Hovnanian Enterprises (HOV) 10-Q 9 Sep 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Sep. 03, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	357,294
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Jul. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,985,099
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		131,532,118

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($)		Jul. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 213,937,000	$ 261,898,000
Restricted cash and cash equivalents		26,400,000	29,300,000
Consolidated inventory not owned:
Specific performance options		0
Total assets		2,549,344,000	2,289,930,000	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total liabilities		2,700,851,000	2,407,729,000	[1]
Notes payable:
Accrued interest		30,599,000	32,222,000	[1]
Total notes payable		1,938,292,000	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 July 31, 2015 and at October 31, 2014		135,299,000	135,299,000	[1]
Paid in capital – common stock		705,847,000	697,943,000	[1]
Accumulated deficit		(878,883,000)	(837,264,000)	[1]
Treasury stock – at cost		(115,360,000)	(115,360,000)	[1]
Total stockholders’ equity deficit		(151,507,000)	(117,799,000)	[1]
Total liabilities and equity		2,549,344,000	2,289,930,000	[1]
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		207,302,000	255,117,000	[1]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents		9,772,000	13,086,000	[1]
Inventories:
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development		1,294,033,000	961,994,000	[1]
Land and land options held for future development or sale		209,101,000	273,463,000	[1]
Consolidated inventory not owned:
Specific performance options	[1]		3,479,000
Other options		109,355,000	105,374,000	[1]
Total consolidated inventory not owned		109,355,000	108,853,000	[1]
Total inventories		1,612,489,000	1,344,310,000	[1]
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures		66,535,000	63,883,000	[1]
Receivables, deposits and notes, net		87,059,000	92,546,000	[1]
Property, plant and equipment, net		45,839,000	46,744,000	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other assets		80,468,000	69,358,000	[1]
Total assets		2,109,464,000	1,885,044,000	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities from inventory not owned		98,406,000	92,381,000	[1]
Total liabilities		649,009,000	618,753,000	[1]
Accounts payable and other liabilities		354,128,000	370,876,000	[1]
Customers’ deposits		47,299,000	34,969,000	[1]
Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		6,635,000	6,781,000	[1]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents		16,647,000	16,236,000	[1]
Mortgage loans held for sale at fair value		110,670,000	95,338,000	[1]
Other assets		2,138,000	1,988,000	[1]
Income taxes receivable – including net deferred tax benefits		303,790,000	284,543,000	[1]
Consolidated inventory not owned:
Total assets		136,090,000	120,343,000	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total liabilities		113,550,000	99,197,000	[1]
Accounts payable and other liabilities		24,996,000	22,278,000	[1]
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit		88,554,000	76,919,000	[1]
Common Class A [Member]
Stockholders’ equity deficit:
Common stock		1,433,000	1,428,000	[1]
Common Class B [Member]
Stockholders’ equity deficit:
Common stock		157,000	155,000	[1]
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Notes payable:
Senior notes		980,988,000	979,935,000	[1]
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Notes payable:
Senior notes		841,056,000	590,472,000	[1]
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Notes payable:
Senior notes		12,811,000	17,049,000	[1]
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Notes payable:
Senior notes		72,838,000	70,101,000	[1]
Nonrecourse Mortgages [Member] | Mortgages [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Secured debt		133,380,000	103,908,000	[1]
Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured By Operating Properties [Member] | Mortgages [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Secured debt		$ 15,796,000	$ 16,619,000	[1]
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	[1]
Preferred stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	5,600	5,600
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in Dollars)	$ 140,000	$ 140,000
Preferred stock, outstanding	5,600	5,600
Common Class A [Member]
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	143,292,881	142,836,563
Common stock, shares held in Treasury	11,760,763	11,760,763
Common Class B [Member]
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	15,676,847	15,497,543
Common stock, shares held in Treasury	691,748	691,748
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Homebuilding:
Total revenues		$ 540,613	$ 551,009	$ 1,455,276	$ 1,364,986
Homebuilding:
Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs				7,618	1,927
Corporate general and administrative		15,874	15,804	49,275	46,837
Other interest	[1],[2]	22,493	19,880	70,594	66,685
Other operations		1,532	1,089	4,864	3,349
Total expenses		550,166	535,848	1,516,908	1,383,496
Loss on extinguishment of debt					(1,155)
(Loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures		(448)	211	2,470	3,849
(Loss) income before income taxes		(10,001)	15,372	(59,162)	(15,816)
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision:
Tax provision (benefit)		(2,317)	(1,733)	(17,543)	(496)
Net (loss) income		$ (7,684)	$ 17,105	$ (41,619)	$ (15,320)
Basic:
(Loss) income per common share (in Dollars per share)		$ (0.05)	$ 0.11	$ (0.28)	$ (0.10)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in Shares)		147,010	146,365	146,846	146,223
Assuming dilution:
(Loss) income per common share (in Dollars per share)		$ (0.05)	$ 0.11	$ (0.28)	$ (0.10)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in Shares)		147,010	162,278	146,846	146,223
Homebuilding [Member]
Homebuilding:
Sale of homes		$ 526,156	$ 538,007	$ 1,414,799	$ 1,331,490
Land sales and other revenues		97	1,896	2,538	4,884
Total homebuilding		526,253	539,903	1,417,337	1,336,374
Total revenues		526,284	539,953	1,417,443	1,336,499
Homebuilding:
Cost of sales, excluding interest		432,625	424,145	1,169,576	1,063,465
Cost of sales interest		16,323	15,827	39,654	37,724
Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs		1,077	741	7,618	1,927
Total cost of sales		450,025	440,713	1,216,848	1,103,116
Selling, general and administrative		51,998	51,150	152,258	142,918
Total homebuilding expenses		502,023	491,863	1,369,106	1,246,034
Total expenses		541,922	528,636	1,493,839	1,362,905
(Loss) income before income taxes		16,524	43,910	31,132	77,746
Financial Services [Member]
Homebuilding:
Financial services		14,360	11,106	37,939	28,612
Total revenues		14,360	11,106	37,939	28,612
Homebuilding:
Financial services		8,244	7,212	23,069	20,591
(Loss) income before income taxes		6,116	3,894	14,870	8,021
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision:
Tax provision (benefit)		(3,316)	(1,980)	(21,260)	(1,980)
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision:
Tax provision (benefit)		$ 999	$ 247	$ 3,717	$ 1,484
[1]	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:
[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.

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Unaudited) - 9 months ended Jul. 31, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Common Class A [Member]Common Stock [Member]	Common Class B [Member]Common Stock [Member]
Balance at Oct. 31, 2014	$ (117,799)	$ 135,299	$ 697,943	$ (837,264)	$ (115,360)	$ 1,428	$ 155
Shares (in Shares) at Oct. 31, 2014		5,600				131,075,800	14,805,795
Stock options, amortization and issuances	1,986		1,986
Stock options, amortization and issuances (in Shares)						18,125
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures	5,925		5,918			$ 5	$ 2
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures (in Shares)						438,093	179,404
Conversion of Class B to Class A Common Stock (in Shares)						100	(100)
Net loss	(41,619)			(41,619)
Balance at Jul. 31, 2015	$ (151,507)	$ 135,299	$ 705,847	$ (878,883)	$ (115,360)	$ 1,433	$ 157
Shares (in Shares) at Jul. 31, 2015		5,600				131,532,118	14,985,099

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (41,619)	$ (15,320)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	2,553	2,571
Compensation from stock options and awards	9,205	7,786
Amortization of bond discounts and deferred financing costs	8,883	7,591
Gain on sale and retirement of property and assets	(689)	(329)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(2,470)	(3,849)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	6,098	1,140
Loss on extinguishment of debt		1,155
Inventory impairment and land option write-offs	7,618	1,927
Deferred income tax benefit	(18,498)
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Mortgage loans held for sale at fair value	(15,332)	36,780
Restricted cash, receivables, prepaids, deposits and other assets	(4,505)	(9,450)
Inventories	(275,797)	(299,320)
(Decrease) increase in liabilities:
State income tax payable	(749)	(590)
Customers’ deposits	12,330	10,022
Accounts payable, accrued interest and other accrued liabilities	(19,708)	343
Net cash used in operating activities	(332,680)	(259,543)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and assets	1,143	346
Purchase of property, equipment and other fixed assets and acquisitions	(1,653)	(1,985)
Decrease in restricted cash related to mortgage company	1,466	471
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	(17,001)	(15,356)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures	10,721	7,209
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,324)	(9,315)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from mortgages and notes	120,521	104,508
Payments related to mortgages and notes	(89,736)	(69,854)
Proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs	32,507	37,778
Payments related to model sale leaseback financing programs	(12,743)	(13,960)
Proceeds from land bank financing programs	10,061	20,762
Payments related to land bank financing programs	(20,437)	(33,284)
Payments related to senior notes		(22,593)
Net proceeds (payments) related to mortgage warehouse lines of credit	11,635	(37,700)
Deferred financing costs from land bank financing programs and note issuances	(7,527)	(6,322)
Principal payments and debt repurchases	(4,238)	(5,960)
Net cash provided by financing activities	290,043	123,375
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(47,961)	(145,483)
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period	261,898	329,204
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	213,937	183,721
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest (see Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)	73,553	69,443
Income taxes	1,703	83
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	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 the three and nine months ended July 31, 2015, the Company’s total stock-based compensation expense was $2.5 million and $9.2 million ($2.0 million and $6.4 million net of tax), respectively, and $2.7 million and $7.7 million for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014, respectively. Included in this total stock-based compensation expense was the vesting of stock options of $0.5 million and $1.9 million for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2015, respectively, and $1.0 million and $3.0 million for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014, respectively.

Note 3 - Interest

Note 3 - Interest	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Home Building Interest [Abstract]
Home Building Interest [Text Block]	3. Interest Interest costs incurred, expensed and capitalized were: Three Months Ended July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31, (In thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Interest capitalized at beginning of period $119,901 $107,992 $109,158 $105,093 Plus interest incurred (1) 41,856 36,472 124,031 108,073 Less cost of sales interest expensed 16,323 15,827 39,654 37,724 Less other interest expensed (2)(3) 22,493 19,880 70,594 66,685 Interest capitalized at end of period (4) $122,941 $108,757 $122,941 $108,757 (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 July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31, (In thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Other interest expensed $22,493 $19,880 $70,594 $66,685 Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries 618 379 1,294 1,524 Decrease in accrued interest 9,381 5,245 1,665 1,234 Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest $32,492 $25,504 $73,553 $69,443 (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	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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. For the nine months ended July 31, 2015, our discount rate used for the impairments recorded ranged from 17.5% to 19.8%. There was no discount rate used for the three months ended July 31, 2015, as no impairments were recorded during this period. For the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014, our discount rate used for the impairment recorded was 16.8%. Should the estimates or expectations used in determining cash flows or fair value decrease or differ from current estimates in the future, we may need to recognize additional impairments. During the nine months ended July 31, 2015, we evaluated inventories of all 522 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 17 of those communities (i.e., those with a projected operating loss or other impairment indicators) with an aggregate carrying value of $86.7 million. Of those communities tested for impairment, eight communities with an aggregate carrying value of $42.7 million had undiscounted future cash flows that exceeded the carrying amount by less than 20%. As a result of our impairment analysis, we did not record any impairment losses for the three months ended July 31, 2015, but recorded impairment losses of $4.4 million in five communities, with a pre-impairment value of $16.7 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2015. For the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014, we recorded $0.1 million and $0.2 million, in one and two communities, respectively, with a pre-impairment value of $0.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively, which are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations on the line entitled “Homebuilding: Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs” and deducted from inventory. The pre-impairment value r epresents the carrying value, net of prior period impairments, if any, at the time of recording the impairment. The Condensed Consolidated Statements 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 $1.1 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended July 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $3.2 million and $1.7 million for the nine months ended July 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 July 31, 2015 and 2014 were 1,035 and 1,165, respectively, and 3,190 and 3,595 during the nine months ended July 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 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 nine months ended July 31, 2015, we did not mothball any new communities, or sell any mothballed communities, but re-activated 14 communities which were previously mothballed. As of July 31, 2015, the net book value associated with our 31 total mothballed communities was $99.9 million, which was net of impairment charges recorded in prior periods of $334.5 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 July 31, 2015, we had no specific performance options. 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 July 31, 2015, inventory of $90.2 million was recorded to “Consolidated inventory not owned – other options,” with a corresponding amount of $84.7 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 July 31, 2015, inventory of $19.2 million was recorded as “Consolidated inventory not owned – other options,” with a corresponding amount of $13.7 million recorded to “Liabilities from inventory not owned” for the amount of net cash received from the transactions.

Note 5 - Variable Interest Enti

Note 5 - Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity 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 July 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 July 31, 2015, we had total cash and letters of credit deposits amounting to $90.0 million to purchase land and lots with a total purchase price of $1.4 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	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 nine months ended July 31, 2015 and 2014, we received $2.2 million and $1.7 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 and nine months ended July 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: Three Months Ended July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31, (In thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Balance, beginning of period $161,307 $134,865 $178,008 $131,028 Additions – Selling, general and administrative 4,162 4,659 13,742 13,710 Additions – Cost of sales 2,905 3,574 11,721 7,702 Charges incurred during the period (5,796 ) (3,683 ) (40,893 ) (13,025 ) Changes to pre-existing reserves - (4,220 ) - (4,220 ) Balance, end of period $162,578 $135,195 $162,578 $135,195 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 $0.4 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended July 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $18.7 million and $5.2 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for prior year deliveries. During fiscal year 2015 we settled the D’Andrea class action suit with the majority of the settlement being paid by our insurance carriers. See Note 7 below.

Note 7 - Commitments and Contin

Note 7 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 was also involved in the following litigation: Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and K. Hovnanian Venture I, L.L.C. (collectively, the “Company Defendants”) were 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. The plaintiff class was seeking unspecified damages as well as treble damages pursuant to the NJ Consumer Fraud Act. 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 . 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 is presently involved in a dispute with XL, its insurance carrier for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2006 through the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010, regarding coverage issues pertaining to the fiscal year 2006 insurance policy. Specifically, XL maintains that the Company has not yet satisfied its aggregate retention of $21 million for fiscal 2006 and therefore the Company’s submitted claims to date in excess of the aggregate retention for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2006 are not reimbursable by XL under the policy terms. At this time, the Company has not met the aggregate retention for any of the other policy years. The Company has provided XL with detailed information to support its position that the fiscal year 2006 aggregate retention has been exceeded by more than $30 million; however, XL is disputing the Company’s interpretation of certain definitions within the policy and is therefore denying coverage. We and XL have not been successful in our discussions to resolve the matter, and the Company filed a Notice of Claim on November 26, 2014 with an arbitration panel, appointed by the Company and XL, in London to begin arbitration proceedings. In mid-2015, discovery commenced for both parties with documentation exchanged and motions heard with the arbitration panel. In June 2015, XL and the Company agreed to a two day mediation, which was held in September 2015 in London. We and XL continue to consider each other’s positions but at this time a resolution has not been reached. If a resolution is not reached, we will proceed with arbitration in January 2016. Due to the uncertainty of the outcome of the mediation and the arbitration process, the Company cannot provide any assurance that this matter will not have a material impact on the Company or that other policy years may be similarly disputed in the event that the aggregate retention for those policy years is reached.

Note 8 - Restricted Cash and De

Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, $14.3 million and $15.4 million, respectively, of the total cash and cash equivalents was in cash equivalents, the book value of which approximated fair value. Restricted cash and cash equivalents on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $26.4 million and $29.3 million as of July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively, which included cash collateralizing our letter of credit agreements and facilities and is discussed in Note 10. Also included in this balance were homebuilding and financial services customers’ deposits of $7.2 million and $16.6 million at July 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 fo

Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 July 31, 2015 and October 31 , 2014, $96.1 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 the 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 July 31, 2015 and 2014, we had reserves specifically for 131 and 200 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 and nine months ended July 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows: Three Months Ended July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31, (In thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Loan origination reserves, beginning of period $7,942 $11,057 $7,352 $11,036 Provisions for losses during the period 39 1,899 168 2,766 Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates (30 ) (1,682 ) 431 (2,304 ) Payments/settlements - - - (224 ) Loan origination reserves, end of period $7,951 $11,274 $7,951 $11,274

Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes P

Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Line Of Credit [Abstract]
Line Of Credit [Text Block]	10. Mortgage and Notes Payable We have nonrecourse mortgage loans for certain communities totaling $133.4 million and $103.9 million at July 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 $366.9 million and $220.1 million, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on these obligations was 5.0% at both July 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 $15.8 million and $16.6 million at July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively. These loans had a weighted-average interest rate of 8.7% and 7.0% at July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively. As of July 31, 2015, these loans had installment obligations with annual principal maturities in the years ending October 31 of approximately: $0.3 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 both July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, there were no borrowings and $26.5 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of July 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 $2.6 million and $5.5 million letters of credit outstanding at July 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 July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, the amount of cash collateral in these segregated accounts was $2.6 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 July 31, 2015, is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $50.0 million through July 29, 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 0.19% at July 31, 2015, plus the applicable margin of 2.5% or 2.63% based upon type of loan. As of July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Chase Master Repurchase Agreement was $17.9 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 February 19, 2015 to extend the maturity date to February 18, 2016, 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 type of loan and the number of days outstanding on the warehouse line. As of July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Customers Master Repurchase Agreement was $25.6 million and $20.4 million, respectively. K. Hovnanian Mortgage has a third secured Master Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Capital LLC (“Credit Suisse Master Repurchase Agreement”), which was amended on July 31, 2015, that is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $50.0 million through July 29, 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 the Credit Suisse Cost of Funds, which was 0.56% at July 31, 2015, plus the applicable margin of 2.5% until the loan documents have been provided to the lender, at which point the margin is lowered to 2.25%. As of July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Credit Suisse Master Repurchase Agreement was $25.4 million and $19.7 million, respectively. In February 2014, K. Hovnanian Mortgage executed a secured Master Repurchase Agreement with Comerica Bank (“Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement”), which was amended on June 29, 2015 to extend the maturity date to June 28, 2016. The Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement 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 2.5%. As of July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, the interest rate was 2.75% and the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings outstanding under the Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement was $19.6 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 July 31, 2015, we believe we were in compliance with the covenants under the Master Repurchase Agreements.

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senio

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, were as follows: (In thousands) July 31, 2015 October 31, 2014 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) 53,136 53,129 5.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 (net of discount) 130,852 129,806 Total Senior Secured Notes $980,988 $979,935 Senior Notes: 11.875% Senior Notes due October 15, 2015 (net of discount) 60,737 60,414 6.25% Senior Notes due January 15, 2016 (net of discount) 172,744 172,483 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 $841,056 $590,472 11.0% Senior Amortizing Notes due December 1, 2017 $12,811 $17,049 Senior Exchangeable Notes due December 1, 2017 $72,838 $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 July 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 July 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 July 31, 2015, the aggregate book value of the real property that constituted collateral securing the 2020 Secured Notes was approximately $799.9 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 $166.4 million as of July 31, 2015, which included $2.6 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 July 31, 2015, the collateral securing the guarantees included (1) $43.5 million of cash and cash equivalents (subsequent to such date, cash uses include general business operations and real estate and other investments); (2) approximately $147.1 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 $63.5 million as of July 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 principal 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 at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount. We have $60.8 million of 11.875% Senior Notes due on October 15, 2015 and $172.7 million of 6.25% Senior Notes due on January 15, 2016. While our preference is to refinance these near term maturities as they come due, in light of the cost of capital currently available to companies with comparable credit ratings, we may not be able to refinance these obligations at an attractive rate. In this situation, as an alternative to refinancing, we have a number of means to provide sufficient liquidity to enable us to pay these bonds at maturity while continuing to execute our strategic objectives, which include growing our company. Such means include: additional land banking transactions, an increase in joint venture activity and/or project specific financings and model sale leasebacks.

Note 12 - Senior Exchangeable N

Note 12 - Senior Exchangeable Notes	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 July 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	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 nine months ended July 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. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented below were calculated as follows: Three Months Ended July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31, (In thousands, except per share data) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Numerator: Net (loss) earnings attributable to Hovnanian $(7,684 ) $17,105 $(41,619 ) $(15,320 ) Less: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares - (386 ) - - Numerator for basic earnings per share (7,684 ) 16,719 (41,619 ) (15,320 ) Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares 386 Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to nonvested shares - (386 ) - - Less: interest on senior exchangeable notes - 879 - - Numerator for diluted earnings per share (7,684 ) 17,598 (41,619 ) (15,320 ) Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share 147,010 146,365 146,846 146,223 Effect of dilutive securities: Share based payments - 756 - - Senior Exchangeable notes - 15,157 - - Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted average shares outstanding 147,010 162,278 146,846 146,223 Basic earnings per share $(0.05 ) $0.11 $(0.28 ) $(0.10 ) Diluted earnings per share $(0.05 ) $0.11 $(0.28 ) $(0.10 ) Incremental shares attributed to nonvested stock and outstanding options to purchase common stock of 0.2 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2015, and 1.3 million nine months ended July 31, 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. There were no incremental shares attributed to nonvested stock and outstanding options to purchase common stock for the three months ended July 31, 2015. Also, for both the three and nine months ended July 31, 2015 and the nine months ended July 31, 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 3.9 million and 3.1 million for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2015, respectively and 3.0 million and 2.1 million for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014, respectively, because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.

Note 14 - Preferred Stock

Note 14 - Preferred Stock	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 and nine months ended July 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	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 and nine months ended July 31, 2015 . As of July 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	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	16. Income Taxes The total income tax benefit of $2.3 million and $17.5 million recognized for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2015, respectively, was primarily due to deferred taxes partially offset by state tax expenses and state tax reserves for uncertain tax positions. The total income tax benefit of $1.7 million and $0.5 million recognized for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014, respectively, was primarily due to a refund received for a loss carryback to a previously profitable year, partially offset by various state tax expenses and state tax reserves for uncertain state tax positions Deferred federal and state income tax assets primarily represent the deferred tax benefits arising from temporary differences between book and tax income which will be recognized in future years as an offset against future taxable income. If the combination of future years’ income (or loss) and the reversal of the timing differences results in a loss, such losses can be carried forward to future years. In accordance with ASC 740, we evaluate our deferred tax assets quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required. ASC 740 requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. As of October 31, 2014, and again at July 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 positive earnings for the last two full fiscal years 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, 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 July 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 by the end of 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 $642.1 million at July 31, 2015.

Note 17 - Operating and Reporti

Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31, (In thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Revenues: Northeast $36,209 $60,531 $126,213 $179,529 Mid-Atlantic 113,992 90,123 271,954 219,378 Midwest 82,325 55,423 220,020 147,884 Southeast 57,329 55,449 144,498 146,613 Southwest 203,249 201,906 560,863 495,116 West 33,180 76,521 93,895 147,979 Total homebuilding 526,284 539,953 1,417,443 1,336,499 Financial services 14,360 11,106 37,939 28,612 Corporate and unallocated (31 ) (50 ) (106 ) (125 ) Total revenues $540,613 $551,009 $1,455,276 $1,364,986 (Loss) income before income taxes: Northeast $(4,008 ) $(1,971 ) $(10,973 ) $(10,791 ) Mid-Atlantic 5,440 5,397 10,439 9,772 Midwest 3,120 4,971 8,041 10,687 Southeast (1,225 ) 2,244 (3,583 ) 6,990 Southwest 17,170 22,178 42,517 48,259 West (3,973 ) 11,091 (15,309 ) 12,829 Homebuilding income before income taxes 16,524 43,910 31,132 77,746 Financial services 6,116 3,894 14,870 8,021 Corporate and unallocated (32,641 ) (32,432 ) (105,164 ) (101,583 ) (Loss) income before income taxes $(10,001 ) $15,372 $(59,162 ) $(15,816 ) (In thousands) July 31, 2015 October 31, 2014 Assets: Northeast $329,387 $315,573 Mid-Atlantic 340,564 313,494 Midwest 190,461 169,967 Southeast 207,490 148,096 Southwest 473,732 410,756 West 245,266 143,245 Total homebuilding 1,786,900 1,501,131 Financial services 136,090 120,343 Corporate and unallocated 626,354 668,456 Total assets $2,549,344 $2,289,930

Note 18 - Investments in Uncons

Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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) July 31, 2015 Homebuilding Land Development Total Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $20,420 $739 $21,159 Inventories 322,448 13,543 335,991 Other assets 9,388 - 9,388 Total assets $352,256 $14,282 $366,538 Liabilities and equity: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $28,601 $604 $29,205 Notes payable 101,522 4,593 106,115 Total liabilities 130,123 5,197 135,320 Equity of: Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. 63,497 2,943 66,440 Others 158,636 6,142 164,778 Total equity 222,133 9,085 231,218 Total liabilities and equity $352,256 $14,282 $366,538 Debt to capitalization ratio 31 % 34 % 31 % (Dollars in thousands) October 31, 2014 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 July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, we had advances outstanding of approximately $1.0 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 $66.5 million and $63.9 million at July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively. For the Three Months Ended July 31, 2015 (In thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $27,459 $1,394 $28,853 Cost of sales and expenses (29,705 ) (1,296 ) (31,001 ) Joint venture net (loss) income $(2,246 ) $98 $(2,148 ) Our share of net (loss) income $(488 ) $49 $(439 ) For the Three Months Ended July 31, 2014 (In thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $29,283 $612 $29,895 Cost of sales and expenses (27,631 ) (534 ) (28,165 ) Joint venture net income $1,652 $78 $1,730 Our share of net income $201 $39 $240 For the Nine Months Ended July 31, 2015 (In thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $91,300 $4,009 $95,309 Cost of sales and expenses (53,821 ) (4,103 ) (57,924 ) Joint venture net income (loss) $37,479 $(94 ) $37,385 Our share of net income (loss) $728 $(47 ) $681 For the Nine Months Ended July 31, 2014 (In thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $114,304 $5,881 $120,185 Cost of sales and expenses (105,409 ) (5,619 ) (111,028 ) Joint venture net income $8,895 $262 $9,157 Our share of net income $3,780 $131 $3,911 “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 and nine months ended July 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 $1.3 million, for the three months ended July 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $3.6 million and $5.0 million for the nine months ended July 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 31%. 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 Pro

Note 19 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 is effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2015 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 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. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 on this same topic, which defers for one year the effective date of ASU 2014-09, therefore making the guidance effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2018. Additionally, the FASB also decided to permit entities to early adopt the standard, which allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective methods of adoption, for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 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 ASU 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 November 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. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest” (“ASU 2015-03”), which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. This new guidance is a change from the current treatment of recording debt issuance costs as an asset representing a deferred charge, and is consistent with the accounting treatment for debt discounts. The guidance, which requires retrospective application, is effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. We do not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2015-03 to have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 20 - Fair Value of Financi

Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 July 31, 2015 Fair Value at October 31, 2014 Mortgage loans held for sale (1) Level 2 $110,723 $95,643 Interest rate lock commitments Level 2 356 15 Forward contracts Level 2 (409 ) (320 ) $110,670 $95,338 (1) The aggregate unpaid principal balance was $105.4 million and $91.2 million at July 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 quote 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 $738.9 million at July 31, 2015. Loans in process for which interest rates were committed to the borrowers totaled approximately $86.2 million as of July 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 July 31, 2015, the segment had open commitments amounting to $26.5 million to sell MBS with varying settlement dates through September 14, 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 July 31, 2015 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held For Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $5 $400 $(587 ) Three Months Ended July 31, 2014 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held For Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $(236 ) $(308 ) $526 Nine Months Ended July 31, 2015 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held For Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $(168 ) $341 $(89 ) Nine Months Ended July 31, 2014 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held For Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $(2,136 ) $(506 ) $1,213 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 periods presented. The Company did not have any assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the three months ended July 31, 2015. 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 July 31, 2014 (In thousands) Fair Value Hierarchy Pre-Impairment Amount Total Losses Fair Value Sold and unsold homes and lots under development Level 3 $469 $(70 ) $399 Land and land options held for future development or sale Level 3 $- $- $- Nine Months Ended July 31, 2015 (In thousands) Fair Value Hierarchy Pre-Impairment Amount Total Losses Fair Value Sold and unsold homes and lots under development Level 3 $16,756 $(4,466 ) $12,290 Land and land options held for future development or sale Level 3 $- $- $- Nine Months Ended July 31, 2014 (In thousands) Fair Value Hierarchy Pre-Impairment Amount Total Losses Fair Value Sold and unsold homes and lots under development Level 3 $469 $(70 ) $399 Land and land options held for future development or sale Level 3 $236 $(82 ) $154 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 $4.4 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2015, and $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014, respectively. We did not record any inventory impairments for the three months ended July 31, 2015. 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 $676.6 million and $464.4 million as of July 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 were estimated at $132.0 million, $964.0 million, $12.8 million and $67.7 million, respectively, as of July 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 were 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	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 July 31, 2015, had issued and outstanding approximately $992.0 million of senior secured notes ($981.0 million, net of discount), $841.1 million senior notes ($841.1 million, net of discount) and $12.8 million senior amortizing notes and $72.8 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 and the 8% Senior Notes due 2019), senior amortizing notes and senior exchangeable notes have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The 2019 Notes, the 8% Senior Notes due 2019, the 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, the 8% Senior Notes due 2019, the 2020 Secured Notes or the 2021 Notes (however, the Guarantor Subsidiaries for the 2019 Notes, the 8% Senior Notes due 2019 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. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET JULY 31, 2015 (In Thousands) Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS: Homebuilding $- $192,365 $1,545,467 $371,632 $- $2,109,464 Financial services 12,189 123,901 136,090 Income taxes receivable 255,664 48,126 303,790 Intercompany receivable 1,505,551 48,335 (1,553,886 ) - Investments in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries 380,721 (380,721 ) - Total assets $255,664 $1,697,916 $1,986,503 $543,868 (1,934,607 ) $2,549,344 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY: Homebuilding $3,076 $76 $584,370 $61,487 $- $649,009 Financial services 12,247 101,303 113,550 Notes payable 1,936,130 1,805 357 1,938,292 Intercompany payable 303,173 1,250,713 (1,553,886 ) - Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries 100,922 52,121 (153,043 ) - Stockholders’ (deficit) equity (151,507 ) (290,411 ) 137,368 380,721 (227,678 ) (151,507 ) Total liabilities and equity $255,664 $1,697,916 $1,986,503 $543,868 (1,934,607 ) $2,549,344 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET OCTOBER 31, 2014 (In Thousands) Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS: Homebuilding $- $195,177 $1,336,716 $353,151 $- $1,885,044 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 CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2015 (In Thousands) Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues: Homebuilding $- $- $446,581 $79,672 $- $526,253 Financial services 2,146 12,214 14,360 Intercompany charges 31,246 64 (31,310 ) - Total revenues - 31,246 448,727 91,950 (31,310 ) 540,613 Expenses: Homebuilding 2,416 38,284 431,816 69,406 541,922 Financial services 16 - 1,618 6,610 8,244 Intercompany charges 31,310 (31,310 ) - Total expenses 2,432 38,284 464,744 76,016 (31,310 ) 550,166 Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures 12 (460 ) (448 ) (Loss) income before income taxes (2,432 ) (7,038 ) (16,005 ) 15,474 - (10,001 ) State and federal income tax provision (benefit) 224 (2,541 ) (2,317 ) Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries (5,028 ) (13,855 ) 15,474 3,409 - Net (loss) income $(7,684 ) $(20,893 ) $2,010 $15,474 $3,409 $(7,684 ) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2014 (In Thousands) Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues: Homebuilding $- $(52 ) $436,085 $103,870 $- $539,903 Financial services 2,396 8,710 11,106 Intercompany charges 26,411 (28,110 ) (42 ) 1,741 - Total revenues - 26,359 410,371 112,538 1,741 551,009 Expenses: Homebuilding 3,098 32,751 406,479 86,894 (586 ) 528,636 Financial services 6 1,699 5,507 7,212 Total expenses 3,104 32,751 408,178 92,401 (586 ) 535,848 Income from unconsolidated joint ventures 10 201 211 (Loss) income before income taxes (3,104 ) (6,392 ) 2,203 20,338 2,327 15,372 State and federal income tax (benefit) provision (4,213 ) 2,480 (1,733 ) Equity in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries 15,996 (12,584 ) 20,338 (23,750 ) - Net income (loss) $17,105 $(18,976 ) $20,061 $20,338 $(21,423 ) $17,105 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2015 (In Thousands) Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues: Homebuilding $- $- $1,202,668 $214,669 $- $1,417,337 Financial services 5,914 32,025 37,939 Intercompany charges 91,631 (91,631 ) - Total revenues - 91,631 1,208,582 246,694 (91,631 ) 1,455,276 Expenses: Homebuilding 9,209 114,499 1,181,860 188,271 1,493,839 Financial services 104 4,747 18,218 23,069 Intercompany charges 91,631 (91,631 ) - Total expenses 9,313 114,499 1,278,238 206,489 (91,631 ) 1,516,908 (Loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures (2 ) 2,472 2,470 (Loss) income before income taxes (9,313 ) (22,868 ) (69,658 ) 42,677 - (59,162 ) State and federal income tax (benefit) provision (17,968 ) 425 (17,543 ) Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries (50,274 ) (40,219 ) 42,677 47,816 - Net (loss) income $(41,619 ) $(63,087 ) $(27,406 ) $42,677 $47,816 $(41,619 ) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2014 (In Thousands) Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues: Homebuilding $- $(129 ) $1,085,275 $251,228 $- $1,336,374 Financial services 6,467 22,145 28,612 Intercompany charges 72,966 (76,391 ) (42 ) 3,467 - Total revenues - 72,837 1,015,351 273,331 3,467 1,364,986 Expenses: Homebuilding 9,023 96,769 1,045,419 215,032 (3,338 ) 1,362,905 Financial services 15 4,918 15,658 20,591 Total expenses 9,038 96,769 1,050,337 230,690 (3,338 ) 1,383,496 Loss on extinguishment of debt (1,155 ) (1,155 ) Income from unconsolidated joint ventures 70 3,779 3,849 (Loss) income before income taxes (9,038 ) (25,087 ) (34,916 ) 46,420 6,805 (15,816 ) State and federal income tax (benefit) provision (10,041 ) 9,545 (496 ) Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries (16,323 ) (36,608 ) 46,420 6,511 - Net (loss) income $(15,320 ) $(61,695 ) $1,959 $46,420 $13,316 $(15,320 ) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2015 (In Thousands) Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net (loss) income $(41,619 ) $(63,087 ) $(27,406 ) $42,677 $47,816 $(41,619 ) Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (3,128 ) 12,191 (154,619 ) (97,689 ) (47,816 ) (291,061 ) Net cash used in operating activities (44,747 ) (50,896 ) (182,025 ) (55,012 ) - (332,680 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Proceeds from sale of property and assets 1,112 31 1,143 Purchase of property, equipment and other fixed assets and acquisitions (1,653 ) (1,653 ) Decrease in restricted cash related to mortgage company 1,466 1,466 Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures 81 184 (17,266 ) (17,001 ) Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures 315 646 9,760 10,721 Intercompany investing activities (189,879 ) 189,879 - Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities - (189,483 ) 289 (6,009 ) 189,879 (5,324 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Net proceeds from mortgages and notes 18,682 12,103 30,785 Net proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs 17,918 1,846 19,764 Net payments related to land bank financing programs (10,065 ) (311 ) (10,376 ) Proceeds from senior notes 250,000 250,000 Net proceeds related to mortgage warehouse lines of credit 11,635 11,635 Deferred financing costs from land bank financing programs and note issuances (4,689 ) (1,781 ) (1,057 ) (7,527 ) Principal payments and debt repurchases (4,238 ) (4,238 ) Intercompany financing activities 44,747 157,306 (12,174 ) (189,879 ) - Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 44,747 241,073 182,060 12,042 (189,879 ) 290,043 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents - 694 324 (48,979 ) - (47,961 ) Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period 159,508 (4,726 ) 107,116 261,898 Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period $- $160,202 $(4,402 ) $58,137 $- $213,937 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2014 (In Thousands) Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net (loss) income $(15,320 ) $(61,695 ) $1,959 $46,420 $13,316 $(15,320 ) Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities 2,080 6,913 (251,746 ) 11,846 (13,316 ) (244,223 ) Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (13,240 ) (54,782 ) (249,787 ) 58,266 - (259,543 ) Net cash (used in) investing activities (1,009 ) (8,306 ) (9,315 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 118,599 45,442 (40,666 ) 123,375 Intercompany investing and financing activities – net 13,240 (207,001 ) 206,190 (12,429 ) - Net (decrease) increase in cash - (143,184 ) 836 (3,135 ) - (145,483 ) Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period 243,470 (6,479 ) 92,213 329,204 Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period $- $100,286 $(5,643 ) $89,078 $- $183,721

Note 22 - Transactions with Rel

Note 22 - Transactions with Related Parties	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	22. Transactions with Related Parties During the three months ended July 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 $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. During the nine months ended July 31, 2015 and 2014, the services provided by such engineering firm to the Company totaled $0.7 million for both periods. Neither the Company nor the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer has a financial interest in the relative’s company from whom the services were provided.

Note 3 - Interest (Tables)

Note 3 - Interest (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Home Building Interest [Abstract]
Schedule Of Real Estate Inventory Capitalized Interest Costs [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31, (In thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Interest capitalized at beginning of period $119,901 $107,992 $109,158 $105,093 Plus interest incurred (1) 41,856 36,472 124,031 108,073 Less cost of sales interest expensed 16,323 15,827 39,654 37,724 Less other interest expensed (2)(3) 22,493 19,880 70,594 66,685 Interest capitalized at end of period (4) $122,941 $108,757 $122,941 $108,757
Cash Paid for Interest, Net of Capitalized Interest [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31, (In thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Other interest expensed $22,493 $19,880 $70,594 $66,685 Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries 618 379 1,294 1,524 Decrease in accrued interest 9,381 5,245 1,665 1,234 Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest $32,492 $25,504 $73,553 $69,443

Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Tables

Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31, (In thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Balance, beginning of period $161,307 $134,865 $178,008 $131,028 Additions – Selling, general and administrative 4,162 4,659 13,742 13,710 Additions – Cost of sales 2,905 3,574 11,721 7,702 Charges incurred during the period (5,796 ) (3,683 ) (40,893 ) (13,025 ) Changes to pre-existing reserves - (4,220 ) - (4,220 ) Balance, end of period $162,578 $135,195 $162,578 $135,195

Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held 31

Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31, (In thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Loan origination reserves, beginning of period $7,942 $11,057 $7,352 $11,036 Provisions for losses during the period 39 1,899 168 2,766 Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates (30 ) (1,682 ) 431 (2,304 ) Payments/settlements - - - (224 ) Loan origination reserves, end of period $7,951 $11,274 $7,951 $11,274

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Sen32

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	(In thousands) July 31, 2015 October 31, 2014 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) 53,136 53,129 5.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 (net of discount) 130,852 129,806 Total Senior Secured Notes $980,988 $979,935 Senior Notes: 11.875% Senior Notes due October 15, 2015 (net of discount) 60,737 60,414 6.25% Senior Notes due January 15, 2016 (net of discount) 172,744 172,483 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 $841,056 $590,472 11.0% Senior Amortizing Notes due December 1, 2017 $12,811 $17,049 Senior Exchangeable Notes due December 1, 2017 $72,838 $70,101

Note 13 - Per Share Calculati33

Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31, (In thousands, except per share data) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Numerator: Net (loss) earnings attributable to Hovnanian $(7,684 ) $17,105 $(41,619 ) $(15,320 ) Less: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares - (386 ) - - Numerator for basic earnings per share (7,684 ) 16,719 (41,619 ) (15,320 ) Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares 386 Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to nonvested shares - (386 ) - - Less: interest on senior exchangeable notes - 879 - - Numerator for diluted earnings per share (7,684 ) 17,598 (41,619 ) (15,320 ) Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share 147,010 146,365 146,846 146,223 Effect of dilutive securities: Share based payments - 756 - - Senior Exchangeable notes - 15,157 - - Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted average shares outstanding 147,010 162,278 146,846 146,223 Basic earnings per share $(0.05 ) $0.11 $(0.28 ) $(0.10 ) Diluted earnings per share $(0.05 ) $0.11 $(0.28 ) $(0.10 )

Note 17 - Operating and Repor34

Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Tables) [Line Items]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	(In thousands) July 31, 2015 October 31, 2014 Assets: Northeast $329,387 $315,573 Mid-Atlantic 340,564 313,494 Midwest 190,461 169,967 Southeast 207,490 148,096 Southwest 473,732 410,756 West 245,266 143,245 Total homebuilding 1,786,900 1,501,131 Financial services 136,090 120,343 Corporate and unallocated 626,354 668,456 Total assets $2,549,344 $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 July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31, (In thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Revenues: Northeast $36,209 $60,531 $126,213 $179,529 Mid-Atlantic 113,992 90,123 271,954 219,378 Midwest 82,325 55,423 220,020 147,884 Southeast 57,329 55,449 144,498 146,613 Southwest 203,249 201,906 560,863 495,116 West 33,180 76,521 93,895 147,979 Total homebuilding 526,284 539,953 1,417,443 1,336,499 Financial services 14,360 11,106 37,939 28,612 Corporate and unallocated (31 ) (50 ) (106 ) (125 ) Total revenues $540,613 $551,009 $1,455,276 $1,364,986 (Loss) income before income taxes: Northeast $(4,008 ) $(1,971 ) $(10,973 ) $(10,791 ) Mid-Atlantic 5,440 5,397 10,439 9,772 Midwest 3,120 4,971 8,041 10,687 Southeast (1,225 ) 2,244 (3,583 ) 6,990 Southwest 17,170 22,178 42,517 48,259 West (3,973 ) 11,091 (15,309 ) 12,829 Homebuilding income before income taxes 16,524 43,910 31,132 77,746 Financial services 6,116 3,894 14,870 8,021 Corporate and unallocated (32,641 ) (32,432 ) (105,164 ) (101,583 ) (Loss) income before income taxes $(10,001 ) $15,372 $(59,162 ) $(15,816 )

Note 18 - Investments in Unco35

Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]	(Dollars in thousands) July 31, 2015 Homebuilding Land Development Total Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $20,420 $739 $21,159 Inventories 322,448 13,543 335,991 Other assets 9,388 - 9,388 Total assets $352,256 $14,282 $366,538 Liabilities and equity: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $28,601 $604 $29,205 Notes payable 101,522 4,593 106,115 Total liabilities 130,123 5,197 135,320 Equity of: Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. 63,497 2,943 66,440 Others 158,636 6,142 164,778 Total equity 222,133 9,085 231,218 Total liabilities and equity $352,256 $14,282 $366,538 Debt to capitalization ratio 31 % 34 % 31 % (Dollars in thousands) October 31, 2014 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 July 31, 2015 (In thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $27,459 $1,394 $28,853 Cost of sales and expenses (29,705 ) (1,296 ) (31,001 ) Joint venture net (loss) income $(2,246 ) $98 $(2,148 ) Our share of net (loss) income $(488 ) $49 $(439 ) For the Three Months Ended July 31, 2014 (In thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $29,283 $612 $29,895 Cost of sales and expenses (27,631 ) (534 ) (28,165 ) Joint venture net income $1,652 $78 $1,730 Our share of net income $201 $39 $240 For the Nine Months Ended July 31, 2015 (In thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $91,300 $4,009 $95,309 Cost of sales and expenses (53,821 ) (4,103 ) (57,924 ) Joint venture net income (loss) $37,479 $(94 ) $37,385 Our share of net income (loss) $728 $(47 ) $681 For the Nine Months Ended July 31, 2014 (In thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $114,304 $5,881 $120,185 Cost of sales and expenses (105,409 ) (5,619 ) (111,028 ) Joint venture net income $8,895 $262 $9,157 Our share of net income $3,780 $131 $3,911

Note 20 - Fair Value of Finan36

Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 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 July 31, 2015 Fair Value at October 31, 2014 Mortgage loans held for sale (1) Level 2 $110,723 $95,643 Interest rate lock commitments Level 2 356 15 Forward contracts Level 2 (409 ) (320 ) $110,670 $95,338
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended July 31, 2015 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held For Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $5 $400 $(587 ) Three Months Ended July 31, 2014 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held For Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $(236 ) $(308 ) $526 Nine Months Ended July 31, 2015 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held For Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $(168 ) $341 $(89 ) Nine Months Ended July 31, 2014 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held For Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $(2,136 ) $(506 ) $1,213
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended July 31, 2014 (In thousands) Fair Value Hierarchy Pre-Impairment Amount Total Losses Fair Value Sold and unsold homes and lots under development Level 3 $469 $(70 ) $399 Land and land options held for future development or sale Level 3 $- $- $- Nine Months Ended July 31, 2015 (In thousands) Fair Value Hierarchy Pre-Impairment Amount Total Losses Fair Value Sold and unsold homes and lots under development Level 3 $16,756 $(4,466 ) $12,290 Land and land options held for future development or sale Level 3 $- $- $- Nine Months Ended July 31, 2014 (In thousands) Fair Value Hierarchy Pre-Impairment Amount Total Losses Fair Value Sold and unsold homes and lots under development Level 3 $469 $(70 ) $399 Land and land options held for future development or sale Level 3 $236 $(82 ) $154

Note 21 - Financial Informati37

Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS: Homebuilding $- $192,365 $1,545,467 $371,632 $- $2,109,464 Financial services 12,189 123,901 136,090 Income taxes receivable 255,664 48,126 303,790 Intercompany receivable 1,505,551 48,335 (1,553,886 ) - Investments in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries 380,721 (380,721 ) - Total assets $255,664 $1,697,916 $1,986,503 $543,868 (1,934,607 ) $2,549,344 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY: Homebuilding $3,076 $76 $584,370 $61,487 $- $649,009 Financial services 12,247 101,303 113,550 Notes payable 1,936,130 1,805 357 1,938,292 Intercompany payable 303,173 1,250,713 (1,553,886 ) - Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries 100,922 52,121 (153,043 ) - Stockholders’ (deficit) equity (151,507 ) (290,411 ) 137,368 380,721 (227,678 ) (151,507 ) Total liabilities and equity $255,664 $1,697,916 $1,986,503 $543,868 (1,934,607 ) $2,549,344 Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS: Homebuilding $- $195,177 $1,336,716 $353,151 $- $1,885,044 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 Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues: Homebuilding $- $- $446,581 $79,672 $- $526,253 Financial services 2,146 12,214 14,360 Intercompany charges 31,246 64 (31,310 ) - Total revenues - 31,246 448,727 91,950 (31,310 ) 540,613 Expenses: Homebuilding 2,416 38,284 431,816 69,406 541,922 Financial services 16 - 1,618 6,610 8,244 Intercompany charges 31,310 (31,310 ) - Total expenses 2,432 38,284 464,744 76,016 (31,310 ) 550,166 Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures 12 (460 ) (448 ) (Loss) income before income taxes (2,432 ) (7,038 ) (16,005 ) 15,474 - (10,001 ) State and federal income tax provision (benefit) 224 (2,541 ) (2,317 ) Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries (5,028 ) (13,855 ) 15,474 3,409 - Net (loss) income $(7,684 ) $(20,893 ) $2,010 $15,474 $3,409 $(7,684 ) Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues: Homebuilding $- $(52 ) $436,085 $103,870 $- $539,903 Financial services 2,396 8,710 11,106 Intercompany charges 26,411 (28,110 ) (42 ) 1,741 - Total revenues - 26,359 410,371 112,538 1,741 551,009 Expenses: Homebuilding 3,098 32,751 406,479 86,894 (586 ) 528,636 Financial services 6 1,699 5,507 7,212 Total expenses 3,104 32,751 408,178 92,401 (586 ) 535,848 Income from unconsolidated joint ventures 10 201 211 (Loss) income before income taxes (3,104 ) (6,392 ) 2,203 20,338 2,327 15,372 State and federal income tax (benefit) provision (4,213 ) 2,480 (1,733 ) Equity in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries 15,996 (12,584 ) 20,338 (23,750 ) - Net income (loss) $17,105 $(18,976 ) $20,061 $20,338 $(21,423 ) $17,105 Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues: Homebuilding $- $- $1,202,668 $214,669 $- $1,417,337 Financial services 5,914 32,025 37,939 Intercompany charges 91,631 (91,631 ) - Total revenues - 91,631 1,208,582 246,694 (91,631 ) 1,455,276 Expenses: Homebuilding 9,209 114,499 1,181,860 188,271 1,493,839 Financial services 104 4,747 18,218 23,069 Intercompany charges 91,631 (91,631 ) - Total expenses 9,313 114,499 1,278,238 206,489 (91,631 ) 1,516,908 (Loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures (2 ) 2,472 2,470 (Loss) income before income taxes (9,313 ) (22,868 ) (69,658 ) 42,677 - (59,162 ) State and federal income tax (benefit) provision (17,968 ) 425 (17,543 ) Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries (50,274 ) (40,219 ) 42,677 47,816 - Net (loss) income $(41,619 ) $(63,087 ) $(27,406 ) $42,677 $47,816 $(41,619 ) Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Revenues: Homebuilding $- $(129 ) $1,085,275 $251,228 $- $1,336,374 Financial services 6,467 22,145 28,612 Intercompany charges 72,966 (76,391 ) (42 ) 3,467 - Total revenues - 72,837 1,015,351 273,331 3,467 1,364,986 Expenses: Homebuilding 9,023 96,769 1,045,419 215,032 (3,338 ) 1,362,905 Financial services 15 4,918 15,658 20,591 Total expenses 9,038 96,769 1,050,337 230,690 (3,338 ) 1,383,496 Loss on extinguishment of debt (1,155 ) (1,155 ) Income from unconsolidated joint ventures 70 3,779 3,849 (Loss) income before income taxes (9,038 ) (25,087 ) (34,916 ) 46,420 6,805 (15,816 ) State and federal income tax (benefit) provision (10,041 ) 9,545 (496 ) Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries (16,323 ) (36,608 ) 46,420 6,511 - Net (loss) income $(15,320 ) $(61,695 ) $1,959 $46,420 $13,316 $(15,320 )
Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]	Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net (loss) income $(41,619 ) $(63,087 ) $(27,406 ) $42,677 $47,816 $(41,619 ) Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (3,128 ) 12,191 (154,619 ) (97,689 ) (47,816 ) (291,061 ) Net cash used in operating activities (44,747 ) (50,896 ) (182,025 ) (55,012 ) - (332,680 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Proceeds from sale of property and assets 1,112 31 1,143 Purchase of property, equipment and other fixed assets and acquisitions (1,653 ) (1,653 ) Decrease in restricted cash related to mortgage company 1,466 1,466 Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures 81 184 (17,266 ) (17,001 ) Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures 315 646 9,760 10,721 Intercompany investing activities (189,879 ) 189,879 - Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities - (189,483 ) 289 (6,009 ) 189,879 (5,324 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Net proceeds from mortgages and notes 18,682 12,103 30,785 Net proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs 17,918 1,846 19,764 Net payments related to land bank financing programs (10,065 ) (311 ) (10,376 ) Proceeds from senior notes 250,000 250,000 Net proceeds related to mortgage warehouse lines of credit 11,635 11,635 Deferred financing costs from land bank financing programs and note issuances (4,689 ) (1,781 ) (1,057 ) (7,527 ) Principal payments and debt repurchases (4,238 ) (4,238 ) Intercompany financing activities 44,747 157,306 (12,174 ) (189,879 ) - Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 44,747 241,073 182,060 12,042 (189,879 ) 290,043 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents - 694 324 (48,979 ) - (47,961 ) Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period 159,508 (4,726 ) 107,116 261,898 Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period $- $160,202 $(4,402 ) $58,137 $- $213,937 Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net (loss) income $(15,320 ) $(61,695 ) $1,959 $46,420 $13,316 $(15,320 ) Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities 2,080 6,913 (251,746 ) 11,846 (13,316 ) (244,223 ) Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (13,240 ) (54,782 ) (249,787 ) 58,266 - (259,543 ) Net cash (used in) investing activities (1,009 ) (8,306 ) (9,315 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 118,599 45,442 (40,666 ) 123,375 Intercompany investing and financing activities – net 13,240 (207,001 ) 206,190 (12,429 ) - Net (decrease) increase in cash - (143,184 ) 836 (3,135 ) - (145,483 ) Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period 243,470 (6,479 ) 92,213 329,204 Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period $- $100,286 $(5,643 ) $89,078 $- $183,721

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Homebuilding [Member]
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	6

Note 2 - Stock Compensation (De

Note 2 - Stock Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Note 2 - Stock Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 2.5	$ 2.7	$ 9.2	$ 7.7
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	2		6.4
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Note 2 - Stock Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 0.5	$ 1	$ 1.9	$ 3

Note 3 - Interest (Details) - I

Note 3 - Interest (Details) - Interest Costs Incurred, Expensed and Capitalized - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Interest Costs Incurred, Expensed and Capitalized [Abstract]
Interest capitalized at beginning of period		$ 119,901	$ 107,992	$ 109,158	$ 105,093
Plus interest incurred (1)	[1]	41,856	36,472	124,031	108,073
Less cost of sales interest expensed		16,323	15,827	39,654	37,724
Less other interest expensed (2)(3)	[2],[3]	22,493	19,880	70,594	66,685
Interest capitalized at end of period (4)	[4]	$ 122,941	$ 108,757	$ 122,941	$ 108,757
[1]	Data does not include interest incurred by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries.
[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:
[3]	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.
[4]	Capitalized interest amounts are shown gross before allocating any portion of impairments, if any, to capitalized interest.

Note 3 - Interest (Details) - C

Note 3 - Interest (Details) - Cash Paid for Interest, Net of Capitalized Interest - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Cash Paid for Interest, Net of Capitalized Interest [Abstract]
Other interest expensed	[1],[2]	$ 22,493	$ 19,880	$ 70,594	$ 66,685
Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries		618	379	1,294	1,524
Decrease in accrued interest		9,381	5,245	1,665	1,234
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest		$ 32,492	$ 25,504	$ 73,553	$ 69,443
[1]	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:
[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.

Note 4 - Reduction of Invento42

Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details)		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2014USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2014USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2014USD ($)
Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Impairment of Real Estate		$ 0	$ 100,000	$ 4,400,000	$ 200,000
Number Of Communities Evaluated For Impairment		522		522
Number of Communities Performed Detailed Impairment Calculations		17		17
Carrying Value Of Communities Tested For Impairment		$ 86,700,000		$ 86,700,000
Number Of Communities Tested For Impairment For Which Undiscounted Future Cash Flow Only Exceeded Carrying Amount By Less Than 20%		8		8
Carrying Value Of Communities Tested For Impairment For Which Undiscounted Future Cash Flow Only Exceeded Carrying Amount By Less Than 20%		$ 42,700,000		$ 42,700,000
Percentage Undiscounted Cash Flow Exceeds Carrying Amount				20.00%
Number of Communities Impaired			1	5	2
Pre Impairment Value			$ 500,000	$ 16,700,000	$ 700,000
Land Option Write-offs		$ 1,100,000	$ 600,000	$ 3,200,000	$ 1,700,000
Number Of Walk Away Lots		1,035	1,165	3,190	3,595
Number of Mothballed Communities Reactivated				14
Number of Communities Mothballed		31		31
Inventory, Real Estate, Mothballed Communities		$ 99,900,000		$ 99,900,000
Inventory, Real Estate, Mothballed Communities, Accumulated Impairment Charges		334,500,000		334,500,000
Inventory Real Estate Specific Performance Options		0		0
Homebuilding [Member]
Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory Real Estate Specific Performance Options	[1]					$ 3,479,000
Inventory Real Estate Other Options		109,355,000		109,355,000		105,374,000	[1]
Liabilities From Inventory Real Estate Not Owned		$ 98,406,000		98,406,000		$ 92,381,000	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Real Estate Inventory [Member]
Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		0.00%	16.80%		16.80%
Model Sale Leaseback Financing Arrangements [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory Real Estate Other Options		$ 90,200,000		90,200,000
Liabilities From Inventory Real Estate Not Owned		84,700,000		84,700,000
Land Banking Arrangement [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory Real Estate Other Options		19,200,000		19,200,000
Liabilities From Inventory Real Estate Not Owned		$ 13,700,000		$ 13,700,000
Minimum [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Real Estate Inventory [Member]
Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate				17.50%
Maximum [Member] | Homebuilding [Member] | Real Estate Inventory [Member]
Note 4 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate				19.80%
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note 5 - Variable Interest En43

Note 5 - Variable Interest Entities (Details) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Deposits Associated with Land and Lot Options of Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities	$ 90
Purchase Price Associated with Land and Lot Options of Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities	$ 1,400

Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Detail

Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Cash Received From Subcontractors For Owner Controlled Insurance Program			$ 2,200	$ 1,700
General Liability Insurance, Deductible	$ 20,000	$ 20,000	20,000	20,000
Bodily Injury Insurance, Deductible	250	250	250	250
Bodily Injury Insurance, Limit	5,000	5,000	5,000	5,000
Aggregate Retention for Construction Defects, Warranty and Bodily Injury Claims	21,000	21,000	21,000	21,000
Payments by Insurance Companies for Claims	$ 400	$ 1,000	$ 18,700	$ 5,200

Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Deta45

Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Details) - Warranty and General Liability Reserve - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Balance	$ 161,307	$ 134,865	$ 178,008	$ 131,028
Charges incurred during the period	(5,796)	(3,683)	(40,893)	(13,025)
Changes to pre-existing reserves		(4,220)		(4,220)
Balance	162,578	135,195	162,578	135,195
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Additions	4,162	4,659	13,742	13,710
Cost of Sales [Member]
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Additions	$ 2,905	$ 3,574	$ 11,721	$ 7,702

Note 7 - Commitments and Cont46

Note 7 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May. 15, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Note 7 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details) [Line Items]
Aggregate Retention for Construction Defects, Warranty and Bodily Injury Claims		$ 21	$ 21
Aggregate Retention For Construction Defects Warranty and Bodily Injury Claims Amount Exceeded		$ 30
DAndrea VHovnanian [Member]
Note 7 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details) [Line Items]
Litigation Settlement, Amount	$ (21)

Note 8 - Restricted Cash and 47

Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$ 14,300	$ 15,400
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	26,400	29,300
Homebuilding [Member]
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	9,772	13,086	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Customer Deposits [Member]
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	7,200	7,500
Financial Services [Member]
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	16,647	16,236	[1]
Financial Services [Member] | Customer Deposits [Member]
Note 8 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details) [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 16,600	$ 15,800
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held 48

Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale (Details) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2014USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Loans Pledged as Collateral	$ 96.1	$ 78.6
Number of Loans Reserved For	131		200

Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held 49

Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale (Details) - Loan Origination Reserves - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Loan Origination Reserves [Abstract]
Loan origination reserves, beginning of period	$ 7,942	$ 11,057	$ 7,352	$ 11,036
Provisions for losses during the period	39	1,899	168	2,766
Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates	(30)	(1,682)	431	(2,304)
Payments/settlements				(224)
Loan origination reserves, end of period	$ 7,951	$ 11,274	$ 7,951	$ 11,274

Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes50

Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Letter of Credit [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		$ 2,600,000	$ 5,500,000
Citi Bank [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [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
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		$ 26,500,000	26,500,000
Long-term Line of Credit		0	0
JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		50,000,000
Warehouse Agreement Borrowings		$ 17,900,000	25,500,000
JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Variable Rate Basis Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate LIBOR		0.19%
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		25,600,000	20,400,000
Nonrecourse Mortgages [Member] | Mortgages [Member] | Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Secured Debt		$ 15,800,000	$ 16,600,000
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate		8.70%	7.00%
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal, Remainder of Fiscal Year		$ 300,000
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
Nonrecourse Mortgages [Member] | Mortgages [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Secured Debt		133,380,000	$ 103,908,000	[1]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount		$ 366,900,000	$ 220,100,000
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate		5.00%	5.00%
The 7.25% 2020 Notes and 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount		$ 799,900,000
Cash Collateral for Borrowed Securities		166,400,000
The 7.25% 2020 Notes and 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Restricted Cash [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Cash Collateral for Borrowed Securities		2,600,000	$ 5,600,000
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		$ 25,400,000	19,700,000
Debt Instrument Variable Rate Basis Effective Rate		0.56%
Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 35,000,000
Warehouse Agreement Borrowings		$ 19,600,000	$ 11,300,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		2.75%	2.75%
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		2.50%
Debt Instrument Variable Rate Basis Floor Rate		0.25%
Minimum [Member] | JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.50%
Minimum [Member] | Customers Bank [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.75%
Minimum [Member] | Credit Suisse Master Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.25%
Maximum [Member] | JP Morgan Chase Bank [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%
Maximum [Member] | Customers Bank [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		5.25%
Maximum [Member] | Credit Suisse Master Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Note 10 - Mortgages and Notes Payable (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.50%
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Sen51

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 05, 2014	Jan. 10, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 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
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt (in Dollars)					$ (1,155)
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage				7.625%
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross (in Dollars)				$ 980,988		$ 979,935
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross (in Dollars)				$ 841,056		$ 590,472
The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured 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%
Long-term Debt, Gross (in Dollars)				$ 130,852		$ 129,806
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date				Nov. 1, 2021		Nov. 1, 2021
The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured 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%
Long-term Debt, Gross (in Dollars)				$ 53,136		$ 53,129
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date				Nov. 1, 2021		Nov. 1, 2021
The 7.25% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				7.25%		7.25%
Long-term Debt, Gross (in Dollars)				$ 577,000		$ 577,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date				Oct. 15, 2020		Oct. 15, 2020
The 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				9.125%		9.125%
Long-term Debt, Gross (in Dollars)				$ 220,000		$ 220,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date				Nov. 15, 2020		Nov. 15, 2020
The 7.25% 2020 Notes and 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount (in Dollars)				$ 799,900
Cash Collateral for Borrowed Securities (in Dollars)				166,400
The 7.25% 2020 Notes and 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Restricted Cash [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Cash Collateral for Borrowed Securities (in Dollars)				2,600		$ 5,600
The 2.0% 2021 Notes Member and 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents Collateral [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount (in Dollars)				43,500
The 2.0% 2021 Notes Member and 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount (in Dollars)				147,100
The 2.0% 2021 Notes Member and 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured 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)				$ 63,500
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Senior 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
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt (in Dollars)		$ 147,800
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		100.00%
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member] | Redemption With Net Cash Proceeds From Certain Equity Offerings [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		107.00%
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		103.50%
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		101.75%
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Four [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		100.00%
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				7.00%		7.00%
Long-term Debt, Gross (in Dollars)				$ 150,000		$ 150,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date				Jan. 15, 2019		Jan. 15, 2019
The 6.25% 2015 Notes [Member] | Senior 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
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt (in Dollars)			$ (1,200)
8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [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
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt (in Dollars)	$ 245,700
8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				8.00%
Long-term Debt, Gross (in Dollars)				$ 250,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date				Nov. 1, 2019
The 11.875% 2015 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				11.875%		11.875%
Long-term Debt, Gross (in Dollars)				$ 60,737		$ 60,414
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date				Oct. 15, 2015		Oct. 15, 2015
The 6.25% 2016 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				6.25%		6.25%
Long-term Debt, Gross (in Dollars)				$ 172,744		$ 172,483
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date				Jan. 15, 2016		Jan. 15, 2016
Maximum [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [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%

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Sen52

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) - Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	$ 980,988	$ 979,935
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	841,056	590,472
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	53,136	53,129
The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	130,852	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	60,737	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	172,744	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	12,811	17,049
Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member] | Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Notes:
Senior Notes	$ 72,838	$ 70,101

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Sen53

Note 11 - Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing, and Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) - Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes (Parentheticals)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 02, 2012
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	11.00%
The 7.25% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	7.25%	7.25%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Oct. 15, 2020	Oct. 15, 2020
The 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	9.125%	9.125%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Nov. 15, 2020	Nov. 15, 2020
The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	2.00%	2.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Nov. 1, 2021	Nov. 1, 2021
The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate	5.00%	5.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Nov. 1, 2021	Nov. 1, 2021
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	11.875%	11.875%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Oct. 15, 2015	Oct. 15, 2015
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%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jan. 15, 2016	Jan. 15, 2016
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%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	May 15, 2016	May 15, 2016
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	8.625%	8.625%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jan. 15, 2017	Jan. 15, 2017
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%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jan. 15, 2019	Jan. 15, 2019
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%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Nov. 1, 2019
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%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 1, 2017	Dec. 1, 2017
Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member] | Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 1, 2017	Dec. 1, 2017

Note 12 - Senior Exchangeable54

Note 12 - Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details)	Jun. 02, 2013USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)shares	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 02, 2012USD ($)$ / shares$ / item
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
The 6.00% Exchangeable Note Units [Member] | 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 | $ / shares				$ 185.5288
Share Price For Exchangeable Note Conversion				5.39
Senior Exchangeable Notes Exchanged for Class A Common Stock | shares		18,305
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued | shares		3,400,000
The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member] | Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Note 12 - Senior Exchangeable Notes (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		11.00%	11.00%	11.00%

Note 13 - Per Share Calculati55

Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details) [Line Items]
Prepaid Stock Purchase Contracts, Shares Included in Basic Earnings Per Share				6,100,000
Tangible Equity Units, Rate		7.25%		7.25%
Exchangeable Note Unit Rate Stated Percentage	6.00%	6.00%	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		200,000	1,300,000
Convertible Debt Securities [Member]
Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details) [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	15,200,000		15,200,000	15,200,000
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	3,900,000	3,000,000	3,100,000	2,100,000

Note 13 - Per Share Calculati56

Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details) - Basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented below were calculated as follows: - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Numerator:
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Hovnanian	$ (7,684)	$ 17,105	$ (41,619)	$ (15,320)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares		(386)
Numerator for basic earnings per share	(7,684)	16,719	(41,619)	(15,320)
Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares		386
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to nonvested shares		(386)
Less: interest on senior exchangeable notes		879
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$ (7,684)	$ 17,598	$ (41,619)	$ (15,320)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share (in Shares)	147,010	146,365	146,846	146,223
Effect of dilutive securities:
Share based payments (in Shares)		756
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted average shares outstanding (in Shares)	147,010	162,278	146,846	146,223
Basic earnings per share (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.11	$ (0.28)	$ (0.10)
Diluted earnings per share (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.11	$ (0.28)	$ (0.10)
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities:
Senior Exchangeable notes (in Shares)		15,157

Note 14 - Preferred Stock (Deta

Note 14 - Preferred Stock (Details) - USD ($)	Jul. 12, 2005	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	[1]
Note 14 - Preferred Stock (Details) [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued (in Shares)		5,600		5,600		5,600
Preferred Class A [Member]
Note 14 - Preferred Stock (Details) [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued (in Shares)	5,600
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	7.625%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share (in Dollars per share)	$ 25,000
Payments of Dividends		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note 15 - Common Stock (Details

Note 15 - Common Stock (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)shares	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)shares	Dec. 05, 2008	Aug. 15, 2008	Aug. 04, 2008	Jul. 03, 2001shares
Note 15 - Common Stock (Details) [Line Items]
Common Stock Dividends, Percent of Increase from Class A to Class B	110.00%	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	0
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount (in Dollars) | $	$ 0.5	$ 0.5
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 ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (2,317)	$ (1,733)	$ (17,543)	$ (496)
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount					$ (285,100)
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	$ 642,100		$ 642,100		$ 642,000

Note 17 - Operating and Repor60

Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015
Homebuilding [Member]
Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	6

Note 17 - Operating and Repor61

Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - Financial Information Relating to Segment Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 540,613	$ 551,009	$ 1,455,276	$ 1,364,986
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	(10,001)	15,372	(59,162)	(15,816)
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	526,284	539,953	1,417,443	1,336,499
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	16,524	43,910	31,132	77,746
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	36,209	60,531	126,213	179,529
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	(4,008)	(1,971)	(10,973)	(10,791)
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	113,992	90,123	271,954	219,378
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	5,440	5,397	10,439	9,772
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	82,325	55,423	220,020	147,884
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	3,120	4,971	8,041	10,687
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	57,329	55,449	144,498	146,613
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	(1,225)	2,244	(3,583)	6,990
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	203,249	201,906	560,863	495,116
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	17,170	22,178	42,517	48,259
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	33,180	76,521	93,895	147,979
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	(3,973)	11,091	(15,309)	12,829
Financial Services [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	14,360	11,106	37,939	28,612
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	6,116	3,894	14,870	8,021
Corporate and Other [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	(31)	(50)	(106)	(125)
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	$ (32,641)	$ (32,432)	$ (105,164)	$ (101,583)

Note 17 - Operating and Repor62

Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - Financial Information Relating to Segment Financial Position - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Assets:
Assets	$ 2,549,344	$ 2,289,930	[1]
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets:
Assets	2,109,464	1,885,044	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Assets:
Assets	329,387	315,573
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Assets:
Assets	340,564	313,494
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Assets:
Assets	190,461	169,967
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Assets:
Assets	207,490	148,096
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Assets:
Assets	473,732	410,756
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Assets:
Assets	245,266	143,245
Financial Services [Member]
Assets:
Assets	136,090	120,343	[1]
Corporate and Other [Member]
Assets:
Assets	626,354	668,456
Excluding Corporate And Unallocated [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Assets:
Assets	$ 1,786,900	$ 1,501,131
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note 18 - Investments in Unco63

Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 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%		50.00%
Joint Venture, Average Debt to Capitalization Ratio	31.00%		31.00%
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	$ 66,535		$ 66,535		$ 63,883	[1]
Management Fees Revenue	1,200	$ 1,300	3,600	$ 5,000
Corporate Joint Venture [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) [Line Items]
Advances to Affiliate	$ 1,000		$ 1,000		$ 1,800
Joint Venture, Average Debt to Capitalization Ratio	31.00%		31.00%		22.00%
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note 18 - Investments in Unco64

Note 18 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) - Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Equity of:
Debt to capitalization ratio	31.00%		31.00%
Our share of net income	$ (448)	$ 211	$ 2,470	$ 3,849
Corporate Joint Venture [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	21,159		21,159		$ 22,620
Inventories	335,991		335,991		224,814
Other assets	9,388		9,388		11,986
Total assets	366,538		366,538		259,420
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	29,205		29,205		28,214
Notes payable	106,115		106,115		51,156
Total liabilities	135,320		135,320		79,370
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	66,440		66,440		62,096
Others	164,778		164,778		117,954
Total equity	231,218		231,218		180,050
Total liabilities and equity	$ 366,538		$ 366,538		$ 259,420
Debt to capitalization ratio	31.00%		31.00%		22.00%
Revenues	$ 28,853	29,895	$ 95,309	120,185
Cost of sales and expenses	(31,001)	(28,165)	(57,924)	(111,028)
Joint venture net income	(2,148)	1,730	37,385	9,157
Our share of net income	(439)	240	681	3,911
Homebuilding Venture [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	20,420		20,420		$ 22,415
Inventories	322,448		322,448		208,620
Other assets	9,388		9,388		11,986
Total assets	352,256		352,256		243,021
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	28,601		28,601		27,175
Notes payable	101,522		101,522		45,506
Total liabilities	130,123		130,123		72,681
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	63,497		63,497		59,106
Others	158,636		158,636		111,234
Total equity	222,133		222,133		170,340
Total liabilities and equity	$ 352,256		$ 352,256		$ 243,021
Debt to capitalization ratio	31.00%		31.00%		21.00%
Revenues	$ 27,459	29,283	$ 91,300	114,304
Cost of sales and expenses	(29,705)	(27,631)	(53,821)	(105,409)
Joint venture net income	(2,246)	1,652	37,479	8,895
Our share of net income	(488)	201	728	3,780
Land Development Venture [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	739		739		$ 205
Inventories	13,543		13,543		16,194
Total assets	14,282		14,282		16,399
Liabilities and equity:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	604		604		1,039
Notes payable	4,593		4,593		5,650
Total liabilities	5,197		5,197		6,689
Equity of:
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	2,943		2,943		2,990
Others	6,142		6,142		6,720
Total equity	9,085		9,085		9,710
Total liabilities and equity	$ 14,282		$ 14,282		$ 16,399
Debt to capitalization ratio	34.00%		34.00%		37.00%
Revenues	$ 1,394	612	$ 4,009	5,881
Cost of sales and expenses	(1,296)	(534)	(4,103)	(5,619)
Joint venture net income	98	78	(94)	262
Our share of net income	$ 49	$ 39	$ (47)	$ 131

Note 20 - Fair Value of Finan65

Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Loans Held for Sale, Mortgages, Unpaid Principal	$ 105,400,000		$ 105,400,000		$ 91,200,000
Other Commitment	26,500,000		26,500,000
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	0		0
Impairment of Real Estate	0	$ 100,000	4,400,000	$ 200,000
Loan Origination Commitments [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Loan Applications in Process	738,900,000		738,900,000
Interest Rate Committed [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Interest Rate Committed Loan Applications	86,200,000		86,200,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	676,600,000		676,600,000		464,400,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	132,000,000		132,000,000		148,200,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	964,000,000		964,000,000		1,000,000,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	12,800,000		12,800,000		17,000,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 67,700,000		$ 67,700,000		$ 79,600,000
Maximum [Member] | Loan Origination Commitments [Member]
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Days in Commitment			60 days

Note 20 - Fair Value of Finan66

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 ($) $ in Thousands		Jul. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
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		$ 356	$ 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		(409)	(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)	[1]	110,723	95,643
		$ 110,670	$ 95,338
[1]	The aggregate unpaid principal balance was $105.4 million and $91.2 million at July 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively.

Note 20 - Fair Value of Finan67

Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Changes in Fair Values Included in Income (Loss) - Financial Services Revenue Line Item [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Loans Held For Sale [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues	$ 5	$ (236)	$ (168)	$ (2,136)
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues	400	(308)	341	(506)
Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Changes in fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues	$ (587)	$ 526	$ (89)	$ 1,213

Note 20 - Fair Value of Finan68

Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Pre-Impairment Amount		$ 500,000	$ 16,700,000	$ 700,000
Total Losses	$ 0	(100,000)	(4,400,000)	(200,000)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Sold and Unsold Homes and Lots Under Development [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]
Pre-Impairment Amount		469,000	16,756,000	469,000
Total Losses		(70,000)	(4,466,000)	(70,000)
Fair Value		$ 399,000	$ 12,290,000	399,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Land and Land Options Held for Future Development or Sale [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]
Pre-Impairment Amount				236,000
Total Losses				(82,000)
Fair Value				$ 154,000

Note 21 - Financial Informati69

Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2015	Nov. 05, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	[1]	Jul. 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]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 980,988		$ 979,935
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
Senior Notes	981,000
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	841,056		590,472
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
Senior Notes	841,100
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 12,811		17,049
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	11.00%
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 12,800
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Senior Notes	72,838		$ 70,101
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 72,800
8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | 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]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.00%
8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 250,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		8.00%
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note 21 - Financial Informati70

Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) - Consolidating Condensed Financial Statements - Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
ASSETS:
Assets	$ 2,549,344	$ 2,289,930	[1]
Income taxes receivable	303,790	284,543
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	2,700,851	2,407,729	[1]
Notes payable	1,938,292	1,689,779	[1]
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(151,507)	(117,799)
Total liabilities and equity	2,549,344	2,289,930	[1]
Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	2,109,464	1,885,044	[1]
Investments in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries	66,535	63,883	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	649,009	618,753	[1]
Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	136,090	120,343	[1]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	113,550	99,197	[1]
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	255,664	244,391
Income taxes receivable	255,664	244,391
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Intercompany payable	303,173	308,700
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries	100,922	50,648
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(151,507)	(117,799)
Total liabilities and equity	255,664	244,391
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	3,076	2,842
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	1,697,916	1,470,630
Intercompany receivable	1,505,551	1,275,453
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Notes payable	1,936,130	1,685,892
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries	52,121	11,902
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(290,411)	(227,324)
Total liabilities and equity	1,697,916	1,470,630
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	192,365	195,177
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	76	160
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	1,986,503	1,726,319
Income taxes receivable	48,126	40,152
Investments in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries	380,721	338,044
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Notes payable	1,805	3,336
Intercompany payable	1,250,713	1,002,914
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	137,368	164,771
Total liabilities and equity	1,986,503	1,726,319
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	1,545,467	1,336,716
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	584,370	544,088
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	12,189	11,407
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	12,247	11,210
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	543,868	498,248
Intercompany receivable	48,335	36,161
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Notes payable	357	551
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	380,721	338,047
Total liabilities and equity	543,868	498,248
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	371,632	353,151
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	61,487	71,663
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	123,901	108,936
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Liability	101,303	87,987
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS:
Assets	(1,934,607)	(1,649,658)
Intercompany receivable	(1,553,886)	(1,311,614)
Investments in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries	(380,721)	(338,044)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Intercompany payable	(1,553,886)	(1,311,614)
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries	(153,043)	(62,550)
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(227,678)	(275,494)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (1,934,607)	$ (1,649,658)
[1]	Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.

Note 21 - Financial Informati71

Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) - Consolidating Condensed Financial Statements - Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 540,613	$ 551,009	$ 1,455,276	$ 1,364,986
Expenses:
Homebuilding Expense	550,166	535,848	1,516,908	1,383,496
Loss on extinguishment of debt				(1,155)
(Loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(448)	211	2,470	3,849
(Loss) income before income taxes	(10,001)	15,372	(59,162)	(15,816)
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision	(2,317)	(1,733)	(17,543)	(496)
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries		0
Net (loss) income	(7,684)	17,105	(41,619)	(15,320)
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues:
Homebuilding revenue	526,253	539,903	1,417,337	1,336,374
Total revenues	526,284	539,953	1,417,443	1,336,499
Expenses:
Homebuilding Expense	541,922	528,636	1,493,839	1,362,905
(Loss) income before income taxes	16,524	43,910	31,132	77,746
Financial Services [Member]
Revenues:
Financial services	14,360	11,106	37,939	28,612
Total revenues	14,360	11,106	37,939	28,612
Expenses:
(Loss) income before income taxes	6,116	3,894	14,870	8,021
Revenues:
Financial services	8,244	7,212	23,069	20,591
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Expenses:
Homebuilding Expense	2,432	3,104	9,313	9,038
(Loss) income before income taxes	(2,432)	(3,104)	(9,313)	(9,038)
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision	224	(4,213)	(17,968)	(10,041)
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	(5,028)	15,996	(50,274)	(16,323)
Net (loss) income	(7,684)	17,105	(41,619)	(15,320)
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Expenses:
Homebuilding Expense	2,416	3,098	9,209	9,023
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Revenues:
Financial services	16	6	104	15
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Revenues:
Intercompany charges	31,246	26,411	91,631	72,966
Total revenues	31,246	26,359	91,631	72,837
Expenses:
Homebuilding Expense	38,284	32,751	114,499	96,769
Loss on extinguishment of debt				(1,155)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(7,038)	(6,392)	(22,868)	(25,087)
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	(13,855)	(12,584)	(40,219)	(36,608)
Net (loss) income	(20,893)	(18,976)	(63,087)	(61,695)
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues:
Homebuilding revenue		(52)		(129)
Expenses:
Homebuilding Expense	38,284	32,751	114,499	96,769
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Revenues:
Intercompany charges		(28,110)		(76,391)
Total revenues	448,727	410,371	1,208,582	1,015,351
Expenses:
Homebuilding Expense	464,744	408,178	1,278,238	1,050,337
(Loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures	12	10	(2)	70
(Loss) income before income taxes	(16,005)	2,203	(69,658)	(34,916)
State and federal income tax (benefit) provision	(2,541)	2,480	425	9,545
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	15,474	20,338	42,677	46,420
Net (loss) income	2,010	20,061	(27,406)	1,959
Revenues:
Intercompany charges	31,310		91,631
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues:
Homebuilding revenue	446,581	436,085	1,202,668	1,085,275
Expenses:
Homebuilding Expense	431,816	406,479	1,181,860	1,045,419
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Revenues:
Financial services	2,146	2,396	5,914	6,467
Revenues:
Financial services	1,618	1,699	4,747	4,918
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Revenues:
Intercompany charges	64	(42)		(42)
Total revenues	91,950	112,538	246,694	273,331
Expenses:
Homebuilding Expense	76,016	92,401	206,489	230,690
(Loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(460)	201	2,472	3,779
(Loss) income before income taxes	15,474	20,338	42,677	46,420
Net (loss) income	15,474	20,338	42,677	46,420
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues:
Homebuilding revenue	79,672	103,870	214,669	251,228
Expenses:
Homebuilding Expense	69,406	86,894	188,271	215,032
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Revenues:
Financial services	12,214	8,710	32,025	22,145
Revenues:
Financial services	6,610	5,507	18,218	15,658
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Revenues:
Intercompany charges	(31,310)	1,741	(91,631)	3,467
Total revenues	(31,310)	1,741	(91,631)	3,467
Expenses:
Homebuilding Expense	(31,310)	(586)	(91,631)	(3,338)
(Loss) income before income taxes		2,327		6,805
Equity in (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	3,409	(23,750)	47,816	6,511
Net (loss) income	3,409	(21,423)	47,816	13,316
Revenues:
Intercompany charges	$ (31,310)		$ (91,631)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Expenses:
Homebuilding Expense		$ (586)		$ (3,338)

Note 21 - Financial Informati72

Note 21 - Financial Information of Subsidiary Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (Details) - Consolidating Condensed Financial Statements - Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (7,684)	$ 17,105	$ (41,619)	$ (15,320)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(291,061)	(244,223)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(332,680)	(259,543)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and assets			1,143	346
Purchase of property, equipment and other fixed assets and acquisitions			(1,653)	(1,985)
Decrease in restricted cash related to mortgage company			1,466	471
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures			(17,001)	(15,356)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures			10,721	7,209
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			(5,324)	(9,315)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from mortgages and notes			30,785
Net proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs			19,764
Net payments related to land bank financing programs			(10,376)
Net proceeds related to mortgage warehouse lines of credit			11,635	(37,700)
Deferred financing costs from land bank financing programs and note issuances			(7,527)	(6,322)
Principal payments and debt repurchases			(4,238)	(5,960)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			290,043	123,375
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(47,961)	(145,483)
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period			261,898	329,204
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	213,937	183,721	213,937	183,721
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	(7,684)	17,105	(41,619)	(15,320)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(3,128)	2,080
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(44,747)	(13,240)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activities			44,747
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			44,747
Intercompany investing and financing activities – net				13,240
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	(20,893)	(18,976)	(63,087)	(61,695)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			12,191	6,913
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(50,896)	(54,782)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures			81
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures			315
Intercompany investing activities			(189,879)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			(189,483)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Deferred financing costs from land bank financing programs and note issuances			(4,689)
Principal payments and debt repurchases			(4,238)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			241,073	118,599
Intercompany investing and financing activities – net				(207,001)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			694	(143,184)
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period			159,508	243,470
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	160,202	100,286	160,202	100,286
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	2,010	20,061	(27,406)	1,959
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(154,619)	(251,746)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(182,025)	(249,787)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and assets			1,112
Purchase of property, equipment and other fixed assets and acquisitions			(1,653)
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures			184
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures			646
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			289	(1,009)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from mortgages and notes			18,682
Net proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs			17,918
Net payments related to land bank financing programs			(10,065)
Deferred financing costs from land bank financing programs and note issuances			(1,781)
Intercompany financing activities			157,306
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			182,060	45,442
Intercompany investing and financing activities – net				206,190
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			324	836
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period			(4,726)	(6,479)
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	(4,402)	(5,643)	(4,402)	(5,643)
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	15,474	20,338	42,677	46,420
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(97,689)	11,846
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(55,012)	58,266
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and assets			31
Decrease in restricted cash related to mortgage company			1,466
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures			(17,266)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures			9,760
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			(6,009)	(8,306)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from mortgages and notes			12,103
Net proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs			1,846
Net payments related to land bank financing programs			(311)
Net proceeds related to mortgage warehouse lines of credit			11,635
Deferred financing costs from land bank financing programs and note issuances			(1,057)
Intercompany financing activities			(12,174)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			12,042	(40,666)
Intercompany investing and financing activities – net				(12,429)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(48,979)	(3,135)
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period			107,116	92,213
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	58,137	89,078	58,137	89,078
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ 3,409	$ (21,423)	47,816	13,316
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(47,816)	(13,316)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Intercompany investing activities			189,879
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			189,879
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany financing activities			(189,879)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(189,879)
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
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes And Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from senior notes			$ 250,000

Note 22 - Transactions with R73

Note 22 - Transactions with Related Parties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Tavit Najarian [Member]
Note 22 - Transactions with Related Parties (Details) [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$ 0.2	$ 0.3	$ 0.7	$ 0.7