Note 5 - Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entities Disclosure [Abstract]
Deposits Associated with Land and Lot Options of Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities	$ 92,200,000
Purchase Price Associated with Land and Lot Options of Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities	$ 1,200,000,000

Cash and letter of credit deposits associated with land and lot options of unconsolidated variable interest entities.

No definition available.

Name:	hov_DepositsAssociatedWithLandAndLotOptionsOfUnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntities
Namespace Prefix:	hov_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant