Hovnanian Enterprises (HOV) 10-Q 12 Mar 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Mar. 09, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Central Index Key	357294
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-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		131,417,519
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,983,719

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Cash	$273,299,000	$261,898,000
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	24,500,000	29,300,000
Consolidated inventory not owned:
Total assets	2,461,435,000	2,289,930,000	[1]
Income taxes receivable – including net deferred tax benefits	290,213,000	284,543,000	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total liabilities	2,591,419,000	2,407,729,000	[1]
Notes payable:
Accrued interest	31,212,000	32,222,000	[1]
Total notes payable	1,938,141,000	1,689,779,000	[1]
Stockholders’ equity deficit:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value - authorized 100,000 shares; issued and outstanding 5,600 shares with a liquidation preference of $140,000 at January 31, 2015 and at October 31, 2014	135,299,000	135,299,000	[1]
Paid in capital – common stock	700,128,000	697,943,000	[1]
Accumulated deficit	-851,640,000	-837,264,000	[1]
Treasury stock – at cost	-115,360,000	-115,360,000	[1]
Total stockholders’ equity deficit	-129,984,000	-117,799,000	[1]
Total liabilities and equity	2,461,435,000	2,289,930,000	[1]
Common Class A [Member]
Stockholders’ equity deficit:
Common stock	1,432,000	1,428,000	[1]
Common Class B [Member]
Stockholders’ equity deficit:
Common stock	157,000	155,000	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Secured debt	100,638,000	103,908,000	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured By Operating Properties [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Secured debt	16,350,000	16,619,000	[1]
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash	269,282,000	255,117,000	[1]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	12,478,000	13,086,000	[1]
Inventories:
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	1,076,374,000	961,994,000	[1]
Land and land options held for future development or sale	315,504,000	273,463,000	[1]
Consolidated inventory not owned:
Specific performance options	2,724,000	3,479,000	[1]
Other options	87,374,000	105,374,000	[1]
Total consolidated inventory not owned	90,098,000	108,853,000	[1]
Total inventories	1,481,976,000	1,344,310,000	[1]
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	73,403,000	63,883,000	[1]
Receivables, deposits and notes, net	96,538,000	92,546,000	[1]
Property, plant and equipment, net	46,967,000	46,744,000	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other assets	78,915,000	69,358,000	[1]
Total assets	2,059,559,000	1,885,044,000	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities from inventory not owned	78,668,000	92,381,000	[1]
Total liabilities	566,617,000	618,753,000	[1]
Accounts payable and other liabilities	337,060,000	370,876,000	[1]
Customers’ deposits	33,901,000	34,969,000	[1]
Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS
Cash	4,017,000	6,781,000	[1]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	12,010,000	16,236,000	[1]
Mortgage loans held for sale at fair value	93,768,000	95,338,000	[1]
Other assets	1,868,000	1,988,000	[1]
Consolidated inventory not owned:
Total assets	111,663,000	120,343,000	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total liabilities	86,661,000	99,197,000	[1]
Accounts payable and other liabilities	17,895,000	22,278,000	[1]
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit	68,766,000	76,919,000	[1]
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Notes payable:
Senior notes	980,282,000	979,935,000	[1]
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Notes payable:
Senior notes	840,657,000	590,472,000	[1]
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Notes payable:
Senior notes	14,987,000	17,049,000	[1]
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Notes payable:
Senior notes	$71,003,000	$70,101,000	[1]
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
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)	$140,000	$140,000	[1]
Preferred stock, outstanding	5,600	5,600	[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	143,178,282	142,836,563	[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	15,675,467	15,497,543	[1]
Common stock, shares held in Treasury	691,748	691,748	[1]
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015		Jan. 31, 2014
Homebuilding:
Total revenues	$445,714		$364,048
Homebuilding:
Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs	2,230		664
Corporate general and administrative	16,908		16,392
Other interest	25,071	[1],[2]	23,333	[1],[2]
Other operations	1,544		1,109
Total expenses	466,846		390,509
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,452		2,571
Loss before income taxes	-19,680		-23,890
State and federal income tax provision (benefit):
Tax provision (benefit)	-5,304		633
Net loss	-14,376		-24,523
Basic:
Loss per common share (in Dollars per share)	($0.10)		($0.17)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in Shares)	146,929		145,982
Assuming dilution:
Loss per common share (in Dollars per share)	($0.10)		($0.17)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in Shares)	146,929		145,982
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
State and federal income tax provision (benefit):
Tax provision (benefit)	3,132		633
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Sale of homes	433,471		355,181
Land sales and other revenues	1,121		773
Total homebuilding	434,592		355,954
Total revenues	434,628		355,999
Homebuilding:
Cost of sales, excluding interest	354,812		288,887
Cost of sales interest	11,318		9,490
Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs	2,230		664
Total cost of sales	368,360		299,041
Selling, general and administrative	47,646		43,962
Total homebuilding expenses	416,006		343,003
Total expenses	459,529		383,837
Loss before income taxes	13,531		9,684
Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Financial services	11,122		8,094
Total revenues	11,122		8,094
Homebuilding:
Financial services	7,317		6,672
Loss before income taxes	3,805		1,422
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
State and federal income tax provision (benefit):
Tax provision (benefit)	($8,436)
[1]	Other interest expensed includes interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt. Also includes interest on completed homes and land in planning, which does not qualify for capitalization, and therefore 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 on notes payable, which is calculated as follows:

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Common Class A [Member]	Common Class B [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]
Balance, October 31, 2014 at Oct. 31, 2014	$1,428	$155	$135,299	$697,943	($837,264)	($115,360)	($117,799)
Balance, October 31, 2014 (in Shares) at Oct. 31, 2014	131,075,800	14,805,795	5,600
Stock options, amortization and issuances				893			893
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures	4	2		1,292			1,298
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures (in Shares)	341,619	178,024
Conversion of Class B to Class A Common Stock (in Shares)	100	-100
Net loss					-14,376		-14,376
Balance, January 31, 2015 at Jan. 31, 2015	$1,432	$157	$135,299	$700,128	($851,640)	($115,360)	($129,984)
Balance, January 31, 2015 (in Shares) at Jan. 31, 2015	131,417,519	14,983,719	5,600

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	($14,376)	($24,523)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	849	853
Compensation from stock options and awards	3,500	3,530
Amortization of bond discounts and deferred financing costs	2,863	2,380
Gain on sale and retirement of property and assets	-168	-5
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	-1,452	-2,571
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,040	249
Inventory impairment and land option write-offs	2,230	664
Deferred income tax benefit	-5,945
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Mortgage loans held for sale at fair value	1,570	55,576
Restricted cash, receivables, prepaids, deposits and other assets	-6,495	10,018
Inventories	-139,896	-131,834
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
State income tax payable	275	227
Customersb deposits	-1,068	1,874
Accounts payable, accrued interest and other accrued liabilities	-40,544	-47,490
Net cash (used in) operating activities	-195,617	-131,052
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and assets	168	5
Purchase of property, equipment and other fixed assets and acquisitions	-879	-95
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash related to mortgage company	387	-343
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	-11,735	-116
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures	627	553
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-11,432	4
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from mortgages and notes	30,908	24,110
Payments related to mortgages and notes	-34,227	-16,094
Proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs	-5,802	6,043
Payments related to model sale leaseback financing programs	-5,802	-1,175
Proceeds from land bank financing program	3,131	926
Payments related to land bank financing program	-10,334	-9,031
Proceeds from senior notes	247,938
Net payments related to mortgage warehouse lines of credit	-8,153	-57,846
Deferred financing cost from land bank financing program and note issuances	-5,011	-3,291
Principal payments and debt repurchases	-2,062	-2,913
Net cash provided by financing activities	218,450	90,729
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	11,401	-40,319
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period	261,898	329,204
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	273,299	288,885
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest (see Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)	26,489	25,353
Income taxes	366	406
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from senior notes	$250,000	$150,000

Note_1_Basis_of_Presentation

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
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 17).
	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.
	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, 2014. 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 condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The preparation of Condensed Consolidated 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 Condensed Consolidated 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, 2014 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, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	2	Stock Compensation
	For both the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s total stock-based compensation expense was $3.5 million ($2.6 million net of tax for the three months ended January 31, 2015). Included in this total stock-based compensation expense was the vesting of stock options of $0.9 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Note_3_Interest

Note 3 - Interest	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
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)		2015	2014
	Interest capitalized at beginning of period		$109,158	$105,093
	Plus interest incurred(1)		41,472	34,819
	Less cost of sales interest expensed		11,318	9,490
	Less other interest expensed(2)(3)		25,071	23,333
	Interest capitalized at end of period(4)		$114,241	$107,089
	(1)	Data does not include interest incurred by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries.
	-2	Other interest expensed includes interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt. Also includes interest on completed homes and land in planning, which does not qualify for capitalization, and therefore 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 on notes payable, which is calculated as follows:
			Three Months Ended January 31,
	(In thousands)		2015	2014
	Other interest expensed		$25,071	$23,333
	Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries		408	736
	Decrease in accrued interest		1,010	1,284
	Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest		$26,489	$25,353
	-4	Capitalized interest amounts are shown gross before allocating any portion of impairments, if any, to capitalized interest.

Note_4_Reduction_of_Inventory_

Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Inventory Impairments And Land Option Cost Write Offs [Abstract]
Inventory Impairments And Land Option Cost Write Offs [Text Block]	4	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. In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, our discount rate used for the one impairment recorded was 19.0%. 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. We did not record any impairment losses for the three months ended January 31, 2014.
	During the three months ended January 31, 2015, we evaluated inventories of all 488 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 five of those communities (i.e., those with a projected operating loss or other impairment indicators) with an aggregate carrying value of $20.2 million. Of those communities tested for impairment, three communities with an aggregate carrying value of $11.0 million had undiscounted future cash flow that only exceeded the carrying amount by less than 20%. As a result of our impairment analysis, we recorded an impairment loss for the three months ended January 31, 2015, which is included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations on the line entitled “Homebuilding: Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs” and deducted from inventory, of $0.9 million, in one community in the Southeast with a pre-impairment value of $5.7 million. The pre-impairment value represents the carrying value, net of prior period impairments, if any, at the time of recording the impairment.
	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 $1.3 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 costs written off. The number of lots walked away from during the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 were 1,700 and 1,536, respectively, which lots were in all of our segments, with the majority in the Midwest and Southeast.
	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 on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 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 2015, we did not mothball any new communities, or re-activate or sell any communities which were previously mothballed. As of January 31, 2015, the net book value associated with our 45 total mothballed communities was $104.2 million, which was net of impairment charges recorded in prior periods of $412.4 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 Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360-20-40-38, we are required to record this inventory on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of January 31, 2015, 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 $2.7 million recorded to “Liabilities from inventory not owned.”
	We sell and lease 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 Sheets, at January 31, 2015, inventory of $64.4 million was recorded to “Consolidated inventory not owned – other options,” with a corresponding amount of $59.1 million recorded to “Liabilities from inventory not owned” for the amount of net cash received from the transactions.
	We have land banking arrangements, whereby we sell our land parcels to the land banker and they provide us an option to purchase back finished lots on a quarterly basis. Because of our options to repurchase these parcels, for accounting purposes, in accordance with ASC 360-20-40-38, these transactions are considered a financing rather than a sale. For purposes of our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, at January 31, 2015, inventory of $23.0 million was recorded to “Consolidated inventory not owned – other options,” with a corresponding amount of $16.9 million recorded to “Liabilities from inventory not owned” for the amount of net cash received from the transactions.

Note_5_Variable_Interest_Entit

Note 5 - Variable Interest Entities	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entities Disclosure [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities Disclosure [Text Block]	5	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, 2015 and October 31, 2014, 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, 2015, we had total cash and letters of credit deposits amounting to $92.2 million to purchase land and lots with a total purchase price of $1.2 billion. 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_6_Warranty_Costs

Note 6 - Warranty Costs	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block]	6	Warranty Costs
	General liability insurance for homebuilding companies and their suppliers and subcontractors is very difficult to obtain. The availability of general liability insurance is 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. To date, we have been able to obtain general liability insurance but at higher premium costs with higher deductibles. Our subcontractors and suppliers have advised us that they have also had difficulty obtaining insurance that also provides us coverage. As a result, we have 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 risk type of the trade. 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, 2015 and 2014, we received $0.6 million and $0.4 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 2015 and 2014, 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 2015 and 2014 is $0.25 million, up to a $5 million limit. Our aggregate retention in fiscal 2015 and 2014 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, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			January 31,
	(In thousands)		2015		2014
	Balance, beginning of period		$178,008		$131,028
	Additions – Selling, general and administrative		5,249		4,541
	Additions – Cost of sales		3,181		2,046
	Charges incurred during the period		(4,605	)	(4,538	)
	Changes to pre-existing reserves		-		-
	Balance, end of period		$181,833		$133,077
	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 $0.2 million and $2.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2015
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 effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, 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, including those regulating the emission or discharge of materials into the environment, the management of stormwater runoff at construction sites, the handling, use, storage and disposal of hazardous substances, impacts to wetlands and other sensitive environments, and the remediation of contamination at properties that we have owned or developed or currently own or are developing (“environmental laws”). 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. In addition, noncompliance with these laws and regulations could result in fines and penalties, obligations to remediate, permit revocations or other sanctions; and contamination or other environmental conditions at or in the vicinity of our developments may result in claims against us for personal injury, property damage or other losses.
	In March 2013, we received a letter from the Environmental Protection Agency (“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 ceased operations many years before the Company entity involved acquired the properties in the area and carried out the re-development 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 will clean up the site, and that the EPA is proposing that we fund and/or contribute towards the cleanup of the 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. The EPA requested additional information in April 2014 and the Company has responded to its information request.
	We anticipate that increasingly stringent requirements will be imposed on developers and homebuilders in the future. Although we cannot reliably predict the extent of any effect these requirements may have on us, 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. The plaintiff class was seeking unspecified damages as well as treble damages pursuant to the NJ Consumer Fraud Act. 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. The Company Defendants, the Company Defendants’ insurance carriers and the plaintiff class agreed to the terms of a settlement on May 15, 2014 in which the plaintiff class was to receive a payment of $21 million in settlement of all claims, with the majority of the settlement being funded by the Company Defendants’ insurance carriers. The Company had previously reserved for its share of the settlement. The Superior Court approved the settlement agreement on December 23, 2014, and the judgment became final on February 20, 2015, when no appeal was taken. The settlement amount was paid in full and the class action matter is now concluded.

Note_8_Restricted_Cash_and_Dep

Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
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 January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, $15.3 million and $15.4 million, respectively, of the total cash and cash equivalents was in cash equivalents, the book value of which approximates fair value.
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $24.5 million and $29.3 million as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, 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 $7.4 million and $12.0 million at January 31, 2015, respectively, and $7.5 million and $15.8 million as of October 31, 2014, 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’ restricted 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 these customer deposits to 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, 2015
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 (“MBS”), interest rate commitments from borrowers and mandatory and/or best efforts forward commitments to sell loans to third-party purchasers to protect us from interest rate fluctuations. These short-term instruments, which do not require any payments to be made to the counterparty or purchaser 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, 2015 and October 31, 2014, $71.2 million and $78.6 million, respectively, 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 Sheets. As of January 31, 2015 and 2014, we had reserves specifically for 131 and 201 identified mortgage loans, respectively, as well as reserves for an estimate for future losses on mortgages sold but not yet identified to us.
	The activity in our loan origination reserves during the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			January 31,
	(In thousands)		2015	2014
	Loan origination reserves, beginning of period		$7,352	$11,036
	Provisions for losses during the period		61	401
	Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates		568	(559	)
	Payments/settlements		-	(159	)
	Loan origination reserves, end of period		$7,981	$10,719

Note_10_Mortgages_and_Notes_Pa

Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Line Of Credit [Abstract]
Line Of Credit [Text Block]	10	Mortgages and Notes Payable
	We have nonrecourse mortgage loans for certain communities totaling $100.6 million and $103.9 million at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively, which are secured by the related real property, including any improvements, with an aggregate book value of approximately $253.3 million and $220.1 million, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on these obligations was 5.0% at both January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, and the mortgage loan payments on each community primarily correspond to home deliveries. We also have nonrecourse mortgage loans on our corporate headquarters totaling $16.3 million and $16.6 million at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively. These loans had a weighted-average interest rate of 8.7% and 7.0% at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively. As of January 31, 2015, these loans had installment obligations with annual principal maturities in the years ending October 31 of approximately: $0.8 million in 2015, $1.2 million in 2016, $1.3 million in 2017, $1.4 million in 2018, $1.5 million in 2019 and $10.1 million after 2019.
	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, $75.0 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 8.0% 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 such default is 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 London Interbank Offered Rate (“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, 2015 and October 31, 2014, there were no borrowings and $24.0 million and $26.5 million, respectively, of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of January 31, 2015, 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 $4.6 million and $5.5 million letters of credit outstanding at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively. 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, 2015 and October 31, 2014, the amount of cash collateral in these segregated accounts was $5.1 million and $5.6 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 30, 2015, is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $50.0 million through January 30, 2016. 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 0.17% at January 31, 2015, plus the applicable margin of 2.75%. Therefore, at January 31, 2015, the interest rate was 2.92%. As of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Chase Master Repurchase Agreement was $46.0 million and $25.5 million, respectively.
	K. Hovnanian Mortgage has another secured Master Repurchase Agreement with Customers Bank (“Customers Master Repurchase Agreement”), which was amended on May 27, 2014 to extend the maturity date to May 26, 2015, 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, plus the applicable margin ranging from 2.75% to 5.25% based on the takeout investor, type of loan, and the number of days on the warehouse line. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Customers Master Repurchase Agreement as of January 31, 2015, however, as of October 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Customers Master Repurchase Agreement was $20.4 million.
	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 last amended on November 17, 2014, that is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $50.0 million through October 27, 2015. The facility also provides an additional $30.0 million which can be used between 10 calendar days prior to the end of a fiscal quarter through the 45th calendar day after a fiscal quarter end; provided that the amount outstanding may not exceed $50.0 million outside of this date range. 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 0.46% at January 31, 2015, plus the applicable margin ranging from 2.25% to 2.75% based on the takeout investor, type of loan and the number of days outstanding. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Suisse Master Repurchase Agreement as of January 31, 2015, however, as of October 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Credit Suisse Master Repurchase Agreement was $19.7 million.
	In February 2014, K. Hovnanian Mortgage executed a secured Master Repurchase Agreement with Comerica Bank (“Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement”), which was amended on December 30, 2014 to extend the maturity date to December 29, 2015, that is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $35.0 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 at LIBOR, subject to a floor of 0.25%, plus the applicable margin of 2.625%. As of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, the interest rate was 2.875% and the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement was $22.8 million and $11.3 million, respectively.
	The Chase Master Repurchase Agreement, Customers Master Repurchase Agreement, Credit Suisse Master Repurchase Agreement and Comerica 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, 2015, 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 Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	11	Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing and Senior Exchangeable Notes
	Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing and Senior Exchangeable Notes balances as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, were as follows:
	(In thousands)		31-Jan-15	31-Oct-14
	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)		53,131	53,129
	5.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 (net of discount)		130,151	129,806
	Total Senior Secured Notes		$980,282	$979,935
	Senior Notes:
	11.875% Senior Notes due October 15, 2015 (net of discount)		60,514	60,414
	6.25% Senior Notes due January 15, 2016 (net of discount)		172,568	172,483
	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	150,000
	8.0% Senior Notes due November 1, 2019		250,000	-
	Total Senior Notes		$840,657	$590,472
	11.0% Senior Amortizing Notes due December 1, 2017		$14,987	$17,049
	Senior Exchangeable Notes due December 1, 2017		$71,003	$70,101
	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 and senior exchangeable notes outstanding at January 31, 2015 (see Note 21). 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, 2015, 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 12 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 that 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 debt instruments or otherwise affect compliance with any of the covenants contained in our debt instruments.
	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, 2015, the aggregate book value of the real property that constituted collateral securing the 2020 Secured Notes was approximately $738.9 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 $233.6 million as of January 31, 2015, 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, 2015, the collateral securing the guarantees included (1) $40.8 million of cash and cash equivalents (subsequent to such date, cash uses include general business operations and real estate and other investments); (2) approximately $131.1 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 $69.2 million as of January 31, 2015; 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 notes and senior secured 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 was 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.
	On November 5, 2014, K. Hovnanian issued $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019, resulting in net proceeds of $245.7 million. These proceeds were used for general corporate purposes. The notes will mature on November 1, 2019. The notes are redeemable in whole or in part at K. Hovnanian’s option at any time prior to August 1, 2019 at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount plus an applicable “Make-Whole Amount.” At any time and from time to time on or after August 1, 2019, K. Hovnanian may also redeem some or all of the notes to a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount.

Note_12_Senior_Exchangeable_No

Note 12 - Senior Exchangeable Notes	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Exchangeable Note Units And Senior Amortizing Notes [Abstract]
Exchangeable Note Units And Senior Amortizing Notes [Text Block]	12	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, 2015, 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. Following certain corporate events that 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_13_Per_Share_Calculation

Note 13 - Per Share Calculation	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	13	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 then outstanding 7.25% Tangible Equity Units) which shares were issued upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts in February 2014. 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 0.3 million and 1.3 million for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 both the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 net losses for the periods.
	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 3.3 million and 2.2 million for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.

Note_14_Preferred_Stock

Note 14 - Preferred Stock	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Preferred Stock [Text Block]	14	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, 2015 and 2014, we did not pay any dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock due to covenant restrictions in our debt instruments.

Note_15_Common_Stock

Note 15 - Common Stock	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Common Stock [Abstract]
Common Stock [Text Block]	15	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 (NOL) carryforwards 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, 2015. As of January 31, 2015, the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock that may yet be purchased under this program is 0.5 million.

Note_16_Income_Taxes

Note 16 - Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	16	Income Taxes
	The total income tax benefit of $5.3 million recognized for the three months ended January 31, 2015 was primarily due to deferred taxes partially offset by state tax expenses and state tax reserves for uncertain state tax positions. The total income tax expense of $0.6 million recognized for the three months ended January 31, 2014 was primarily due to 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.
	As of October 31, 2014, and again at January 31, 2015, we concluded that it was more likely than not that a substantial amount of our deferred tax assets (“DTA”) would be utilized. This conclusion was based on a detailed evaluation of all relevant evidence, both positive and negative. The positive evidence included factors such as cumulative positive earnings over the last 33 months and the expectation of earnings going forward over the long term and evidence of a sustained recovery in the housing markets in which we operate. Such evidence is supported by significant increases in key financial indicators over the last few years, including new orders, revenues, gross margin, backlog, community count and deliveries compared with the prior years. Economic data has also been affirming the housing market recovery. Housing starts, homebuilding volume and prices are increasing and forecasted to continue to increase. Historically low mortgage rates, affordable home prices, reduced foreclosures and a favorable home ownership to rental comparison are key factors in the recovery.
	Potentially offsetting this positive evidence, we are currently in a three year cumulative loss position as of January 31, 2015. As per ASC 740, cumulative losses are one of the most objectively verifiable forms of negative evidence. Thus, an entity that has suffered cumulative losses in recent years may find it difficult to support an assertion that a DTA could be realized if such an assertion is based on forecasts of future profitable results rather than an actual return to profitability. In other words, an entity that has cumulative losses generally should not use an estimate of future earnings to support a conclusion that realization of an existing DTA is more likely than not if such a forecast is not based on objectively verifiable information. An objectively verifiable estimate of future income in that instance would be based on operating results from the reporting entity's recent history.
	We determined that the positive evidence noted above, including our two fiscal years of sustained operating profitability, outweighed the existing negative evidence and because of our current backlog, we expect to be in a three year cumulative income position in fiscal 2015. Given that ASC 740 suggests using recent historical operating results in the instance where a three year cumulative loss position still exists, we used our recent historical profit levels in projecting our pretax income over the future years in assessing the utilization of our existing DTAs. Therefore, we concluded that it is more likely than not that we will realize a substantial portion of our DTAs, and that a full valuation allowance is not necessary. This analysis resulted in a partial reversal equal to $285.1 million of our valuation allowance against DTAs at October 31, 2014, leaving a remaining valuation allowance of $642.0 million at October 31, 2014. Our valuation allowance for deferred taxes amounted to $642.5 million at January 31, 2015.

Note_17_Operating_and_Reportin

Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	17	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. Our 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 typically 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 (loss) before income taxes”). Income (loss) before income taxes for the Homebuilding segments consist of revenues generated from the sales of homes and land, income (loss) from unconsolidated entities, management fees and other income, less the cost of homes and land sold, selling, general and administrative expenses, interest expense and non-controlling interest expense. Income before income taxes for the Financial Services segment consist 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)		2015		2014
	Revenues:
	Northeast		$50,730		$53,253
	Mid-Atlantic		81,185		60,520
	Midwest		64,439		43,758
	Southeast		37,894		39,141
	Southwest		167,187		128,577
	West		33,193		30,750
	Total homebuilding		434,628		355,999
	Financial services		11,122		8,094
	Corporate and unallocated		(36	)	(45	)
	Total revenues		$445,714		$364,048
	(Loss) income before income taxes:
	Northeast		$(3,153	)	$(6,061	)
	Mid-Atlantic		5,177		1,913
	Midwest		3,711		2,355
	Southeast		(1,156	)	1,431
	Southwest		11,325		10,405
	West		(2,373	)	(359	)
	Homebuilding income before income taxes		13,531		9,684
	Financial services		3,805		1,422
	Corporate and unallocated		(37,016	)	(34,996	)
	Loss before income taxes		$(19,680	)	$(23,890	)
			January 31,		October 31,
	(In thousands)		2015		2014
	Assets:
	Northeast		$314,941		$315,573
	Mid-Atlantic		336,549		313,494
	Midwest		176,218		169,967
	Southeast		195,939		148,096
	Southwest		427,782		410,756
	West		199,819		143,245
	Total homebuilding		1,651,248		1,501,131
	Financial services		111,663		120,343
	Corporate and unallocated		698,524		668,456
	Total assets		$2,461,435		$2,289,930

Note_18_Investments_in_Unconso

Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]	18	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 home buyers. 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-15
			Homebuilding		Land Development		Total
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$27,733		$253		$27,986
	Inventories		293,675		15,934		309,609
	Other assets		8,059		-		8,059
	Total assets		$329,467		$16,187		$345,654
	Liabilities and equity:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$21,539		$1,086		$22,625
	Notes payable		83,196		5,466		88,662
	Total liabilities		104,735		6,552		111,287
	Equity of:
	Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		69,200		3,013		72,213
	Others		155,532		6,622		162,154
	Total equity		224,732		9,635		234,367
	Total liabilities and equity		$329,467		$16,187		$345,654
	Debt to capitalization ratio		27	%	36	%	27	%
	(Dollars in thousands)		31-Oct-14
			Homebuilding		Land Development		Total
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$22,415		$205		$22,620
	Inventories		208,620		16,194		224,814
	Other assets		11,986		-		11,986
	Total assets		$243,021		$16,399		$259,420
	Liabilities and equity:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$27,175		$1,039		$28,214
	Notes payable		45,506		5,650		51,156
	Total liabilities		72,681		6,689		79,370
	Equity of:
	Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.		59,106		2,990		62,096
	Others		111,234		6,720		117,954
	Total equity		170,340		9,710		180,050
	Total liabilities and equity		$243,021		$16,399		$259,420
	Debt to capitalization ratio		21	%	37	%	22	%
	As of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, we had advances outstanding of approximately $1.2 million and $1.8 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 $73.4 million and $63.9 million at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively.
			For the Three Months Ended January 31, 2015
	(In thousands)		Homebuilding		Land Development		Total
	Revenues		$28,045		$1,132		$29,177
	Cost of sales and expenses		(26,517	)	(1,085	)	(27,602	)
	Joint venture net income		$1,528		$47		$1,575
	Our share of net income		$1,467		$23		$1,490
			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
	“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 in the tables above compared to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 $1.2 million and $2.1 million, for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 some of our joint ventures, obtaining financing was challenging, therefore, some of our joint ventures are capitalized only with equity. Including the impact of impairments recorded by the joint ventures, the total debt to capitalization ratio of all our joint ventures is currently 27%. 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 have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary, and therefore we do not consolidate these entities.

Note_19_Recent_Accounting_Pron

Note 19 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block]	19	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 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 was effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2015 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606), (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 requires entities to recognize revenue that represents the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount equivalent to the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The following steps should be applied to determine this amount: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASU 605, “Revenue Recognition”, and most industry-specific guidance in the Accounting Standards Codification. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, "Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures” (“ASU 2014-11”), which makes limited amendments to ASC 860, "Transfers and Servicing." ASU 2014-11 requires entities to account for repurchase-to-maturity transactions as secured borrowings, eliminates accounting guidance on linked repurchase financing transactions, and expands disclosure requirements related to certain transfers of financial assets. ASU 2014-11 is effective for the Company beginning February 1, 2015. Early adoption is not permitted. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, “Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period” (“ASU 2014-12”). ASU 2014-12 requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation,” as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. ASU 2014-12 is effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted ASU 2014-12 as of November 1, 2015, and the adoption did not have a material effect on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-15”), which requires management to perform interim and annual assessments on whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued and to provide related disclosures, if required. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the Company for our fiscal year ending October 31, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. We do not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2014-15 to have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis” (“ASU 2015-02”), which amends the consolidation requirements in ASC 810, primarily related to limited partnerships and VIEs. ASU 2015-02 is effective for the Company beginning on February 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. We do not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2015-02 to have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note_20_Fair_Value_of_Financia

Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	20	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-15			31-Oct-14
	Mortgage loans held for sale (1)	Level 2		$94,189			$95,643
	Interest rate lock commitments	Level 2		281			15
	Forward contracts	Level 2		(702	)		(320	)
				$93,768			$95,338
	(1)  The aggregate unpaid principal balance was $89.3 million and $91.2 million at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, 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. 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 $453.5 million at January 31, 2015. Loans in process for which interest rates were committed to the borrowers totaled approximately $54.7 million as of January 31, 2015. 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 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, 2015, the segment had open commitments amounting to $18.0 million to sell MBS with varying settlement dates through February 19, 2015.
	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, 2015
	(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		$60			$266			$(382	)
			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
	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, 2015. 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
				31-Jan-15
	(In thousands)	Fair Value		Pre-			Total Losses			Fair Value
		Hierarchy		Impairment
				Amount
	Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	Level 3		$5,701			$(923	)		$4,778
	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 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 $0.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2015. We did not record any inventory impairments for the three months ended January 31, 2014.
	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) 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, was estimated at $688.8 million and $464.4 million as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, 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 $139.5 million, $974.2 million, $15.0 million and $78.5 million, respectively, as of January 31, 2015. As of October 31, 2014, the fair value of the 2019 Notes, senior secured notes (all series in the aggregate), senior amortizing notes and senior exchangeable notes was estimated at $148.2 million, $1.0 billion, $17.0 million and $79.6 million, respectively.

Note_21_Financial_Information_

Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block]	21	Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors
	Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the parent company (the “Parent”), is the issuer of publicly traded common stock and preferred stock, which is represented by depository shares. One of its wholly owned subsidiaries, K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (the “Subsidiary Issuer”), acts as a finance entity that, as of January 31, 2015, had issued and outstanding approximately $992.0 million of senior secured notes ($980.3 million, net of discount), $841.1 million senior notes ($840.7 million, net of discount) and $15.0 million senior amortizing notes and $71.0 million senior exchangeable notes (issued as components of our 6.0% Exchangeable Note Units). The senior secured notes, senior notes, senior amortizing notes and senior exchangeable 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 and senior 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 and senior exchangeable 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.
			Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantor			Nonguarantor		Eliminations			Consolidated
						Issuer			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS:
	Homebuilding		$-			$263,151			$1,393,722			$402,686		$-			$2,059,559
	Financial services								6,894			104,769					111,663
	Income taxes receivable		254,444						35,769								290,213
	Intercompany receivable					1,447,274								(1,447,274	)		-
	Investments in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries								351,918					(351,918	)		-
	Total assets		$254,444			$1,710,425			$1,788,303			$507,455		(1,799,192	)		$2,461,435
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
	Homebuilding		$3,184			$31			$512,695			$50,707		$-			$566,617
	Financial services								6,646			80,015					86,661
	Notes payable					1,935,129			2,420			592					1,938,141
	Intercompany payable		307,713						1,115,338			24,223		(1,447,274	)		-
	Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries		73,531			24,711								(98,242	)		-
	Stockholders’ (deficit) equity		(129,984	)		(249,446	)		151,204			351,918		(253,676	)		(129,984	)
	Total liabilities and equity		$254,444			$1,710,425			$1,788,303			$507,455		(1,799,192	)		$2,461,435
			Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantor			Nonguarantor		Eliminations			Consolidated
						Issuer			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS:
	Homebuilding		$-			$195,177			$1,336,716			$353,151		$ -			$1,855,044
	Financial services								11,407			108,936					120,343
	Income taxes receivable		244,391						40,152								284,543
	Intercompany receivable					1,275,453						36,161		(1,311,614	)		-
	Investments in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries								338,044					(338,044	)		-
	Total assets		$244,391			$1,470,630			$1,726,319			$498,248		$(1,649,658	)		$2,289,930
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
	Homebuilding		$2,842			$160			$544,088			$71,663		$-			$618,753
	Financial services								11,210			87,987					99,197
	Notes payable					1,685,892			3,336			551					1,689,779
	Intercompany payable		308,700						1,002,914					(1,311,614	)		-
	Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries		50,648			11,902								(62,550	)		-
	Stockholders’ (deficit) equity		(117,799	)		(227,324	)		164,771			338,047		(275,494	)		(117,799	)
	Total liabilities and equity		$244,391			$1,470,630			$1,726,319			$498,248		$(1,649,658	)		$2,289,930
			Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantor			Nonguarantor		Eliminations			Consolidated
						Issuer			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Revenues:
	Homebuilding		$-			$-			$365,189			$69,403		$-			$434,592
	Financial services								1,833			9,289					11,122
	Intercompany charges					28,512								(28,512	)		-
	Total revenues		-			28,512			367,022			78,692		(28,512	)		445,714
	Expenses:
	Homebuilding		3,711			37,828			357,509			60,481					459,529
	Financial services		68						1,573			5,676					7,317
	Intercompany charges								28,382			130		(28,512	)		-
	Total expenses		3,779			37,828			387,464			66,287		(28,512	)		466,846
	(Loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures								(14	)		1,466					1,452
	(Loss) income before income taxes		(3,779	)		(9,316	)		(20,456	)		13,871		-			(19,680	)
	State and federal income tax (benefit) provision		(12,286	)					6,982								(5,304	)
	Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries		(22,883	)		(12,806	)		13,871					21,818			-
	Net (loss) income		$(14,376	)		$(22,122	)		$(13,567	)		$13,871		$21,818			$(14,376	)
			Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantor			Nonguarantor		Eliminations			Consolidated
						Issuer			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	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
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income		$	(14,376	)		$	(22,122	)		$	(13,567	)	$	13,871			$	21,818		$	(14,376	)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities			(7,520	)			3,248				(39,948	)		(115,203	)			(21,818	)		(181,241	)
Net cash used in operating activities			(21,896	)			(18,874	)			(53,515	)		(101,332	)			-			(195,617	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and assets											156			12							168
Purchase of property, equipment & other fixed assets and acquisitions											(879	)									(879	)
Decrease in restricted cash related to mortgage company														387							387
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures							81				146			(11,962	)						(11,735	)
Distribution of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures														627							627
Intercompany investing activities							(159,012	)										159,012			-
Net cash used in investing activities							(158,931	)			(577	)		(10,936	)			159,012			(11,432	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from mortgages and notes											(10,277	)		6,958							(3,319	)
Net proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs											(5,606	)		(196	)						(5,802	)
Net proceeds from land bank financing programs											(6,332	)		(871	)						(7,203	)
Net proceeds from senior notes							247,938														247,938
Net proceeds related to mortgage warehouse lines of credit														(8,153	)						(8,153	)
Deferred financing cost from land bank financing program and note issuances							(4,627	)			(114	)		(270	)						(5,011	)
Intercompany financing activities			21,896								76,732			60,384				(159,012	)		-
Net cash provided by financing activities			21,896				243,311				54,403			57,852				(159,012	)		218,450
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			-				65,506				311			(54,416	)			-			11,401
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period							159,508				(4,726	)		107,116							261,898
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period		$	-			$	225,014			$	(4,415	)	$	52,700			$	-		$	273,299
		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantor			Nonguarantor		Eliminations			Consolidated
					Issuer			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
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

Note_22_Transactions_with_Rela

Note 22 - Transactions with Related Parties	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	22	Transactions with Related Parties
	During the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. 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_3_Interest_Tables

Note 3 - Interest (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Home Building Interest [Abstract]
Schedule Of Real Estate Inventory Capitalized Interest Costs [Table Text Block]		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
	(In thousands)	2015	2014
	Interest capitalized at beginning of period	$109,158	$105,093
	Plus interest incurred(1)	41,472	34,819
	Less cost of sales interest expensed	11,318	9,490
	Less other interest expensed(2)(3)	25,071	23,333
	Interest capitalized at end of period(4)	$114,241	$107,089
Cash Paid for Interest, Net of Capitalized Interest [Table Text Block]		Three Months Ended January 31,
	(In thousands)	2015	2014
	Other interest expensed	$25,071	$23,333
	Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries	408	736
	Decrease in accrued interest	1,010	1,284
	Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	$26,489	$25,353

Note_6_Warranty_Costs_Tables

Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
	(In thousands)	2015		2014
	Balance, beginning of period	$178,008		$131,028
	Additions – Selling, general and administrative	5,249		4,541
	Additions – Cost of sales	3,181		2,046
	Charges incurred during the period	(4,605	)	(4,538	)
	Changes to pre-existing reserves	-		-
	Balance, end of period	$181,833		$133,077

Note_9_Mortgage_Loans_Held_for1

Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
	(In thousands)	2015	2014
	Loan origination reserves, beginning of period	$7,352	$11,036
	Provisions for losses during the period	61	401
	Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates	568	(559	)
	Payments/settlements	-	(159	)
	Loan origination reserves, end of period	$7,981	$10,719

Note_11_Senior_Secured_Senior_1

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]
	(In thousands)	31-Jan-15	31-Oct-14
	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)	53,131	53,129
	5.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 (net of discount)	130,151	129,806
	Total Senior Secured Notes	$980,282	$979,935
	Senior Notes:
	11.875% Senior Notes due October 15, 2015 (net of discount)	60,514	60,414
	6.25% Senior Notes due January 15, 2016 (net of discount)	172,568	172,483
	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	150,000
	8.0% Senior Notes due November 1, 2019	250,000	-
	Total Senior Notes	$840,657	$590,472
	11.0% Senior Amortizing Notes due December 1, 2017	$14,987	$17,049
	Senior Exchangeable Notes due December 1, 2017	$71,003	$70,101

Note_17_Operating_and_Reportin1

Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Tables) [Line Items]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]		January 31,		October 31,
	(In thousands)	2015		2014
	Assets:
	Northeast	$314,941		$315,573
	Mid-Atlantic	336,549		313,494
	Midwest	176,218		169,967
	Southeast	195,939		148,096
	Southwest	427,782		410,756
	West	199,819		143,245
	Total homebuilding	1,651,248		1,501,131
	Financial services	111,663		120,343
	Corporate and unallocated	698,524		668,456
	Total assets	$2,461,435		$2,289,930
Operating Segments [Member]
Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Tables) [Line Items]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
	(In thousands)	2015		2014
	Revenues:
	Northeast	$50,730		$53,253
	Mid-Atlantic	81,185		60,520
	Midwest	64,439		43,758
	Southeast	37,894		39,141
	Southwest	167,187		128,577
	West	33,193		30,750
	Total homebuilding	434,628		355,999
	Financial services	11,122		8,094
	Corporate and unallocated	(36	)	(45	)
	Total revenues	$445,714		$364,048
	(Loss) income before income taxes:
	Northeast	$(3,153	)	$(6,061	)
	Mid-Atlantic	5,177		1,913
	Midwest	3,711		2,355
	Southeast	(1,156	)	1,431
	Southwest	11,325		10,405
	West	(2,373	)	(359	)
	Homebuilding income before income taxes	13,531		9,684
	Financial services	3,805		1,422
	Corporate and unallocated	(37,016	)	(34,996	)
	Loss before income taxes	$(19,680	)	$(23,890	)

Note_18_Investments_in_Unconso1

Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]	(Dollars in thousands)	31-Jan-15
		Homebuilding		Land Development		Total
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$27,733		$253		$27,986
	Inventories	293,675		15,934		309,609
	Other assets	8,059		-		8,059
	Total assets	$329,467		$16,187		$345,654
	Liabilities and equity:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$21,539		$1,086		$22,625
	Notes payable	83,196		5,466		88,662
	Total liabilities	104,735		6,552		111,287
	Equity of:
	Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	69,200		3,013		72,213
	Others	155,532		6,622		162,154
	Total equity	224,732		9,635		234,367
	Total liabilities and equity	$329,467		$16,187		$345,654
	Debt to capitalization ratio	27	%	36	%	27	%
	(Dollars in thousands)	31-Oct-14
		Homebuilding		Land Development		Total
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$22,415		$205		$22,620
	Inventories	208,620		16,194		224,814
	Other assets	11,986		-		11,986
	Total assets	$243,021		$16,399		$259,420
	Liabilities and equity:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$27,175		$1,039		$28,214
	Notes payable	45,506		5,650		51,156
	Total liabilities	72,681		6,689		79,370
	Equity of:
	Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	59,106		2,990		62,096
	Others	111,234		6,720		117,954
	Total equity	170,340		9,710		180,050
	Total liabilities and equity	$243,021		$16,399		$259,420
	Debt to capitalization ratio	21	%	37	%	22	%
		For the Three Months Ended January 31, 2015
	(In thousands)	Homebuilding		Land Development		Total
	Revenues	$28,045		$1,132		$29,177
	Cost of sales and expenses	(26,517	)	(1,085	)	(27,602	)
	Joint venture net income	$1,528		$47		$1,575
	Our share of net income	$1,467		$23		$1,490
		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

Note_20_Fair_Value_of_Financia1

Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
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-15			31-Oct-14
	Mortgage loans held for sale (1)	Level 2		$94,189			$95,643
	Interest rate lock commitments	Level 2		281			15
	Forward contracts	Level 2		(702	)		(320	)
				$93,768			$95,338
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Table Text Block]			Three Months Ended January 31, 2015
	(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		$60			$266			$(382	)
			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
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]				Three Months Ended
				31-Jan-15
	(In thousands)	Fair Value		Pre-			Total Losses			Fair Value
		Hierarchy		Impairment
				Amount
	Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	Level 3		$5,701			$(923	)		$4,778

Note_21_Financial_Information_1

Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantor			Nonguarantor		Eliminations			Consolidated
					Issuer			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS:
	Homebuilding	$-			$263,151			$1,393,722			$402,686		$-			$2,059,559
	Financial services							6,894			104,769					111,663
	Income taxes receivable	254,444						35,769								290,213
	Intercompany receivable				1,447,274								(1,447,274	)		-
	Investments in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries							351,918					(351,918	)		-
	Total assets	$254,444			$1,710,425			$1,788,303			$507,455		(1,799,192	)		$2,461,435
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
	Homebuilding	$3,184			$31			$512,695			$50,707		$-			$566,617
	Financial services							6,646			80,015					86,661
	Notes payable				1,935,129			2,420			592					1,938,141
	Intercompany payable	307,713						1,115,338			24,223		(1,447,274	)		-
	Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries	73,531			24,711								(98,242	)		-
	Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(129,984	)		(249,446	)		151,204			351,918		(253,676	)		(129,984	)
	Total liabilities and equity	$254,444			$1,710,425			$1,788,303			$507,455		(1,799,192	)		$2,461,435
		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantor			Nonguarantor		Eliminations			Consolidated
					Issuer			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS:
	Homebuilding	$-			$195,177			$1,336,716			$353,151		$ -			$1,855,044
	Financial services							11,407			108,936					120,343
	Income taxes receivable	244,391						40,152								284,543
	Intercompany receivable				1,275,453						36,161		(1,311,614	)		-
	Investments in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries							338,044					(338,044	)		-
	Total assets	$244,391			$1,470,630			$1,726,319			$498,248		$(1,649,658	)		$2,289,930
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
	Homebuilding	$2,842			$160			$544,088			$71,663		$-			$618,753
	Financial services							11,210			87,987					99,197
	Notes payable				1,685,892			3,336			551					1,689,779
	Intercompany payable	308,700						1,002,914					(1,311,614	)		-
	Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries	50,648			11,902								(62,550	)		-
	Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(117,799	)		(227,324	)		164,771			338,047		(275,494	)		(117,799	)
	Total liabilities and equity	$244,391			$1,470,630			$1,726,319			$498,248		$(1,649,658	)		$2,289,930
Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantor			Nonguarantor		Eliminations			Consolidated
					Issuer			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Revenues:
	Homebuilding	$-			$-			$365,189			$69,403		$-			$434,592
	Financial services							1,833			9,289					11,122
	Intercompany charges				28,512								(28,512	)		-
	Total revenues	-			28,512			367,022			78,692		(28,512	)		445,714
	Expenses:
	Homebuilding	3,711			37,828			357,509			60,481					459,529
	Financial services	68						1,573			5,676					7,317
	Intercompany charges							28,382			130		(28,512	)		-
	Total expenses	3,779			37,828			387,464			66,287		(28,512	)		466,846
	(Loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures							(14	)		1,466					1,452
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(3,779	)		(9,316	)		(20,456	)		13,871		-			(19,680	)
	State and federal income tax (benefit) provision	(12,286	)					6,982								(5,304	)
	Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	(22,883	)		(12,806	)		13,871					21,818			-
	Net (loss) income	$(14,376	)		$(22,122	)		$(13,567	)		$13,871		$21,818			$(14,376	)
		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantor			Nonguarantor		Eliminations			Consolidated
					Issuer			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	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	)
Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]		Parent				Subsidiary Issuer				Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations			Consolidated
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net (loss) income	$	(14,376	)		$	(22,122	)		$	(13,567	)	$	13,871			$	21,818		$	(14,376	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities		(7,520	)			3,248				(39,948	)		(115,203	)			(21,818	)		(181,241	)
	Net cash used in operating activities		(21,896	)			(18,874	)			(53,515	)		(101,332	)			-			(195,617	)
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Proceeds from sale of property and assets										156			12							168
	Purchase of property, equipment & other fixed assets and acquisitions										(879	)									(879	)
	Decrease in restricted cash related to mortgage company													387							387
	Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures						81				146			(11,962	)						(11,735	)
	Distribution of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures													627							627
	Intercompany investing activities						(159,012	)										159,012			-
	Net cash used in investing activities						(158,931	)			(577	)		(10,936	)			159,012			(11,432	)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Net proceeds from mortgages and notes										(10,277	)		6,958							(3,319	)
	Net proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs										(5,606	)		(196	)						(5,802	)
	Net proceeds from land bank financing programs										(6,332	)		(871	)						(7,203	)
	Net proceeds from senior notes						247,938														247,938
	Net proceeds related to mortgage warehouse lines of credit													(8,153	)						(8,153	)
	Deferred financing cost from land bank financing program and note issuances						(4,627	)			(114	)		(270	)						(5,011	)
	Intercompany financing activities		21,896								76,732			60,384				(159,012	)		-
	Net cash provided by financing activities		21,896				243,311				54,403			57,852				(159,012	)		218,450
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		-				65,506				311			(54,416	)			-			11,401
	Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period						159,508				(4,726	)		107,116							261,898
	Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	$	-			$	225,014			$	(4,415	)	$	52,700			$	-		$	273,299
		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantor			Nonguarantor		Eliminations			Consolidated
					Issuer			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	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

Note_1_Basis_of_Presentation_D

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation (Details) (Homebuilding [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
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, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Note 2 - Stock Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$3.50	$3.50
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	2.6
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Note 2 - Stock Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$0.90	$1

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, 2015		Jan. 31, 2014
Interest Costs Incurred, Expensed and Capitalized [Abstract]
Interest capitalized at beginning of period	$109,158		$105,093
Plus interest incurred(1)	41,472	[1]	34,819	[1]
Less cost of sales interest expensed	11,318		9,490
Less other interest expensed(2)(3)	25,071	[2],[3]	23,333	[2],[3]
Interest capitalized at end of period(4)	$114,241	[4]	$107,089	[4]
[1]	Data does not include interest incurred by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries.
[2]	Other interest expensed includes interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt. Also includes interest on completed homes and land in planning, which does not qualify for capitalization, and therefore 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 on notes payable, which is calculated as follows:
[4]	Capitalized interest amounts are shown gross before allocating any portion of impairments, if any, 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, 2015		Jan. 31, 2014
Cash Paid for Interest, Net of Capitalized Interest [Abstract]
Other interest expensed	$25,071	[1],[2]	$23,333	[1],[2]
Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries	408		736
Decrease in accrued interest	1,010		1,284
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	$26,489		$25,353
[1]	Other interest expensed includes interest that does not qualify for interest capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt. Also includes interest on completed homes and land in planning, which does not qualify for capitalization, and therefore 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 on notes payable, which is calculated as follows:

Note_4_Reduction_of_Inventory_1

Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Number Of Communities Evaluated For Impairment	488
Number of Communities Performed Detailed Impairment Calculations	5
Carrying Value Of Communities Tested For Impairment	$20,200,000
Number Of Communities Tested For Impairment For Which Undiscounted Future Cash Flow Only Exceeded Carrying Amount By Less Than 20%	3
Carrying Value Of Communities Tested For Impairment For Which Undiscounted Future Cash Flow Only Exceeded Carrying Amount By Less Than 20%	11,000,000
Percentage Undiscounted Cash Flow Exceeds Carrying Amount	20.00%
Impairment of Real Estate	900,000	0
Pre Impairment Value	5,700,000
Land Option Write-offs	1,300,000	700,000
Number Of Walk Away Lots	1,700	1,536
Number of Communities Mothballed	45
Inventory, Real Estate, Mothballed Communities	104,200,000
Inventory, Real Estate, Mothballed Communities, Accumulated Impairment Charges	412,400,000
Specific Performance [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory Real Estate Specific Performance Options	2,700,000
Liabilities From Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	2,700,000
Model Sale Leaseback Financing Arrangements [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Liabilities From Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	59,100,000
Inventory Real Estate Other Options	64,400,000
Land Banking Arrangement [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Liabilities From Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	16,900,000
Inventory Real Estate Other Options	23,000,000
Homebuilding [Member] | Real Estate Inventory [Member]
Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	19.00%
Homebuilding [Member]
Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory Real Estate Specific Performance Options	2,724,000		3,479,000	[1]
Liabilities From Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	78,668,000		92,381,000	[1]
Inventory Real Estate Other Options	$87,374,000		$105,374,000	[1]
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note_5_Variable_Interest_Entit1

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

Note_6_Warranty_Costs_Details

Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Cash Received From Subcontractors For Owner Controlled Insurance Program	$0.60	$0.40
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	$0.20	$2.90

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, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Details) - Warranty and General Liability Reserve [Line Items]
Balance	$178,008	$131,028
Charges incurred during the period	-4,605	-4,538
Balance	181,833	133,077
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Details) - Warranty and General Liability Reserve [Line Items]
Additions	5,249	4,541
Cost of Sales [Member]
Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Details) - Warranty and General Liability Reserve [Line Items]
Additions	$3,181	$2,046

Note_7_Commitments_and_Conting1

Note 7 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details) (DAndrea VHovnanian [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	15-May-14	Dec. 14, 2011
DAndrea VHovnanian [Member]
Note 7 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details) [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Number of Plaintiffs		1,065
Litigation Settlement, Amount	$21

Note_8_Restricted_Cash_and_Dep1

Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$15,300,000	$15,400,000
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	24,500,000	29,300,000
Customer Deposits [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	7,400,000	7,500,000
Customer Deposits [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	12,000,000	15,800,000
Homebuilding [Member]
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	12,478,000	13,086,000	[1]
Financial Services [Member]
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$12,010,000	$16,236,000	[1]
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note_9_Mortgage_Loans_Held_for2

Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]
Loans Pledged as Collateral	$71.20	$78.60
Number of Loans Reserved For	131		201

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, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Loan Origination Reserves [Abstract]
Loan origination reserves, beginning of period	$7,352	$11,036
Provisions for losses during the period	61	401
Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates	568	-559
Payments/settlements		-159
Loan origination reserves, end of period	$7,981	$10,719

Note_10_Mortgages_and_Notes_Pa1

Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Mortgages [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Secured Debt		$16,300,000	$16,600,000
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate		8.70%	7.00%
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months		800,000
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		10,100,000
Homebuilding [Member] | Mortgages [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Secured Debt		100,638,000	103,908,000	[1]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount		253,300,000	220,100,000
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate		5.00%	5.00%
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 7.25% 2020 Notes and 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Restricted Cash [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Cash Collateral for Borrowed Securities		5,100,000	5,600,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 7.25% 2020 Notes and 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount		738,900,000
Cash Collateral for Borrowed Securities		233,600,000
Credit Suisse Master Repurchase Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.25%
Credit Suisse Master Repurchase Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.75%
Credit Suisse Master Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		50,000,000
Warehouse Agreement Borrowings		0	19,700,000
Line of Credit Facility, Additional Borrowing Capacity		30,000,000
Debt Instrument Variable Rate Basis Effective Rate		0.46%
Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.63%
Debt Instrument Variable Rate Basis Floor Rate		0.25%
Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		35,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		2.88%	2.88%
Warehouse Agreement Borrowings		22,800,000	11,300,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Citi Bank [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term	5 years
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	75,000,000
Debt Instrument Basis Spread On Variable Rate Number Of Business Days Prior To First Day Of Interest Period Spread Determined		2 days
Long-term Line of Credit		0	0
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		24,000,000	26,500,000
Letter of Credit [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		4,600,000	5,500,000
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Customers Bank [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Customers Bank [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		5.25%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Variable Rate Basis Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate LIBOR		0.17%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.75%
JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		50,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		2.92%
Warehouse Agreement Borrowings		46,000,000	25,500,000
Customers Bank [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		37,500,000
Warehouse Agreement Borrowings		$0	$20,400,000
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note_11_Senior_Secured_Senior_2

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 10, 2014	Nov. 05, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Feb. 09, 2014
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Covenant Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Minimum	2
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	7.63%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member] | Redemption With Net Cash Proceeds From Certain Equity Offerings [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		107.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed		35.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		100.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			100.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		103.50%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			100.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		101.75%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Four [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		100.00%
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%				5.00%
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.00%				2.00%
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 7.25% 2020 Notes and 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Restricted Cash [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Cash Collateral for Borrowed Securities (in Dollars)	5,100,000				5,600,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 7.25% 2020 Notes and 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.25%
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount (in Dollars)	738,900,000
Cash Collateral for Borrowed Securities (in Dollars)	233,600,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 2.0% 2021 Notes Member and 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Secured Group [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures (in Dollars)	69,200,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 2.0% 2021 Notes Member and 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount (in Dollars)	131,100,000
Senior Notes [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		7.00%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount (in Dollars)		150,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt (in Dollars)		147,800,000
Senior Notes [Member] | The 6.25% 2015 Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						6.25%
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount (in Dollars)						21,400,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt (in Dollars)				-1,200,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			8.00%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount (in Dollars)			250,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt (in Dollars)			245,700,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Collateral (in Dollars)	40,800,000

Note_11_Senior_Secured_Senior_3

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) - Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
The 7.25% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	$577,000	$577,000
The 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	220,000	220,000
The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	53,131	53,129
The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	130,151	129,806
The 11.875% 2015 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	60,514	60,414
The 6.25% 2016 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	172,568	172,483
The 7.5% 2016 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	86,532	86,532
The 8.625% 2017 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	121,043	121,043
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	150,000	150,000
8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	250,000
The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member] | Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	14,987	17,049
Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member] | Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	71,003	70,101
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	980,282	979,935
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	$840,657	$590,472

Note_11_Senior_Secured_Senior_4

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) - Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes (Parentheticals)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 02, 2012
The 7.25% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	7.25%	7.25%
The 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	9.13%	9.13%
The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	2.00%	2.00%
The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	5.00%	5.00%
The 11.875% 2015 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	11.88%	11.88%
The 6.25% 2016 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	6.25%	6.25%
The 7.5% 2016 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	7.50%	7.50%
The 8.625% 2017 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	8.63%	8.63%
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	7.00%	7.00%
8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	8.00%	8.00%
The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member] | Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	11.00%	11.00%	11.00%
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate		11.00%

Note_12_Senior_Exchangeable_No1

Note 12 - Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Jun. 02, 2013	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 02, 2012	Oct. 31, 2014
Exchangeable Note Units [Member] | The 6.00% Exchangeable Note Units [Member]
Note 12 - Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$100,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				6.00%
Note Units Number				100,000
Note Units Stated Amount				1,000
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%
Shares Issued Upon Conversion of Convertible Debt				$185.53
Share Price For Exchangeable Note Conversion				5.39
Senior Exchangeable Notes Exchanged for Class A Common Stock	18,305
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued	3,400,000
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member] | The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member]
Note 12 - Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			11.00%	11.00%	11.00%
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Note 12 - Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					11.00%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Interest		$39.83	$30

Note_13_Per_Share_Calculation_

Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details) [Line Items]
Prepaid Stock Purchase Contracts, Shares Included in Basic Earnings Per Share		6.1
Tangible Equity Units, Rate		7.25%
Exchangeable Note Unit Rate Stated Percentage	6.00%	6.00%
Non-Vested Stock and Outstanding Options [Member]
Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details) [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0.3	1.3
Out of the Money Stock Options [Member]
Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details) [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	3.3	2.2
Exchangeable Debt [Member]
Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details) [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	15.2	15.2

Note_14_Preferred_Stock_Detail

Note 14 - Preferred Stock (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jul. 12, 2005	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Note 14 - Preferred Stock (Details) [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued (in Shares)	5,600			5,600	[1]
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	7.63%
Preferred Class A [Member]
Note 14 - Preferred Stock (Details) [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued (in Shares)		5,600
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage		7.63%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share (in Dollars per share)		$25,000
Payments of Dividends	0		$0
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note_15_Common_Stock_Details

Note 15 - Common Stock (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Aug. 04, 2008	Dec. 05, 2008	Aug. 15, 2008	Jul. 03, 2001
Note 15 - 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 15 - 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 15 - Common Stock (Details) [Line Items]
Common Stock Voting Rights Votes Per Share Number	10
Minimum [Member]
Note 15 - Common Stock (Details) [Line Items]
Shareholder Ownership Percentage		5.00%

Note_16_Income_Taxes_Details

Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	($5,304,000)	$633,000
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount			-285,100,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	$642,500,000		$642,000,000

Note_17_Operating_and_Reportin2

Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) (Homebuilding [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Homebuilding [Member]
Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	6

Note_17_Operating_and_Reportin3

Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - Financial Information Relating to Segment Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Total revenues	$445,714	$364,048
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	-19,680	-23,890
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	50,730	53,253
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	-3,153	-6,061
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	81,185	60,520
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	5,177	1,913
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	64,439	43,758
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	3,711	2,355
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	37,894	39,141
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	-1,156	1,431
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	167,187	128,577
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	11,325	10,405
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	33,193	30,750
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	-2,373	-359
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	434,628	355,999
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	13,531	9,684
Financial Services [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	11,122	8,094
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	3,805	1,422
Corporate and Other [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	-36	-45
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	($37,016)	($34,996)

Note_17_Operating_and_Reportin4

Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - Financial Information Relating to Segment Financial Position (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Assets	$2,461,435	$2,289,930	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Excluding Corporate And Unallocated [Member]
Assets:
Assets	1,651,248	1,501,131
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Assets:
Assets	314,941	315,573
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Assets:
Assets	336,549	313,494
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Assets:
Assets	176,218	169,967
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Assets:
Assets	195,939	148,096
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Assets:
Assets	427,782	410,756
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Assets:
Assets	199,819	143,245
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets:
Assets	2,059,559	1,885,044	[1]
Financial Services [Member]
Assets:
Assets	111,663	120,343	[1]
Corporate and Other [Member]
Assets:
Assets	$698,524	$668,456
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note_18_Investments_in_Unconso2

Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Note 18 - 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	27.00%
Homebuilding [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) [Line Items]
Advances to Affiliate	$1,200,000		$1,800,000
Joint Venture, Average Debt to Capitalization Ratio	27.00%		22.00%
Homebuilding [Member]
Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	73,403,000		63,883,000	[1]
Management Fees Revenue	$1,200,000	$2,100,000
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note_18_Investments_in_Unconso3

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

Note_20_Fair_Value_of_Financia2

Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Loans Held for Sale, Mortgages, Unpaid Principal	$89,300,000		$91,200,000
Other Commitment	18,000,000
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring		0
Impairment of Real Estate	900,000	0
Loan Origination Commitments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Days in Commitment	60 days
Loan Origination Commitments [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Loan Applications in Process	453,500,000
Interest Rate Committed [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Interest Rate Committed Loan Applications	54,700,000
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	688,800,000		464,400,000
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	139,500,000		148,200,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	974,200,000		1,000,000,000
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	15,000,000		17,000,000
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	$78,500,000		$79,600,000

Note_20_Fair_Value_of_Financia3

Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member], Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015		Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Fair Value	$281		$15
Forward Contracts [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Fair Value	-702		-320
Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage loans held for sale (1)	94,189	[1]	95,643	[1]
	$93,768		$95,338
[1]	The aggregate unpaid principal balance was $89.3 million and $91.2 million at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively.

Note_20_Fair_Value_of_Financia4

Note 20 - 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, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
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	$60	($1,434)
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	266	-120
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	($382)	$87

Note_20_Fair_Value_of_Financia5

Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	$5,700,000
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	-900,000	0
Sold and Unsold Homes and Lots Under Development [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	5,701,000
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	-923,000
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	$4,778,000

Note_21_Financial_Information_2

Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Wholly Owned Subsidiaries	1
Exchangeable Note Unit Rate Stated Percentage	6.00%	6.00%
Direct or Indirect Ownership in Guarantor Subsidiaries Percentage	100.00%
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	992,000,000
Senior Notes	980,300,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Senior Notes	980,282,000		979,935,000	[1]
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	841,100,000
Senior Notes	840,700,000
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Senior Notes	840,657,000		590,472,000	[1]
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	15,000,000
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Senior Notes	14,987,000		17,049,000	[1]
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	71,000,000
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Senior Notes	71,003,000		$70,101,000	[1]
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note_21_Financial_Information_3

Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) - Consolidating Condensed Financial Statements - Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS:
Assets	$2,461,435	$2,289,930	[1]
Income Taxes Receivable	290,213
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	2,591,419	2,407,729	[1]
Notes payable	1,938,141	1,689,779	[1]
Stockholdersb (deficit) equity	-129,984	-117,799
Total liabilities and equity	2,461,435	2,289,930	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	3,184	2,842
Homebuilding [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	263,151	195,177
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	31	160
Homebuilding [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	1,393,722	1,336,716
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	512,695	544,088
Homebuilding [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	402,686	353,151
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	50,707	71,663
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	2,059,559	1,885,044	[1]
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	73,403	63,883	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	566,617	618,753	[1]
Financial Services [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS:
Income Taxes Receivable		244,391
Financial Services [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
ASSETS:
Intercompany receivable (payable)		1,275,453
Financial Services [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	6,894	11,407
Income Taxes Receivable		40,152
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	6,646	11,210
Financial Services [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	104,769	108,936
Intercompany receivable (payable)		36,161
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	80,015	87,987
Financial Services [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS:
Intercompany receivable (payable)		-1,311,614
Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	111,663	120,343	[1]
Income Taxes Receivable		284,543
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	86,661	99,197	[1]
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	254,444	244,391
Income Taxes Receivable	254,444
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Intercompany payable (receivable)	307,713	308,700
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries		50,648
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries	73,531
Stockholdersb (deficit) equity	-129,984	-117,799
Total liabilities and equity	254,444	244,391
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	1,710,425	1,470,630
Intercompany receivable (payable)	1,447,274
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Notes payable	1,935,129	1,685,892
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries		11,902
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries	24,711
Stockholdersb (deficit) equity	-249,446	-227,324
Total liabilities and equity	1,710,425	1,470,630
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	1,788,303	1,726,319
Income Taxes Receivable	35,769
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	351,918	338,044
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Notes payable	2,420	3,336
Intercompany payable (receivable)	1,115,338	1,002,914
Stockholdersb (deficit) equity	151,204	164,771
Total liabilities and equity	1,788,303	1,726,319
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	507,455	498,248
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Notes payable	592	551
Intercompany payable (receivable)	24,223
Stockholdersb (deficit) equity	351,918	338,047
Total liabilities and equity	507,455	498,248
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	-1,799,192	-1,649,658
Intercompany receivable (payable)	-1,447,274
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	-351,918	-338,044
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Intercompany payable (receivable)	-1,447,274	-1,311,614
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries		-62,550
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries	-98,242
Stockholdersb (deficit) equity	-253,676	-275,494
Total liabilities and equity	($1,799,192)	($1,649,658)
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note_21_Financial_Information_4

Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) - Consolidating Condensed Financial Statements - Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total revenues	$445,714	$364,048
Total expenses	466,846	390,509
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,452	2,571
(Loss) income before income taxes	-19,680	-23,890
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision	-5,304	633
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries		0
Net (loss) income	-14,376	-24,523
Homebuilding [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total expenses	3,711	3,983
Homebuilding [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue		-46
Total expenses	37,828	31,179
Homebuilding [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	365,189	283,038
Total expenses	357,509	289,618
Homebuilding [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	69,403	72,962
Total expenses	60,481	61,009
Homebuilding [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total expenses		-1,952
Homebuilding [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	434,592	355,954
Total revenues	434,628	355,999
Total expenses	459,529	383,837
(Loss) income before income taxes	13,531	9,684
Financial Services [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Financial services	68	4
Financial Services [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Financial services	1,833	1,835
Financial services	1,573	1,525
Financial Services [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Financial services	9,289	6,259
Financial services	5,676	5,143
Financial Services [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Financial services	11,122	8,094
Total revenues	11,122	8,094
(Loss) income before income taxes	3,805	1,422
Financial services	7,317	6,672
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total expenses	3,779	3,987
(Loss) income before income taxes	-3,779	-3,987
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision	-12,286	-3,592
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	-22,883	-24,128
Net (loss) income	-14,376	-24,523
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Intercompany charges	28,512
Total revenues	28,512	21,321
Total expenses	37,828	31,179
(Loss) income before income taxes	-9,316	-9,858
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	-12,806	-12,079
Net (loss) income	-22,122	-21,937
Intercompany charges		21,367
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total revenues	367,022	263,611
Total expenses	387,464	291,143
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	-14	23
(Loss) income before income taxes	-20,456	-27,509
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision	6,982	4,225
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	13,871	15,368
Net (loss) income	-13,567	-16,366
Intercompany charges	28,382	-21,262
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total revenues	78,692	78,972
Total expenses	66,287	66,152
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,466	2,548
(Loss) income before income taxes	13,871	15,368
Net (loss) income	13,871	15,368
Intercompany charges	130	-249
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Intercompany charges	-28,512
Total revenues	-28,512	144
Total expenses	-28,512	-1,952
(Loss) income before income taxes		2,096
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	21,818	20,839
Net (loss) income	21,818	22,935
Intercompany charges	($28,512)	$144

Note_21_Financial_Information_5

Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) - Consolidating Condensed Financial Statements - Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net	($14,376)	($24,523)
Adjustments to reconcile net	-181,241	-106,529
Net cash	-195,617	-131,052
Proceeds from sale of property and assets	168	5
Purchase of property, equipment & other fixed assets and acquisitions	-879	-95
Decrease in restricted cash related to mortgage company	387	-343
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	-11,735	-116
Distribution of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures	627	553
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-11,432	4
Net proceeds from mortgages and notes	-3,319
Net proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs	-5,802	6,043
Net proceeds from land bank financing programs	-7,203
Net proceeds from senior notes	247,938
Net proceeds related to mortgage warehouse lines of credit	-8,153	-57,846
Deferred financing cost from land bank financing program and note issuances	-5,011	-3,291
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	218,450	90,729
Net	11,401	-40,319
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period	261,898	329,204
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	273,299	288,885
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net	-14,376	-24,523
Adjustments to reconcile net	-7,520	-3,110
Net cash	-21,896	-27,633
Intercompany	21,896	27,633
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	21,896
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net	-22,122	-21,937
Adjustments to reconcile net	3,248	1,280
Net cash	-18,874	-20,657
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	81
Intercompany investing activities	-159,012
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-158,931	215
Net proceeds from senior notes	247,938
Deferred financing cost from land bank financing program and note issuances	-4,627
Intercompany		-150,337
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	243,311	144,328
Net	65,506	-26,451
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period	159,508	243,470
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	225,014	217,019
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net	-13,567	-16,366
Adjustments to reconcile net	-39,948	-114,750
Net cash	-53,515	-131,116
Proceeds from sale of property and assets	156
Purchase of property, equipment & other fixed assets and acquisitions	-879
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	146
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-577	-363
Net proceeds from mortgages and notes	-10,277
Net proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs	-5,606
Net proceeds from land bank financing programs	-6,332
Deferred financing cost from land bank financing program and note issuances	-114
Intercompany	76,732	119,706
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	54,403	10,772
Net	311	-1,001
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period	-4,726	-6,479
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	-4,415	-7,480
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net	13,871	15,368
Adjustments to reconcile net	-115,203	32,986
Net cash	-101,332	48,354
Proceeds from sale of property and assets	12
Decrease in restricted cash related to mortgage company	387
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	-11,962
Distribution of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures	627
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-10,936	152
Net proceeds from mortgages and notes	6,958
Net proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs	-196
Net proceeds from land bank financing programs	-871
Net proceeds related to mortgage warehouse lines of credit	-8,153
Deferred financing cost from land bank financing program and note issuances	-270
Intercompany	60,384	2,998
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	57,852	-64,371
Net	-54,416	-12,867
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period	107,116	92,213
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	52,700	79,346
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net	21,818	22,935
Adjustments to reconcile net	-21,818	-22,935
Intercompany investing activities	159,012
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	159,012
Intercompany	-159,012
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	($159,012)

Note_22_Transactions_with_Rela1

Note 22 - Transactions with Related Parties (Details) (Tavit Najarian [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Tavit Najarian [Member]
Note 22 - Transactions with Related Parties (Details) [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$0.30	$0.20