
Homebuilding [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	38,543		38,543		29,657
Inventories	136,563		136,563		177,170
Other assets	8,065		8,065		12,886
Total assets	183,171		183,171		219,713
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	28,334		28,334		24,651
Notes payable	44,861		44,861		79,675
Total liabilities	73,195		73,195		104,326
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	46,271		46,271		45,285
Others	63,705		63,705		70,102
Total equity	109,976		109,976		115,387
Total liabilities and equity	183,171		183,171		219,713
Debt to capitalization ratio	29.00%		29.00%		41.00%
Revenues	76,842	89,749	211,408	220,880
Cost of sales and expenses	(67,526)	(84,615)	(194,667)	(210,904)
Joint venture net income	9,316	5,134	16,741	9,976
Land Development [Member] | Segment [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Our share of net income	(154)	255	2,356	1,003
Land Development [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	434		434		1,686
Inventories	11,489		11,489		14,853
Other assets	5		5		5
Total assets	11,928		11,928		16,544
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,593		4,593		12,233
Total liabilities	4,593		4,593		12,233
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	2,454		2,454		794
Others	4,881		4,881		3,517
Total equity	7,335		7,335		4,311
Total liabilities and equity	11,928		11,928		16,544
Debt to capitalization ratio	0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
Revenues	2,992	3,755	12,468	9,838
Cost of sales and expenses	(3,300)	(3,246)	(7,755)	(7,830)
Joint venture net income	(308)	509	4,713	2,008
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member] | Segment [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Our share of net income	3,500	1,078	6,728	2,806
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	38,977		38,977		31,343
Inventories	148,052		148,052		192,023
Other assets	8,070		8,070		12,891
Total assets	195,099		195,099		236,257
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	32,927		32,927		36,884
Notes payable	44,861		44,861		79,675
Total liabilities	77,788		77,788		116,559
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	48,725		48,725		46,079
Others	68,586		68,586		73,619
Total equity	117,311		117,311		119,698
Total liabilities and equity	195,099		195,099		236,257
Debt to capitalization ratio	28.00%		28.00%		40.00%
Revenues	79,834	93,504	223,876	230,718
Cost of sales and expenses	(70,826)	(87,861)	(202,422)	(218,734)
Joint venture net income	$ 9,008	$ 5,643	$ 21,454	$ 11,984