Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) - Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Equity of:
Debt to capitalization ratio	27.00%
Our share of net income	$ 1,452	$ 2,571
Homebuilding [Member] | Homebuilding Venture [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	27,733		22,415
Inventories	293,675		208,620
Other assets	8,059		11,986
Total assets	329,467		243,021
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	21,539		27,175
Notes payable	83,196		45,506
Total liabilities	104,735		72,681
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	69,200		59,106
Others	155,532		111,234
Total equity	224,732		170,340
Total liabilities and equity	329,467		243,021
Debt to capitalization ratio	27.00%		21.00%
Revenues	28,045	51,275
Cost of sales and expenses	(26,517)	(46,080)
Joint venture net income	1,528	5,195
Our share of net income	1,467	2,548
Homebuilding [Member] | Land Development Venture [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	253		205
Inventories	15,934		16,194
Total assets	16,187		16,399
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1,086		1,039
Notes payable	5,466		5,650
Total liabilities	6,552		6,689
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	3,013		2,990
Others	6,622		6,720
Total equity	9,635		9,710
Total liabilities and equity	16,187		16,399
Debt to capitalization ratio	36.00%		37.00%
Revenues	1,132	1,914
Cost of sales and expenses	(1,085)	(1,619)
Joint venture net income	47	295
Our share of net income	23	147
Homebuilding [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	27,986		22,620
Inventories	309,609		224,814
Other assets	8,059		11,986
Total assets	345,654		259,420
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	22,625		28,214
Notes payable	88,662		51,156
Total liabilities	111,287		79,370
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	72,213		62,096
Others	162,154		117,954
Total equity	234,367		180,050
Total liabilities and equity	345,654		259,420
Debt to capitalization ratio	27.00%		22.00%
Revenues	29,177	53,189
Cost of sales and expenses	(27,602)	(47,699)
Joint venture net income	1,575	5,490
Our share of net income	$ 1,490	$ 2,695