Hovnanian Enterprises (HOV) 10-Q 7 Mar 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Mar. 03, 2014	Mar. 03, 2014
		Common Class A [Member]	Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--10-31	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	130,984,684	14,805,405
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000357294	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Jan-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash	$288,885	$329,204
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	23,900	31,900
Consolidated inventory not owned:	'	'
Total assets	1,787,261	1,759,130	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Liabilities from inventory not owned	2,500	'
Notes payable:	'	'
Accrued interest	26,977	28,261	[1]
Total notes payable	1,704,860	1,557,706	[1]
Income taxes payable	3,528	3,301	[1]
Total liabilities	2,243,385	2,191,929	[1]
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. stockholdersb equity deficit:	'	'
Preferred stock, $.01 par value - authorized 100,000 shares; issued and outstanding 5,600 shares with a liquidation preference of $140,000 at January 31, 2014 and at October 31, 2013	135,299	135,299	[1]
Paid in capital b common stock	690,899	689,727	[1]
Accumulated deficit	-1,168,931	-1,144,408	[1]
Treasury stock b at cost	-115,360	-115,360	[1]
Total Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. stockholdersb equity deficit	-456,571	-433,226	[1]
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures	447	427	[1]
Total equity deficit	-456,124	-432,799	[1]
Total liabilities and equity	1,787,261	1,759,130	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages [Member] | Mortgages [Member]	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Secured debt	71,190	62,903	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured By Operating Properties [Member] | Mortgages [Member]	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Secured debt	17,462	17,733	[1]
Homebuilding [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Cash	282,476	319,142	[1]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	10,689	10,286	[1]
Inventories:	'	'
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	834,575	752,749	[1]
Land and land options held for future development or sale	276,763	225,152	[1]
Consolidated inventory not owned:	'	'
Specific performance options	2,737	792	[1]
Other options	95,859	100,071	[1]
Total consolidated inventory not owned	98,596	100,863	[1]
Total inventories	1,209,934	1,078,764	[1]
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	53,323	51,438	[1]
Receivables, deposits, and notes b net	43,755	45,085	[1]
Property, plant, and equipment b net	45,647	46,211	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other assets	62,438	59,351	[1]
Total assets	1,708,262	1,610,277	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Liabilities from inventory not owned	86,436	87,866	[1]
Notes payable:	'	'
Total liabilities	479,378	506,385	[1]
Accounts payable and other liabilities	272,297	307,764	[1]
Customersb deposits	31,993	30,119	[1]
Financial Services [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Cash	6,409	10,062	[1]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	13,252	21,557	[1]
Mortgage loans held for sale at fair value	57,377	112,953	[1]
Other assets	1,961	4,281	[1]
Consolidated inventory not owned:	'	'
Total assets	78,999	148,853	[1]
Notes payable:	'	'
Total liabilities	55,619	124,537	[1]
Accounts payable and other liabilities	21,802	32,874	[1]
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit	33,817	91,663	[1]
Common Class A [Member]	'	'
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. stockholdersb equity deficit:	'	'
Common stock	1,367	1,363	[1]
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. stockholdersb equity deficit:	'	'
Common stock	155	153	[1]
Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Notes payable:	'	'
Senior notes	978,937	978,611	[1]
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]	'	'
Notes payable:	'	'
Senior notes	611,378	461,210	[1]
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]	'	'
Notes payable:	'	'
Senior notes	19,004	20,857	[1]
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]	'	'
Notes payable:	'	'
Senior notes	67,472	66,615	[1]
Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]	'	'
Notes payable:	'	'
Senior notes	$1,092	$2,152	[1]
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2013.

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Preferred stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01	[1]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000	[1]
Preferred stock, shares issued	5,600	5,600	[1]
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in Dollars per share)	$140,000	$140,000	[1]
Common Class A [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01	[1]
Common stock, shares authorized	400,000,000	400,000,000	[1]
Common stock, shares issued	136,660,223	136,306,223	[1]
Common stock, shares held in Treasury	11,760,763	11,760,763	[1]
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01	[1]
Common stock, shares authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000	[1]
Common stock, shares issued	15,497,153	15,347,615	[1]
Common stock, shares held in Treasury	691,748	691,748	[1]
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2013.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2013
Homebuilding:	'		'
Total revenues	$364,048		$358,211
Homebuilding:	'		'
Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs	664		665
Corporate general and administrative	16,392		12,503
Other interest	23,333	[1],[2]	24,000	[1],[2]
Other operations	1,109		900
Total expenses	390,509		381,302
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,571		2,289
Loss before income taxes	-23,890		-20,802
State and federal income tax provision (benefit):	'		'
Tax provision (benefit)	633		-9,494
Net loss	-24,523		-11,308
Basic:	'		'
Loss per common share (in Dollars per share)	($0.17)		($0.08)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in Shares)	145,982		141,725
Assuming dilution:	'		'
Loss per common share (in Dollars per share)	($0.17)		($0.08)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in Shares)	145,982		141,725
Homebuilding [Member]	'		'
Homebuilding:	'		'
Sale of homes	355,181		334,281
Land sales and other revenues	773		12,271
Total homebuilding	355,954		346,552
Total revenues	355,999		346,575
Homebuilding:	'		'
Cost of sales, excluding interest	288,887		288,755
Cost of sales interest	9,490		10,280
Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs	664		665
Total cost of sales	299,041		299,700
Selling, general and administrative	43,962		36,771
Total homebuilding expenses	343,003		336,471
Total expenses	383,837		373,874
Loss before income taxes	9,684		4,836
Financial Services [Member]	'		'
Homebuilding:	'		'
Financial services	8,094		11,659
Total revenues	8,094		11,659
Homebuilding:	'		'
Financial services	6,672		7,428
Loss before income taxes	1,422		4,231
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]	'		'
State and federal income tax provision (benefit):	'		'
Tax provision (benefit)	633		233
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]	'		'
State and federal income tax provision (benefit):	'		'
Tax provision (benefit)	'		($9,727)
[1]	Other interest expensed is comprised of interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt. Interest on completed homes and land in planning, which does not qualify for capitalization, is expensed.
[2]	Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest, is the sum of other interest expensed, as defined above, and interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries adjusted for the change in accrued interest, which is calculated as follows:

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data	Common Class A [Member]	Common Class B [Member]
Balance at Oct. 31, 2013	$1,363	$153	$135,299	$689,727	($1,144,408)	($115,360)	$427	($432,799)	[1]
Balance (in Shares) at Oct. 31, 2013	124,545,460	14,655,867	5,600	'	'	'	'	'
Stock options, amortization and issuances	'	'	'	1,068	'	'	'	1,068
Stock options, amortization and issuances (in Shares)	17,875	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures	4	2	'	104	'	'	'	110
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures (in Shares)	335,125	150,538	'	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of Class B to Class A Common Stock (in Shares)	1,000	-1,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Changes in noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures	'	'	'	'	'	'	20	20
Net loss	'	'	'	'	-24,523	'	'	-24,523
Balance at Jan. 31, 2014	$1,367	$155	$135,299	$690,899	($1,168,931)	($115,360)	$447	($456,124)
Balance (in Shares) at Jan. 31, 2014	124,899,460	14,805,405	5,600	'	'	'	'	'
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2013.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net loss	($24,523)	($11,308)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	853	1,462
Compensation from stock options and awards	3,530	1,149
Amortization of bond discounts and deferred financing costs	2,380	1,844
Gain on sale and retirement of property and assets	-5	-76
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	-2,571	-2,289
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	249	400
Inventory impairment and land option write-offs	664	665
Decrease (increase) in assets:	'	'
Mortgage notes receivable	55,576	44,600
Restricted cash, receivables, prepaids, deposits and other assets	10,018	41,162
Inventories	-131,834	-25,087
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:	'	'
State and federal income tax liabilities	227	-9,503
Customersb deposits	1,874	5,049
Accounts payable, accrued interest and other accrued liabilities	-47,490	-42,293
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-131,052	5,775
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property and assets	5	81
Purchase of property, equipment, and other fixed assets and acquisitions	-95	-447
Decrease in restricted cash related to mortgage company	-343	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	-116	-2,457
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures	553	12,538
Net cash provided by investing activities	4	9,715
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from mortgages and notes	24,110	13,765
Payments related to mortgages and notes	-16,094	-7,893
Proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs	6,043	2,121
Payments related to model sale leaseback financing programs	-1,175	-2,199
Proceeds from land bank financing program	926	10,206
Payments related to land bank financing program	-9,031	-9,706
Proceeds from senior notes	150,000	'
Net payments related to mortgage warehouse lines of credit	-57,846	-55,447
Deferred financing costs from land bank financing programs and note issuances	-3,291	-475
Principal payments and debt repurchases	-2,913	-941
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	90,729	-50,569
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-40,319	-35,079
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period	329,204	273,232
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	288,885	238,153
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow:	'	'
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	$406	$9

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Non

Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Activities	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	Supplemental disclosure of noncash financing activities:
	In the first quarter of fiscal 2013, 18,305 of our senior exchangeable notes were exchanged for 3,396,102 shares of Class A Common Stock.
	In the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we entered into a new unconsolidated homebuilding joint venture which resulted in the transfer of an existing receivable from our joint venture partners of $0.6 million at October 31, 2012, to an investment in the joint venture at January 31, 2013.
	See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

Note_1_Basis_of_Presentation

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Basis of Accounting [Text Block]	'
	1.     Basis of Presentation
	Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) has reportable segments consisting of six Homebuilding segments (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West) and the Financial Services segment (see Note 18).
	The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include our accounts and those of all wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all significant intercompany balances and transactions. Certain immaterial prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
	The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013. In the opinion of management, all adjustments for interim periods presented have been made, which include normal recurring accruals and deferrals necessary for a fair presentation of our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and these differences could have a significant impact on the financial statements. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results which might be expected for a full year. The balance sheet at October 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

Note_2_Stock_Compensation

Note 2 - Stock Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	2.     Stock Compensation
	For the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s total stock-based compensation expense was $3.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Included in this total stock-based compensation expense was the vesting of stock options of $1.0 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Note_3_Interest

Note 3 - Interest	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Home Building Interest [Abstract]	'
Home Building Interest [Text Block]	'
	3.     Interest
	Interest costs incurred, expensed and capitalized were:
			Three Months Ended
			January 31,
	(In thousands)		2014		2013
	Interest capitalized at beginning of period		$	105,093	$	116,056
	Plus interest incurred(1)			34,819		32,653
	Less cost of sales interest expensed			9,490		10,280
	Less other interest expensed(2)(3)			23,333		24,000
	Interest capitalized at end of period(4)		$	107,089	$	114,429
	(1)	Data does not include interest incurred by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries.
	-2	Other interest expensed is comprised of interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt. Interest on completed homes and land in planning, which does not qualify for capitalization, is expensed.
	-3	Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest, is the sum of other interest expensed, as defined above, and interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries adjusted for the change in accrued interest, which is calculated as follows:
			Three Months Ended January 31,
	(In thousands)		2014		2013
	Other interest expensed		$	23,333	$	24,000
	Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries			736		877
	Decrease (increase) in accrued interest			1,284		(8,220	)
	Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest		$	25,353	$	16,657
	-4	Capitalized interest amounts are shown gross before allocating any portion of the impairments to capitalized interest.

Note_4_Depreciation

Note 4 - Depreciation	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	4.     Depreciation
	Accumulated depreciation at January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 was $75.8 million and $75.2 million, respectively, for our homebuilding property, plant and equipment.

Note_5_Reduction_of_Inventory_

Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Inventory Impairments And Land Option Cost Write Offs [Abstract]	'
Inventory Impairments And Land Option Cost Write Offs [Text Block]	'
	5.     Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value
	We record impairment losses on inventories related to communities under development and held for future development when events and circumstances indicate that they may be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their related carrying amounts. If the expected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, then the community is written down to its fair value. We estimate the fair value of each impaired community by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows at a discount rate commensurate with the risk of the respective community. We did not record impairments during the three months ended January 31, 2014. For the three months ended January 31, 2013, our discount rate used for the impairments recorded was 18.8%. Should the estimates or expectations used in determining cash flows or fair value decrease or differ from current estimates in the future, we may need to recognize additional impairments.
	During the three months ended January 31, 2014, we evaluated inventories of all 377 communities under development and held for future development for impairment indicators through preparation and review of detailed budgets or other market indicators of impairment. We performed detailed impairment calculations for four of those communities (i.e., those with a projected operating loss or other impairment indicators) with an aggregate carrying value of $17.2 million. Of those communities tested for impairment, two communities with an aggregate carrying value of $16.2 million had undiscounted future cash flow that only exceeded the carrying amount by less than 20%. As a result of our impairment analysis, we did not record any impairment losses for the three months ended January 31, 2014, but recorded $0.6 million for the three months ended January 31, 2013, which are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and deducted from inventory.
	The following table represents inventory impairments by homebuilding segment for the three months ended January 31, 2013 (there were no impairments for the three months ended January 31, 2014):
	(Dollars in millions)	Three Months Ended
		31-Jan-13
		Number of		Dollar		Pre-
		Communities		Amount of		Impairment
				Impairment(1)		Value(2)
	Northeast		1	$	0.6	$	2.9
	Mid-Atlantic		1		-		0.1
	Midwest		-		-		-
	Southeast		1		-		0.4
	Southwest		-		-		-
	West		-		-		-
	Total		3	$	0.6	$	3.4
	(1) During the three months ended January 31, 2013, total impairments were $587 thousand. The impairments were in the Northeast totaling $568 thousand, in the Mid-Atlantic totaling $2 thousand and in the Southeast totaling $17 thousand.
	(2) Represents carrying value, net of prior period impairments, if any, at the time of recording the applicable period’s impairments.
	The Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations line entitled “Homebuilding: Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs” also includes write-offs of options, and approval, engineering and capitalized interest costs that we record when we redesign communities and/or abandon certain engineering costs and we do not exercise options in various locations because the communities' pro forma profitability is not projected to produce adequate returns on investment commensurate with the risk. Total aggregate write-offs related to these items were $0.7 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Occasionally, these write-offs are offset by recovered deposits (sometimes through legal action) that had been written off in a prior period as walk-away costs. Historically, these recoveries have not been significant in comparison to the total cost written off.
	The following table represents write-offs of such costs (after giving effect to any recovered deposits in the applicable period) and the number of lots walked away from by homebuilding segment for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2014				2013
	(Dollars in millions)	Number of Walk-Away Lots(1)		Dollar Amount of Write-Offs(2)		Number of Walk-Away Lots		Dollar Amount of Write-Offs(3)
	Northeast		199	$	0.4		-	$	-
	Mid-Atlantic		433		0.1		140		-
	Midwest		265		-		-		-
	Southeast		527		0.1		-		-
	Southwest		112		0.1		45		-
	West		-		-		-		-
	Total		1,536	$	0.7		185	$	0.1
	(1) During the three months ended January 31, 2014, we walked-away from a significant number of lots that were optioned during the latter half of fiscal 2013. Most of these walk-aways occurred during the initial due diligence period when any deposits are still refundable, and therefore, the write-offs associated with these walk-aways primarily related to investigation costs and not deposit forfeitures.
	(2) During the three months ended January 31, 2014, there were write-offs in the Midwest totaling $21 thousand.
	(3) During the three months ended January 31, 2013 there were write-offs totaling $79 thousand. The write-offs were in the Northeast totaling $29 thousand, in the Mid-Atlantic totaling $6 thousand, in the Southeast totaling $19 thousand, in the Southwest totaling $11 thousand and in the West totaling $14 thousand.
	We decide to mothball (or stop development on) certain communities when we determine that the current performance does not justify further investment at the time. When we decide to mothball a community, the inventory is reclassified from “Sold and unsold homes and lots under development” to “Land and land options held for future development or sale.” During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we did not mothball any new communities, or re-activate or sell any communities which were previously mothballed. As of January 31, 2014, the net book value associated with our 50 total mothballed communities was $116.3 million, net of impairment charges recorded in prior periods of $431.3 million.
	From time to time we enter into option agreements that include specific performance requirements, whereby we are required to purchase a minimum number of lots. Because of our obligation to purchase these lots, for accounting purposes in accordance with ASC 360-20-40-38, we are required to record this inventory on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of January 31, 2014, we had $2.7 million of specific performance options recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to “Consolidated inventory not owned – specific performance options,” with a corresponding liability of $2.5 million recorded to “Liabilities from inventory not owned.” Consolidated inventory not owned also consists of other options that were included on our balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.
	During fiscal 2012, 2013 and 2014, we sold and leased back certain of our model homes with the right to participate in the potential profit when each home is sold to a third party at the end of the respective lease. As a result of our continued involvement, for accounting purposes in accordance with ASC 360-20-40-38, these sale and leaseback transactions are considered a financing rather than a sale. Therefore, for purposes of our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, at January 31, 2014, inventory of $52.6 million was recorded to “Consolidated inventory not owned – other options,” with a corresponding amount of $50.6 million recorded to “Liabilities from inventory not owned.”
	In addition, we entered into a land banking arrangement in fiscal 2012 with GSO Capital Partners LP ("GSO"), which continued through the first quarter of fiscal 2014, whereby we sold a portfolio of our land parcels to GSO, and GSO provided us an option to purchase back finished lots on a quarterly basis. Because of our option to repurchase these parcels, for accounting purposes, in accordance with ASC 360-20-40-38, this transaction is considered a financing rather than a sale. For purposes of our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, at January 31, 2014, inventory of $43.3 million was recorded as “Consolidated inventory not owned – other options”, with a corresponding amount of $33.3 million recorded to “Liabilities from inventory not owned” for the amount of net cash received from the transactions.

Note_6_Warranty_Costs

Note 6 - Warranty Costs	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	6.     Warranty Costs
	Over the past several years, general liability insurance for homebuilding companies and their suppliers and subcontractors has become very difficult to obtain. The availability of general liability insurance has been limited due to a decreased number of insurance companies willing to underwrite for the industry. In addition, those few insurers willing to underwrite liability insurance have significantly increased the premium costs. We have been able to obtain general liability insurance but at higher premium costs with higher deductibles. We have been advised that a significant number of our subcontractors and suppliers have also had difficulty obtaining insurance that also provides us coverage. As a result, we introduced an owner controlled insurance program for certain of our subcontractors, whereby the subcontractors pay us an insurance premium (through a reduction of amounts we would otherwise owe such subcontractors for their work on our homes) based on the value of their services. We absorb the liability associated with their work on our homes as part of our overall general liability insurance at no additional cost to us because our existing general liability and construction defect insurance policy and related reserves for amounts under our deductible covers construction defects regardless of whether we or our subcontractors are responsible for the defect. For the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, we received $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively, from subcontractors related to the owner controlled insurance program, which we accounted for as a reduction to inventory.
	We accrue for warranty costs that are covered under our existing general liability and construction defect policy as part of our general liability insurance deductible. This accrual is expensed as selling, general and administrative costs. For homes delivered in fiscal 2014 and 2013, our deductible under our general liability insurance is $20 million per occurrence for construction defect and warranty claims. For bodily injury claims, our deductible per occurrence in fiscal 2014 and 2013 is $0.25 million, up to a $5 million limit. Our aggregate retention in fiscal 2014 and 2013 is $21 million for construction defect, warranty and bodily injury claims. In addition, we establish a warranty accrual for lower cost-related issues to cover home repairs, community amenities and land development infrastructure that are not covered under our general liability and construction defect policy. We accrue an estimate for these warranty costs as part of cost of sales at the time each home is closed and title and possession have been transferred to the homebuyer. Additions and charges in the warranty reserve and general liability reserve for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of period	$	131,028		$	121,149
	Additions – Selling, general and administrative		4,541			4,189
	Additions – Cost of sales		2,046			2,795
	Charges incurred during the period		(4,538	)		(6,998	)
	Changes to pre-existing reserves		-			-
	Balance, end of period	$	133,077		$	121,135
	Warranty accruals are based upon historical experience. We engage a third-party actuary that uses our historical warranty and construction defect data, worker’s compensation data, and other industry data to assist us in estimating our reserves for unpaid claims, claim adjustment expenses and incurred but not reported claims reserves for the risks that we are assuming under the general liability and workers compensation programs. The estimates include provisions for inflation, claims handling, and legal fees.
	Insurance claims paid by our insurance carriers, excluding insurance deductibles paid, were $2.9 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, for prior year deliveries. In the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we settled a construction defect claim relating to the West segment which made up the majority of the payments.

Note_7_Commitments_and_Conting

Note 7 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	7.    Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
	We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations, and we are subject to extensive and complex regulations that affect the development and home building, sales and customer financing processes, including zoning, density, building standards and mortgage financing. These regulations often provide broad discretion to the administering governmental authorities. This can delay or increase the cost of development or homebuilding.
	We also are subject to a variety of local, state, federal and foreign laws and regulations concerning protection of health and the environment. The particular environmental laws that apply to any given community vary greatly according to the community site, the site’s environmental conditions and the present and former uses of the site. These environmental laws may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance, remediation and/or other costs, and can prohibit or severely restrict development and homebuilding activity.
	We received in October 2012 a notice from Region III of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) concerning stipulated penalties, totaling approximately $120,000, based on the extent to which we reportedly did not meet certain compliance performance specified in the previously reported consent decree entered into in August 2010; we have since paid the stipulated penalties as assessed, and more recently have paid approximately $8,000 in response to an EPA demand received in June 2013 for stipulated penalties based on information about our performance under the consent decree for 2012. The consent decree was terminated by court order without objection in December 2013.
	In March 2013, we received a letter from the EPA requesting information about our involvement in a housing redevelopment project in Newark, New Jersey that a Company entity undertook during the 1990s. We understand that the development is in the vicinity of a former lead smelter and that recent tests on soil samples from properties within the development conducted by the EPA show elevated levels of lead. We also understand that the smelter operated before the City of Newark acquired properties, demolished structures existing on them, and sold the properties to the Company entity in connection with the redevelopment project. We responded to the EPA’s request. In August 2013, we were notified that the EPA considers us a potentially responsible party (or “PRP”) with respect to the site, that the EPA believes the site requires cleanup, and that the EPA is proposing that we address contamination at the site. We have begun preliminary discussions with the EPA concerning a possible resolution but do not know the scope or extent of the Company's obligations, if any, that may arise from the site and therefore cannot provide any assurance that this matter will not have a material impact on the Company.
	We anticipate that increasingly stringent requirements will be imposed on developers and homebuilders in the future. Although we cannot predict the effect of these requirements, they could result in time-consuming and expensive compliance programs and in substantial expenditures, which could cause delays and increase our cost of operations. In addition, our ability to obtain or renew permits or approvals and the continued effectiveness of permits already granted or approvals already obtained is dependent upon many factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as changes in policies, rules, and regulations and their interpretations and application.
	The Company is also involved in the following litigation:
	Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and K. Hovnanian Venture I, L.L.C. (collectively, the “Company Defendants”) have been named as defendants in a class action suit. The action was filed by Mike D’Andrea and Tracy D’Andrea, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Gloucester County. The action was initially filed on May 8, 2006 alleging that the HVAC systems installed in certain of the Company’s homes are in violation of applicable New Jersey building codes and are a potential safety issue. On December 14, 2011, the Superior Court granted class certification; the potential class is 1,065 homes. The Company Defendants filed a request to take an interlocutory appeal regarding the class certification decision. The Appellate Division denied the request, and the Company Defendants filed a request for interlocutory review by the New Jersey Supreme Court, which remanded the case back to the Appellate Division for a review on the merits of the appeal on May 8, 2012. The Appellate Division, on remand, heard oral arguments on December 4, 2012, reviewing the Superior Court’s original finding of class certification. On June 18, 2013, the Appellate Division affirmed class certification. On July 3, 2013, the Company Defendants appealed the June 2013 Appellate Division’s decision to the New Jersey Supreme Court, which elected not to hear the appeal on October 22, 2013. Accordingly, the matter is proceeding in the Superior Court and discovery is ongoing. The plaintiff class seeks unspecified damages as well as treble damages pursuant to the NJ Consumer Fraud Act. The Company Defendants believe there is insurance coverage available for this action. The Company Defendants motion to consolidate an indemnity action they filed against various manufacturer and sub-contractor defendants to require these parties to participate directly in the class action was denied by the Superior Court; however, the Company Defendants’ separate action seeking indemnification against the various manufacturers and subcontractors implicated by the class action is ongoing. It is not possible to estimate a loss or range of loss related to this matter at this time.

Note_8_Restricted_Cash_and_Dep

Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	8.     Restricted Cash and Deposits
	Cash represents cash deposited in checking accounts. Cash equivalents include certificates of deposit, Treasury bills and government money–market funds with maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. Our cash balances are held at a few financial institutions and may, at times, exceed insurable amounts. We believe we help to mitigate this risk by depositing our cash in major financial institutions. At both January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, we had no cash equivalents in “Homebuilding: Cash” or “Financial services: Cash” as the full balance of cash and cash equivalents was held as cash. However, “Homebuilding: Restricted cash and cash equivalents” and “Financial services: Restricted cash and cash equivalents” both included cash equivalents at January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013.
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, totaled to $23.9 million and $31.9 million as of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively, which includes cash collateralizing our letter of credit agreements and facilities and is discussed in Note 10. Also included in this balance are homebuilding and financial services customers’ deposits of $5.5 million and $13.3 million at January 31, 2014, respectively, and $5.1 million and $21.6 million as of October 31, 2013, respectively, which are restricted from use by us.
	Total Homebuilding Customers’ deposits are shown as a liability on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. These liabilities are significantly more than the applicable periods’ escrow cash balances because, in some states, the deposits are not restricted from use and, in other states, we are able to release the majority of this escrow cash by pledging letters of credit and surety bonds.

Note_9_Mortgage_Loans_Held_for

Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	9.     Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
	Our mortgage banking subsidiary originates mortgage loans, primarily from the sale of our homes. Such mortgage loans are sold in the secondary mortgage market within a short period of time of origination. Mortgage loans held for sale consist primarily of single-family residential loans collateralized by the underlying property. We have elected the fair value option to record loans held for sale and therefore these loans are recorded at fair value with the changes in the value recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in “Revenues: Financial services.” We currently use forward sales of mortgage-backed securities, interest rate commitments from borrowers and mandatory and/or best efforts forward commitments to sell loans to investors to protect us from interest rate fluctuations. These short-term instruments, which do not require any payments to be made to the counterparty or investor in connection with the execution of the commitments, are recorded at fair value. Gains and losses on changes in the fair value are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in “Revenues: Financial services.”
	At January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively, $35.2 million and $94.1 million of mortgages held for sale were pledged against our mortgage warehouse lines of credit (see Note 10). We may incur losses with respect to mortgages that were previously sold that are delinquent and which had underwriting defects, but only to the extent the losses are not covered by mortgage insurance or resale value of the home. The reserves for these estimated losses are included in the “Financial services – Accounts payable and other liabilities” balances on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. In the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and 2013, we received 6 and 13 repurchase or make-whole inquiries, respectively.
	The activity in our loan origination reserves during the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Loan origination reserves, beginning of period	$	11,036		$	9,334
	Provisions for losses during the period		401			626
	Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates		(559	)		(192	)
	Payments/settlements		(159	)		(650	)
	Loan origination reserves, end of period	$	10,719		$	9,118

Note_10_Mortgages_and_Notes_Pa

Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Line Of Credit [Abstract]	'
Line Of Credit [Text Block]	'
	10.   Mortgages and Notes Payable
	We have nonrecourse mortgages for a small number of our communities totaling $71.2 million, as well as our corporate headquarters totaling $17.5 million, at January 31, 2014, which are secured by the related real property and any improvements. These loans have installment obligations with annual principal maturities in the years ending October 31 of approximately: $72.0 million in 2014, $1.2 million in 2015, $1.3 million in 2016, $1.4 million in 2017, $1.5 million in 2018 and $11.3 million after 2018. The interest rates on these obligations range from 4.0% to 8.8% at January 31, 2014.
	In June 2013, K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (“K. Hovnanian”), as borrower, and we and certain of our subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into a five-year $75 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Citicorp USA, Inc., as administrative agent and issuing bank, and Citibank, N.A., as a lender. The Credit Facility is available for both letters of credit and general corporate purposes. The Credit Facility does not contain any financial maintenance covenants, but does contain certain restrictive covenants that track those contained in our indenture governing the 7.0% Senior Notes due 2019, which are described in Note 11. The Credit Facility also contains certain customary events of default which would permit the administrative agent at the request of the required lenders to, among other things, declare all loans then outstanding to be immediately due and payable if not cured within applicable grace periods, including the failure to make timely payments of amounts payable under the Credit Facility or other material indebtedness or the acceleration of other material indebtedness, the failure to comply with agreements and covenants or for representations or warranties to be correct in all material respects when made, specified events of bankruptcy and insolvency, and the entry of a material judgment against a loan party. Outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility accrue interest at an annual rate equal to either, as selected by K. Hovnanian, (i) the alternate base rate plus the applicable spread determined on the date of such borrowing or (ii) an adjusted LIBOR rate plus the applicable spread determined as of the date two business days prior to the first day of the interest period for such borrowing. As of January 31, 2014, there were no borrowings and $24.2million of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility and as of such date, we believe we were in compliance with the covenants under the Credit Facility.
	In addition to the Credit Facility, we have certain stand–alone cash collateralized letter of credit agreements and facilities under which there were a total of $5.1 million of letters of credit outstanding at both January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013. These agreements and facilities require us to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash we have available for other uses. As of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, the amount of cash collateral in these segregated accounts was $5.1 million and $5.2 million, respectively, which is reflected in “Restricted cash and cash equivalents” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Our wholly owned mortgage banking subsidiary, K. Hovnanian American Mortgage, LLC (“K. Hovnanian Mortgage”), originates mortgage loans primarily from the sale of our homes. Such mortgage loans and related servicing rights are sold in the secondary mortgage market within a short period of time. In certain instances, we retain the servicing rights for a small amount of loans. Our secured Master Repurchase Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“Chase Master Repurchase Agreement”), which was amended on January 31, 2014 to extend the maturity date to January 30, 2015, is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $50.0 million through maturity. The loan is secured by the mortgages held for sale and is repaid when we sell the underlying mortgage loans to permanent investors. Interest is payable monthly on outstanding advances at an adjusted LIBOR rate, which was 0.1565% at January 31, 2014, subject to a floor of 0.375%, plus the applicable margin of 2.875%. Therefore, at January 31, 2014, the interest rate was 3.25%. As of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Chase Master Repurchase Agreement was $18.7 million and $33.6 million, respectively.
	K. Hovnanian Mortgage has another secured Master Repurchase Agreement with Customers Bank (“Customers Master Repurchase Agreement”), which was amended on May 28, 2013 to extend the maturity date to May 27, 2014, that is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $37.5 million through maturity. The loan is secured by the mortgages held for sale and is repaid when we sell the underlying mortgage loans to permanent investors. Interest is payable daily or as loans are sold to permanent investors on outstanding advances at the current LIBOR subject to a floor of 0.5% plus the applicable margin ranging from 3.0% to 5.5% based on the takeout investor and type of loan. As of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Customers Master Repurchase Agreement was $9.2 million and $30.7 million, respectively.
	K. Hovnanian Mortgage has a third secured Master Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Capital LLC (“Credit Suisse Master Repurchase Agreement”), which was amended on January 2, 2013, that is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $50.0 million through June 20, 2014. The loan is secured by the mortgages held for sale and is repaid when we sell the underlying mortgage loans to permanent investors. Interest is payable monthly on outstanding advances at the Credit Suisse Cost of Funds, which was 0.45% at January 31, 2014, plus the applicable margin ranging from 3.75% to 4.0% based on the takeout investor and type of loan. As of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Credit Suisse Master Repurchase Agreement was $5.9 million and $27.4 million, respectively.
	The Chase Master Repurchase Agreement, Customers Master Repurchase Agreement and Credit Suisse Master Repurchase Agreement (together, the “Master Repurchase Agreements”) require K. Hovnanian Mortgage to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial condition tests. Because of the extremely short period of time mortgages are held by K. Hovnanian Mortgage before the mortgages are sold to investors (generally a period of a few weeks), the immateriality to us on a consolidated basis of the size of the Master Repurchase Agreements, the levels required by these financial covenants, our ability based on our immediately available resources to contribute sufficient capital to cure any default, were such conditions to occur, and our right to cure any conditions of default based on the terms of the agreement, we do not consider any of these covenants to be substantive or material. As of January 31, 2014, we believe we were in compliance with the covenants under the Master Repurchase Agreements.

Note_11_Senior_Secured_Senior_

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Exchangeable, Senior Amortizing and Senior Subordinated Notes	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	'
	11.    Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, Senior Exchangeable and Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes
	Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, Senior Exchangeable and Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes balances as of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, were as follows:
	(In thousands)	31-Jan-14		31-Oct-13
	Senior Secured Notes:
	7.25% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due October 15, 2020	$	577,000	$	577,000
	9.125% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due November 15, 2020		220,000		220,000
	2.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 (net of discount)		53,121		53,119
	5.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 (net of discount)		128,816		128,492
	Total Senior Secured Notes	$	978,937	$	978,611
	Senior Notes:
	6.25% Senior Notes due January 15, 2015		21,438		21,438
	11.875% Senior Notes due October 15, 2015 (net of discount)		60,132		60,044
	6.25% Senior Notes due January 15, 2016 (net of discount)		172,233		172,153
	7.5% Senior Notes due May 15, 2016		86,532		86,532
	8.625% Senior Notes due January 15, 2017		121,043		121,043
	7.0% Senior Notes due January 15, 2019		150,000		-
	Total Senior Notes	$	611,378	$	461,210
	11.0% Senior Amortizing Notes due December 1, 2017	$	19,004	$	20,857
	Senior Exchangeable Notes due December 1, 2017	$	67,472	$	66,615
	7.25% Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes due February 15, 2014	$	1,092	$	2,152
	Except for K. Hovnanian, the issuer of the notes, our home mortgage subsidiaries, joint ventures and subsidiaries holding interests in our joint ventures, certain of our title insurance subsidiaries and our foreign subsidiary, we and each of our subsidiaries are guarantors of the senior secured, senior, senior amortizing, senior exchangeable, and senior subordinated amortizing notes outstanding at January 31, 2014 (see Note 23). In addition, the 5.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the “5.0% 2021 Notes”) and the 2.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the “2.0% 2021 Notes” and together with the 5.0% 2021 Notes, the “2021 Notes”) are guaranteed by K. Hovnanian JV Holdings, L.L.C. and its subsidiaries except for certain joint ventures and joint venture holding companies (collectively, the “Secured Group”). Members of the Secured Group do not guarantee K. Hovnanian's other indebtedness.
	The indentures governing the notes do not contain any financial maintenance covenants, but do contain restrictive covenants that limit, among other things, the Company’s ability and that of certain of its subsidiaries, including K. Hovnanian, to incur additional indebtedness (other than certain permitted indebtedness, refinancing indebtedness and nonrecourse indebtedness), pay dividends and make distributions on common and preferred stock, repurchase subordinated indebtedness (with respect to certain of the senior secured and senior notes), make other restricted payments, make investments, sell certain assets, incur liens, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all assets, and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. The indentures also contain events of default which would permit the holders of the notes to declare the notes to be immediately due and payable if not cured within applicable grace periods, including the failure to make timely payments on the notes or other material indebtedness, the failure to comply with agreements and covenants and specified events of bankruptcy and insolvency and, with respect to the indentures governing the senior secured notes, the failure of the documents granting security for the senior secured notes to be in full force and effect, and the failure of the liens on any material portion of the collateral securing the senior secured notes to be valid and perfected. As of January 31, 2014, we believe we were in compliance with the covenants of the indentures governing our outstanding notes.
	Under the terms of the indentures, we have the right to make certain redemptions and, depending on market conditions and covenant restrictions, may do so from time to time. We also continue to evaluate our capital structure and may also continue to make debt purchases and/or exchanges for debt or equity from time to time through tender offers, open market purchases, private transactions, or otherwise, or seek to raise additional debt or equity capital, depending on market conditions and covenant restrictions.
	If our consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the indentures governing our senior secured and senior notes (other than the senior exchangeable notes discussed in Note 13 below), is less than 2.0 to 1.0, we are restricted from making certain payments, including dividends, and from incurring indebtedness other than certain permitted indebtedness, refinancing indebtedness, and nonrecourse indebtedness. As a result of this restriction, we are currently restricted from paying dividends, which are not cumulative, on our 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock. We anticipate we will continue to be restricted from paying dividends for the foreseeable future. Our inability to pay dividends is in accordance with covenant restrictions and will not result in a default under our bond indentures or otherwise affect compliance with any of the covenants contained in the bond indentures.
	The 7.25% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2020 (the “First Lien Notes”) are secured by a first-priority lien and the 9.125% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2020 (the “Second Lien Notes” and, together with the First Lien Notes, the “2020 Secured Notes”) are secured by a second-priority lien, in each case, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions, on substantially all the assets owned by us, K. Hovnanian and the guarantors of such notes. At January 31, 2014, the aggregate book value of the real property that constituted collateral securing the 2020 Secured Notes was approximately $589.2 million, which does not include the impact of inventory investments, home deliveries, or impairments thereafter and which may differ from the value if it were appraised. In addition, cash and cash equivalents collateral that secured the 2020 Secured Notes was $223.3 million as of January 31, 2014, which included $5.1 million of restricted cash collateralizing certain letters of credit. Subsequent to such date, cash uses include general business operations and real estate and other investments.
	The guarantees with respect to the 2021 Notes of the Secured Group are secured, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions, by a first-priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the members of the Secured Group. As of January 31, 2014, the collateral securing the guarantees included (1) $64.3 million of cash and cash equivalents (subsequent to such date, cash uses include general business operations and real estate and other investments); (2) approximately $94.2 million aggregate book value of real property of the Secured Group, which does not include the impact of inventory investments, home deliveries, or impairments thereafter and which may differ from the value if it were appraised, and (3) equity interests in guarantors that are members of the Secured Group. Members of the Secured Group also own equity in joint ventures, either directly or indirectly through ownership of joint venture holding companies, with a book value of $43.0 million as of January 31, 2014; this equity is not pledged to secure, and is not collateral for, the 2021 Notes. Members of the Secured Group are “unrestricted subsidiaries” under K. Hovnanian's other senior secured notes, senior notes and senior subordinated amortizing notes, and thus have not guaranteed such indebtedness.
	On January 10, 2014, K. Hovnanian issued $150.0 million aggregate principle amount of 7.0% Senior Notes due 2019, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $147.8 million. The notes are redeemable in whole or in part at our option at any time prior to July 15, 2016 at 100% of their principal amount plus an applicable “Make-Whole Amount.” We may also redeem some or all of the notes at 103.5% of principal commencing July 15, 2016, at 101.75% of principal commencing January 15, 2017 and 100% of principal commencing January 15, 2018. In addition, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes prior to July 15, 2016 with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at 107.0% of principal. We used a portion of the net proceeds to fund the redemption on February 9, 2014 (effected on February 10, 2014 which was the next business day after the redemption date) of the remaining outstanding principal amount ($21.4 million) of our 6.25% Senior Notes due 2015. The redemption resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.2 million, net of the write-off of unamortized fees, and will be included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as “Loss on extinguishment of debt” in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. The remaining net proceeds from the offering were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes.
	February 15, 2014 was the mandatory settlement date for our Purchase Contracts and was also the payment date for the last quarterly cash installment payment on the Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes, both of which were initially issued as components of our 7.25% Tangible Equity Units. See Note 12 below for additional information.

Note_12_Tangible_Equity_Units

Note 12 - Tangible Equity Units	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Tangible Equity Units Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Tangible Equity Units Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	12.   Tangible Equity Units
	On February 9, 2011, we issued an aggregate of 3,000,000 7.25% Tangible Equity Units (the “TEUs”), and on February 14, 2011, we issued an additional 450,000 TEUs pursuant to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters. Each TEU initially consisted of (i) a prepaid stock purchase contract (each a “Purchase Contract”) and (ii) a senior subordinated amortizing note due February 15, 2014 (each, a “Senior Subordinated Amortizing Note”). Each TEU could be separated into its constituent Purchase Contract and Senior Subordinated Amortizing Note after the initial issuance date of the TEUs, and the separate components could be combined to create a TEU. The Senior Subordinated Amortizing Note component of the TEUs was recorded as debt, and the Purchase Contract component of the TEUs was recorded in equity as additional paid in capital. We have recorded $68.1 million, the initial fair value of the Purchase Contracts, as additional paid in capital. As of January 31, 2014, 2.2 million Purchase Contracts had been converted into 10.4 million shares of our Class A Common Stock, none of which were converted during the three months ended January 31, 2014.
	As of January 31, 2014, we had an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 million Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes outstanding. On each February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15, K. Hovnanian paid holders of the Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes equal quarterly cash installments of $0.453125 per Senior Subordinated Amortizing Note, which cash payments in the aggregate were equivalent to 7.25% per year with respect to each $25 stated amount of TEUs. Each installment constituted a payment of interest (at a rate of 12.072% per annum) and a partial repayment of principal on the Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes, allocated as set forth in the amortization schedule provided in the indenture under which the Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes were issued. The Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes had a scheduled final installment payment date of February 15, 2014.
	On February 15, 2014, each Purchase Contract (unless such Purchase Contract had been earlier settled) automatically settled and we delivered a number of shares of Class A Common Stock (which would be between 4.7655 shares and 5.8140 shares per Purchase Contract), based on the applicable market value of our Class A Common Stock, as defined in the purchase contract agreement.
	The final quarterly cash installment payment of $0.453125 per Senior Subordinated Amortizing Note was due on February 15, 2014 and was paid to holders thereof on February 18, 2014 (which was the next business day). On February 18, 2014, (which was the first business day after the mandatory settlement date of February 15, 2014) we issued to holders of Purchase Contracts an aggregate of 6,085,224 shares of our Class A Common Stock in settlement of an aggregate of 1,276,933 Purchase Contracts (such amount was based on a settlement rate of 4.7655 shares of Class A Common Stock for each Purchase Contract). In addition, we paid a de minimis amount of cash to holders of the Purchase Contracts in lieu of fractional shares.

Note_13_Senior_Exchangeable_No

Note 13 - Senior Exchangeable Notes	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Exchangeable Note Units And Senior Amortizing Notes [Abstract]	'
Exchangeable Note Units And Senior Amortizing Notes [Text Block]	'
	13.   Senior Exchangeable Notes
	On October 2, 2012, the Company and K. Hovnanian issued $100,000,000 aggregate stated amount of 6.0% Exchangeable Note Units (the “Units”) (equivalent to 100,000 Units). Each $1,000 stated amount of Units initially consists of (1) a zero coupon Senior Exchangeable note due December 1, 2017 (a “Senior Exchangeable Note”) issued by K. Hovnanian, which bears no cash interest and has an initial principal amount of $768.51 per Senior Exchangeable Note, and that will accrete to $1,000 at maturity and (2) a Senior Amortizing note due December 1, 2017 (a “Senior Amortizing Note”) issued by K. Hovnanian, which has an initial principal amount of $231.49 per Senior Amortizing Note, bears interest at a rate of 11.0% per annum, and has a final installment payment date of December 1, 2017. Each Unit may be separated into its constituent Senior Exchangeable Note and Senior Amortizing Note after the initial issuance date of the Units, and the separate components may be combined to create a Unit.
	Each Senior Exchangeable Note had an initial principal amount of $768.51 (which will accrete to $1,000 over the term of the Senior Exchangeable Note at an annual rate of 5.17% from the date of issuance, calculated on a semi-annual bond equivalent yield basis). Holders may exchange their Senior Exchangeable Notes at their option at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the business day immediately preceding December 1, 2017. Each Senior Exchangeable Note will be exchangeable for shares of Class A Common Stock at an initial exchange rate of 185.5288 shares of Class A Common Stock per Senior Exchangeable Note (equivalent to an initial exchange price, based on $1,000 principal amount at maturity, of approximately $5.39 per share of Class A Common Stock). The exchange rate will be subject to adjustment in certain events. If certain corporate events occur prior to the maturity date, the Company will increase the applicable exchange rate for any holder who elects to exchange its Senior Exchangeable Notes in connection with such corporate event. In addition, holders of Senior Exchangeable Notes will also have the right to require K. Hovnanian to repurchase such holders’ Senior Exchangeable Notes upon the occurrence of certain of these corporate events. As of January 31, 2014, 18,305 Senior Exchangeable Notes have been converted into 3.4 million shares of our Class A Common Stock, all of which were converted during the first quarter of fiscal 2013.
	On each June 1 and December 1 (each, an “installment payment date”) K. Hovnanian will pay holders of Senior Amortizing Notes equal semi-annual cash installments of $30.00 per Senior Amortizing Note (except for the June 1, 2013 installment payment, which was $39.83 per Senior Amortizing Note), which cash payment in the aggregate will be equivalent to 6.0% per year with respect to each $1,000 stated amount of Units. Each installment will constitute a payment of interest (at a rate of 11.0% per annum) and a partial repayment of principal on the Senior Amortizing Note. If certain corporate events occur prior to the maturity date, holders of the Senior Amortizing Notes will have the right to require K. Hovnanian to repurchase such holders’ Senior Amortizing Notes.

Note_14_Per_Share_Calculations

Note 14 - Per Share Calculations	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	14.   Per Share Calculation
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) (the “numerator”) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, adjusted for nonvested shares of restricted stock (the “denominator”) for the period. The basic weighted–average number of shares for the three months ended January 31, 2014 included 6.1 million shares related to Purchase Contracts (issued as part of our 7.25% Tangible Equity Units) which were issuable in the future with no additional cash required to be paid by the holders thereof. This number of shares represented the minimum number of shares that would, under all circumstances, be issuable upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts. As discussed in Note 12, the actual number of shares of Class A Common stock we issued upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts in February 2014 was 4.7655 shares per Purchase Contract (which was the minimum settlement rate). Computing diluted earnings per share is similar to computing basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the dilutive effects of options and nonvested shares of restricted stock, as well as common shares issuable upon exchange of our Senior Exchangeable Notes issued as part of our 6.0% Exchangeable Note Units. Any options that have an exercise price greater than the average market price are considered to be anti-dilutive and are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation.
	All outstanding nonvested shares that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents that participate in undistributed earnings with common stock are considered participating securities and are included in computing earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends or dividend equivalents and participation rights in undistributed earnings in periods when we have net income. The Company’s restricted common stock (“nonvested shares”) are considered participating securities.
	Incremental shares attributed to nonvested stock and outstanding options to purchase common stock of 1.3 million and 1.4 million for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because we had a net loss for the period, and any incremental shares would not be dilutive. Also, for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, 15.2 million shares of common stock issuable upon the exchange of our Senior Exchangeable Notes (which were issued in fiscal 2012) were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because we had a net loss for the period.
	In addition, shares related to out-of-the money stock options that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share were 2.2 million and 1.4 million for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.

Note_15_Preferred_Stock

Note 15 - Preferred Stock	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]	'
Preferred Stock [Text Block]	'
	15.   Preferred Stock
	On July 12, 2005, we issued 5,600 shares of 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are not cumulative and are paid at an annual rate of 7.625%. The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into the Company’s common stock and is redeemable in whole or in part at our option at the liquidation preference of the shares. The Series A Preferred Stock is traded as depositary shares, with each depositary share representing 1/1000th of a share of Series A Preferred Stock. The depositary shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “HOVNP.” During the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, we did not pay any dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock due to covenant restrictions in our debt instruments.

Note_16_Common_Stock

Note 16 - Common Stock	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Common Stock [Abstract]	'
Common Stock [Text Block]	'
	16.   Common Stock
	Each share of Class A Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote per share, and each share of Class B Common Stock generally entitles its holder to ten votes per share. The amount of any regular cash dividend payable on a share of Class A Common Stock will be an amount equal to 110% of the corresponding regular cash dividend payable on a share of Class B Common Stock. If a shareholder desires to sell shares of Class B Common Stock, such stock must be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock.
	On August 4, 2008, our Board of Directors adopted a shareholder rights plan (the “Rights Plan”) designed to preserve shareholder value and the value of certain tax assets primarily associated with net operating loss carryforwards (NOL) and built-in losses under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our ability to use NOLs and built-in losses would be limited if there was an “ownership change” under Section 382. This would occur if shareholders owning (or deemed under Section 382 to own) 5% or more of our stock increase their collective ownership of the aggregate amount of our outstanding shares by more than 50 percentage points over a defined period of time. The Rights Plan was adopted to reduce the likelihood of an “ownership change” occurring as defined by Section 382. Under the Rights Plan, one right was distributed for each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding as of the close of business on August 15, 2008. Effective August 15, 2008, if any person or group acquires 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock without the approval of the Board of Directors, there would be a triggering event causing significant dilution in the voting power of such person or group. However, existing stockholders who owned, at the time of the Rights Plan’s adoption, 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock will trigger a dilutive event only if they acquire additional shares. The approval of the Board of Directors’ decision to adopt the Rights Plan may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time, prior to the Rights being triggered. The Rights Plan will continue in effect until August 15, 2018, unless it expires earlier in accordance with its terms. The approval of the Board of Directors’ decision to adopt the Rights Plan was submitted to a stockholder vote and approved at a special meeting of stockholders held on December 5, 2008. Also at the Special Meeting on December 5, 2008, our stockholders approved an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to restrict certain transfers of Class A Common Stock in order to preserve the tax treatment of our NOLs and built-in losses under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Subject to certain exceptions pertaining to pre-existing 5% stockholders and Class B stockholders, the transfer restrictions in the amended Certificate of Incorporation generally restrict any direct or indirect transfer (such as transfers of our stock that result from the transfer of interests in other entities that own our stock) if the effect would be to (i) increase the direct or indirect ownership of our stock by any person (or public group) from less than 5% to 5% or more of our common stock; (ii) increase the percentage of our common stock owned directly or indirectly by a person (or public group) owning or deemed to own 5% or more of our common stock; or (iii) create a new public group. Transfers included under the transfer restrictions include sales to persons (or public groups) whose resulting percentage ownership (direct or indirect) of common stock would exceed the 5% thresholds discussed above, or to persons whose direct or indirect ownership of common stock would by attribution cause another person (or public group) to exceed such threshold.
	On July 3, 2001, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to purchase up to 4 million shares of Class A Common Stock. There were no shares purchased during the three months ended January 31, 2014. As of January 31, 2014, the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock that may yet be purchased under this program is 0.5 million.

Note_17_Income_Taxes

Note 17 - Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	17.   Income Taxes
	The total income tax expense of $0.6 million recognized for the three months ended January 31, 2014 was primarily due to various state tax expenses and state tax reserves for uncertain state tax positions.
	Deferred federal and state income tax assets primarily represent the deferred tax benefits arising from temporary differences between book and tax income which will be recognized in future years as an offset against future taxable income. If the combination of future years’ income (or loss) and the reversal of the timing differences results in a loss, such losses can be carried forward to future years. In accordance with ASC 740, we evaluate our deferred tax assets quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required. ASC 740 requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. Because of the downturn in the homebuilding industry, resulting in significant inventory and intangible impairments in prior years, we are in a three-year cumulative loss position as of January 31, 2014. According to ASC 740, a three-year cumulative loss is significant negative evidence in considering whether deferred tax assets are realizable. Our valuation allowance for deferred taxes amounted to $933.8 million and $927.1 million at January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively. The valuation allowance increased during the three months ended January 31, 2014 primarily due to additional valuation allowance recorded for the federal and state tax benefits related to the losses incurred during this period.

Note_18_Operating_and_Reportin

Note 18 - Operating and Reporting Segments	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	18.   Operating and Reporting Segments
	Our operating segments are components of our business for which discrete financial information is available and reviewed regularly by the chief operating decision-maker, our Chief Executive Officer, to evaluate performance and make operating decisions. Based on this criteria, each of our communities qualifies as an operating segment, and therefore, it is impractical to provide segment disclosures for this many segments. As such, we have aggregated the homebuilding operating segments into six reportable segments.
	Our homebuilding operating segments are aggregated into reportable segments based primarily upon geographic proximity, similar regulatory environments, land acquisition characteristics and similar methods used to construct and sell homes. The Company’s reportable segments consist of the following six homebuilding segments and a financial services segment:
	Homebuilding:
	(1) Northeast (New Jersey and Pennsylvania)
	(2) Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia)
	(3) Midwest (Illinois, Minnesota and Ohio)
	(4) Southeast (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina)
	(5) Southwest (Arizona and Texas)
	(6) West (California)
	Financial Services
	Operations of the Company’s Homebuilding segments primarily include the sale and construction of single-family attached and detached homes, attached townhomes and condominiums, urban infill and active adult homes in planned residential developments. In addition, from time to time, operations of the homebuilding segments include sales of land. Operations of the Company’s Financial Services segment include mortgage banking and title services provided to the homebuilding operations’ customers. We do not retain or service mortgages that we originate but rather sell the mortgages and related servicing rights to investors.
	Corporate and unallocated primarily represents operations at our headquarters in Red Bank, New Jersey. This includes our executive offices, information services, human resources, corporate accounting, training, treasury, process redesign, internal audit, construction services, and administration of insurance, quality, and safety. It also includes interest income and interest expense resulting from interest incurred that cannot be capitalized in inventory in the Homebuilding segments, as well as the gains or losses on extinguishment of debt from debt repurchases or exchanges.
	Evaluation of segment performance is based primarily on operating earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes. Income before income taxes for the Homebuilding segment consists of revenues generated from the sales of homes and land, income from unconsolidated entities, management fees and other income, less the cost of homes and land sold, selling, general and administrative expenses, interest expense and noncontrolling interest expense. Income before income taxes for the Financial Services segment consists of revenues generated from mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services, less the cost of such services and certain selling, general and administrative expenses incurred by the Financial Services segment.
	Operational results of each segment are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the segment been an independent stand-alone entity during the periods presented.
	Financial information relating to the Company’s segment operations was as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Revenues:
	Northeast	$	53,253		$	54,835
	Mid-Atlantic		60,520			52,719
	Midwest		43,758			32,333
	Southeast		39,141			28,961
	Southwest		128,577			131,624
	West		30,750			46,103
	Total homebuilding		355,999			346,575
	Financial services		8,094			11,659
	Corporate and unallocated		(45	)		(23	)
	Total revenues	$	364,048		$	358,211
	(Loss) income before income taxes:
	Northeast	$	(6,061	)	$	(4,887	)
	Mid-Atlantic		1,913			925
	Midwest		2,355			1,200
	Southeast		1,431			590
	Southwest		10,405			8,103
	West		(359	)		(1,095	)
	Homebuilding income before income taxes		9,684			4,836
	Financial services income before income taxes		1,422			4,231
	Corporate and unallocated		(34,996	)		(29,869	)
	Loss before income taxes	$	(23,890	)	$	(20,802	)
	(In thousands)	January 31,			October 31,
		2014			2013
	Assets:
	Northeast	$	320,254		$	323,152
	Mid-Atlantic		261,445			240,486
	Midwest		124,355			104,596
	Southeast		124,532			101,410
	Southwest		359,956			305,878
	West		149,347			130,545
	Total homebuilding		1,339,889			1,206,067
	Financial services		78,999			148,853
	Corporate and unallocated		368,373			404,210
	Total assets	$	1,787,261		$	1,759,130

Note_19_Variable_Interest_Enti

Note 19 - Variable Interest Entities	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Table Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]	'
	19.   Variable Interest Entities
	The Company enters into land and lot option purchase contracts to procure land or lots for the construction of homes. Under these contracts, the Company will fund a stated deposit in consideration for the right, but not the obligation, to purchase land or lots at a future point in time with predetermined terms. Under the terms of the option purchase contracts, many of the option deposits are not refundable at the Company's discretion. Under the requirements of ASC 810, certain option purchase contracts may result in the creation of a variable interest in the entity (“VIE”) that owns the land parcel under option.
	In compliance with ASC 810, the Company analyzes its option purchase contracts to determine whether the corresponding land sellers are VIEs and, if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. Although the Company does not have legal title to the underlying land, ASC 810 requires the Company to consolidate a VIE if the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary. In determining whether it is the primary beneficiary, the Company considers, among other things, whether it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance. Such activities would include, among other things, determining or limiting the scope or purpose of the VIE, selling or transferring property owned or controlled by the VIE, or arranging financing for the VIE. The Company also considers whether it has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. As a result of its analyses, the Company determined that as of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 it was not the primary beneficiary of any VIEs from which it is purchasing land under option purchase contracts.
	We will continue to secure land and lots using options, some of which are with VIEs. Including deposits on our unconsolidated VIEs, at January 31, 2014, we had total cash and letters of credit deposits amounting to approximately $73.0 million to purchase land and lots with a total purchase price of $996.4 million. The maximum exposure to loss with respect to our land and lot options is limited to the deposits plus any pre-development costs invested in the property, although some deposits are refundable at our request or refundable if certain conditions are not met.

Note_20_Investments_in_Unconso

Note 20 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	20.   Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures
	We enter into homebuilding and land development joint ventures from time to time as a means of accessing lot positions, expanding our market opportunities, establishing strategic alliances, managing our risk profile, leveraging our capital base and enhancing returns on capital. Our homebuilding joint ventures are generally entered into with third-party investors to develop land and construct homes that are sold directly to third-party homebuyers. Our land development joint ventures include those entered into with developers and other homebuilders as well as financial investors to develop finished lots for sale to the joint venture’s members or other third parties.
	The tables set forth below summarize the combined financial information related to our unconsolidated homebuilding and land development joint ventures that are accounted for under the equity method.
	(Dollars in thousands)	31-Jan-14
		Homebuilding			Land Development			Total
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	31,376		$	444		$	31,820
	Inventories		105,593			11,838			117,431
	Other assets		5,360			-			5,360
	Total assets	$	142,329		$	12,282		$	154,611
	Liabilities and equity:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	25,752		$	4,517		$	30,269
	Notes payable		19,648			-			19,648
	Total liabilities		45,400			4,517			49,917
	Equity of:
	Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		42,979			2,850			45,829
	Others		53,950			4,915			58,865
	Total equity		96,929			7,765			104,694
	Total liabilities and equity	$	142,329		$	12,282		$	154,611
	Debt to capitalization ratio		17	%		0	%		16	%
	(Dollars in thousands)	31-Oct-13
		Homebuilding			Land Development			Total
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,102		$	639		$	30,741
	Inventories		101,735			11,080			112,815
	Other assets		6,868			-			6,868
	Total assets	$	138,705		$	11,719		$	150,424
	Liabilities and equity:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	28,016		$	4,047		$	32,063
	Notes payable		23,904			-			23,904
	Total liabilities		51,920			4,047			55,967
	Equity of:
	Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		44,141			2,703			46,844
	Others		42,644			4,969			47,613
	Total equity		86,785			7,672			94,457
	Total liabilities and equity	$	138,705		$	11,719		$	150,424
	Debt to capitalization ratio		22	%		0	%		20	%
	As of January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, we had advances outstanding of approximately $7.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, to these unconsolidated joint ventures, which were included in the “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” balances in the tables above. On our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets our “Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures” amounted to $53.3 million and $51.4 million at January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively. In some cases, our net investment in these joint ventures is less than our proportionate share of the equity reflected in the tables above because of the differences between asset impairments recorded against our joint venture investments and any impairments recorded in the applicable joint venture. Impairments of our joint venture equity investments are recorded when we deem a decline in fair value to be other than temporary while impairments recorded in the joint ventures are recorded when undiscounted cash flows of its community indicate that the carrying amount is not recoverable. During fiscal 2013 and the first three months of fiscal 2014, we did not write down any joint venture investments based on our determination that none of the investments in our joint ventures sustained any impairment during those periods.
		For the Three Months Ended January 31, 2014
	(In thousands)	Homebuilding			Land Development			Total
	Revenues	$	51,275		$	1,914		$	53,189
	Cost of sales and expenses		(46,080	)		(1,619	)		(47,699	)
	Joint venture net income	$	5,195		$	295		$	5,490
	Our share of net income	$	2,548		$	147		$	2,695
		For the Three Months Ended January 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Homebuilding			Land Development			Total
	Revenues	$	60,143		$	7,814		$	67,957
	Cost of sales and expenses		(56,288	)		(2,949	)		(59,237	)
	Joint venture net income	$	3,855		$	4,865		$	8,720
	Our share of net (loss) income	$	(93	)	$	2,433		$	2,340
	“Income from unconsolidated joint ventures” is reflected as a separate line in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and reflects our proportionate share of the income or loss of these unconsolidated homebuilding and land development joint ventures. The difference between our share of the income or loss from these unconsolidated joint ventures disclosed in the tables above compared to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, is due primarily to the reclassification of the intercompany portion of management fee income from certain joint ventures and the deferral of income for lots purchased by us from certain joint ventures. To compensate us for the administrative services we provide as the manager of certain joint ventures, we receive a management fee based on a percentage of the applicable joint venture’s revenues. These management fees, which totaled $2.1 million and $2.8 million, for the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are recorded in “Homebuilding Selling, general and administrative” on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	In determining whether or not we must consolidate joint ventures that we manage, we assess whether the other partners have specific rights to overcome the presumption of control by us as the manager of the joint venture. In most cases, the presumption is overcome because the joint venture agreements require that both partners agree on establishing the operations and capital decisions of the partnership, including budgets in the ordinary course of business.
	Typically, our unconsolidated joint ventures obtain separate project specific mortgage financing. The amount of financing is generally targeted to be no more than 50% of the joint venture’s total assets. For our more recent joint ventures, obtaining financing has become challenging, therefore, some of our joint ventures are capitalized only with equity. Including the impact of impairments recorded by the joint ventures, the average debt to capitalization ratio of all our joint ventures is currently 16%. Any joint venture financing is on a nonrecourse basis, with guarantees from us limited only to performance and completion of development, environmental warranties and indemnification, standard indemnification for fraud, misrepresentation and other similar actions, including a voluntary bankruptcy filing. In some instances, the joint venture entity is considered a VIE under ASC 810-10 "Consolidation – Overall" due to the returns being capped to the equity holders; however, in these instances, we are not the primary beneficiary, and therefore we do not consolidate these entities.

Note_21_Recent_Accounting_Pron

Note 21 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block]	'
	21.   Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, “Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors,” which clarifies when an in substance repossession or foreclosure of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan has occurred. By doing so, this guidance helps determine when the creditor should derecognize the loan receivable and recognize the real estate property. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2015 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note_22_Fair_Value_of_Financia

Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

'

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

'

22.   Fair Value of Financial Instruments

ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” provides a framework for measuring fair value, expands disclosures about fair-value measurements and establishes a fair-value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value summarized as follows:

Level 1                      Fair value determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

Level 2                      Fair value determined using significant other observable inputs.

Level 3                      Fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs.

Our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

(In thousands)

Fair Value Hierarchy

Fair Value at

Fair Value at

31-Jan-14

31-Oct-13

Mortgage loans held for sale (1)

Level 2

$

58,196

$

113,739

Interest rate lock commitments

Level 2

249

369

Forward contracts

Level 2

(1,068

)

(1,155

)

$

57,377

$

112,953

(1)  The aggregate unpaid principal balance was $54.7 million and $107.7 million at January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively.

We elected the fair value option for our loans held for sale for mortgage loans originated subsequent to October 31, 2008 in accordance with ASC 825, “Financial Instruments,” which permits us to measure financial instruments at fair value on a contract-by-contract basis. Management believes that the election of the fair value option for loans held for sale improves financial reporting by mitigating volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring the fair value of the loans and the derivative instruments used to economically hedge them without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. In addition, the fair value of servicing rights is included in the Company’s loans held for sale as of January 31, 2014. Fair value of the servicing rights is determined based on values in the Company’s servicing sales contracts. Fair value of loans held for sale is based on independent quoted market prices, where available, or the prices for other mortgage whole loans with similar characteristics.

The Financial Services segment had a pipeline of loan applications in process of $389.9 million at January 31, 2014. Loans in process for which interest rates were committed to the borrowers totaled approximately $38.3 million as of January 31, 2014. Substantially all of these commitments were for periods of 60 days or less. Since a portion of these commitments is expected to expire without being exercised by the borrowers, the total commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

The Financial Services segment uses investor commitments and forward sales of mandatory mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) to hedge its mortgage-related interest rate exposure. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk. Credit risk is managed by entering into MBS forward commitments, option contracts with investment banks, federally regulated bank affiliates and loan sales transactions with permanent investors meeting the segment’s credit standards. The segment’s risk, in the event of default by the purchaser, is the difference between the contract price and fair value of the MBS forward commitments and option contracts. At January 31, 2014, the segment had open commitments amounting to $29.0 million to sell MBS with varying settlement dates through March 13, 2014.

The assets accounted for using the fair value option are initially measured at fair value. Gains and losses from initial measurement and subsequent changes in fair value are recognized in the Financial Services segment’s income. The changes in fair values that are included in income are shown, by financial instrument and financial statement line item, below:

Three Months Ended January 31, 2014

(In thousands)

Mortgage

Interest Rate

Forward

Loans Held

Lock

Contracts

For Sale

Commitments

Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues

$

(1,434

)

$

(120

)

$

87

Three Months Ended January 31, 2013

(In thousands)

Mortgage

Interest Rate

Forward

Loans Held

Lock

Contracts

For Sale

Commitments

Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues

$

(1,037

)

$

(207

)

$

204

The Company’s assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are those assets for which the Company has recorded valuation adjustments and write-offs during the three months ended January 31, 2013. The company did not have any assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the three months ended January 31, 2014. The assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are all within the Company’s Homebuilding operations and are summarized below:

Nonfinancial Assets

Three Months Ended January 31, 2013

(In thousands)

Fair Value Hierarchy

Pre-Impairment Amount

Total Losses

Fair Value

Sold and unsold homes and lots under development

Level 3

$

2,895

$

(568

)

$

2,327

Land and land options held for future development or sale

Level 3

$

485

$

(19

)

$

466

We record impairment losses on inventories related to communities under development and held for future development when events and circumstances indicate that they may be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their related carrying amounts. If the expected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, then the community is written down to its fair value. We estimate the fair value of each impaired community by determining the present value of its estimated future cash flows at a discount rate commensurate with the risk of the respective community. Should the estimates or expectations used in determining cash flows or fair value decrease or differ from current estimates in the future, we may be required to recognize additional impairments. We did not record any inventory impairments for the three months ended January 31, 2014. We recorded inventory impairments, which are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as “Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs” and deducted from Inventory of $0.6 million for the three months ended January 31, 2013.

The fair value of our cash equivalents and restricted cash approximates their carrying amount, based on Level 1 inputs.

The fair value of each series of the senior unsecured notes (other than the 7.0% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “2019 Notes”), the senior exchangeable notes and the senior amortizing notes) and senior subordinated amortizing notes is estimated based on recent trades or quoted market prices for the same issues or based on recent trades or quoted market prices for our debt of similar security and maturity to achieve comparable yields, which are Level 2 measurements. The fair value of the senior unsecured notes (all series in the aggregate), other than the 2019 Notes, senior exchangeable notes and senior amortizing notes, and senior subordinated amortizing notes, was estimated at $501.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively, as of January 31, 2014. As of October 31, 2013 the fair value of the senior unsecured notes (all series in the aggregate), other than the senior exchangeable notes and senior amortizing notes, and senior subordinated amortizing notes, was estimated at $493.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

The fair value of each of the 2019 Notes, the senior secured notes (all series in the aggregate), the senior amortizing notes and the senior exchangeable notes is estimated based on third party broker quotes, a Level 3 measurement. The fair value of the 2019 Notes, senior secured notes (all series in the aggregate), the senior amortizing notes and the senior exchangeable notes was estimated at $152.3 million, $1.0 billion, $19.0 million and $96.3 million, respectively, as of January 31, 2014. As of October 31, 2013, the fair value of the senior secured notes (all series in the aggregate), senior amortizing notes and senior exchangeable notes was estimated at $1.0 billion, $20.9 million and $86.8 million, respectively.

Note_23_Financial_Information_

Note 23 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]	'
Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block]	'
	23.   Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors
	Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the parent company (the “Parent”), is the issuer of publicly traded common stock, preferred stock, which is represented by depository shares, and 7.25% Tangible Equity Units. One of its wholly owned subsidiaries, K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (the “Subsidiary Issuer”), acts as a finance entity that, as of January 31, 2014, had issued and outstanding approximately $992.0 million of senior secured notes ($978.9 million, net of discount), $612.6 million senior notes ($611.4 million, net of discount), $19.0 million senior amortizing notes and $67.5 million senior exchangeable notes (issued as components of our 6.0% Exchangeable Note Units) and $1.1 million senior subordinated amortizing notes (issued as a component of our 7.25% Tangible Equity Units). The senior secured notes, senior notes, senior amortizing notes, senior exchangeable notes and senior subordinated amortizing notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Parent.
	In addition to the Parent, each of the wholly owned subsidiaries of the Parent other than the Subsidiary Issuer (collectively, “Guarantor Subsidiaries”), with the exception of our home mortgage subsidiaries, certain of our title insurance subsidiaries, joint ventures, subsidiaries holding interests in our joint ventures and our foreign subsidiary (collectively, the “Nonguarantor Subsidiaries”), have guaranteed fully and unconditionally, on a joint and several basis, the obligations of the Subsidiary Issuer to pay principal and interest under the senior secured notes (other than the 2021 Notes), senior notes, senior exchangeable notes, senior amortizing notes and senior subordinated amortizing notes. The Guarantor Subsidiaries are directly or indirectly 100% owned subsidiaries of the Parent. The 2021 Notes are guaranteed by the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the members of the Secured Group (see Note 11).
	The senior unsecured notes (except for the 2019 Notes), senior amortizing notes, senior exchangeable notes and senior subordinated amortizing notes have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The 2019 Notes, 2020 Secured Notes and the 2021 Notes (see Note 11) are not, pursuant to the indentures under which such notes were issued, required to be registered. The Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements presented below are in respect of our registered notes only and not the 2019 Notes, 2020 Secured Notes or the 2021 Notes (however, the Guarantor Subsidiaries for the 2019 Notes and the 2020 Secured Notes are the same as those represented by the accompanying Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements). In lieu of providing separate financial statements for the Guarantor Subsidiaries of our registered notes, we have included the accompanying Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements. Therefore, separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning such Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented.
	The following Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements present the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of (i) the Parent, (ii) the Subsidiary Issuer, (iii) the Guarantor Subsidiaries, (iv) the Nonguarantor Subsidiaries and (v) the eliminations to arrive at the information for Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. on a consolidated basis.
	HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	31-Jan-14
	(In Thousands)
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS:
	Homebuilding	$			$	251,445		$	1,155,062		$	320,665		$	(18,910	)	$	1,708,262
	Financial services								8,870			70,129						78,999
	Intercompany receivable					1,256,322						11,491			(1,267,813	)		-
	Investments in and amounts due to and from consolidated subsidiaries		(86,426	)		(9,804	)		301,584						(205,354	)		-
	Total assets	$	(86,426	)	$	1,497,963		$	1,465,516		$	402,285		$	(1,492,077	)	$	1,787,261
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
	Homebuilding	$	1,737		$	37		$	424,713		$	52,891		$			$	479,378
	Financial services								8,446			47,173						55,619
	Notes payable					1,701,709			2,961			190						1,704,860
	Intercompany payable		329,767						982,693						(1,312,460	)		-
	Income taxes payable (receivable)		38,641						(35,113	)								3,528
	Stockholders’ (deficit) equity		(456,571	)		(203,783	)		81,816			301,584			(179,617	)		(456,571	)
	Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures											447						447
	Total liabilities and equity	$	(86,426	)	$	1,497,963		$	1,465,516		$	402,285		$	(1,492,077	)	$	1,787,261
	HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	31-Oct-13
	(In Thousands)
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS:
	Homebuilding	$			$	277,800		$	1,020,435		$	312,042		$			$	1,610,277
	Financial services								14,570			134,283						148,853
	Intercompany receivable					1,093,906						14,489			(1,108,395	)		-
	Investments in and amounts due to and from consolidated subsidiaries		(62,298	)		2,275			286,216						(226,193	)		-
	Total assets	$	(62,298	)	$	1,373,981		$	1,321,221		$	460,814		$	(1,334,588	)	$	1,759,130
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
	Homebuilding	$	3,798		$	491		$	437,767		$	64,329		$			$	506,385
	Financial services								14,789			109,748						124,537
	Notes payable					1,555,336			2,276			94						1,557,706
	Intercompany payable		326,262						805,774						(1,132,036	)		-
	Income taxes payable (receivable)		40,868						(37,567	)								3,301
	Stockholders’ (deficit) equity		(433,226	)		(181,846	)		98,182			286,216			(202,552	)		(433,226	)
	Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures											427						427
	Total liabilities and equity	$	(62,298	)	$	1,373,981		$	1,321,221		$	460,814		$	(1,334,588	)	$	1,759,130
	HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
	(In Thousands)
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Revenues:
	Homebuilding	$			$	(46	)	$	283,038		$	72,962		$			$	355,954
	Financial services								1,835			6,259						8,094
	Intercompany charges					21,367			(21,262	)		(249	)		144			-
	Total revenues					21,321			263,611			78,972			144			364,048
	Expenses:
	Homebuilding		3,983			31,179			289,618			61,009			(1,952	)		383,837
	Financial services		4						1,525			5,143						6,672
	Total expenses		3,987			31,179			291,143			66,152			(1,952	)		390,509
	Income from unconsolidated joint ventures								23			2,548						2,571
(Loss) income before income taxes		(3,987	)		(9,858	)		(27,509	)		15,368			2,096			(23,890	)
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision		(3,592	)					4,225									633
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries		(24,128	)		(12,079	)		15,368						20,839			-
Net (loss) income	$	(24,523	)	$	(21,937	)	$	(16,366	)	$	15,368		$	22,935		$	(24,523	)
HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
(In Thousands)
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues:
Homebuilding	$	2		$	(45	)	$	299,015		$	48,827		$	(1,247	)	$	346,552
Financial services								2,077			9,582						11,659
Intercompany charges					20,200			(25,321	)		(874	)		5,995			-
Total revenues		2			20,155			275,771			57,535			4,748			358,211
Expenses:
Homebuilding		348			29,861			297,770			43,413			2,482			373,874
Financial services		4						1,842			5,582						7,428
Total expenses		352			29,861			299,612			48,995			2,482			381,302
(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt					(770,009	)		770,009									-
Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures								2,382			(93	)					2,289
(Loss) income before income taxes		(350	)		(779,715	)		748,550			8,447			2,266			(20,802	)
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision		(14,361	)					4,867									(9,494	)
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries		(25,319	)		(11,118	)		8,447						27,990			-
Net (loss) income	$	(11,308	)	$	(790,833	)	$	752,130		$	8,447		$	30,256		$	(11,308	)
HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
(In Thousands)
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(24,523	)	$	(21,937	)	$	(16,366	)	$	15,368		$	22,935		$	(24,523	)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(3,110	)		1,280			(114,750	)		32,986			(22,935	)		(106,529	)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(27,633	)		(20,657	)		(131,116	)		48,354						(131,052	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities					215			(363	)		152						4
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities					144,328			10,772			(64,371	)					90,729
Intercompany investing and financing activities – net		27,633			(150,337	)		119,706			2,998						-
Net decrease in cash					(26,451	)		(1,001	)		(12,867	)					(40,319	)
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period					243,470			(6,479	)		92,213						329,204
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	$	-		$	217,019		$	(7,480	)	$	79,346		$	-		$	288,885
HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
(In Thousands)
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(11,308	)	$	(790,833	)	$	752,130		$	8,447		$	30,256		$	(11,308	)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		5,954			768,380			(761,062	)		31,396			(27,585	)		17,083
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(5,354	)		(22,453	)		(8,932	)		39,843			2,671			5,775
Net cash used in investing activities					259			5,722			3,734						9,715
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities					(1,200	)		9,225			(58,594	)					(50,569	)
Intercompany investing and financing activities – net		5,354			10,018			(9,728	)		(2,973	)		(2,671	)		-
Net decrease in cash					(13,376	)		(3,713	)		(17,990	)					(35,079	)
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period					197,097			(2,017	)		78,152						273,232
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	$	-		$	183,721		$	(5,730	)	$	60,162		$	-		$	238,153

Note_24_Transactions_with_Rela

Note 24 - Transactions with Related Parties	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	24.   Transactions with Related Parties
	During the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, an engineering firm owned by Tavit Najarian, a relative of our Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, provided services to the Company totaling $0.2 million for both periods. Neither the Company nor the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer has a financial interest in the relative’s company from whom the services were provided.

Note_25_Subsequent_Events

Note 25 - Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	25.   Subsequent Events
	On January 10, 2014, K. Hovnanian issued $150.0 million aggregate principle amount of 7.0% Senior Notes due 2019, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $147.8 million. See Note 11 for additional information. We used a portion of the net proceeds to fund the redemption on February 9, 2014 (effected on February 10, 2014 which was the next business day after the redemption date) of the remaining outstanding principal amount ($21.4 million) of our 6.25% Senior Notes due 2015. The redemption resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.2 million, net of the write-off of unamortized fees, and will be included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as “Loss on extinguishment of debt” in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. The remaining net proceeds from the offering were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes.
	February 15, 2014 was the mandatory settlement date for our Purchase Contracts and was also the payment date for the last quarterly cash installment payment on the Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes, both of which were initially issued as components of our 7.25% Tangible Equity Units. See Note 12 for additional information.

Note_3_Interest_Tables

Note 3 - Interest (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Home Building Interest [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Real Estate Inventory Capitalized Interest Costs [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Interest capitalized at beginning of period	$	105,093	$	116,056
	Plus interest incurred(1)		34,819		32,653
	Less cost of sales interest expensed		9,490		10,280
	Less other interest expensed(2)(3)		23,333		24,000
	Interest capitalized at end of period(4)	$	107,089	$	114,429
Cash Paid for Interest, Net of Capitalized Interest [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended January 31,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Other interest expensed	$	23,333	$	24,000
	Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries		736		877
	Decrease (increase) in accrued interest		1,284		(8,220	)
	Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	$	25,353	$	16,657

Note_5_Reduction_of_Inventory_1

Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Inventory Impairments And Land Option Cost Write Offs [Abstract]	'
Inventory Impairment [Table Text Block]	'
	(Dollars in millions)	Three Months Ended
		31-Jan-13
		Number of		Dollar		Pre-
		Communities		Amount of		Impairment
				Impairment(1)		Value(2)
	Northeast		1	$	0.6	$	2.9
	Mid-Atlantic		1		-		0.1
	Midwest		-		-		-
	Southeast		1		-		0.4
	Southwest		-		-		-
	West		-		-		-
	Total		3	$	0.6	$	3.4
Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2014				2013
	(Dollars in millions)	Number of Walk-Away Lots(1)		Dollar Amount of Write-Offs(2)		Number of Walk-Away Lots		Dollar Amount of Write-Offs(3)
	Northeast		199	$	0.4		-	$	-
	Mid-Atlantic		433		0.1		140		-
	Midwest		265		-		-		-
	Southeast		527		0.1		-		-
	Southwest		112		0.1		45		-
	West		-		-		-		-
	Total		1,536	$	0.7		185	$	0.1

Note_6_Warranty_Costs_Tables

Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of period	$	131,028		$	121,149
	Additions – Selling, general and administrative		4,541			4,189
	Additions – Cost of sales		2,046			2,795
	Charges incurred during the period		(4,538	)		(6,998	)
	Changes to pre-existing reserves		-			-
	Balance, end of period	$	133,077		$	121,135

Note_9_Mortgage_Loans_Held_for1

Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Loan origination reserves, beginning of period	$	11,036		$	9,334
	Provisions for losses during the period		401			626
	Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates		(559	)		(192	)
	Payments/settlements		(159	)		(650	)
	Loan origination reserves, end of period	$	10,719		$	9,118

Note_11_Senior_Secured_Senior_1

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Exchangeable, Senior Amortizing and Senior Subordinated Notes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	'
	(In thousands)	31-Jan-14		31-Oct-13
	Senior Secured Notes:
	7.25% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due October 15, 2020	$	577,000	$	577,000
	9.125% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due November 15, 2020		220,000		220,000
	2.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 (net of discount)		53,121		53,119
	5.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 (net of discount)		128,816		128,492
	Total Senior Secured Notes	$	978,937	$	978,611
	Senior Notes:
	6.25% Senior Notes due January 15, 2015		21,438		21,438
	11.875% Senior Notes due October 15, 2015 (net of discount)		60,132		60,044
	6.25% Senior Notes due January 15, 2016 (net of discount)		172,233		172,153
	7.5% Senior Notes due May 15, 2016		86,532		86,532
	8.625% Senior Notes due January 15, 2017		121,043		121,043
	7.0% Senior Notes due January 15, 2019		150,000		-
	Total Senior Notes	$	611,378	$	461,210
	11.0% Senior Amortizing Notes due December 1, 2017	$	19,004	$	20,857
	Senior Exchangeable Notes due December 1, 2017	$	67,472	$	66,615
	7.25% Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes due February 15, 2014	$	1,092	$	2,152

Note_18_Operating_and_Reportin1

Note 18 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Note 18 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	(In thousands)	January 31,			October 31,
		2014			2013
	Assets:
	Northeast	$	320,254		$	323,152
	Mid-Atlantic		261,445			240,486
	Midwest		124,355			104,596
	Southeast		124,532			101,410
	Southwest		359,956			305,878
	West		149,347			130,545
	Total homebuilding		1,339,889			1,206,067
	Financial services		78,999			148,853
	Corporate and unallocated		368,373			404,210
	Total assets	$	1,787,261		$	1,759,130
Operating Segments [Member]	'
Note 18 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Tables) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Revenues:
	Northeast	$	53,253		$	54,835
	Mid-Atlantic		60,520			52,719
	Midwest		43,758			32,333
	Southeast		39,141			28,961
	Southwest		128,577			131,624
	West		30,750			46,103
	Total homebuilding		355,999			346,575
	Financial services		8,094			11,659
	Corporate and unallocated		(45	)		(23	)
	Total revenues	$	364,048		$	358,211
	(Loss) income before income taxes:
	Northeast	$	(6,061	)	$	(4,887	)
	Mid-Atlantic		1,913			925
	Midwest		2,355			1,200
	Southeast		1,431			590
	Southwest		10,405			8,103
	West		(359	)		(1,095	)
	Homebuilding income before income taxes		9,684			4,836
	Financial services income before income taxes		1,422			4,231
	Corporate and unallocated		(34,996	)		(29,869	)
	Loss before income taxes	$	(23,890	)	$	(20,802	)

Note_20_Investments_in_Unconso1

Note 20 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	(Dollars in thousands)	31-Jan-14
		Homebuilding			Land Development			Total
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	31,376		$	444		$	31,820
	Inventories		105,593			11,838			117,431
	Other assets		5,360			-			5,360
	Total assets	$	142,329		$	12,282		$	154,611
	Liabilities and equity:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	25,752		$	4,517		$	30,269
	Notes payable		19,648			-			19,648
	Total liabilities		45,400			4,517			49,917
	Equity of:
	Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		42,979			2,850			45,829
	Others		53,950			4,915			58,865
	Total equity		96,929			7,765			104,694
	Total liabilities and equity	$	142,329		$	12,282		$	154,611
	Debt to capitalization ratio		17	%		0	%		16	%
	(Dollars in thousands)	31-Oct-13
		Homebuilding			Land Development			Total
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,102		$	639		$	30,741
	Inventories		101,735			11,080			112,815
	Other assets		6,868			-			6,868
	Total assets	$	138,705		$	11,719		$	150,424
	Liabilities and equity:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	28,016		$	4,047		$	32,063
	Notes payable		23,904			-			23,904
	Total liabilities		51,920			4,047			55,967
	Equity of:
	Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		44,141			2,703			46,844
	Others		42,644			4,969			47,613
	Total equity		86,785			7,672			94,457
	Total liabilities and equity	$	138,705		$	11,719		$	150,424
	Debt to capitalization ratio		22	%		0	%		20	%
		For the Three Months Ended January 31, 2014
	(In thousands)	Homebuilding			Land Development			Total
	Revenues	$	51,275		$	1,914		$	53,189
	Cost of sales and expenses		(46,080	)		(1,619	)		(47,699	)
	Joint venture net income	$	5,195		$	295		$	5,490
	Our share of net income	$	2,548		$	147		$	2,695
		For the Three Months Ended January 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Homebuilding			Land Development			Total
	Revenues	$	60,143		$	7,814		$	67,957
	Cost of sales and expenses		(56,288	)		(2,949	)		(59,237	)
	Joint venture net income	$	3,855		$	4,865		$	8,720
	Our share of net (loss) income	$	(93	)	$	2,433		$	2,340

Note_22_Fair_Value_of_Financia1

Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
	(In thousands)	Fair Value Hierarchy		Fair Value at				Fair Value at
				31-Jan-14				31-Oct-13
	Mortgage loans held for sale (1)	Level 2		$	58,196			$	113,739
	Interest rate lock commitments	Level 2			249				369
	Forward contracts	Level 2			(1,068	)			(1,155	)
				$	57,377			$	112,953
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Table Text Block]	'
			Three Months Ended January 31, 2014
	(In thousands)		Mortgage				Interest Rate				Forward
			Loans Held				Lock				Contracts
			For Sale				Commitments
	Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues		$	(1,434	)		$	(120	)		$	87
			Three Months Ended January 31, 2013
	(In thousands)		Mortgage				Interest Rate				Forward
			Loans Held				Lock				Contracts
			For Sale				Commitments
	Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues		$	(1,037	)		$	(207	)		$	204
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	'
				Three Months Ended January 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Fair Value Hierarchy		Pre-Impairment Amount				Total Losses				Fair Value
	Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	Level 3		$	2,895			$	(568	)		$	2,327
	Land and land options held for future development or sale	Level 3		$	485			$	(19	)		$	466

Note_23_Financial_Information_1

Note 23 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]	'
Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	'
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS:
	Homebuilding	$			$	251,445		$	1,155,062		$	320,665		$	(18,910	)	$	1,708,262
	Financial services								8,870			70,129						78,999
	Intercompany receivable					1,256,322						11,491			(1,267,813	)		-
	Investments in and amounts due to and from consolidated subsidiaries		(86,426	)		(9,804	)		301,584						(205,354	)		-
	Total assets	$	(86,426	)	$	1,497,963		$	1,465,516		$	402,285		$	(1,492,077	)	$	1,787,261
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
	Homebuilding	$	1,737		$	37		$	424,713		$	52,891		$			$	479,378
	Financial services								8,446			47,173						55,619
	Notes payable					1,701,709			2,961			190						1,704,860
	Intercompany payable		329,767						982,693						(1,312,460	)		-
	Income taxes payable (receivable)		38,641						(35,113	)								3,528
	Stockholders’ (deficit) equity		(456,571	)		(203,783	)		81,816			301,584			(179,617	)		(456,571	)
	Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures											447						447
	Total liabilities and equity	$	(86,426	)	$	1,497,963		$	1,465,516		$	402,285		$	(1,492,077	)	$	1,787,261
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS:
	Homebuilding	$			$	277,800		$	1,020,435		$	312,042		$			$	1,610,277
	Financial services								14,570			134,283						148,853
	Intercompany receivable					1,093,906						14,489			(1,108,395	)		-
	Investments in and amounts due to and from consolidated subsidiaries		(62,298	)		2,275			286,216						(226,193	)		-
	Total assets	$	(62,298	)	$	1,373,981		$	1,321,221		$	460,814		$	(1,334,588	)	$	1,759,130
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
	Homebuilding	$	3,798		$	491		$	437,767		$	64,329		$			$	506,385
	Financial services								14,789			109,748						124,537
	Notes payable					1,555,336			2,276			94						1,557,706
	Intercompany payable		326,262						805,774						(1,132,036	)		-
	Income taxes payable (receivable)		40,868						(37,567	)								3,301
	Stockholders’ (deficit) equity		(433,226	)		(181,846	)		98,182			286,216			(202,552	)		(433,226	)
	Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures											427						427
	Total liabilities and equity	$	(62,298	)	$	1,373,981		$	1,321,221		$	460,814		$	(1,334,588	)	$	1,759,130
Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]	'
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Revenues:
	Homebuilding	$			$	(46	)	$	283,038		$	72,962		$			$	355,954
	Financial services								1,835			6,259						8,094
	Intercompany charges					21,367			(21,262	)		(249	)		144			-
	Total revenues					21,321			263,611			78,972			144			364,048
	Expenses:
	Homebuilding		3,983			31,179			289,618			61,009			(1,952	)		383,837
	Financial services		4						1,525			5,143						6,672
	Total expenses		3,987			31,179			291,143			66,152			(1,952	)		390,509
	Income from unconsolidated joint ventures								23			2,548						2,571
	(Loss) income before income taxes		(3,987	)		(9,858	)		(27,509	)		15,368			2,096			(23,890	)
	State and federal income tax (benefit) provision		(3,592	)					4,225									633
	Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries		(24,128	)		(12,079	)		15,368						20,839			-
	Net (loss) income	$	(24,523	)	$	(21,937	)	$	(16,366	)	$	15,368		$	22,935		$	(24,523	)
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Revenues:
	Homebuilding	$	2		$	(45	)	$	299,015		$	48,827		$	(1,247	)	$	346,552
	Financial services								2,077			9,582						11,659
	Intercompany charges					20,200			(25,321	)		(874	)		5,995			-
	Total revenues		2			20,155			275,771			57,535			4,748			358,211
	Expenses:
	Homebuilding		348			29,861			297,770			43,413			2,482			373,874
	Financial services		4						1,842			5,582						7,428
	Total expenses		352			29,861			299,612			48,995			2,482			381,302
	(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt					(770,009	)		770,009									-
	Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures								2,382			(93	)					2,289
	(Loss) income before income taxes		(350	)		(779,715	)		748,550			8,447			2,266			(20,802	)
	State and federal income tax (benefit) provision		(14,361	)					4,867									(9,494	)
	Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries		(25,319	)		(11,118	)		8,447						27,990			-
	Net (loss) income	$	(11,308	)	$	(790,833	)	$	752,130		$	8,447		$	30,256		$	(11,308	)
Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]	'
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net (loss) income	$	(24,523	)	$	(21,937	)	$	(16,366	)	$	15,368		$	22,935		$	(24,523	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(3,110	)		1,280			(114,750	)		32,986			(22,935	)		(106,529	)
	Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(27,633	)		(20,657	)		(131,116	)		48,354						(131,052	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities					215			(363	)		152						4
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities					144,328			10,772			(64,371	)					90,729
	Intercompany investing and financing activities – net		27,633			(150,337	)		119,706			2,998						-
	Net decrease in cash					(26,451	)		(1,001	)		(12,867	)					(40,319	)
	Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period					243,470			(6,479	)		92,213						329,204
	Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	$	-		$	217,019		$	(7,480	)	$	79,346		$	-		$	288,885
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net (loss) income	$	(11,308	)	$	(790,833	)	$	752,130		$	8,447		$	30,256		$	(11,308	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		5,954			768,380			(761,062	)		31,396			(27,585	)		17,083
	Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(5,354	)		(22,453	)		(8,932	)		39,843			2,671			5,775
	Net cash used in investing activities					259			5,722			3,734						9,715
	Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities					(1,200	)		9,225			(58,594	)					(50,569	)
	Intercompany investing and financing activities – net		5,354			10,018			(9,728	)		(2,973	)		(2,671	)		-
	Net decrease in cash					(13,376	)		(3,713	)		(17,990	)					(35,079	)
	Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period					197,097			(2,017	)		78,152						273,232
	Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	$	-		$	183,721		$	(5,730	)	$	60,162		$	-		$	238,153

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Non1

Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Activities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Activities (Details) [Line Items]	'
Noncash Or Part Noncash Receivable Transferred From Joint Venture Parnters To Investment In Joint Venture (in Dollars)	$0.60
Common Class A [Member]	'
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Activities (Details) [Line Items]	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities	3,396,102
Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member]	'
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Activities (Details) [Line Items]	'
Senior exchangeable notes exchanged for Class A Common Stock	18,305

Note_1_Basis_of_Presentation_D

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation (Details) (Homebuilding [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Homebuilding [Member]	'
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation (Details) [Line Items]	'
Number of Reportable Segments	6

Note_2_Stock_Compensation_Deta

Note 2 - Stock Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Note 2 - Stock Compensation (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$3.50	$1.10
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'
Note 2 - Stock Compensation (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$1	$0.70

Note_3_Interest_Details_Intere

Note 3 - Interest (Details) - Interest Costs Incurred, Expensed and Capitalized (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2013
Interest Costs Incurred, Expensed and Capitalized [Abstract]	'		'
Interest capitalized at beginning of period	$105,093		$116,056
Plus interest incurred(1)	34,819	[1]	32,653	[1]
Less cost of sales interest expensed	9,490		10,280
Less other interest expensed(2)(3)	23,333	[2],[3]	24,000	[2],[3]
Interest capitalized at end of period(4)	$107,089	[4]	$114,429	[4]
[1]	Data does not include interest incurred by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries.
[2]	Other interest expensed is comprised of interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt. Interest on completed homes and land in planning, which does not qualify for capitalization, is expensed.
[3]	Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest, is the sum of other interest expensed, as defined above, and interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries adjusted for the change in accrued interest, which is calculated as follows:
[4]	Capitalized interest amounts are shown gross before allocating any portion of the impairments to capitalized interest.

Note_3_Interest_Details_Cash_P

Note 3 - Interest (Details) - Cash Paid for Interest, Net of Capitalized Interest (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2013
Cash Paid for Interest, Net of Capitalized Interest [Abstract]	'		'
Other interest expensed	$23,333	[1],[2]	$24,000	[1],[2]
Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries	736		877
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest	1,284		-8,220
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	$25,353		$16,657
[1]	Other interest expensed is comprised of interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt. Interest on completed homes and land in planning, which does not qualify for capitalization, is expensed.
[2]	Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest, is the sum of other interest expensed, as defined above, and interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries adjusted for the change in accrued interest, which is calculated as follows:

Note_4_Depreciation_Details

Note 4 - Depreciation (Details) (Homebuilding [Member], USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Homebuilding [Member]	'	'
Note 4 - Depreciation (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	$75.80	$75.20

Note_5_Reduction_of_Inventory_2

Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2013
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Number Of Communities Evaluated For Impairment	377		'		'
Number of Communities Performed Detailed Impairment Calculations	4		'		'
Carrying Value Of Communities Tested For Impairment	$17,200,000		'		'
Number Of Communities Tested For Impairment For Which Undiscounted Future Cash Flow Only Exceeded Carrying Amount By Less Than 20%	2		'		'
Carrying Value Of Communities Tested For Impairment For Which Undiscounted Future Cash Flow Only Exceeded Carrying Amount By Less Than 20%	16,200,000		'		'
Percentage Undiscounted Cash Flow Exceeds Carrying Amount	20.00%		'		'
Impairment of Real Estate	0		587,000		'
Land Option Write-offs	700,000		79,000		'
Number of Communities Mothballed	50		'		'
Inventory, Real Estate, Mothballed Communities	116,300,000		'		'
Inventory, Real Estate, Mothballed Communities, Accumulated Impairment Charges	431,300,000		'		'
Liabilities From Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	2,500,000		'		'
Homebuilding [Member] | Lots [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Inventory Real Estate Specific Permance Options	2,700,000		'		'
Homebuilding [Member] | Model Homes [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Liabilities From Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	50,600,000		'		'
Inventory Real Estate Other Options	52,600,000		'		'
Homebuilding [Member] | Land Parcels [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Liabilities From Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	33,300,000		'		'
Inventory Real Estate Other Options	43,300,000		'		'
Homebuilding [Member] | Real Estate Inventory [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	'		18.80%		'
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Impairment of Real Estate	600,000	[1]	568,000		'
Land Option Write-offs	400,000	[2]	'	[3]	'
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Impairment of Real Estate	'		2,000		'
Land Option Write-offs	100,000	[2]	'	[3]	'
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Impairment of Real Estate	'		17,000		'
Land Option Write-offs	100,000	[2]	'	[3]	'
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Land Option Write-offs	'	[2]	'	[3]	'
Homebuilding [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Impairment of Real Estate	600,000	[1]	'		'
Land Option Write-offs	700,000	[2]	100,000	[3]	'
Inventory Real Estate Specific Permance Options	2,737,000		'		792,000	[4]
Liabilities From Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	86,436,000		'		87,866,000	[4]
Inventory Real Estate Other Options	95,859,000		'		100,071,000	[4]
Mid-Atlantic [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Land Option Write-offs	'		6,000		'
Southeast [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Land Option Write-offs	'		19,000		'
Southwest [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Land Option Write-offs	'		11,000		'
West [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Land Option Write-offs	'		14,000		'
Northeast [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Land Option Write-offs	'		29,000		'
Midwest [Member]	'		'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Land Option Write-offs	$21,000		'		'
[1]	During the three months ended January 31, 2013, total impairments were $587 thousand. The impairments were in the Northeast totaling $568 thousand, in the Mid-Atlantic totaling $2 thousand and in the Southeast totaling $17 thousand.
[2]	During the three months ended January 31, 2014, there were write-offs in the Midwest totaling $21 thousand.
[3]	During the three months ended January 31, 2013 there were write-offs totaling $79 thousand. The write-offs were in the Northeast totaling $29 thousand, in the Mid-Atlantic totaling $6 thousand, in the Southeast totaling $19 thousand, in the Southwest totaling $11 thousand and in the West totaling $14 thousand.
[4]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2013.

Note_5_Reduction_of_Inventory_3

Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Inventory Impairments by Homebuilding Segment (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2013
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Inventory Impairments by Homebuilding Segment [Line Items]	'		'
Dollar Amount of Impairment	$0		$587,000
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Inventory Impairments by Homebuilding Segment [Line Items]	'		'
Number of Communities	1		'
Dollar Amount of Impairment	600,000	[1]	568,000
Pre-Impairment Value	2,900,000	[2]	'
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Inventory Impairments by Homebuilding Segment [Line Items]	'		'
Number of Communities	1		'
Dollar Amount of Impairment	'		2,000
Pre-Impairment Value	100,000	[2]	'
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Inventory Impairments by Homebuilding Segment [Line Items]	'		'
Pre-Impairment Value	'	[2]	'
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Inventory Impairments by Homebuilding Segment [Line Items]	'		'
Number of Communities	1		'
Dollar Amount of Impairment	'		17,000
Pre-Impairment Value	400,000	[2]	'
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Inventory Impairments by Homebuilding Segment [Line Items]	'		'
Pre-Impairment Value	'	[2]	'
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Inventory Impairments by Homebuilding Segment [Line Items]	'		'
Pre-Impairment Value	'	[2]	'
Homebuilding [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Inventory Impairments by Homebuilding Segment [Line Items]	'		'
Number of Communities	3		'
Dollar Amount of Impairment	600,000	[1]	'
Pre-Impairment Value	$3,400,000	[2]	'
[1]	During the three months ended January 31, 2013, total impairments were $587 thousand. The impairments were in the Northeast totaling $568 thousand, in the Mid-Atlantic totaling $2 thousand and in the Southeast totaling $17 thousand.
[2]	Represents carrying value, net of prior period impairments, if any, at the time of recording the applicable period's impairments.

Note_5_Reduction_of_Inventory_4

Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2013
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]	'		'
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs	$700		$79
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]	'		'
Number of Walk-Away Lots	199	[1]	'
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs	400	[2]	'	[3]
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]	'		'
Number of Walk-Away Lots	433	[1]	140
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs	100	[2]	'	[3]
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]	'		'
Number of Walk-Away Lots	265	[1]	'
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs	'	[2]	'	[3]
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]	'		'
Number of Walk-Away Lots	527	[1]	'
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs	100	[2]	'	[3]
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]	'		'
Number of Walk-Away Lots	112	[1]	45
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs	100	[2]	'	[3]
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]	'		'
Number of Walk-Away Lots	'	[1]	'
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs	'	[2]	'	[3]
Homebuilding [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]	'		'
Number of Walk-Away Lots	1,536	[1]	185
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs	700	[2]	100	[3]
Northeast [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]	'		'
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs	'		29
Midwest [Member]	'		'
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]	'		'
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs	$21		'
[1]	During the three months ended January 31, 2014, we walked-away from a significant number of lots that were optioned during the latter half of fiscal 2013. Most of these walk-aways occurred during the initial due diligence period when any deposits are still refundable, and therefore, the write-offs associated with these walk-aways primarily related to investigation costs and not deposit forfeitures.
[2]	During the three months ended January 31, 2014, there were write-offs in the Midwest totaling $21 thousand.
[3]	During the three months ended January 31, 2013 there were write-offs totaling $79 thousand. The write-offs were in the Northeast totaling $29 thousand, in the Mid-Atlantic totaling $6 thousand, in the Southeast totaling $19 thousand, in the Southwest totaling $11 thousand and in the West totaling $14 thousand.

Note_6_Warranty_Costs_Details

Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cash Received From Subcontractors For Owner Controlled Insurance Program	$0.40	$0.50	'
General Liability Insurance, Deductible	20	'	20
Bodily Injury Insurance, Deductible	0.25	'	0.25
Bodily Injury Insurance, Limit	5	'	5
Aggregate Retention for Construction Defects, Warranty and Bodily Injury Claims	21	'	21
Payments by Insurance Companies for Claims	$2.90	$1	'

Note_6_Warranty_Costs_Details_

Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Details) - Warranty and General Liability Reserve (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Details) - Warranty and General Liability Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Balance	$131,028	$121,149
Charges incurred during the period	-4,538	-6,998
Changes to pre-existing reserves	0	0
Balance	133,077	121,135
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]	'	'
Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Details) - Warranty and General Liability Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Additions	4,541	4,189
Cost of Sales [Member]	'	'
Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Details) - Warranty and General Liability Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Additions	$2,046	$2,795

Note_7_Commitments_and_Conting1

Note 7 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Dec. 14, 2011
			DAndrea VHovnanian [Member]
Note 7 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Payments	$8,000	$120,000	'
Loss Contingency, Number of Plaintiffs	'	'	1,065

Note_8_Restricted_Cash_and_Dep1

Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$23,900	$31,900
Homebuilding [Member]	'	'
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	10,689	10,286	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Customer Deposits [Member]	'	'
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	5,500	5,100
Financial Services [Member]	'	'
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	13,252	21,557	[1]
Financial Services [Member] | Customer Deposits [Member]	'	'
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$13,300	$21,600
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2013.

Note_9_Mortgage_Loans_Held_for2

Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'	'
Loans Pledged as Collateral (in Dollars)	$35.20	'	$94.10
Repurchase Or Makewhole Inquiries Received	6	13	'

Note_9_Mortgage_Loans_Held_for3

Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale (Details) - Loan Origination Reserves (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Loan Origination Reserves [Abstract]	'	'
Loan origination reserves, beginning of period	$11,036	$9,334
Provisions for losses during the period	401	626
Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates	-559	-192
Payments/settlements	-159	-650
Loan origination reserves, end of period	$10,719	$9,118

Note_10_Mortgages_and_Notes_Pa1

Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) (USD $)

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

28-May-13

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

28-May-13

28-May-13

28-May-13

Jan. 02, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Homebuilding [Member]

Homebuilding [Member]

Homebuilding [Member]

Homebuilding [Member]

Homebuilding [Member]

Homebuilding [Member]

Homebuilding [Member]

Citi Bank [Member]

Citi Bank [Member]

Citi Bank [Member]

JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member]

JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member]

JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member]

Customers Bank [Member]

Customers Bank [Member]

Customers Bank [Member]

Customers Bank [Member]

Customers Bank [Member]

Customers Bank [Member]

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Capital LLC [Member]

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Capital LLC [Member]

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Capital LLC [Member]

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Capital LLC [Member]

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Capital LLC [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Mortgages [Member]

Mortgages [Member]

Mortgages [Member]

Mortgages [Member]

Mortgages [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Master Repurchase Agreement [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Nonrecourse Mortgages [Member]

Nonrecourse Mortgages [Member]

Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured By Operating Properties [Member]

Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured By Operating Properties [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Master Repurchase Agreement [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Secured Debt

'

'

$71,190,000

$62,903,000

[1]

$17,462,000

$17,733,000

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months

'

'

'

'

'

'

72,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.80%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

37,500,000

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Basis Spread On Variable Rate Number Of Business Days Prior To First Day Of Interest Period Spread Determined

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

24,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,100,000

5,100,000

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

23,900,000

31,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

10,689,000

10,286,000

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,100,000

5,200,000

Debt Instrument Variable Rate Basis Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate LIBOR

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.16%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Variable Rate Basis Floor Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.38%

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.88%

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

5.50%

'

'

'

3.75%

4.00%

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warehouse Agreement Borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$18,700,000

$33,600,000

'

$9,200,000

$30,700,000

'

'

'

'

$5,900,000

$27,400,000

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Variable Rate Basis Effective Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.45%

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2013.

Note_11_Senior_Secured_Senior_2

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Exchangeable, Senior Amortizing and Senior Subordinated Notes (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2014

Feb. 09, 2014

Jan. 10, 2014

Feb. 15, 2014

Jan. 10, 2014

Jan. 10, 2014

Jan. 10, 2014

Jan. 10, 2014

Jan. 10, 2014

Jan. 10, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 10, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Redemption With Net Cash Proceeds From Certain Equity Offerings [Member]

Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]

Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]

Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]

Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member]

Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Four [Member]

Secured Group [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member]

The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member]

The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member]

The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member]

The 7.25% 2020 Notes [Member]

The 7.25% 2020 Notes [Member]

The 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member]

The 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member]

The 7.25% 2020 Notes and 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member]

The 7.25% 2020 Notes and 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member]

The 2.0% 2021 Notes Member and 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member]

The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]

The 6.25% 2015 Notes [Member]

The 6.25% 2015 Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]

The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]

The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]

The 2.0% 2021 Notes Member and 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]

The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Exchangeable, Senior Amortizing and Senior Subordinated Notes (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

'

6.25%

6.25%

7.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

5.00%

2.00%

2.00%

7.25%

7.25%

9.13%

9.13%

'

'

'

7.00%

'

Debt Covenant Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Minimum

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage

7.63%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Collateral (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$589,200,000

$64,300,000

'

$94,200,000

Cash Collateral for Borrowed Securities (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,100,000

223,300,000

'

'

'

Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

43,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Face Amount (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

'

Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

147,800,000

'

Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage

'

'

'

'

107.00%

100.00%

'

103.50%

101.75%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed

'

'

'

'

'

'

35.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount (in Dollars)

'

21,400,000

21,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt (in Dollars)

'

$1,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_11_Senior_Secured_Senior_3

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Exchangeable, Senior Amortizing and Senior Subordinated Notes (Details) - Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
The 7.25% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	$577,000	$577,000
The 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	220,000	220,000
The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	53,121	53,119
The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	128,816	128,492
The 6.25% 2015 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	21,438	21,438
The 11.875% 2015 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	60,132	60,044
The 6.25% 2016 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	172,233	172,153
The 7.5% 2016 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	86,532	86,532
The 8.625% 2017 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	121,043	121,043
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	150,000	'
The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member] | Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	19,004	20,857
Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member] | Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	67,472	66,615
The 7.25% Senior Subordinated Amorizing Notes [Member] | Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	1,092	2,152
Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	978,937	978,611
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	$611,378	$461,210

Note_11_Senior_Secured_Senior_4

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Exchangeable, Senior Amortizing and Senior Subordinated Notes (Details) - Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes (Parentheticals)

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Oct. 02, 2012

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Feb. 09, 2011

The 7.25% 2020 Notes [Member]

The 7.25% 2020 Notes [Member]

The 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member]

The 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member]

The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member]

The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member]

The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member]

The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member]

The 6.25% 2015 Notes [Member]

The 6.25% 2015 Notes [Member]

The 11.875% 2015 Notes [Member]

The 11.875% 2015 Notes [Member]

The 6.25% 2016 Notes [Member]

The 6.25% 2016 Notes [Member]

The 7.5% 2016 Notes [Member]

The 7.5% 2016 Notes [Member]

The 8.625% 2017 Notes [Member]

The 8.625% 2017 Notes [Member]

The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]

The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member]

The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member]

The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member]

The 7.25% Senior Subordinated Amorizing Notes [Member]

The 7.25% Senior Subordinated Amorizing Notes [Member]

The 7.25% Senior Subordinated Amorizing Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]

Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]

Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]

Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]

Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]

Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Stated Interest Rate

7.25%

7.25%

9.13%

9.13%

2.00%

2.00%

5.00%

5.00%

6.25%

6.25%

11.88%

11.88%

6.25%

6.25%

7.50%

7.50%

8.63%

8.63%

7.00%

11.00%

11.00%

11.00%

7.25%

7.25%

7.25%

Note_12_Tangible_Equity_Units_

Note 12 - Tangible Equity Units (Details) (USD $)

Jan. 31, 2014

Feb. 14, 2011

Feb. 09, 2011

Feb. 18, 2014

Feb. 15, 2014

Feb. 15, 2014

Feb. 18, 2014

Feb. 15, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Feb. 09, 2011

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]

Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]

Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]

Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]

Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Minimum [Member]

The 7.25% Senior Subordinated Amorizing Notes [Member]

The 7.25% Senior Subordinated Amorizing Notes [Member]

The 7.25% Senior Subordinated Amorizing Notes [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Note 12 - Tangible Equity Units (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tangible Equity Units, Units Issued

'

450,000

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.25%

'

'

'

7.25%

7.25%

7.25%

'

'

Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Issuance Of Prepaid Common Stock Purchase Contracts (in Dollars)

'

$68,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tangible Equity Units, Number Converted

2,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Prepaid Stock Purchase Contracts Shares Settled

'

'

'

6,085,224

'

'

'

'

0

10,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes (in Dollars)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

'

'

1,092,000

2,152,000

[1]

Tangible Equity Units, Cash Installment, Per Note (in Dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.45

'

'

'

'

Tangible Equity Units, Stated Amount (in Dollars)

$25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tangible Equity Units, Annual Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12.07%

'

'

'

'

Tangible Equity Units, Number of Shares Upon Conversion, Per Unit

'

'

'

4.7655

4.7655

5.814

'

'

'

'

4.7655

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase Contracts Settled

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,276,933

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2013.

Note_13_Senior_Exchangeable_No1

Note 13 - Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 02, 2012	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 02, 2012	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 02, 2012	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Jun. 02, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified		Common Class A [Member]	Exchangeable Note Units [Member]	Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]	Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]	Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]	Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]	Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]	Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]	Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
			The 6.00% Exchangable Note Units [Member]	Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member]	Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member]	The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member]	The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member]	The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member]
Note 13 - Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Exchangeable Note Unit Face Amount (in Dollars)	$100,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	'	6.00%	'	'	11.00%	11.00%	11.00%	'	'
Note Units Number	100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Note Units Stated Amount	1,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of Coupons	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Note Units Initial Principal Amount Exchangeable Note	'	'	'	'	768.51	'	'	'	'	'
Note Units Principal Amount At Maturity	'	'	'	'	1,000	'	'	'	'	'
Note Units Initial Principal Amount Senior Amortizing Note	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	231.49	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	'	'	'	'	5.17%	'	'	'	'	'
Convertible Debt Shares Issued Upon Conversion	'	'	'	'	185.5288	'	'	'	'	'
Share Price For Exchangeable Note Conversion	'	'	'	'	5.39	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Amount (in Dollars)	'	'	'	18,305	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued (in Shares)	'	3.4	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Interest (in Dollars)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$39.83	$30

Note_14_Per_Share_Calculations1

Note 14 - Per Share Calculations (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Note 14 - Per Share Calculations (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Prepaid Stock Purchase Contracts, Shares Included in Basic Earnings Per Share	6,100,000	'
Tangible Equity Units, Rate	7.25%	'
Exchangeable Note Unit Rate Stated Percentage	6.00%	'
Exchangeable Debt [Member]	'	'
Note 14 - Per Share Calculations (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	15,200,000	15,200,000
Non-Vested Stock and Outstanding Options [Member]	'	'
Note 14 - Per Share Calculations (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,300,000	1,400,000
Out of the Money Stock Options [Member]	'	'
Note 14 - Per Share Calculations (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2,200,000	1,400,000
Common Class A [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Note 14 - Per Share Calculations (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Tangible Equity Units, Number of Shares Upon Conversion, Per Unit	4.7655	'

Note_15_Preferred_Stock_Detail

Note 15 - Preferred Stock (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013		Jul. 12, 2005	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
				Preferred Class A [Member]	Preferred Class A [Member]	Preferred Class A [Member]
Note 15 - Preferred Stock (Details) [Line Items]	'	'		'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued (in Shares)	5,600	5,600	[1]	5,600	'	'
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	7.63%	'		7.63%	'	'
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share (in Dollars per share)	$140,000	$140,000	[1]	$25,000	'	'
Dividends, Preferred Stock	'	'		'	$0	$0
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2013.

Note_16_Common_Stock_Details

Note 16 - Common Stock (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 03, 2001
Note 16 - Common Stock (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Common Stock Dividends, Percent of Increase from Class A to Class B	110.00%	'
Shareholder Ownership, Percentage of Increase	50.00%	'
Common Class A [Member]	'	'
Note 16 - Common Stock (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Common Stock Voting Rights Votes Per Share Number	1	'
Shareholder Ownership Percentage	4.90%	'
Number of Rights	1	'
Shareholder, Percent of Stock Acquired	4.90%	'
Shareholders, Pre-existing Ownership Percentage	5.00%	'
Shareholders, Current Ownership Percentage	5.00%	'
Shareholders Ownership Percentage on Transfers	5.00%	'
Shareholders, Ownership Percentage Threshold	5.00%	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased (in Shares)	'	4,000,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares (in Shares)	0	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount (in Dollars)	$0.50	'
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Note 16 - Common Stock (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Common Stock Voting Rights Votes Per Share Number	10	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Note 16 - Common Stock (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Shareholder Ownership Percentage	5.00%	'

Note_17_Income_Taxes_Details

Note 17 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$633,000	($9,494,000)	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	($933,800,000)	'	$927,100,000

Note_18_Operating_and_Reportin2

Note 18 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) (Homebuilding [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Homebuilding [Member]	'
Note 18 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) [Line Items]	'
Number of Reportable Segments	6

Note_18_Operating_and_Reportin3

Note 18 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - Financial Information Relating to Segment Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	$364,048	$358,211
(Loss) income before income taxes:	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-23,890	-20,802
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	53,253	54,835
(Loss) income before income taxes:	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-6,061	-4,887
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	60,520	52,719
(Loss) income before income taxes:	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	1,913	925
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	43,758	32,333
(Loss) income before income taxes:	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	2,355	1,200
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	39,141	28,961
(Loss) income before income taxes:	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	1,431	590
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	128,577	131,624
(Loss) income before income taxes:	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	10,405	8,103
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	30,750	46,103
(Loss) income before income taxes:	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-359	-1,095
Homebuilding [Member]	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	355,999	346,575
(Loss) income before income taxes:	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	9,684	4,836
Financial Services [Member]	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	8,094	11,659
(Loss) income before income taxes:	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	1,422	4,231
Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Revenues	-45	-23
(Loss) income before income taxes:	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	($34,996)	($29,869)

Note_18_Operating_and_Reportin4

Note 18 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - Financial Information Relating to Segment Financial Position (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Assets	$1,787,261	$1,759,130	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Excluding Corporate And Unallocated [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Assets	1,339,889	1,206,067
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Assets	320,254	323,152
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Assets	261,445	240,486
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Assets	124,355	104,596
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Assets	124,532	101,410
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Assets	359,956	305,878
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Assets	149,347	130,545
Homebuilding [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Assets	1,708,262	1,610,277	[1]
Financial Services [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Assets	78,999	148,853	[1]
Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Assets	$368,373	$404,210
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2013.

Note_19_Variable_Interest_Enti1

Note 19 - Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Table Text Block [Abstract]	'
Deposits Associated with Land and Lot Options of Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities	$73
Purchase Price Associated with Land and Lot Options of Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities	$996.40

Note_20_Investments_in_Unconso2

Note 20 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Note 20 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Joint Venture Financing, Percent of Assets	50.00%	'	'
Joint Venture, Average Debt to Capitalization Ratio	16.00%	'	'
Homebuilding [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]	'	'	'
Note 20 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Advances to Affiliate	$7,500,000	'	$4,600,000
Joint Venture, Average Debt to Capitalization Ratio	16.00%	'	20.00%
Homebuilding [Member]	'	'	'
Note 20 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	53,323,000	'	51,438,000	[1]
Management Fees Revenue	$2,100,000	$2,800,000	'
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2013.

Note_20_Investments_in_Unconso3

Note 20 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) - Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Equity of:	'	'	'
Debt to capitalization ratio	16.00%	'	'
Our share of net income	$2,571	$2,289	'
Homebuilding [Member] | Homebuilding Venture [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	31,376	'	30,102
Inventories	105,593	'	101,735
Other assets	5,360	'	6,868
Total assets	142,329	'	138,705
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	25,752	'	28,016
Notes payable	19,648	'	23,904
Total liabilities	45,400	'	51,920
Equity of:	'	'	'
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	42,979	'	44,141
Others	53,950	'	42,644
Total equity	96,929	'	86,785
Total liabilities and equity	142,329	'	138,705
Debt to capitalization ratio	17.00%	'	22.00%
Revenues	51,275	60,143	'
Cost of sales and expenses	-46,080	-56,288	'
Joint venture net income	5,195	3,855	'
Our share of net income	2,548	-93	'
Homebuilding [Member] | Land Development Venture [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	444	'	639
Inventories	11,838	'	11,080
Total assets	12,282	'	11,719
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,517	'	4,047
Total liabilities	4,517	'	4,047
Equity of:	'	'	'
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	2,850	'	2,703
Others	4,915	'	4,969
Total equity	7,765	'	7,672
Total liabilities and equity	12,282	'	11,719
Debt to capitalization ratio	0.00%	'	0.00%
Revenues	1,914	7,814	'
Cost of sales and expenses	-1,619	-2,949	'
Joint venture net income	295	4,865	'
Our share of net income	147	2,433	'
Homebuilding [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	31,820	'	30,741
Inventories	117,431	'	112,815
Other assets	5,360	'	6,868
Total assets	154,611	'	150,424
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	30,269	'	32,063
Notes payable	19,648	'	23,904
Total liabilities	49,917	'	55,967
Equity of:	'	'	'
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	45,829	'	46,844
Others	58,865	'	47,613
Total equity	104,694	'	94,457
Total liabilities and equity	154,611	'	150,424
Debt to capitalization ratio	16.00%	'	20.00%
Revenues	53,189	67,957	'
Cost of sales and expenses	-47,699	-59,237	'
Joint venture net income	5,490	8,720	'
Our share of net income	$2,695	$2,340	'

Note_22_Fair_Value_of_Financia2

Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans Held for Sale, Mortgages, Unpaid Principal	$54,700,000	'	$107,700,000
Other Commitment	29,000,000	'	'
Impairment of Real Estate	0	587,000	'
Loan Origination Commitments [Member]	'	'	'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loan Applications in Process	389,900,000	'	'
Loan Origination Commitments [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of Days in Commitment	'60 days	'	'
Interest Rate Committed [Member]	'	'	'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest Rate Committed Loan Applications	38,300,000	'	'
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	'	501,800,000	493,400,000
Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	'	1,300,000	2,200,000
Seven Percent Senior Note Due Twenty Nineteen [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	152,300,000	'	'
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	1,000,000,000	'	1,000,000,000
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	19,000,000	'	20,900,000
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	$96,300,000	'	$86,800,000

Note_22_Fair_Value_of_Financia3

Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member], USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]	'		'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Fair Value	$249		$369
Forward Contracts [Member]	'		'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Fair Value	-1,068		-1,155
Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'		'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage loans held for sale (1)	58,196	[1]	113,739	[1]
	$57,377		$112,953
[1]	The aggregate unpaid principal balance was $54.7 million and $107.7 million at January 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively.

Note_22_Fair_Value_of_Financia4

Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Changes in Fair Values Included in Income (Loss) (Financial Services Revenue Line Item [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Loans Held For Sale [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'
Changes in fair value included in net income (loss), all reflected in financial services revenues	($1,434)	($1,037)
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'
Changes in fair value included in net income (loss), all reflected in financial services revenues	-120	-207
Forward Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'
Changes in fair value included in net income (loss), all reflected in financial services revenues	$87	$204

Note_22_Fair_Value_of_Financia5

Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total Losses	$0	($587,000)
Sold and Unsold Homes and Lots Under Development [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pre-Impairment Amount	'	2,895,000
Total Losses	'	-568,000
Fair Value	'	2,327,000
Land and Land Options Held for Future Development or Sale [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Note 22 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pre-Impairment Amount	'	485,000
Total Losses	'	-19,000
Fair Value	'	$466,000

Note_23_Financial_Information_2

Note 23 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Subsidiary Issuer [Member]

Subsidiary Issuer [Member]

Subsidiary Issuer [Member]

Subsidiary Issuer [Member]

Subsidiary Issuer [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]

Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]

Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]

Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]

Tangible Equity Units [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]

Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]

Senior Subordinated Amortizing Notes [Member]

Note 23 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tangible Equity Units, Rate

7.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.25%

Number of Wholly Owned Subsidiaries

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

'

$992,000,000

$612,600,000

$19,000,000

$67,500,000

$1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes

'

$978,900,000

$611,400,000

'

'

'

$978,937,000

$978,611,000

[1]

$611,378,000

$461,210,000

[1]

$19,004,000

$20,857,000

[1]

$67,472,000

$66,615,000

[1]

$1,092,000

$2,152,000

[1]

'

Exchangeable Note Unit Rate Stated Percentage

6.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Direct or Indirect Ownership in Guarantor Subsidiaries Percentage

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2013.

Note_23_Financial_Information_3

Note 23 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	$1,787,261	$1,759,130	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Liability	2,243,385	2,191,929	[1]
Notes payable	1,704,860	1,557,706	[1]
Income taxes payable (receivable)	3,528	3,301	[1]
Stockholdersb (deficit) equity	-456,571	-433,226	[1]
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures	447	427	[1]
Total liabilities and equity	1,787,261	1,759,130	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	-18,910	'
Homebuilding [Member] | Parent Company [Member]	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Liability	1,737	3,798
Homebuilding [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]	'	'
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	251,445	277,800
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Liability	37	491
Homebuilding [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	1,155,062	1,020,435
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Liability	424,713	437,767
Homebuilding [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	320,665	312,042
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Liability	52,891	64,329
Homebuilding [Member]	'	'
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	1,708,262	1,610,277	[1]
Investments in and amounts due to and from consolidated subsidiaries	53,323	51,438	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Liability	479,378	506,385	[1]
Financial Services [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	8,870	14,570
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Liability	8,446	14,789
Financial Services [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	70,129	134,283
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Liability	47,173	109,748
Financial Services [Member]	'	'
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	78,999	148,853	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Liability	55,619	124,537	[1]
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	-1,492,077	-1,334,588
Intercompany receivable	-1,267,813	-1,108,395
Investments in and amounts due to and from consolidated subsidiaries	-205,354	-226,193
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Intercompany payable	-1,312,460	-1,132,036
Stockholdersb (deficit) equity	-179,617	-202,552
Total liabilities and equity	-1,492,077	-1,334,588
Parent Company [Member]	'	'
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	-86,426	-62,298
Investments in and amounts due to and from consolidated subsidiaries	-86,426	-62,298
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Intercompany payable	329,767	326,262
Income taxes payable (receivable)	38,641	40,868
Stockholdersb (deficit) equity	-456,571	-433,226
Total liabilities and equity	-86,426	-62,298
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]	'	'
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	1,497,963	1,373,981
Intercompany receivable	1,256,322	1,093,906
Investments in and amounts due to and from consolidated subsidiaries	-9,804	2,275
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Notes payable	1,701,709	1,555,336
Stockholdersb (deficit) equity	-203,783	-181,846
Total liabilities and equity	1,497,963	1,373,981
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	1,465,516	1,321,221
Investments in and amounts due to and from consolidated subsidiaries	301,584	286,216
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Notes payable	2,961	2,276
Intercompany payable	982,693	805,774
Income taxes payable (receivable)	-35,113	-37,567
Stockholdersb (deficit) equity	81,816	98,182
Total liabilities and equity	1,465,516	1,321,221
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
ASSETS:	'	'
Assets	402,285	460,814
Intercompany receivable	11,491	14,489
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:	'	'
Notes payable	190	94
Stockholdersb (deficit) equity	301,584	286,216
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures	447	427
Total liabilities and equity	$402,285	$460,814
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2013.

Note_23_Financial_Information_4

Note 23 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Intercompany charges	'	'
Total revenues	364,048	358,211
Total expenses	390,509	381,302
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,571	2,289
(Loss) income before income taxes	-23,890	-20,802
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision	633	-9,494
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	'	'
Net (loss) income	-24,523	-11,308
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Homebuilding	'	-1,247
Total expenses	-1,952	2,482
Homebuilding [Member] | Parent Company [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Homebuilding	'	2
Total expenses	3,983	348
Homebuilding [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Homebuilding	-46	-45
Total expenses	31,179	29,861
Homebuilding [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Homebuilding	283,038	299,015
Total expenses	289,618	297,770
Homebuilding [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Homebuilding	72,962	48,827
Total expenses	61,009	43,413
Homebuilding [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Homebuilding	355,954	346,552
Total revenues	355,999	346,575
Total expenses	383,837	373,874
(Loss) income before income taxes	9,684	4,836
Financial Services [Member] | Parent Company [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial services	4	4
Financial Services [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial services	1,835	2,077
Financial services	1,525	1,842
Financial Services [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial services	6,259	9,582
Financial services	5,143	5,582
Financial Services [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial services	8,094	11,659
Total revenues	8,094	11,659
(Loss) income before income taxes	1,422	4,231
Financial services	6,672	7,428
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Intercompany charges	144	5,995
Total revenues	144	4,748
Total expenses	-1,952	2,482
(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt	'	'
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	'	'
(Loss) income before income taxes	2,096	2,266
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision	'	'
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	20,839	27,990
Net (loss) income	22,935	30,256
Parent Company [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Intercompany charges	'	'
Total revenues	'	2
Total expenses	3,987	352
(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt	'	'
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	'	'
(Loss) income before income taxes	-3,987	-350
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision	-3,592	-14,361
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	-24,128	-25,319
Net (loss) income	-24,523	-11,308
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Intercompany charges	21,367	20,200
Total revenues	21,321	20,155
Total expenses	31,179	29,861
(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt	'	-770,009
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	'	'
(Loss) income before income taxes	-9,858	-779,715
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision	'	'
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	-12,079	-11,118
Net (loss) income	-21,937	-790,833
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Intercompany charges	-21,262	-25,321
Total revenues	263,611	275,771
Total expenses	291,143	299,612
(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt	'	770,009
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	23	2,382
(Loss) income before income taxes	-27,509	748,550
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision	4,225	4,867
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	15,368	8,447
Net (loss) income	-16,366	752,130
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Intercompany charges	-249	-874
Total revenues	78,972	57,535
Total expenses	66,152	48,995
(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt	'	'
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,548	-93
(Loss) income before income taxes	15,368	8,447
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision	'	'
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	'	'
Net (loss) income	$15,368	$8,447

Note_23_Financial_Information_5

Note 23 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) - Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	($24,523)	($11,308)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-106,529	17,083
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-131,052	5,775
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	4	9,715
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	90,729	-50,569
Net (decrease) in cash	-40,319	-35,079
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period	329,204	273,232
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	288,885	238,153
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	22,935	30,256
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-22,935	-27,585
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'	2,671
Intercompany investing and financing activities b net	'	-2,671
Parent Company [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	-24,523	-11,308
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-3,110	5,954
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-27,633	-5,354
Intercompany investing and financing activities b net	27,633	5,354
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	-21,937	-790,833
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	1,280	768,380
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-20,657	-22,453
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	215	259
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	144,328	-1,200
Intercompany investing and financing activities b net	-150,337	10,018
Net (decrease) in cash	-26,451	-13,376
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period	243,470	197,097
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	217,019	183,721
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	-16,366	752,130
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-114,750	-761,062
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-131,116	-8,932
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-363	5,722
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	10,772	9,225
Intercompany investing and financing activities b net	119,706	-9,728
Net (decrease) in cash	-1,001	-3,713
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period	-6,479	-2,017
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	-7,480	-5,730
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	15,368	8,447
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	32,986	31,396
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	48,354	39,843
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	152	3,734
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-64,371	-58,594
Intercompany investing and financing activities b net	2,998	-2,973
Net (decrease) in cash	-12,867	-17,990
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period	92,213	78,152
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	$79,346	$60,162

Note_24_Transactions_with_Rela1

Note 24 - Transactions with Related Parties (Details) (Tavit Najarian [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Tavit Najarian [Member]	'	'
Note 24 - Transactions with Related Parties (Details) [Line Items]	'	'
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$0.20	$0.20

Note_25_Subsequent_Events_Deta

Note 25 - Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Feb. 09, 2014	Jan. 10, 2014	Feb. 15, 2014	Jan. 10, 2014
		Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Senior Notes [Member]
		Senior Notes [Member]	Senior Notes [Member]		The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]
		The 6.25% 2015 Notes [Member]	The 6.25% 2015 Notes [Member]
Note 25 - Subsequent Events (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	'	'	'	$150,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	6.25%	6.25%	7.25%	7.00%
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	'	'	'	'	147,800,000
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount	'	21,400,000	21,400,000	'	'
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	'	$1,200,000	'	'	'
Exchangeable Note Unit Rate Stated Percentage	6.00%	'	'	7.25%	'