| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | 1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization The New Home Company Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware Corporation, and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in all aspects of residential real estate development, including acquiring land and designing, constructing and selling homes in California and Arizona. Initial Public and Follow-On Offerings The Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) on January 30, 2014. In preparation for the IPO, the Company reorganized from a Delaware limited liability company (“LLC”) into a Delaware corporation, issuing 8,636,250 shares of common stock to the former members of the LLC in the Company's formation transactions, and changed its name to The New Home Company Inc. As a result of the IPO, the Company issued and sold 8,984,375 shares of common stock (including 1,171,875 shares sold pursuant to the underwriters' exercise of their option to purchase additional shares from the Company) at the public offering price of $11.00 per share. In accordance with the terms of the IPO, with net proceeds received from the underwriters' exercise of their option to purchase additional shares, the Company repurchased 1,171,875 shares of its common stock issued to a member of the LLC in connection with the Company's formation transactions. The Company received proceeds of $75.8 million , net of the underwriting discount, offering expenses and the repurchase of shares. Upon the close of the IPO, the Company had 16,448,750 common shares outstanding. On December 9, 2015, the Company completed a follow-on equity offering, issuing and selling 4,025,000 shares of common stock (including 525,000 shares sold pursuant to the underwriter's exercise of their option to purchase additional shares from the Company) at a public offering price of $12.50 per share. The Company received proceeds of $47.3 million , net of the underwriting discount and offering expenses. After the closing of the follow-on offering, the Company had 20,541,546 common shares outstanding. Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated upon consolidation. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) as contained within the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we”, “us”, “our” and “the Company” refer to the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis. Use of Estimates The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Reclassifications Certain items in prior year consolidated financial statements related to capitalized selling and marketing expenses have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation. Effective January 1, 2016, these costs were amortized to selling and marketing expenses rather than cost of home sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Effective July 1, 2016, capitalized selling and marketing costs were reclassified to other assets from real estate inventories in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Please see "Selling and Marketing Expense" below for more information. Segment Reporting Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 280, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”) established standards for the manner in which public enterprises report information about operating segments. In accordance with ASC 280, we have determined that our homebuilding division and our fee building division are our operating segments. Corporate is a non-operating segment. Cash and Cash Equivalents We define cash and cash equivalents as cash on hand, demand deposits with financial institutions, and short term liquid investments with a maturity date of less than three months from the date of purchase. Restricted Cash Restricted cash of $0.6 million and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, is held in accounts for payments of subcontractor costs incurred in connection with various fee building projects. Real Estate Inventories and Cost of Sales We capitalize pre-acquisition, land, development and other allocated costs, including interest, property taxes and indirect construction costs. Pre-acquisition costs, including non-refundable land deposits, are expensed to other expense, net, if we determine continuation of the prospective project is not probable. Land, development and other common costs are typically allocated to real estate inventories using a methodology that approximates the relative-sales-value method. Home construction costs per production phase are recorded using the specific identification method. Cost of sales for homes closed includes the estimated total construction costs of each home at completion and an allocation of all applicable land acquisition, land development and related common costs (both incurred and estimated to be incurred) based upon the relative-sales-value of the home within each project. Changes in estimated development and common costs are allocated prospectively to remaining homes in the project. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 360, Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360”), inventory is stated at cost, unless the carrying amount is determined not to be recoverable, in which case inventory is written down to its fair value. We review each real estate asset on a periodic basis or whenever indicators of impairment exist. Real estate assets include projects actively selling and projects under development or held for future development. Indicators of impairment include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in local housing market values and selling prices of comparable homes, significant decreases in gross margins and sales absorption rates, costs significantly in excess of budget, and actual or projected cash flow losses. If there are indicators of impairment, we perform a detailed budget and cash flow review of the applicable real estate inventories to determine whether the estimated remaining undiscounted future cash flows of the project are more or less than the asset’s carrying value. If the undiscounted estimated future cash flows are more than the asset’s carrying value, no impairment adjustment is required. However, if the undiscounted estimated future cash flows are less than the asset’s carrying value, the asset is deemed impaired and is written down to fair value. When estimating undiscounted estimated future cash flows of a project, we make various assumptions, including: (i) expected sales prices and sales incentives to be offered, including the number of homes available, pricing and incentives being offered by us or other builders in other projects, and future sales price adjustments based on market and economic trends; (ii) expected sales pace and cancellation rates based on local housing market conditions, competition and historical trends; (iii) costs expended to date and expected to be incurred including, but not limited to, land and land development costs, home construction costs, interest costs, indirect construction and overhead costs, and selling and marketing costs; (iv) alternative product offerings that may be offered that could have an impact on sales pace, sales price and/or building costs; and (v) alternative uses for the property. Many assumptions are interdependent and a change in one may require a corresponding change to other assumptions. For example, increasing or decreasing sales absorption rates has a direct impact on the estimated per unit sales price of a home, the level of time sensitive costs (such as indirect construction, overhead and carrying costs), and selling and marketing costs (such as model maintenance costs and advertising costs). Depending on the underlying objective of the project, assumptions could have a significant impact on the projected cash flow analysis. For example, if our objective is to preserve operating margins, our cash flow analysis will be different than if the objective is to increase the velocity of sales. These objectives may vary significantly from project to project and over time. If real estate assets are considered impaired, the impairment adjustments are calculated by determining the amount the asset's carrying value exceeds its fair value. We calculate the fair value of real estate projects under either a land residual value analysis or a discounted cash flow analysis. Under the land residual value analysis, we estimate what a willing buyer would pay and what a willing seller would sell a parcel of land for (other than in a forced liquidation) in order to generate a market rate operating margin and return. Under the discounted cash flow method, the fair value is determined by calculating the present value of future cash flows using a risk adjusted discount rate. Critical assumptions that are included as part of these analyses include estimating future housing revenues, sales absorption rates, land development, construction and related carrying costs (including future capitalized interest), and all direct selling and marketing costs. This evaluation and the assumptions used by management to determine future estimated cash flows and fair value require a substantial degree of judgment, especially with respect to real estate projects that have a substantial amount of development to be completed, have not started selling or are in the early stages of sales, or are longer in duration. Actual revenues, costs and time to complete and sell a community could vary from these estimates which could impact the calculation of fair value of the asset and the corresponding amount of impairment that is recorded in our results of operations. Capitalization of Interest We follow the practice of capitalizing interest to real estate inventories during the period of development and to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, when applicable, in accordance with ASC 835, Interest (“ASC 835”). Interest capitalized as a component of cost of real estate inventories is included in cost of home sales as related homes or lots are sold. To the extent interest is capitalized to investment in unconsolidated joint ventures, it is included as a reduction of income from unconsolidated joint ventures when the related homes or lots are sold to third parties. To the extent our debt exceeds our qualified assets as defined in ASC 835, we expense a portion of the interest incurred by us. Qualified assets represent projects that are actively selling or under development as well as investments in unconsolidated joint ventures accounted for under the equity method until such equity investees begin their principal operations. Revenue Recognition Home Sales and Profit Recognition In accordance with ASC 360, revenue from home sales and other real estate sales are recorded and a profit is recognized when the respective homes are closed under the full accrual method. Home sales and other real estate sales are closed when all conditions of escrow are met, including delivery of the home or other real estate asset, title passes, appropriate consideration is received and collection of associated receivables, if any, is reasonably assured. Sales incentives are a reduction of revenues when the respective home is closed. When it is determined that the earnings process is not complete, the sale and related profit are deferred for recognition in future periods. The profit we record is based on the calculation of cost of sales, which is dependent on our allocation of costs, as described in more detail above in the section entitled “Real Estate Inventories and Cost of Sales.” Fee Building The Company enters into fee building agreements to provide services whereby it builds homes on behalf of independent third-party property owners. The independent third-party property owner funds all project costs incurred by the Company to build and sell the homes. The Company primarily enters into cost plus fee contracts where it charges independent third-party property owners for all direct and indirect costs, plus a negotiated management fee. For these types of contracts, the Company recognizes revenue based on the actual total costs it has expended plus the applicable management fee. The management fee is typically a fixed fee based on a percentage of the cost or home sales revenue of the project depending on the terms of the agreement with the independent third-party property owner. In accordance with ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”), revenues from fee building services are recognized using a cost-to-cost approach in applying the percentage-of-completion method. Under this approach, revenue is earned in proportion to total costs incurred, divided by total costs expected to be incurred. The total estimated cost plus the management fee represents the total contract value. The Company recognizes revenue based on the actual labor and other direct costs incurred, plus the portion of the management fee it has earned to date. In the course of providing its services, the Company routinely subcontracts for services and incurs other direct costs on behalf of the property owners. These costs are passed through to the property owners and, in accordance with industry practice and GAAP, are included in the Company’s revenue and cost of revenue. The Company recognizes revenue for any incentive compensation when such financial thresholds are probable of being met and such compensation is deemed to be collectible, generally at the date the amount is communicated to us by the independent third-party property owner. The Company also enters into fee building and management contracts with third parties and its unconsolidated joint ventures where it provides construction supervision services, as well as sales and marketing services, and does not bear financial risks for any services provided. In accordance with ASC 605, revenues from these services are recognized over a proportional performance method or completed performance method. Under ASC 605, revenue is earned as services are provided in proportion to total services expected to be provided to the customer or on a straight line basis if the pattern of performance cannot be determined. Costs are recognized as incurred. Revenue recognition for any portion of the fees earned from these services that are contingent upon a financial threshold or specific event is deferred until the threshold is achieved or the event occurs. The Company’s fee building revenues have historically been concentrated with a small number of customers. For the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , one customer comprised 96% , 92% and 87% of fee building revenue, respectively. The balance of the fee building revenues represented management fees earned from unconsolidated joint ventures. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , one customer comprised 87% and 74% of contracts and accounts receivables, respectively. Variable Interest Entities The Company accounts for variable interest entities in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”). Under ASC 810, a variable interest entity (“VIE”) is created when: (a) the equity investment at risk in the entity is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support provided by other parties, including the equity holders; (b) the entity’s equity holders as a group either (i) lack the direct or indirect ability to make decisions about the entity, (ii) are not obligated to absorb expected losses of the entity or (iii) do not have the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the entity’s equity holders have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests, and the activities of the entity involve or are conducted on behalf of the equity holder with disproportionately few voting rights. If an entity is deemed to be a VIE pursuant to ASC 810, the enterprise that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity or right to receive benefits from the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE is considered the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE. Under ASC 810, a non-refundable deposit paid to an entity may be deemed to be a variable interest that will absorb some or all of the entity’s expected losses if they occur. Our land purchase and lot option deposits generally represent our maximum exposure to the land seller if we elect not to purchase the optioned property. In some instances, we may also expend funds for due diligence, development and construction activities with respect to optioned land prior to takedown. Such costs are classified as real estate inventories, which we would have to write off should we not exercise the option. Therefore, whenever we enter into a land option or purchase contract with an entity and make a non-refundable deposit, a VIE may have been created. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , the Company was not required to consolidate any VIEs. In accordance with ASC 810, we perform ongoing reassessments of whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Noncontrolling Interest During 2013, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with a third-party property owner. In accordance with ASC 810, the Company analyzed this arrangement and determined that it was not a VIE; however, the Company determined it was required to consolidate the joint venture as the Company has a controlling financial interest with the powers to direct the major decisions of the entity. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , the third-party investor had an equity balance of $0.1 million and $0.9 million , respectively. Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures We use the equity method to account for investments in homebuilding and land development joint ventures that qualify as VIEs where we are not the primary beneficiary and other entities that we do not control but have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. The Company also uses the equity method when we function as the managing member or general partner and our venture partner has substantive participating rights or where we can be replaced by our venture partner as managing member without cause. As noted above, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , the Company concluded that some of its joint ventures were VIEs. The Company concluded that it was not the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entities and, accordingly, accounted for these entities under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, we recognize our proportionate share of earnings and losses generated by the joint venture upon the delivery of lots or homes to third parties. Our proportionate share of intra-entity profits and losses are eliminated until the related asset has been sold by the unconsolidated joint venture to third parties. We classify cash distributions received from equity method investees using the cumulative earnings approach. Our ownership interests in our unconsolidated joint ventures vary, but are generally less than or equal to 35% . The accounting policies of our joint ventures are consistent with those of the Company. We review real estate inventory held by our unconsolidated joint ventures for impairment, consistent with our real estate inventories. We also review our investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures for evidence of other-than-temporary declines in value. To the extent we deem any portion of our investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures as not recoverable, we impair our investment accordingly. For the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , no impairments related to investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures were recorded. The Company selectively provides loan-to-value (“LTV”) maintenance agreements and completion agreements for debt owed by its unconsolidated joint ventures. Such arrangements facilitate the financing of our joint ventures' development projects and arise in the ordinary course of business. Refer to Note 10 for more information discussing the LTV maintenance agreements and completion agreements. Selling and Marketing Expense Selling and marketing costs incurred to sell real estate projects are capitalized if they are reasonably expected to be recovered from the sale of the project or from incidental operations, and are incurred for tangible assets that are used directly through the selling period to aid in the sale of the project or services that have been performed to obtain regulatory approval of sales. These capitalizable selling and marketing costs include, but are not limited to, model home design, model home decor and landscaping, and sales office/design studio setup. Effective January 1, 2016, these costs were amortized to selling and marketing expenses rather than cost of home sales. Prior year periods have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation. The reclassification caused homebuilding gross margin to increase by approximately $4.8 million and $0.8 million , respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, or 1.7% and 1.5% of home sales revenue, respectively, and a corresponding increase to selling and marketing expenses by the same amount. All other selling and marketing costs, such as commissions and advertising, are expensed in the period incurred and included in selling and marketing expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Effective July 1, 2016, these capitalized costs were reclassified to other assets from real estate inventories. Prior year periods have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation including $9.3 million reclassified from real estate inventories to other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015. Warranty Accrual We offer warranties on our homes that generally cover various defects in workmanship or materials, or structural construction defects for one year. Estimated future direct warranty costs are accrued and charged to cost of sales in the period when the related homebuilding revenues are recognized. Amounts are accrued based upon the Company’s historical rates. In addition, the Company has received warranty payments from third-party property owners for certain of its fee building projects that have since closed-out where the Company has the contractual risk of construction. These payments are recorded as warranty accruals. We assess the adequacy of our warranty accrual on a quarterly basis and adjust the amounts recorded if necessary. Our warranty accrual is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and adjustments to our warranty accrual are recorded through cost of sales. Contracts and Accounts Receivable Contracts and accounts receivable primarily represent the fees earned, but not collected, and reimbursable project costs incurred in connection with fee building agreements. The Company periodically evaluates the collectability of its contracts receivable, and, if it is determined that a receivable might not be fully collectible, an allowance is recorded for the amount deemed uncollectible. This allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on management’s evaluation of the contracts involved and the financial condition of its customers. Factors considered in such evaluations include, but are not limited to: (i) customer type; (ii) historical contract performance; (iii) historical collection and delinquency trends; (iv) customer credit worthiness; and (v) general economic conditions. In addition to contracts receivable, escrow receivables are included in contracts and accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , no allowance was recorded related to contracts and accounts receivable. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost and included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives ranging from three to five years. Leasehold improvements are stated at cost and are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of either their estimated useful lives or the term of the lease. For the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , the Company incurred depreciation expense of $0.5 million , $0.5 million and $0.4 million , respectively. Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). As a result of the conversion from an LLC to a taxable entity in connection with the Company's IPO, the Company recognized a cumulative net deferred tax asset of $1.5 million related to the difference between the financial statement basis and tax basis of the assets and liabilities as of January 30, 2014. Subsequent to the conversion, the consolidated provision for, or benefit from, income taxes are calculated using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are evaluated on a quarterly basis to determine if adjustments to the valuation allowance are required. In accordance with ASC 740, we assess whether a valuation allowance should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard with respect to whether deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends primarily on the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the differences become deductible. The value of our deferred tax assets will depend on applicable income tax rates. Judgment is required in determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements and/or tax returns. Differences between anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. ASC 740 defines the methodology for recognizing the benefits of uncertain tax return positions as well as guidance regarding the measurement of the resulting tax benefits. These provisions require an enterprise to recognize the financial statement effects of a tax position when it is more likely than not (defined as a likelihood of more than 50%), based on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination. In addition, these provisions provide guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The evaluation of whether a tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold requires a substantial degree of judgment by management based on the individual facts and circumstances. Stock-Based Compensation We account for share-based awards in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”) and ASC 505-50, Equity – Equity Based Payments to Non-Employees (“ASC 505-50”). ASC 718 requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in a company's financial statements. ASC 718 requires all entities to apply a fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for share-based payment transactions with employees except for equity instruments held by employee share ownership plans. On June 26, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement that transitioned Joseph Davis' role within the Company from Chief Investment Officer to a non-employee consultant to the Company. Per the agreement, Mr. Davis' outstanding restricted stock units and stock option equity awards will continue to vest in accordance with their original terms. Under ASC 505-50, if an employee becomes a non-employee and continues to vest in an award pursuant to the award's original terms, that award will be treated as an award to a non-employee prospectively, provided the individual is required to continue providing services to the employer (such as consulting services). Based on the terms and conditions of Mr. Davis' consulting agreement noted above, we account for Mr. Davis' share-based awards in accordance with ASC 505-50. ASC 505-50 requires that Mr. Davis' award be accounted for prospectively, such that the fair value of the award will be re-measured at each reporting date until the earlier of (a) the performance commitment date or (b) the date the services required under the transition agreement with Mr. Davis have been completed. ASC 505-50 requires that compensation cost ultimately recognized in the Company's financial statements be the sum of (a) the compensation cost recognized during the period of time the individual was an employee (based on the grant-date fair value) plus (b) the fair value of the award determined on the measurement date determined in accordance with ASC 505-50 for the pro-rata portion of the vesting period in which the individual was a non-employee. Mr. Davis' outstanding awards fully vest during January 2017 and at that time, the award will be re-measured for the pro-rata portion of the vesting period in which he was a non-employee and the award will be fully expensed. Recently Issued Accounting Standards The Company qualifies as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the provisions of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Section 102 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for complying with new or revised accounting standards. As previously disclosed, the Company has chosen, irrevocably, to “opt out” of such extended transition period, and as a result, will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes existing accounting literature relating to how and when a company recognizes revenue. Under ASU 2014-09, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date , which delayed the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. As a public company, ASU 2014-09 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and at that time, we expect to adopt the new standard under the modified retrospective approach. We do not believe the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have a material impact on the amount or timing of our home building revenues. Although we are still evaluating the accounting for marketing costs under the new standard, there is a possibility that the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will impact the timing of recognition and classification in our consolidated financial statements of certain capitalized selling and marketing costs we incur to obtain sales contracts from our customers. Currently, these selling and marketing costs are capitalized to other assets and amortized to selling and marketing expenses as homes are delivered. Under the new guidance, some of these costs may need to be expensed immediately. We are continuing to evaluate the impact the adoption may have on other aspects of our business and on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of a |
