Hovnanian Enterprises (HOV) 10-K 20 Dec 18 2018 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Dec. 14, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC
Entity Central Index Key	357,294
Trading Symbol	hov
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Public Float			$ 244,113,849
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		132,835,722
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		15,550,099

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures		$ 123,694	$ 115,090
Property, plant and equipment, net		20,285	52,919
Assets		1,662,042	1,900,898
Notes payable (net of discount, premium and debt issuance costs) and accrued interest	[1]	1,493,257
Liabilities		2,115,546	2,361,269
Income taxes payable		3,334	2,227
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value - authorized 100,000 shares; issued and outstanding 5,600 shares with a liquidation preference of $140,000 at October 31, 2018 and 2017		135,299	135,299
Paid in capital - common stock		708,805	706,466
Accumulated deficit		(1,183,856)	(1,188,376)
Treasury stock - at cost – 11,760,763 shares of Class A common stock and 691,748 shares of Class B common stock at October 31, 2018 and 2017		(115,360)	(115,360)
Total stockholders' equity deficit		(453,504)	(460,371)
Total liabilities and equity		1,662,042	1,900,898
Common Class A [Member]
Common stock		1,446	1,440
Common Class B [Member]
Common stock		162	160
Homebuilding [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents		187,871	463,697
Restricted cash and cash equivalents		12,808	2,077
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development		878,876	744,119
Land and land options held for future development or sale		111,368	140,924
Consolidated inventory not owned		87,921	124,784
Total inventories		1,078,165	1,009,827
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures		123,694	115,090
Receivables, deposits and notes, net		35,189	58,149
Property, plant and equipment, net		20,285	52,919
Prepaid expenses and other assets		39,150	37,026
Assets		1,497,162	1,738,785
Accounts payable and other liabilities		304,899	335,057
Customers’ deposits		30,086	33,772
Liabilities from inventory not owned, net of debt issuance costs		63,387	91,101
Revolving and term loan credit facilities, net of debt issuance costs		201,389	124,987
Notes payable (net of discount, premium and debt issuance costs) and accrued interest		1,273,446	1,554,687
Liabilities		1,968,764	2,217,128
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured By Inventory [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Nonrecourse mortgages, net of debt issuance costs		95,557	64,512
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured by Operating Properties [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Nonrecourse mortgages, net of debt issuance costs			13,012
Financial Services [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents		6,948	5,623
Restricted cash and cash equivalents		25,365	22,345
Assets		164,880	162,113
Liabilities		$ 143,448	$ 141,914
[1]	Does not include our $125.0 million Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility under which there were no borrowings outstanding as of October 31, 2018.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	5,600	5,600
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	5,600	5,600
Preferred stock, liquidation preference	$ 140	$ 140
Common Class A [Member]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	144,596,485	144,046,073
Common stock, shares held in Treasury (in shares)	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 (in shares)	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	16,241,847	15,999,355
Common stock, shares held in Treasury (in shares)	691,748	691,748

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Revenues	$ 1,991,233	$ 2,451,665	$ 2,752,247
Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs	3,501	17,813	33,353
Total expenses	1,999,584	2,455,008	2,742,265
Corporate general and administrative	69,632	59,367	60,141
Other interest	103,297	97,304	90,967
Other operations	1,584	1,518	4,874
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(7,536)	(34,854)	(3,200)
Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	24,033	(7,047)	(4,346)
Income (loss) before income taxes	8,146	(45,244)	2,436
State and federal income tax provision	3,626	286,949	5,255
Net income (loss)	$ 4,520	$ (332,193)	$ (2,819)
Net income (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ (2.25)	$ (0.02)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	148,515	147,703	147,451
Net income (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ (2.25)	$ (0.02)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, assuming dilution (in shares)	151,786	147,703	147,451
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
State and federal income tax provision	$ 3,626	$ 11,261	$ 2,457
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
State and federal income tax provision		275,688	2,798
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues	1,937,878	2,392,922	2,679,630
Cost of sales, excluding interest	1,566,555	1,961,804	2,230,457
Cost of sales interest	60,685	88,536	92,391
Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs	3,501	17,813	33,353
Total cost of sales	1,630,741	2,068,153	2,356,201
Selling, general and administrative	159,202	196,320	192,938
Total expenses	1,789,943	2,264,473	2,549,139
Homebuilding [Member] | Home Building [Member]
Revenues	1,906,228	2,340,033	2,600,790
Homebuilding [Member] | Land Sales and Other Revenues [Member]
Revenues	31,650	52,889	78,840
Financial Services [Member]
Revenues	53,355	58,743	72,617
Total expenses	$ 35,128	$ 32,346	$ 37,144

Consolidated Statements of Equi

Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]Common Class A [Member]	Common Stock [Member]Common Class B [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2015	131,532,118	14,985,081	5,600
Balance at Oct. 31, 2015	$ 1,433	$ 157	$ 135,299	$ 703,751	$ (853,364)	$ (115,360)	$ (128,084)
Stock options, amortization and issuances				(1,502)			(1,502)
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures (in shares)	445,522	334,352
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures	$ 4	$ 3		3,888			3,895
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock (in shares)	68,372	(68,372)
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock	$ 1	$ (1)
Net income (loss)					(2,819)		(2,819)
Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2016	132,046,012	15,251,061	5,600
Balance at Oct. 31, 2016	$ 1,438	$ 159	$ 135,299	706,137	(856,183)	(115,360)	(128,510)
Stock options, amortization and issuances				556			556
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures (in shares)	188,548	59,046
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures	$ 2	$ 1		(227)			(224)
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock (in shares)	2,500	(2,500)
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock
Net income (loss)					(332,193)		(332,193)
Stock options, amortization and issuances (in shares)	48,250
Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2017	132,285,310	15,307,607	5,600
Balance at Oct. 31, 2017	$ 1,440	$ 160	$ 135,299	706,466	(1,188,376)	(115,360)	(460,371)
Stock options, amortization and issuances				802			802
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures (in shares)	516,814	245,840
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures	$ 6	$ 2		1,537			1,545
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock (in shares)	3,348	(3,348)
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock
Net income (loss)					4,520		4,520
Stock options, amortization and issuances (in shares)	30,250
Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2018	132,835,722	15,550,099	5,600
Balance at Oct. 31, 2018	$ 1,446	$ 162	$ 135,299	$ 708,805	$ (1,183,856)	$ (115,360)	$ (453,504)

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 4,520	$ (332,193)	$ (2,819)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	3,156	4,249	3,565
Compensation from stock options and awards	3,669	557	2,921
Amortization of bond discounts, premiums and deferred financing costs	8,822	13,875	12,830
Gain on sale and retirement of property and assets	(3,619)	(166)	(632)
(Income) loss from unconsolidated joint ventures	(24,033)	7,047	4,346
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures		1,864	1,002
Loss on extinguishment of debt	7,536	34,854	3,200
Inventory impairment and land option write-offs	3,501	17,813	33,353
Deferred income tax provision		285,578	6,851
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Origination of mortgage loans	(1,069,519)	(1,045,991)	(1,274,284)
Sale of mortgage loans	1,071,250	1,078,649	1,239,521
Receivables, prepaids, deposits and other assets	20,669	5,249	22,905
Inventories	(58,801)	255,444	328,141
State and federal income tax payable	1,107	282	(205)
Customers’ deposits	(3,686)	(3,657)	(6,789)
Accounts payable, accrued interest and other accrued liabilities	(31,394)	(21,876)	13,090
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(66,822)	301,578	386,996
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and assets	38,303	270	764
Purchase of property, equipment, and other fixed assets and acquisitions	(5,193)	(6,478)	(8,007)
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	(26,271)	(36,803)	(49,905)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures	28,662	13,304	5,264
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	35,501	(29,707)	(51,884)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from mortgages and notes	181,101	199,275	211,209
Payments related to mortgages and notes	(162,192)	(218,468)	(272,220)
Proceeds from model sale leaseback financing programs	22,749	10,270	24,297
Payments related to model sale leaseback financing programs	(30,123)	(28,798)	(41,435)
Proceeds from land bank financing programs	18,827	29,190	174,211
Payments related to land bank financing programs	(38,991)	(71,757)	(108,577)
Deferred financing costs from land banking financing programs and note issuances	(8,035)	(14,556)	(11,469)
Net cash used in financing activities	(229,429)	(147,843)	(245,667)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(260,750)	124,028	89,445
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of year	493,742	369,714	280,268
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents balance, end of year	232,992	493,742	369,714
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows:
Interest, net of capitalized interest (see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements)	112,016	89,836	101,796
Income taxes	2,520	1,089	(1,390)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents balance, end of year	232,992	493,742	369,714
Homebuilding [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Inventory impairment and land option write-offs	3,501	17,813	33,353
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows:
Homebuilding: Cash and cash equivalents	187,871	463,697	339,773
Homebuilding: Restricted cash and cash equivalents	12,808	2,077	3,914
Financial Services [Member]
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows:
Homebuilding: Cash and cash equivalents	6,948	5,623	6,992
Homebuilding: Restricted cash and cash equivalents	25,365	22,345	19,035
Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from senior secured term loan facility			75,000
Payments related to senior secured term loan facility	(76,829)
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from senior unsecured term loan facility	202,547
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from senior secured term loan facility		840,000	71,250
Senior Secured, Senior, Senior Amortizing and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments related to senior secured term loan facility	(285,095)	(861,976)	(409,646)
Mortgage Warehouse Lines of Credit [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments related to lines of credit	(1,388)	(31,023)	36,713
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments related to lines of credit	(52,000)
Borrowings from revolving credit facility			$ 5,000

Supplemental Disclosure of Nonc

Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]	See notes to consolidated financial statements. Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing activities: In the first 2018, one $13.0 Supplemental disclosure of noncash financing activities: In the second 2018, 8.0% November 1, 2019 13.5% 2026 5.0% 2040. 9 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	1. Basis of Presentation October 31. Reclassifications - 2018, 2019 October 31, 2017 $73.0 Effective October 31, 2018 2016 18 230 2016 18” no $4.0 $2.6 October 31, 2017, $0.7 $2.9 October 31, 2016. The Company has changed the presentation of our consolidated balance sheets to present its financial services assets on a combined basis. Prior year amounts have also been combined to reflect this presentation. As a result, “Financial services cash and cash equivalents” of $5.6 October 31, 2017

Note 2 - Business

Note 2 - Business	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	2. HEI conducts all of its homebuilding and financial services operations through its subsidiaries (references herein to the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our” refer to HEI and its consolidated subsidiaries and should be understood to reflect the consolidated business of HEI’s subsidiaries). Our operations consist of homebuilding, financial services and corporate. Our homebuilding operations are made up of six 97% October 31, 2018, 98% October 31, 2017 97% October 31, 2016. October 31, 2018 123 first first second not During fiscal 2016, third 2016, 2018, See Note 10

Note 3 - Summary of Significant

Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	3. Use of Estimates Income Recognition from Home and Land Sales 12 360 20, no not 360 20, third Income Recognition from Mortgage Loans - We elected the fair value option for our mortgage loans held for sale in accordance with ASC 825, Substantially all of the mortgage loans originated are sold within a short period of time in the secondary mortgage market on a servicing released, nonrecourse basis, although the Company remains liable for certain limited representations, such as fraud, and warranties related to loan sales. Mortgage investors could seek to have us buy back loans or compensate them from losses incurred on mortgages we have sold based on claims that we breached our limited representations and warranties. We have established reserves for probable losses. Cash and Cash Equivalents 90 may, October 31, 2018 2017, $199.6 $13.3 Fair Value of Financial Instruments Inventories We record inventories in our consolidated balance sheets at cost unless the inventory is determined to be impaired, in which case the inventory is written down to its fair value. Our inventories consist of the following three 1 2 3 not We decide to mothball (or stop development on) certain communities when we determine that the current performance does not 2018, not two two October 31, 2018 2017, 18 22 $24.5 $36.7 $186.1 $214.1 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, October 31, 2018 2017, no 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 360 20 40 38, October 31, 2018 2017, $50.5 $58.5 not $43.9 $51.8 not 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 predetermined schedule. Because of our options to repurchase these parcels, for accounting purposes, in accordance with ASC 360 20 40 38, October 31, 2018 2017, $37.4 $66.3 not $19.5 $39.3 not The recoverability of inventories and other long-lived assets is assessed in accordance with the provisions of ASC 360 10, 360 10 We evaluate inventories of communities under development and held for future development for impairment when indicators of potential impairment are present. Indicators of impairment include, but are not The projected operating profits, losses or cash flows of each community can be significantly impacted by our estimates of the following: ● future base selling prices; ● future home sales incentives; ● future home construction and land development costs; and ● future sales absorption pace and cancellation rates. These estimates are dependent upon specific market conditions for each community. While we consider available information to determine what we believe to be our best estimates as of the end of a quarterly reporting period, these estimates are subject to change in future reporting periods as facts and circumstances change. Local market-specific conditions that may ● the intensity of competition within a market, including available home sales prices and home sales incentives offered by our competitors; ● the current sales absorption pace for both our communities and competitor communities; ● community-specific attributes, such as location, availability of lots in the market, desirability and uniqueness of our community, and the size and style of homes currently being offered; ● potential for alternative product offerings to respond to local market conditions; ● changes by management in the sales strategy of the community; ● current local market economic and demographic conditions and related trends and forecasts; and ● existing home inventory supplies, including foreclosures and short sales. These and other local market-specific conditions that may may may may may may one not may not If the undiscounted cash flows are more than the carrying value of the community, then the carrying amount is recoverable, and no third October 31, 2016 October 31, 2018 16.8% 19.8%. may From time to time, we write off deposits and approval, engineering and capitalized interest costs when we determine that it is no not not not Inventories held for sale are land parcels ready for sale in their current condition, where we have decided not $6.4 $23.6 October 31, 2018 2017, third Post-Development Completion, Warranty Costs Insurance Deductible Reserves 2018 2017, $20 2018 2017 $0.25 $5 $20 2018 $21 2017. not third third not not 16 Interest Interest costs incurred, expensed and capitalized were: Year Ended (In thousands) October 31, 2018 October 31, 2017 October 31, 2016 Interest capitalized at beginning of year $71,051 $96,688 $123,898 Plus interest incurred(1) 161,048 160,203 166,824 Less cost of sales interest expensed 60,685 88,536 92,391 Less other interest expensed(2)(3) 103,297 97,304 90,967 Less interest contributed to unconsolidated joint venture(4) - - 10,676 Interest capitalized at end of year(5) $68,117 $71,051 $96,688 ( 1 Data does not ( 2 Other interest expensed includes interest that does not not $76.2 $69.1 $50.4 October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, not $27.1 $28.2 $40.6 October 31, 2018, 2017 2016. ( 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: Year Ended (In thousands) October 31, 2018 October 31, 2017 October 31, 2016 Other interest expensed $103,297 $97,304 $90,967 Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries 2,478 1,944 2,866 Decrease (increase) in accrued interest 6,241 (9,412 ) 7,963 Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest $112,016 $89,836 $101,796 ( 4 Represents capitalized interest which was included as part of the assets contributed to the joint venture the Company entered into in November 2015, 20. no ( 5 Capitalized interest amounts are shown gross before allocating any portion of impairments, if any, to capitalized interest. Land Options - not not not not not 810 10 Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures - third 50% not not 323 10, 2017, $2.8 no 2018 2016. Deferred Bond Issuance Costs - Debt Issued At a Discount - Debt Issued At a Premium - Advertising Costs October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, $16.4 $17.9 $21.4 Deferred Income Taxes - 740 10, 740 10 not” In evaluating the exposures associated with our various tax filing positions, we recognize tax liabilities in accordance with ASC 740 10, not may may Prepaid Expenses - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $11.4 $7.3 October 31, 2018 2017, 2018 2017, $0.6 $0.2 $0.1 $0.1 2018 2017, 2018, $4.8 Stock Options - 718 10, Compensation cost arising from nonvested stock granted to employees and from nonemployee stock awards is based on the fair value of the awards at the grant date recognized as expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period. Per Share Calculations - 6.0% 2018 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 two Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, No. 2014 09, 606 2014 09” 2014 09 1 2 3 4 5 2014 09 605, November 1, 2018, 2014 09. not not 2014 09 In February 2016, No. 2016 02, 842 2016 02” 2016 02 12 2016 02 November 1, 2019. July 2018, No. 2018 10 842, 2018 10” No. 2018 11 842 2018 11” 2018 10 2016 02. 2018 11 2016 02 2018 11 not In August 2016, No. 2016 15, 230 2016 15” 2016 15 2016 15 October 31, 2018 no In November 2016, No. 2016 18, 2016 18 October 31, 2018. 1 In October 2016, No. 2016 16, 740 2016 16” 2016 16 2016 16 November 1, 2018. not In July 2018, No. 2018 09, 2018 09” 2018 09 2018 09 not 2018 09. December 15, 2018. In August 2018, No. 2018 13, 820 2018 13” 2018 13 November 1, 2020. In August 2018, No. 2018 15 350 40 2018 15” 2018 15 2018 15 November 1, 2020.

Note 4 - Leases

Note 4 - Leases	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]	4. We lease certain property under non-cancelable leases. Office leases are generally for terms of three five one three one Years Ending October 31, (In Thousands) 2019 $9,297 2020 6,388 2021 3,903 2022 2,946 2023 2,026 Thereafter 2,482 Total $27,042 Net rental expense for the three October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, $14.4 $10.8 $12.8

Note 5 - Property, Plant and Eq

Note 5 - Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	5. Homebuilding property, plant, and equipment consists of land, land improvements, buildings, building improvements, furniture and equipment used to conduct day-to-day business and are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Included in the October 31, 2017 $1.0 $60.1 $26.4 $34.7 October 31, 2017 November 1, 2017. Property, plant, and equipment balances as of October 31, 2018 2017 October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Land and land improvements $1,639 $2,625 Buildings 9,155 69,279 Building improvements 10,958 9,458 Furniture 5,305 5,571 Equipment, including capitalized software 33,015 35,328 Total 60,072 122,261 Less accumulated depreciation 39,787 69,342 Total 20,285 $52,919

Note 6 - Restricted Cash and De

Note 6 - Restricted Cash and Deposits	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Cash and Cash Equivalents Disclosure [Text Block]	6. Homebuilding - Restricted cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $12.8 $2.1 October 31, 2018 2017, 9. $0.1 $0.4 October 31, 2018 2017, Financial services restricted cash and cash equivalents, which are included in Financial services other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, totaled $25.4 $22.3 October 31, 2018 2017, 1 $23.4 October 31, 2018 $20.0 October 31, 2017, 2 $2.0 October 31, 2018 $2.3 October 31, 2017, Total Homebuilding Customers’ deposits are shown as a liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These liabilities are significantly more than the applicable periods’ restricted cash balances because in some states the deposits are not

Note 7 - Mortgage Loans Held fo

Note 7 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]	7. 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 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 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 not At October 31, 2018 2017, $115.2 $119.6 8 may not October 31, 2018 2017, 46 45 not 2018 2017, The activity in our loan origination reserves in fiscal 2018 2017 Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Loan origination reserves, beginning of period $3,158 $8,137 Provisions for losses during the period 160 165 Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates (755 ) (4,571 ) Payments/settlements - (573 ) Loan origination reserves, end of period $2,563 $3,158

Note 8 - Mortgages

Note 8 - Mortgages	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Line of Credit [Text Block]	8. We have nonrecourse mortgage loans for certain communities totaling $95.6 $64.5 October 31, 2018 2017, $241.9 $157.8 6.1% 5.3% October 31, 2018 2017, $13.0 October 31, 2017. November 1, 2017, 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. K. Hovnanian Mortgage finances the origination of mortgage loans through various master repurchase agreements, which are recorded in financial services liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our secured Master Repurchase Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“Chase Master Repurchase Agreement”) is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $50.0 July 31, 2019. 2.31% October 31, 2018, 2.5% 2.63% October 31, 2018 2017, $40.3 $41.5 K. Hovnanian Mortgage has another secured Master Repurchase Agreement with Customers Bank (“Customers Master Repurchase Agreement”) which is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $50.0 February 15, 2019. 2.38% 5.13% October 31, 2018 2017, $40.2 $40.7 K. Hovnanian Mortgage also has a secured Master Repurchase Agreement with Comerica Bank (“Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement”) which is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $50.0 June 10, 2019. 0.25%, 2.25% 3.25% October 31, 2018 2017, $32.7 $32.4 The Chase Master Repurchase Agreement, Customers 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 applicable agreement, we do not October 31, 2018,

Note 9 - Senior Notes and Credi

Note 9 - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	9. Senior notes and credit facilities balances as of October 31, 2018 October 31, 2017, (In thousands) October 31, 2018(1)(2) October 31, 2017(1)(2) Senior Secured Term Loan due 2019, net of debt issuance costs $- $72,987 Senior Secured Notes: 9.5% Senior Secured Notes due November 15, 2020 $74,561 $74,350 2.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 (net of discount) 53,094 53,058 5.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 (net of discount) 135,571 133,732 10.0% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2022 435,461 434,543 10.5% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2024 394,736 394,953 Total Senior Secured Notes, net of debt issuance costs $1,093,423 $1,090,636 Senior Notes: 7.0% Senior Notes due January 15, 2019 $- $131,957 8.0% Senior Notes due November 1, 2019 (3) - 234,293 13.5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2026 (including premium) 101,162 - 5.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2040 (net of discount) 43,264 - Total Senior Notes, net of debt issuance costs $144,426 $366,250 11.0% Senior Amortizing Notes due December 1, 2017, net of debt issuance costs $- $2,045 Senior Exchangeable Notes due December 1, 2017, net of debt issuance costs $- $53,919 Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility due February 1, 2027, net of debt issuance costs $201,389 $- Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility due September 2018 $- $52,000 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility (4) $- $- ( 1 October 31, 2018 2017 $35.6 $41.8 ( 2 October 31, 2018 2017 $14.1 $16.1 ( 3 $26.0 8.0% 2019 not ( 4 December 28, 2019 December 28, 2022. As of October 31, 2018, in thousands Fiscal Year Ended October 31, (1) 2019 $- 2020 - 2021 75,000 2022 635,000 2023 - Thereafter 783,257 Total $1,493,257 ( 1 not $125.0 no October 31, 2018. General Except for K. Hovnanian, the issuer of the notes and borrower under the Credit Facilities (as defined below), our home mortgage subsidiaries, joint ventures and subsidiaries holding interests in our joint ventures and certain of our title insurance subsidiaries, we and each of our subsidiaries are guarantors of the Credit Facilities, the senior secured notes and senior notes outstanding at October 31, 2018 ( 5.0% 2021 “5.0% 2021 2.0% 2021 “2.0% 2021 5.0% 2021 “2021 9.50% 2020 “9.50% 2020 2021 not The credit agreements governing the Credit Facilities and the indentures governing the notes (together, the “Debt Instruments”) outstanding at October 31, 2018 not 9.50% 2020 may not January 15, 2021 ( no February 15, 2021 ( 10.0% 2022 “10.0% 2022 7.0% 2019 “7.0% 8.0% 2019 “8.0% 7.0% “2019 may not July 16, 2024 ( 10.5% 2024 “10.5% 2024 2018” 2019 10.0% 2022 not October 31, 2018, If our consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the agreements governing our debt instruments, is less than 2.0 1.0, not 7.625% not Under the terms of our Debt Instruments, we have the right to make certain redemptions and prepayments and, depending on market conditions and covenant restrictions, may may Any liquidity-enhancing or other capital raising or refinancing transaction will depend on identifying counterparties, negotiation of documentation and applicable closing conditions and any required approvals. Due to covenant restrictions in our Debt Instruments, we are currently limited in the amount of debt we can incur that does not Fiscal 2018 On December 1, 2017, 6.0% $53.9 $2.1 11.0% On December 28, 2017, one 8.0% Pursuant to the Commitment Letter, the GSO Entities agreed to, among other things, provide the principal amount of the following: (i) a senior unsecured term loan credit facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) to be borrowed by K. Hovnanian and guaranteed by the Company and the Notes Guarantors, pursuant to which the GSO Entities committed to lend K. Hovnanian Term Loans consisting of $132.5 7.0% $80.0 8.0% first $125.0 first January 15, 2019 ( five $25.0 10.5% 2024 10.5% 2024 $1,000 10.5% 2024 30 one 10.5% 2024 January 15, 2019) 10.5% 2024 0.50%, On January 29, 2018, February 1, 2018 February 1, 2018 $132.5 7.0% $0.5 May 29, 2018, $65.7 8.0% 8.0% $26 8% $70.0 may not $4.3 October 31, 2018. 5.0% February 1, 2027, ninth first On January 29, 2018, December 28, 2019 December 28, 2022. September 10, 2018, $35.0 $41.0 fourth 2018, October 31, 2018, no $1.8 October 31, 2018. first 10.0% 2022 10.5% 2024 10.0% 2022 10.5% 2024 2017” 10.0% On February 1, 2018, $170.2 8.0% not 72.14% 8.0% $90.6 13.5% 2026 2026 $90.1 5.0% 2040 2040 2026 $26.5 $26.0 8.0% 8.0% not 2026 13.5% February 1, 2026. 2040 5.0% February 1, 2040. February 1 August 1 January 15 July 15, may $103.0 2026 $44.0 2040 2026 2040 $0.9 October 31, 2018. K. Hovnanian’s New 2026 February 1, 2026 100.0% February 1, 2019, may 2026 100.0% K. Hovnanian’s New 2040 February 1, 2040 100.0% February 1, 2040, may 2040 100.0% On May 30, 2018, May 30, 2018 ( 8.0% not, June 6, 2018, 8.0% 8.0% not, not 8.0% not 8.0% 8.0% May 30, 2018, 8.0% May 1, 2018 8.0% On January 16, 2018, January 16, 2018, 10.0% 2022 10.5% 2024 July 27, 2017 ( 10.5% 2024 10.5% 2024 2019 Fiscal 2017 During the year ended October 31, 2017, $17.5 7.0% $14.0 8.0% 6,925 $6.9 $30.8 $7.8 $0.4 9.50% 2020 fourth 2016 third 2017 On July 27, 2017, $440.0 10.0% 2022 $400.0 10.5% 2024 $575,912,000 7.25% 2020 “7.25% $87,321,000 9.125% 2020 “9.125% 7.25% 2020 $75,000,000 10.0% 2018 “10.0% 7.25% 9.125% 10.0% 7.25% 9.125% 10.0% October 15, 2017 November 15, 2017 $1,088,000 7.25% $57,679,000 9.125% not 2020 $42.3 2017, The 10.0% 2022 July 15, 2022 10.0% January 15 July 15 January 1 July 1, may 10.0% 2022 July 15, 2019 100.0% may 10.0% 2022 105.0% July 15, 2019, 102.50% July 15, 2020 100.0% July 15, 2021. may 35.0% 10.0% 2022 July 15, 2019 110.0% The 10.5% 2024 July 15, 2024 10.5% January 15 July 15 January 1 July 1, may 10.5% 2024 July 15, 2020 100.0% may 10.5% 2024 105.25% July 15, 2020, 102.625% July 15, 2021 100.0% July 15, 2022. may 35.0% 10.5% 2024 July 15, 2020 110.50% All of K. Hovnanian’s obligations under the 10.0% 2022 10.5% 2024 10.0% 2022 10.5% 2024 10.0% 2022 10.5% 2024 10.0% 2022 10.5% 2024 10.0% 2022 10.5% 2024 10.0% 2022 10.5% 2024 At October 31, 2018, 10.0% 2022 10.5% 2024 $437.9 not may 10.0% 2022 10.5% 2024 $125.6 October 31, 2018, $11.9 Fiscal 2016 On January 15, 2016, $172.7 6.25% 2016 May 15, 2016, $86.5 7.5% 2016 October 11, 2016 ( October 8, 2016), $121.0 8.625% 2017 $126.1 On September 8, 2016, H/2 1 $75.0 2 $75.0 10.0% 2017” 3 $75.0 9.125% $75.0 9.50% 2020 $146.3 September 10, 2018, 2018.” The 9.50% 2020 November 15, 2020, 9.50% February 15 August 15 February 1 August 1, may 9.50% 2020 November 15, 2018 100% November 15, 2018, may 9.50% 2020 100% The 9.50% 2020 9.50% 2020 first 2021 Other Secured Obligations On November 1, 2011, $141.8 5.0% 2021 $53.2 2.0% 2021 5.0% 2021 2.0% 2021 2021 100.0% 1% The guarantees of the JV Holdings Secured Group with respect to the 2021 9.50% 2020 first October 31, 2018, 1 $75.0 $0.8 2 $139.2 not may 3 $114.8 October 31, 2018; not not 2021 not Senior Notes On February 1, 2018, $132.5 $132.5 7.0% 7.0% As discussed above, the 8.0% February 1, 2018 May 29, 2018, $65.7 8.0% 8.0% Other In June 2013, five $75.0 September 2018 October 31, 2017, $52.0 $14.6 We have certain stand–alone cash collateralized letter of credit agreements and facilities under which there was a total of $12.5 $1.7 October 31, 2018 October 31, 2017, October 31, 2018 October 31, 2017, $12.7 $1.7

Note 10 - Operating and Reporti

Note 10 - Operating and Reporting Segments	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	10. HEI’s operating segments are components of the Company’s 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 the Company's communities qualifies as an operating segment, and therefore, it is impractical to provide segment disclosures for this many segments. As such, HEI has aggregated the homebuilding operating segments into six HEI’s 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. HEI’s reportable segments consist of the following six Homebuilding: ( 1 Northeast (New Jersey and Pennsylvania) ( 2 Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia) ( 3 Midwest (Illinois and Ohio) ( 4 Southeast (Florida, Georgia and South Carolina) ( 5 Southwest (Arizona and Texas) ( 6 West (California) Financial Services Operations of the Homebuilding segments primarily include the sale and construction of single-family attached and detached homes, attached townhomes and condominiums, urban infill and active lifestyle homes in planned residential developments. In addition, from time to time, operations of the homebuilding segments include sales of land. Operations of the Financial Services segment include mortgage banking and title services provided to the homebuilding operations’ customers. Our financial services subsidiaries do not Corporate and unallocated primarily represents operations at our headquarters in 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 any 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 and interest expense. Income (loss) 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 selling, general and administrative expenses incurred by the Financial Services segment. Operational results of each segment are not Financial information relating to HEI’s segment operations was as follows: Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Revenues: Northeast $116,296 $209,509 $278,028 Mid-Atlantic 354,690 464,126 458,579 Midwest 196,599 199,770 311,322 Southeast 241,620 260,402 260,584 Southwest 638,282 827,503 1,028,529 West 384,627 430,546 342,447 Total homebuilding 1,932,114 2,391,856 2,679,489 Financial services 53,355 58,743 72,617 Corporate and unallocated 5,764 1,066 141 Total revenues $1,991,233 $2,451,665 $2,752,247 Income (loss) before income taxes: Northeast $20,869 $2,300 $(3,869 ) Mid-Atlantic 18,757 17,191 17,476 Midwest 1,528 (1,151 ) (11,416 ) Southeast (9,914 ) (6,199 ) (17,791 ) Southwest 49,852 71,540 84,424 West 47,987 19,636 3,445 Total homebuilding 129,079 103,317 72,269 Financial services 18,227 26,397 35,473 Corporate and unallocated (1) (139,160 ) (174,958 ) (105,306 ) Income (loss) before income taxes $8,146 $(45,244 ) $2,436 ( 1 October 31, 2018 69.6 million, interest expense of $ 76.2 million (a component of Other interest on our Consolidated Statements of Operations), loss on extinguishment of debt of $ 7.5 million, and $ 14.1 million of other income and expenses primarily related to interest income and gain on the sale of our former corporate headquarters building, along with the adjustment to our insurance reserves . Corporate and unallocated for the year ended October 31, 2017 $59.4 $69.1 $34.9 $12.5 16 $0.9 Corporate and unallocated for the year ended October 31, 2016 $60.1 $50.4 $3.2 9.2 16 $0.8 October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Assets: Northeast $152,607 $180,545 Mid-Atlantic 217,807 224,398 Midwest 85,398 84,960 Southeast 246,497 231,644 Southwest 320,452 294,337 West 244,886 175,347 Total homebuilding 1,267,647 1,191,231 Financial services 164,880 162,113 Corporate and unallocated 229,515 547,554 Total assets $1,662,042 $1,900,898 October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures: Northeast $51,094 $36,411 Mid-Atlantic 7,307 20,873 Midwest 3,738 4,268 Southeast 39,509 36,320 Southwest 18,219 11,832 West 2,445 4,451 Total homebuilding 122,312 114,155 Corporate and unallocated 1,382 935 Total investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures $123,694 $115,090 Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Homebuilding interest expense: Northeast $11,811 $20,308 $19,417 Mid-Atlantic 15,051 23,886 23,662 Midwest 5,874 7,799 12,275 Southeast 14,934 13,646 16,770 Southwest 21,820 25,278 37,552 West 18,309 25,799 23,295 Total homebuilding 87,799 116,716 132,971 Corporate and unallocated 76,183 69,124 50,387 Financial services interest expense (1) 104 (630 ) (763 ) Total interest expense, net $164,086 $185,210 $182,595 ( 1 ) Financial services interest expenses are included in the Financial services lines on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the respective revenues and expenses sections. Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Depreciation: Northeast $135 $71 $62 Mid-Atlantic 63 50 56 Midwest 1,106 858 497 Southeast 124 83 82 Southwest 70 78 104 West 45 94 92 Total homebuilding 1,543 1,234 893 Financial services 14 16 41 Corporate and unallocated 1,599 2,999 2,631 Total depreciation $3,156 $4,249 $3,565 Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Net additions to operating properties and equipment: Northeast $142 $442 $78 Mid-Atlantic 318 71 208 Midwest 621 3,773 3,180 Southeast 701 28 233 Southwest 23 18 199 West 55 80 91 Total homebuilding 1,860 4,412 3,989 Financial services - - 30 Corporate and unallocated 3,333 2,066 3,988 Total net additions to operating properties and equipment $5,193 $6,478 $8,007 Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated joint ventures: Northeast $20,231 $(4,376 ) $(2,639 ) Mid-Atlantic 799 1,180 (27 ) Midwest (775 ) (1,424 ) (1,304 ) Southeast (2,032 ) 837 (1,774 ) Southwest 5,165 (306 ) (64 ) West 645 (2,958 ) 1,462 Total equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated joint ventures $24,033 $(7,047 ) $(4,346 )

Note 11 - Income Taxes

Note 11 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	11. Income taxes payable (receivable), including deferred benefits, consists of the following: Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 State income taxes: Current $3,334 $2,227 Deferred - - Federal income taxes: Current - - Deferred - - Total $3,334 $2,227 The provision for income taxes is composed of the following charges (benefits): Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Current income tax expense (benefit): Federal (1) $- $- $(2,796 ) State (2) 3,626 1,371 1,200 Total current income tax expense (benefit): 3,626 1,371 (1,596 ) Federal - 275,688 5,594 State - 9,890 1,257 Total deferred income tax expense (benefit): - 285,578 6,851 Total $3,626 $286,949 $5,255 ( 1 ) The current federal income tax expense did not s ended October 31, 2018 2017. $4.4 million for the year ended October 31, 2016 . ( 2 ) The current state income tax expense (benefit) is net of the use of state net operating losses totaling $4.4 million, $18.2 million and $16.4 million for the years ended October 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The total income tax expense of $3.6 October 31, 2018 not $286.9 October 31, 2017 not $5.3 October 31, 2016 2002 . The permanent difference in fiscal 2016 2 2016 ten 2016, 2016. The federal specified liability loss refund of taxes in fiscal year 2002 October 31, 2016. 2012 172 1 ten October 31, 2002. February 2016 second 2016. Our federal net operating losses of $1.6 2028 2037, $16.4 $2.5 2019 2038, $145.3 2019 2023; $691.2 2024 2028; $1.3 2029 2033; $320.0 2034 2038; $43.3 . On December 22, 2017, 2017 January 1, 2018, 35% 21%. one $298.5 $12.2 2018, no not not 2019, 2018. may may October 31, 2018, 118 Deferred federal and state income tax assets (“DTAs”) primarily represent the deferred tax benefits arising from NOL carryforwards and 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, 740 not” As of October 31, 2018 , 740 . not not $638.2 October 31, 2018, 1. Fiscal 2017 $50.2 third 2017 $42.3 three July 31, 2017. three October 31, 2018. 740, one 2. In the third 2017 second third 2018, 3. Recent financial results of $48.1 fourth 2018 $8.1 twelve October 31, 2018. ( 4. Our net contracts per community declined in the fourth 2018 fourth 2017, may may 5. The refinancing in the third 2017 2 2018 $23.4 6. We incurred pre-tax losses during the housing market decline and the slower than expected housing market recovery. (Negative Objective Evidence) 7. We exited two 2016 two 2018, 8. The historical cyclicality of the U.S. housing market, a more restrictive mortgage lending environment compared to before the housing downturn, the uncertainty of the overall US economy and government policies and consumer confidence, all or any of which could continue to hamper a faster, stronger recovery of the housing market. (Negative Subjective Evidence) The deferred tax assets and liabilities have been recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows: Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Deferred tax assets: Inventory impairment loss $60,854 $122,584 Uniform capitalization of overhead 4,183 5,766 Warranty and legal reserves 4,774 8,763 Acquisition intangibles 1,185 4,420 Restricted stock bonus 1,344 4,202 Stock options 4,358 6,539 Provision for losses 18,044 38,831 Joint venture loss 3,384 12,028 Federal net operating losses 334,971 549,862 State net operating losses 191,064 172,307 Other 14,030 23,366 Total deferred tax assets 638,191 948,668 Deferred tax liabilities: Debt repurchase income - 30,465 Total deferred tax liabilities - 30,465 Valuation allowance (638,191 ) (918,203 ) Net deferred income taxes $- $- The effective tax rate varied from the statutory federal income tax rate. The effective tax rate is affected by a number of factors, the most significant of which has been the valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets. Due to the effects of these factors, our effective tax rates for 2018, 2017 2016 not Year Ended October 31, 2018 2017 2016 Computed “expected” tax rate 21.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 17.2 1.0 65.4 Permanent differences, net 74.0 (2.4 ) 222.2 Deferred tax asset valuation allowance impact (70.8 ) (667.8 ) - Tax contingencies 1.0 - 0.3 Adjustments to prior years’ tax accruals(1) 2.1 - (107.2 ) Effective tax rate 44.5 % (634.2 )% 215.7 % ( 1 ) For the year ended October 31, 2017, 2002 of ( 114.8% ). ASC 740 10 may not Income tax positions must meet a more-likely-than- not 740 10 We recognize tax liabilities in accordance with ASC 740 10 not may We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the income tax expense line in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the year (in millions) excluding interest and penalties: Year Ended October 31, 2018 2017 Unrecognized tax benefit—November 1, $1.1 $1.1 Gross increases—tax positions in current period 0.3 0.2 Lapse of statute of limitations (0.2 ) (0.2 ) Unrecognized tax benefit—October 31, $1.2 $1.1 Related to the unrecognized tax benefits noted above, as of both October 31, 2018 2017, $0.3 October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, 41 45 2 It is likely that, within the next year, the amount of the Company's unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by $0.2 $1.2 $1.1 October 31, 2018 2017 . The consolidated federal tax returns have been audited through October 31, 2017 2014 2017 .

Note 12 - Reduction of Inventor

Note 12 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Inventory Impairments and Land Option Cost Write-offs [Text Block]	12. We record impairment losses on inventories related to communities under development and held for future development when events and circumstances indicate that they may October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, 16.8% 19.8%, 18.3% 19.8% 16.8% 18.8%, may During the years ended October 31, 2018 2017, 391 372 October 31, 2018 2017 five 12 $11.2 $98.0 October 31, 2018 2017 one $2.1 $15.1 $24.5 October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, October 31, 2018, five $2.1 October 31, 2017, two $45.0 20%. The following table represents impairments by segment for fiscal 2018, 2017 2016: (Dollars in millions) Year Ended October 31, 2018 Number of Communities Dollar Amount of Impairment Pre- Impairment Value (1) Northeast 1 $0.4 $1.0 Mid-Atlantic - - - Midwest 1 0.1 0.5 Southeast 3 1.6 9.7 Southwest - - - West - - - Total 5 $2.1 $11.2 (Dollars in millions) Year Ended October 31, 2017 Number of Communities Dollar Amount of Impairment Pre- Impairment Value (1) Northeast 2 $3.3 $22.2 Mid-Atlantic 1 1.5 8.5 Midwest 2 0.2 0.8 Southeast 3 8.1 18.3 Southwest - - - West 2 2.0 3.1 Total 10 $15.1 $52.9 (Dollars in millions) Year Ended October 31, 2016 Number of Communities Dollar Amount of Impairment Pre- Impairment Value (1) Northeast 5 $9.5 $33.8 Mid-Atlantic - - - Midwest 12 13.5 43.7 Southeast 3 1.5 10.9 Southwest - - - West - - - Total 20 $24.5 $88.4 ( 1 ) Represents carrying value, net of prior period impairments, if any, at the time of recording the applicable period’s impairments. The 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 not $1.4 $2.7 $8.9 October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, not The following table represents write-offs of such costs by segment for fiscal 2018, 2017 2016: Year Ended October 31, (In millions) 2018 2017 2016 Northeast $0.6 $0.5 $1.6 Mid-Atlantic 0.2 0.6 0.8 Midwest 0.1 0.3 1.3 Southeast - 0.8 1.8 Southwest 0.2 0.4 3.2 West 0.3 0.1 0.2 Total $1.4 $2.7 $8.9

Note 13 - Per Share Calculation

Note 13 - Per Share Calculations	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	13. 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. 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, and common shares issuable upon exchange of our Senior Exchangeable Notes issued as part of our 6.0% December 2017). 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 two Basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented below were calculated as follows: Year Ended October 31, (In thousands, except per share data) 2018 2017 2016 Numerator: Net earnings (loss) attributable to Hovnanian $4,520 $(332,193 ) $(2,819 ) Less: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares (159 ) - - Numerator for basic earnings per share $4,361 $(332,193 ) $(2,819 ) Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares 159 - - Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to nonvested shares (159 ) - - Numerator for diluted earnings per share $4,361 $(332,193 ) $(2,819 ) Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share 148,515 147,703 147,451 Effect of dilutive securities: Share-based payments 3,271 - - Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted-average shares outstanding 151,786 147,703 147,451 Basic earnings (loss) per share $0.03 $(2.25 ) $(0.02 ) Diluted earnings (loss) per share $0.03 $(2.25 ) $(0.02 ) Incremental shares attributed to nonvested stock and outstanding options to purchase common stock of 2.7 4.4 October 31, 2017 2016 not October 31, 2018, 0.8 2012 October 31, 2017 2016, 10.0 14.6 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 5.4 4.6 7.3 October 31, 2018, 2017 2016,

Note 14 - Capital Stock

Note 14 - Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	14. Common Stock - one ten 110% one one On August 4, 2008, January 11, 2018, 382 382. 382 5% 50 382. one August 15, 2008. August 15, 2008, 4.9% August 4, 2008, 4.9% may August 14, 2021, December 5, 2008 January 11, 2018 March 13, 2018. December 5, 2008, 382 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% On July 3, 2001, 4 no October 31, 2018. October 31, 2018, may 0.5 Preferred Stock - July 12, 2005, 5,600 7.625% $25,000 not 7.625%. not 1/1000th 2018, 2017 2016, not not Retirement Plan 401 $7.0 $6.8 $6.6 October 31, 2018, 2017 2016,

Note 15 - Stock Plans

Note 15 - Stock Plans	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	15. The fair value of option awards is established at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the years ended October 31, 2018, 2017 2016: 2.8%, 2.05% 1.38%, 0.50, 0.53 0.61, 8.0 7.64 7.36 9.90%, 9.92% 10.90%, For the years ended October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, $3.7 $2.0 $0.6 $2.9 $2.3 $0.7 $0.5 October 31, 2018 2017, $1.5 October 31, 2016. 2017 $2.0 no $2.1 October 31, 2017. 2016 $2.1 no $0.5 October 31, 2016. We have a stock incentive plan for certain officers and key employees and directors. Options are granted by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors or its delegate in accordance with the stock incentive plan. The exercise price of all stock options must be at least equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of the grant. Stock options granted to officers and associates generally vest in four fourth fifth 10 second 2018, five two 2018. three second third October 31, 2018 Weighted-Average Exercise Price October 31, 2017 Weighted-Average Exercise Price October 31, 2016 Weighted-Average Exercise Price Options outstanding at beginning of period 6,860,701 $ 3.40 7,373,951 $ 4.03 6,393,876 $ 4.78 Granted 945,625 $ 2.25 236,250 $ 2.34 1,148,481 $ 1.95 Exercised 30,250 $ 2.00 48,250 $ 2.07 - $ - Forfeited 50,000 $ 2.57 452,375 $ 5.85 51,125 $ 2.73 Expired 761,750 $ 6.28 248,875 $ 16.68 117,281 $ 25.05 Options outstanding at end of period 6,964,326 $ 2.95 6,860,701 $ 3.40 7,373,951 $ 4.03 Options exercisable at end of period 4,793,490 5,259,011 5,071,181 The total intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2018 2017 $26 $12 October 31, 2016, no October 31, 2018 $1.54 $6.28. The weighted-average fair value of grants made in fiscal 2018, 2017 2016 $1.08, $1.33 $1.00 2018, 2017 2016 $2.78, $2.60 $2.55 The following table summarizes the exercise price range and related number of options outstanding at October 31, 2018: Number Weighted- Average Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Range of Exercise Prices Outstanding Exercise Price Life $1.54 – $2.41 2,645,784 $ 2.00 6.32 $2.42 – $4.41 3,004,042 $ 2.77 3.57 $4.42 – $6.28 1,314,500 $ 5.27 2.66 6,964,326 $ 2.95 4.44 The following table summarizes the exercise price range and related number of exercisable options at October 31, 2018: Number Weighted- Average Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Range of Exercise Prices Exercisable Exercise Price Life $1.54 – $2.41 1,108,534 $ 1.97 3.65 $2.42 – $4.41 2,370,456 $ 2.81 2.09 $4.42 – $6.28 1,314,500 $ 5.27 2.66 4,793,490 $ 3.29 2.61 Officers and key associates who are eligible to receive equity grants may four fourth fifth 60 58 15 one October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, 507,278 397,590 366,513 298,388 456,070 356,382 148,424, 101,218 176,944 October 31, 2017 2016, 452,500 33,125 For the years ended October 31, 2018, 2017 2016 $2.8 $21 $4.3 540,229, 312,419 224,326 October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, A summary of the Company’s nonvested share awards as of and for the year ended October 31, 2018, Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested at beginning of period 6,174,477 $ 2.36 Granted 2,129,073 $ 2.55 Vested 705,144 $ 2.31 Forfeited 2,423,148 $ 1.98 Nonvested at end of period 5,175,258 $ 2.62 Included in the above table are awards for the share portion of long-term incentive plans (“LTIPs”) for certain officers and associates, which are performance based plans. This includes 0.3 2016 2016 2016 2018 2.4 2018. 0.8 2018 2018. Also included in the table above are 3.0 850,000 2018 2017. 675,000, 400,000 200,000 2016, 2015 2014 2015 2014 104,377 200,000, 2018, second third not $0.8 58,733 2016 96,925 2015 2018. Fifty four second may 0% 200% 60 fifty four first January 1 st three January 1, 2021 2018 third no 1 2018 25% 25% second 2020 2018 2 2017 2016 25% 25% second 2019 2017 The fair value of the MSU grants is determined using the Monte-Carlo simulation model, which simulates a range of possible future stock prices and estimates the probabilities of the potential payouts. This model uses the average closing trading price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange over the 60 ● The expected volatility is based on our stock’s historical volatility commensurate with the life 2 2.6 3 4 5 ● The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rate assumption ranging from 2 5 ● The expected dividend yield is not not The following assumptions were used for 2018 48.41%, 51.92%, 56.11%, 52.59% 49.57% 2 2.6 3 4 5 2.56% 2.68% 2.56 4 zero 2017 57.93%, 54.61%, 52.66%, 48.85% 50.78% 2 2.6 3 4 5 1.35%, 1.43%, 1.49%, 1.63% 1.76% zero 2016 56.50%, 52.77%, 50.34%, 52.36% 61.08% 2 2.5 3 4 5 0.73%, 0.81%, 0.87%, 1.02% 1.17% zero Based on the terms of our equity compensation plans, awards that are forfeited become available to us for future grants under the plan. As of October 31, 2018, 5.0 2.1 October 31, 2018 October 31, 2018, $5.1 1.5

Note 16 - Warranty Costs

Note 16 - Warranty Costs	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block]	16. 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 October 31, 2018 2017, $4.6 $4.1 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 2018 2017, $20 2018 2017 $0.25 $5 $20 2018 $21 2017. not October 31, 2018 2017 Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Balance, beginning of period $127,702 $121,144 Additions – Selling, general and administrative 9,024 10,870 Additions – Cost of sales 17,180 15,835 Charges incurred during the period (43,462 ) (28,019 ) Changes to pre-existing reserves (15,380 ) 7,872 Balance, end of period $95,064 $127,702 Warranty accruals are based upon historical experience. We engage a third not 2018 2017 second 2018. $10.2 fourth 2018. fourth 2017, $12.5 $4.6 fourth 2017. Insurance claims paid by our insurance carriers, excluding insurance deductibles paid, were $0.2 $0.9 October 31, 2018 2017,

Note 17 - Transactions With Rel

Note 17 - Transactions With Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	17. During the years ended October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, one $0.7 $0.8 $1.0 Mr. Carson Sorsby, the son of J. Larry Sorsby, one $148,000, $191,000 $152,000 2018, 2017 2016, Mr. Alexander Hovnanian, the son of Ara K. Hovnanian, our Chairman of the Board and one 2018 2019. $514,000, $336,000 $166,000 2018, 2017 2016,

Note 18 - Commitments and Conti

Note 18 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	18. We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, none 16. 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 storm water 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 a site may may may may We anticipate that increasingly stringent requirements will be imposed on developers and homebuilders in the future. For example, for a number of years, the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been engaged in rulemakings to clarify the scope of federally regulated wetlands, which included a June 2015 June 2017 June 2015 February 2018 June 2015 February 2020, August 2018 June 2015 22 June 2015 August 2018 may may may In March 2013, 1990s. August 2013, not may not April 2014 March 2017 May 2, 2018 100% $2.7 June 15, 2018 The Grandview at Riverwalk Port Imperial Condominium Association, Inc. (the “Grandview Plaintiff”) filed a construction defect lawsuit against Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and several of its affiliates, including K. Hovnanian at Port Imperial Urban Renewal II, LLC, K. Hovnanian Construction Management, Inc., K. Hovnanian Companies, LLC, K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., K. Hovnanian North East, Inc. aka and/or dba K. Hovnanian Companies North East, Inc., K. Hovnanian Construction II, Inc., K. Hovnanian Cooperative, Inc., K. Hovnanian Developments of New Jersey, Inc., and K. Hovnanian Holdings NJ, LLC, as well as the project architect, the geotechnical engineers and various construction contractors for the project alleging various construction defects, design defects and geotechnical issues totaling approximately $41.3 1 2 After the parties reached a pre-trial settlement on the construction defect issues, trial commenced on April 17, 2017 June 1, 2017, $3 $9 $1.4 $10.4 January 12, 2018. On January 24, 2018, February 16, 2018, $11.1 March 9, 2018, July 30, 2018, September 12, 2018. In 2015, $119.5 August 17, 2018, March 25, 2019. January 2019.

Note 19 - Variable Interest Ent

Note 19 - Variable Interest Entities	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Variable Interest Entity Disclosure [Text Block]	19. 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 not 810, may In compliance with ASC 810, not 810 October 31, 2018 2017, not We will continue to secure land and lots using options, some of which are with VIEs. Including deposits on our unconsolidated VIEs, at October 31, 2018, $59.0 $1.2 not

Note 20 - Investments in Uncons

Note 20 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]	20. 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 third third During the first 2017, one three $11.2 first 2018, one $13.0 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. October 31, 2018 (Dollars in thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $50,010 $2,275 $52,285 Inventories 506,650 8,004 514,654 Other assets 35,105 - 35,105 Total assets $591,765 $10,279 $602,044 Liabilities and equity: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $79,108 $746 $79,854 Notes payable 236,665 - 236,665 Total liabilities 315,773 746 316,519 Equity of: Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. 114,950 4,369 119,319 Others 161,042 5,164 166,206 Total equity 275,992 9,533 285,525 Total liabilities and equity $591,765 $10,279 $602,044 Debt to capitalization ratio 46 % 0 % 45 % October 31, 2017 (Dollars in thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $60,580 $194 $60,774 Inventories 666,017 9,162 675,179 Other assets 36,026 - 36,026 Total assets $762,623 $9,356 $771,979 Liabilities and equity: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $121,646 $429 $122,075 Notes payable 330,642 - 330,642 Total liabilities 452,288 429 452,717 Equity of: Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. 88,884 3,746 92,630 Others 221,451 5,181 226,632 Total equity 310,335 8,927 319,262 Total liabilities and equity $762,623 $9,356 $771,979 Debt to capitalization ratio 52 % 0 % 51 % As of October 31, 2018 2017, $4.6 $22.4 $123.7 $115.1 October 31, 2018 2017, October 31, 2018, not one one $0.7 $0.6 For The Year Ended October 31, 2018 (Dollars in thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $602,681 $6,418 $609,099 Cost of sales and expenses (577,106 ) (5,173 ) (582,279 ) Joint venture net income $25,575 $1,245 $26,820 Our share of net income $23,904 $623 $24,527 For The Year Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $312,164 $5,685 $317,849 Cost of sales and expenses (324,514 ) (4,633 ) (329,147 ) Joint venture net (loss) income $(12,350 ) $1,052 $(11,298 ) Our share of net (loss) income $(7,189 ) $526 $(6,663 ) For The Year Ended October 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $141,418 $6,299 $147,717 Cost of sales and expenses (159,431 ) (6,103 ) (165,534 ) Joint venture net (loss) income $(18,013 ) $196 $(17,817 ) Our share of net income $(4,424 ) $98 $(4,326 ) “Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures” is reflected as a separate line in the accompanying 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 Consolidated Statements of Operations 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 $21.1 $11.3 $5.8 October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, In determining whether or not Typically, our unconsolidated joint ventures obtain separate project specific mortgage financing. For some of our joint ventures, obtaining financing was challenging, therefore, some of our joint ventures are capitalized only with equity. The total debt to capitalization ratio of all our joint ventures is currently 45%. 810 10 not not

Note 21 - Fair Value of Financi

Note 21 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	21. ASC 820, Level 1: Level 2: Level 3: Our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below: (In thousands) Fair Value Hierarchy Fair Value at October 31, 2018 Fair Value at October 31, 2017 Mortgage loans held for sale (1) Level 2 $130,709 $132,424 Interest rate lock commitments Level 2 (28 ) (14 ) Forward contracts Level 2 13 15 Total $130,694 $132,425 ( 1 $127.6 $128.4 October 31, 2018 2017, We elected the fair value option for our loans held for sale for mortgage loans originated subsequent to October 31, 2008, 825, The Financial Services segment had a pipeline of loan applications in process of $429.0 October 31, 2018. $41.5 October 31, 2018. 60 not 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 October 31, 2018, $26.5 December 19, 2018. 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 Consolidated Financial Statements in “Revenues: Financial services.” The fair values that are included in income are shown, by financial instrument and financial statement line item, below: Year Ended October 31, 2018 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held for Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $3,115 $(28 ) $13 Year Ended October 31, 2017 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held for Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $4,256 $(14 ) $15 Year Ended October 31, 2016 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held for Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $4,711 $(73 ) $(422 ) 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 fiscal years ended October 31, 2018 2017. Nonfinancial Assets Year Ended October 31, 2018 (In thousands) Fair Value Hierarchy Pre- Impairment Amount Total Losses Fair Value Sold and unsold homes and lots under development Level 3 $11,170 $(2,117 ) $9,053 Land and land options held for future development or sale Level 3 $- $- $- Year Ended October 31, 2017 (In thousands) Fair Value Hierarchy Pre- Impairment Amount Total Losses Fair Value Sold and unsold homes and lots under development Level 3 $30,022 $(11,658 ) $18,364 Land and land options held for future development or sale Level 3 $22,850 $(3,403 ) $19,447 We record impairment losses on inventories related to communities under development and held for future development when events and circumstances indicate that they may may $2.1 $15.1 $24.5 October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, 12 The fair value of our cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents and customer’s deposits approximates their carrying amount, based on Level 1 The fair value of each series of our Notes are listed below. Level 2 3 third Fair Value as of October 31, 2018 (In thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Senior Secured Notes: 9.5% Senior Secured Notes due November 15, 2020 $- $- $74,250 $74,250 2.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 - - 40,434 40,434 5.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 - 124,781 - 124,781 10.0% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2022 - 424,670 - 424,670 10.5% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2024 - 366,720 - 366,720 Senior Notes: 13.5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2026 - 88,148 - 88,148 5.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2040 - 35,628 - 35,628 Total fair value $- $1,039,947 $114,684 $1,154,631 Fair Value as of October 31, 2017 (In thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Senior Secured Notes: 9.5% Senior Secured Notes due November 15, 2020 $- $- $75,750 $75,750 2.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 - - 44,425 44,425 5.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 - - 132,580 132,580 10.0% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2022 - - 479,600 479,600 10.5% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2024 - - 448,000 448,000 Senior Notes: 7.0% Senior Notes due January 15, 2019 - 131,221 - $131,221 8.0% Senior Notes due November 1, 2019 - 252,478 - 252,478 11.0% Senior Amortizing Notes due December 1, 2017 - - 2,055 2,055 Senior Exchangeable Notes due December 1, 2017 - - 54,217 54,217 Total fair value $- $383,699 $1,236,627 $1,620,326

Note 22 - Unaudited Summarized

Note 22 - Unaudited Summarized Consolidated Quarterly Information	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	22. Summarized quarterly financial information for the years ended October 31, 2018 2017 Three Months Ended (In thousands, except per share data) October 31, 2018 July 31, 2018 April 30, 2018 January 31, 2018 Revenues $614,811 $456,712 $502,544 $417,166 Expenses 581,680 463,004 509,352 442,047 Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs 318 96 2,673 414 Loss on extinguishment of debt (1,830 ) (4,266 ) (1,440 ) - Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures 17,134 10,732 1,343 (5,176 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 48,117 78 (9,578 ) (30,471 ) State and federal income tax provision 1,939 1,104 245 338 Net income (loss) $46,178 $(1,026 ) $(9,823 ) $(30,809 ) Per share data: Basic: Net income (loss) per common share $0.30 $(0.01 ) $(0.07 ) $(0.21 ) Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 148,925 148,669 148,435 148,028 Assuming dilution: Net income (loss) per common share $0.29 $(0.01 ) $(0.07 ) $(0.21 ) Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 151,929 148,669 148,435 148,028 Three Months Ended (In thousands, except per share data) October 31, 2017 July 31, 2017 April 30, 2017 January 31, 2017 Revenues $721,686 $592,035 $585,935 $552,009 Expenses 703,964 591,872 586,877 554,482 Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs 8,479 4,197 1,953 3,184 (Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt - (42,258 ) (242 ) 7,646 Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures 3,062 (3,881 ) (4,562 ) (1,666 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 12,305 (50,173 ) (7,699 ) 323 State and federal income tax provision (benefit) 464 287,036 (1,017 ) 466 Net income (loss) $11,841 $(337,209 ) $(6,682 ) $(143 ) Per share data: Basic: Net income (loss) per common share $0.08 $(2.28 ) $(0.05 ) $(0.00 ) Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 147,905 147,748 147,558 147,535 Assuming dilution: Net Income (loss) per common share $0.08 $(2.28 ) $(0.05 ) $(0.00 ) Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 160,548 147,748 147,558 147,535

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Recognition from Home and Land Sales 12 360 20, no not 360 20, third Income Recognition from Mortgage Loans - We elected the fair value option for our mortgage loans held for sale in accordance with ASC 825, Substantially all of the mortgage loans originated are sold within a short period of time in the secondary mortgage market on a servicing released, nonrecourse basis, although the Company remains liable for certain limited representations, such as fraud, and warranties related to loan sales. Mortgage investors could seek to have us buy back loans or compensate them from losses incurred on mortgages we have sold based on claims that we breached our limited representations and warranties. We have established reserves for probable losses.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and Cash Equivalents 90 may, October 31, 2018 2017, $199.6 $13.3
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories We record inventories in our consolidated balance sheets at cost unless the inventory is determined to be impaired, in which case the inventory is written down to its fair value. Our inventories consist of the following three 1 2 3 not We decide to mothball (or stop development on) certain communities when we determine that the current performance does not 2018, not two two October 31, 2018 2017, 18 22 $24.5 $36.7 $186.1 $214.1 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, October 31, 2018 2017, no 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 360 20 40 38, October 31, 2018 2017, $50.5 $58.5 not $43.9 $51.8 not 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 predetermined schedule. Because of our options to repurchase these parcels, for accounting purposes, in accordance with ASC 360 20 40 38, October 31, 2018 2017, $37.4 $66.3 not $19.5 $39.3 not The recoverability of inventories and other long-lived assets is assessed in accordance with the provisions of ASC 360 10, 360 10 We evaluate inventories of communities under development and held for future development for impairment when indicators of potential impairment are present. Indicators of impairment include, but are not The projected operating profits, losses or cash flows of each community can be significantly impacted by our estimates of the following: ● future base selling prices; ● future home sales incentives; ● future home construction and land development costs; and ● future sales absorption pace and cancellation rates. These estimates are dependent upon specific market conditions for each community. While we consider available information to determine what we believe to be our best estimates as of the end of a quarterly reporting period, these estimates are subject to change in future reporting periods as facts and circumstances change. Local market-specific conditions that may ● the intensity of competition within a market, including available home sales prices and home sales incentives offered by our competitors; ● the current sales absorption pace for both our communities and competitor communities; ● community-specific attributes, such as location, availability of lots in the market, desirability and uniqueness of our community, and the size and style of homes currently being offered; ● potential for alternative product offerings to respond to local market conditions; ● changes by management in the sales strategy of the community; ● current local market economic and demographic conditions and related trends and forecasts; and ● existing home inventory supplies, including foreclosures and short sales. These and other local market-specific conditions that may may may may may may one not may not If the undiscounted cash flows are more than the carrying value of the community, then the carrying amount is recoverable, and no third October 31, 2016 October 31, 2018 16.8% 19.8%. may From time to time, we write off deposits and approval, engineering and capitalized interest costs when we determine that it is no not not not Inventories held for sale are land parcels ready for sale in their current condition, where we have decided not $6.4 $23.6 October 31, 2018 2017, third
Post-development Completion Warranty Costs and Insurance Deductible Reserves, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Post-Development Completion, Warranty Costs Insurance Deductible Reserves 2018 2017, $20 2018 2017 $0.25 $5 $20 2018 $21 2017. not third third not not 16
Inventory, Interest Capitalization Policy [Policy Text Block]	Interest Interest costs incurred, expensed and capitalized were: Year Ended (In thousands) October 31, 2018 October 31, 2017 October 31, 2016 Interest capitalized at beginning of year $71,051 $96,688 $123,898 Plus interest incurred(1) 161,048 160,203 166,824 Less cost of sales interest expensed 60,685 88,536 92,391 Less other interest expensed(2)(3) 103,297 97,304 90,967 Less interest contributed to unconsolidated joint venture(4) - - 10,676 Interest capitalized at end of year(5) $68,117 $71,051 $96,688 ( 1 Data does not ( 2 Other interest expensed includes interest that does not not $76.2 $69.1 $50.4 October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, not $27.1 $28.2 $40.6 October 31, 2018, 2017 2016. ( 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: Year Ended (In thousands) October 31, 2018 October 31, 2017 October 31, 2016 Other interest expensed $103,297 $97,304 $90,967 Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries 2,478 1,944 2,866 Decrease (increase) in accrued interest 6,241 (9,412 ) 7,963 Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest $112,016 $89,836 $101,796 ( 4 Represents capitalized interest which was included as part of the assets contributed to the joint venture the Company entered into in November 2015, 20. no ( 5 Capitalized interest amounts are shown gross before allocating any portion of impairments, if any, to capitalized interest.
Land under Option Arrangements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Land Options - not not not not not 810 10
Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block]	Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures - third 50% not not 323 10, 2017, $2.8 no 2018 2016.
Deferred Charges, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Deferred Bond Issuance Costs -
Debt, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Debt Issued At a Discount - Debt Issued At a Premium -
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Advertising Costs October 31, 2018, 2017 2016, $16.4 $17.9 $21.4
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Deferred Income Taxes - 740 10, 740 10 not” In evaluating the exposures associated with our various tax filing positions, we recognize tax liabilities in accordance with ASC 740 10, not may may
Prepaid Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Prepaid Expenses -
Receivables, Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $11.4 $7.3 October 31, 2018 2017, 2018 2017, $0.6 $0.2 $0.1 $0.1 2018 2017, 2018, $4.8
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Stock Options - 718 10, Compensation cost arising from nonvested stock granted to employees and from nonemployee stock awards is based on the fair value of the awards at the grant date recognized as expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Per Share Calculations - 6.0% 2018 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 two
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, No. 2014 09, 606 2014 09” 2014 09 1 2 3 4 5 2014 09 605, November 1, 2018, 2014 09. not not 2014 09 In February 2016, No. 2016 02, 842 2016 02” 2016 02 12 2016 02 November 1, 2019. July 2018, No. 2018 10 842, 2018 10” No. 2018 11 842 2018 11” 2018 10 2016 02. 2018 11 2016 02 2018 11 not In August 2016, No. 2016 15, 230 2016 15” 2016 15 2016 15 October 31, 2018 no In November 2016, No. 2016 18, 2016 18 October 31, 2018. 1 In October 2016, No. 2016 16, 740 2016 16” 2016 16 2016 16 November 1, 2018. not In July 2018, No. 2018 09, 2018 09” 2018 09 2018 09 not 2018 09. December 15, 2018. In August 2018, No. 2018 13, 820 2018 13” 2018 13 November 1, 2020. In August 2018, No. 2018 15 350 40 2018 15” 2018 15 2018 15 November 1, 2020.

Note 3 - Summary of Significa_2

Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Real Estate Inventory, Capitalized Interest Costs [Table Text Block]	Year Ended (In thousands) October 31, 2018 October 31, 2017 October 31, 2016 Interest capitalized at beginning of year $71,051 $96,688 $123,898 Plus interest incurred(1) 161,048 160,203 166,824 Less cost of sales interest expensed 60,685 88,536 92,391 Less other interest expensed(2)(3) 103,297 97,304 90,967 Less interest contributed to unconsolidated joint venture(4) - - 10,676 Interest capitalized at end of year(5) $68,117 $71,051 $96,688
Cash Paid for Interest Net of Capitalized Interest [Table Text Block]	Year Ended (In thousands) October 31, 2018 October 31, 2017 October 31, 2016 Other interest expensed $103,297 $97,304 $90,967 Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries 2,478 1,944 2,866 Decrease (increase) in accrued interest 6,241 (9,412 ) 7,963 Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest $112,016 $89,836 $101,796

Note 4 - Leases (Tables)

Note 4 - Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	Years Ending October 31, (In Thousands) 2019 $9,297 2020 6,388 2021 3,903 2022 2,946 2023 2,026 Thereafter 2,482 Total $27,042

Note 5 - Property, Plant and _2

Note 5 - Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Land and land improvements $1,639 $2,625 Buildings 9,155 69,279 Building improvements 10,958 9,458 Furniture 5,305 5,571 Equipment, including capitalized software 33,015 35,328 Total 60,072 122,261 Less accumulated depreciation 39,787 69,342 Total 20,285 $52,919

Note 7 - Mortgage Loans Held _2

Note 7 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Loan origination reserves, beginning of period $3,158 $8,137 Provisions for losses during the period 160 165 Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates (755 ) (4,571 ) Payments/settlements - (573 ) Loan origination reserves, end of period $2,563 $3,158

Note 9 - Senior Notes and Cre_2

Note 9 - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	(In thousands) October 31, 2018(1)(2) October 31, 2017(1)(2) Senior Secured Term Loan due 2019, net of debt issuance costs $- $72,987 Senior Secured Notes: 9.5% Senior Secured Notes due November 15, 2020 $74,561 $74,350 2.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 (net of discount) 53,094 53,058 5.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 (net of discount) 135,571 133,732 10.0% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2022 435,461 434,543 10.5% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2024 394,736 394,953 Total Senior Secured Notes, net of debt issuance costs $1,093,423 $1,090,636 Senior Notes: 7.0% Senior Notes due January 15, 2019 $- $131,957 8.0% Senior Notes due November 1, 2019 (3) - 234,293 13.5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2026 (including premium) 101,162 - 5.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2040 (net of discount) 43,264 - Total Senior Notes, net of debt issuance costs $144,426 $366,250 11.0% Senior Amortizing Notes due December 1, 2017, net of debt issuance costs $- $2,045 Senior Exchangeable Notes due December 1, 2017, net of debt issuance costs $- $53,919 Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility due February 1, 2027, net of debt issuance costs $201,389 $- Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility due September 2018 $- $52,000 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility (4) $- $-
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	Fiscal Year Ended October 31, (1) 2019 $- 2020 - 2021 75,000 2022 635,000 2023 - Thereafter 783,257 Total $1,493,257

Note 10 - Operating and Repor_2

Note 10 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Assets: Northeast $152,607 $180,545 Mid-Atlantic 217,807 224,398 Midwest 85,398 84,960 Southeast 246,497 231,644 Southwest 320,452 294,337 West 244,886 175,347 Total homebuilding 1,267,647 1,191,231 Financial services 164,880 162,113 Corporate and unallocated 229,515 547,554 Total assets $1,662,042 $1,900,898 October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures: Northeast $51,094 $36,411 Mid-Atlantic 7,307 20,873 Midwest 3,738 4,268 Southeast 39,509 36,320 Southwest 18,219 11,832 West 2,445 4,451 Total homebuilding 122,312 114,155 Corporate and unallocated 1,382 935 Total investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures $123,694 $115,090
Operating Segments [Member]
Notes Tables
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Revenues: Northeast $116,296 $209,509 $278,028 Mid-Atlantic 354,690 464,126 458,579 Midwest 196,599 199,770 311,322 Southeast 241,620 260,402 260,584 Southwest 638,282 827,503 1,028,529 West 384,627 430,546 342,447 Total homebuilding 1,932,114 2,391,856 2,679,489 Financial services 53,355 58,743 72,617 Corporate and unallocated 5,764 1,066 141 Total revenues $1,991,233 $2,451,665 $2,752,247 Income (loss) before income taxes: Northeast $20,869 $2,300 $(3,869 ) Mid-Atlantic 18,757 17,191 17,476 Midwest 1,528 (1,151 ) (11,416 ) Southeast (9,914 ) (6,199 ) (17,791 ) Southwest 49,852 71,540 84,424 West 47,987 19,636 3,445 Total homebuilding 129,079 103,317 72,269 Financial services 18,227 26,397 35,473 Corporate and unallocated (1) (139,160 ) (174,958 ) (105,306 ) Income (loss) before income taxes $8,146 $(45,244 ) $2,436 Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Homebuilding interest expense: Northeast $11,811 $20,308 $19,417 Mid-Atlantic 15,051 23,886 23,662 Midwest 5,874 7,799 12,275 Southeast 14,934 13,646 16,770 Southwest 21,820 25,278 37,552 West 18,309 25,799 23,295 Total homebuilding 87,799 116,716 132,971 Corporate and unallocated 76,183 69,124 50,387 Financial services interest expense (1) 104 (630 ) (763 ) Total interest expense, net $164,086 $185,210 $182,595 Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Depreciation: Northeast $135 $71 $62 Mid-Atlantic 63 50 56 Midwest 1,106 858 497 Southeast 124 83 82 Southwest 70 78 104 West 45 94 92 Total homebuilding 1,543 1,234 893 Financial services 14 16 41 Corporate and unallocated 1,599 2,999 2,631 Total depreciation $3,156 $4,249 $3,565 Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Net additions to operating properties and equipment: Northeast $142 $442 $78 Mid-Atlantic 318 71 208 Midwest 621 3,773 3,180 Southeast 701 28 233 Southwest 23 18 199 West 55 80 91 Total homebuilding 1,860 4,412 3,989 Financial services - - 30 Corporate and unallocated 3,333 2,066 3,988 Total net additions to operating properties and equipment $5,193 $6,478 $8,007 Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated joint ventures: Northeast $20,231 $(4,376 ) $(2,639 ) Mid-Atlantic 799 1,180 (27 ) Midwest (775 ) (1,424 ) (1,304 ) Southeast (2,032 ) 837 (1,774 ) Southwest 5,165 (306 ) (64 ) West 645 (2,958 ) 1,462 Total equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated joint ventures $24,033 $(7,047 ) $(4,346 )

Note 11 - Income Taxes (Tables)

Note 11 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Payable Receivable [Table Text Block]	Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 State income taxes: Current $3,334 $2,227 Deferred - - Federal income taxes: Current - - Deferred - - Total $3,334 $2,227
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Current income tax expense (benefit): Federal (1) $- $- $(2,796 ) State (2) 3,626 1,371 1,200 Total current income tax expense (benefit): 3,626 1,371 (1,596 ) Federal - 275,688 5,594 State - 9,890 1,257 Total deferred income tax expense (benefit): - 285,578 6,851 Total $3,626 $286,949 $5,255
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Deferred tax assets: Inventory impairment loss $60,854 $122,584 Uniform capitalization of overhead 4,183 5,766 Warranty and legal reserves 4,774 8,763 Acquisition intangibles 1,185 4,420 Restricted stock bonus 1,344 4,202 Stock options 4,358 6,539 Provision for losses 18,044 38,831 Joint venture loss 3,384 12,028 Federal net operating losses 334,971 549,862 State net operating losses 191,064 172,307 Other 14,030 23,366 Total deferred tax assets 638,191 948,668 Deferred tax liabilities: Debt repurchase income - 30,465 Total deferred tax liabilities - 30,465 Valuation allowance (638,191 ) (918,203 ) Net deferred income taxes $- $-
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	Year Ended October 31, 2018 2017 2016 Computed “expected” tax rate 21.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 17.2 1.0 65.4 Permanent differences, net 74.0 (2.4 ) 222.2 Deferred tax asset valuation allowance impact (70.8 ) (667.8 ) - Tax contingencies 1.0 - 0.3 Adjustments to prior years’ tax accruals(1) 2.1 - (107.2 ) Effective tax rate 44.5 % (634.2 )% 215.7 %
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	Year Ended October 31, 2018 2017 Unrecognized tax benefit—November 1, $1.1 $1.1 Gross increases—tax positions in current period 0.3 0.2 Lapse of statute of limitations (0.2 ) (0.2 ) Unrecognized tax benefit—October 31, $1.2 $1.1

Note 12 - Reduction of Invent_2

Note 12 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Inventory Impairment [Table Text Block]	(Dollars in millions) Year Ended October 31, 2018 Number of Communities Dollar Amount of Impairment Pre- Impairment Value (1) Northeast 1 $0.4 $1.0 Mid-Atlantic - - - Midwest 1 0.1 0.5 Southeast 3 1.6 9.7 Southwest - - - West - - - Total 5 $2.1 $11.2 (Dollars in millions) Year Ended October 31, 2017 Number of Communities Dollar Amount of Impairment Pre- Impairment Value (1) Northeast 2 $3.3 $22.2 Mid-Atlantic 1 1.5 8.5 Midwest 2 0.2 0.8 Southeast 3 8.1 18.3 Southwest - - - West 2 2.0 3.1 Total 10 $15.1 $52.9 (Dollars in millions) Year Ended October 31, 2016 Number of Communities Dollar Amount of Impairment Pre- Impairment Value (1) Northeast 5 $9.5 $33.8 Mid-Atlantic - - - Midwest 12 13.5 43.7 Southeast 3 1.5 10.9 Southwest - - - West - - - Total 20 $24.5 $88.4
Write Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Table Text Block]	Year Ended October 31, (In millions) 2018 2017 2016 Northeast $0.6 $0.5 $1.6 Mid-Atlantic 0.2 0.6 0.8 Midwest 0.1 0.3 1.3 Southeast - 0.8 1.8 Southwest 0.2 0.4 3.2 West 0.3 0.1 0.2 Total $1.4 $2.7 $8.9

Note 13 - Per Share Calculati_2

Note 13 - Per Share Calculations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	Year Ended October 31, (In thousands, except per share data) 2018 2017 2016 Numerator: Net earnings (loss) attributable to Hovnanian $4,520 $(332,193 ) $(2,819 ) Less: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares (159 ) - - Numerator for basic earnings per share $4,361 $(332,193 ) $(2,819 ) Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares 159 - - Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to nonvested shares (159 ) - - Numerator for diluted earnings per share $4,361 $(332,193 ) $(2,819 ) Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share 148,515 147,703 147,451 Effect of dilutive securities: Share-based payments 3,271 - - Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted-average shares outstanding 151,786 147,703 147,451 Basic earnings (loss) per share $0.03 $(2.25 ) $(0.02 ) Diluted earnings (loss) per share $0.03 $(2.25 ) $(0.02 )

Note 15 - Stock Plans (Tables)

Note 15 - Stock Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	October 31, 2018 Weighted-Average Exercise Price October 31, 2017 Weighted-Average Exercise Price October 31, 2016 Weighted-Average Exercise Price Options outstanding at beginning of period 6,860,701 $ 3.40 7,373,951 $ 4.03 6,393,876 $ 4.78 Granted 945,625 $ 2.25 236,250 $ 2.34 1,148,481 $ 1.95 Exercised 30,250 $ 2.00 48,250 $ 2.07 - $ - Forfeited 50,000 $ 2.57 452,375 $ 5.85 51,125 $ 2.73 Expired 761,750 $ 6.28 248,875 $ 16.68 117,281 $ 25.05 Options outstanding at end of period 6,964,326 $ 2.95 6,860,701 $ 3.40 7,373,951 $ 4.03 Options exercisable at end of period 4,793,490 5,259,011 5,071,181
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]	Number Weighted- Average Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Range of Exercise Prices Outstanding Exercise Price Life $1.54 – $2.41 2,645,784 $ 2.00 6.32 $2.42 – $4.41 3,004,042 $ 2.77 3.57 $4.42 – $6.28 1,314,500 $ 5.27 2.66 6,964,326 $ 2.95 4.44 Number Weighted- Average Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Range of Exercise Prices Exercisable Exercise Price Life $1.54 – $2.41 1,108,534 $ 1.97 3.65 $2.42 – $4.41 2,370,456 $ 2.81 2.09 $4.42 – $6.28 1,314,500 $ 5.27 2.66 4,793,490 $ 3.29 2.61
Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block]	Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested at beginning of period 6,174,477 $ 2.36 Granted 2,129,073 $ 2.55 Vested 705,144 $ 2.31 Forfeited 2,423,148 $ 1.98 Nonvested at end of period 5,175,258 $ 2.62

Note 16 - Warranty Costs (Table

Note 16 - Warranty Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]	Year Ended October 31, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Balance, beginning of period $127,702 $121,144 Additions – Selling, general and administrative 9,024 10,870 Additions – Cost of sales 17,180 15,835 Charges incurred during the period (43,462 ) (28,019 ) Changes to pre-existing reserves (15,380 ) 7,872 Balance, end of period $95,064 $127,702

Note 20 - Investments in Unco_2

Note 20 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]	October 31, 2018 (Dollars in thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $50,010 $2,275 $52,285 Inventories 506,650 8,004 514,654 Other assets 35,105 - 35,105 Total assets $591,765 $10,279 $602,044 Liabilities and equity: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $79,108 $746 $79,854 Notes payable 236,665 - 236,665 Total liabilities 315,773 746 316,519 Equity of: Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. 114,950 4,369 119,319 Others 161,042 5,164 166,206 Total equity 275,992 9,533 285,525 Total liabilities and equity $591,765 $10,279 $602,044 Debt to capitalization ratio 46 % 0 % 45 % October 31, 2017 (Dollars in thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $60,580 $194 $60,774 Inventories 666,017 9,162 675,179 Other assets 36,026 - 36,026 Total assets $762,623 $9,356 $771,979 Liabilities and equity: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $121,646 $429 $122,075 Notes payable 330,642 - 330,642 Total liabilities 452,288 429 452,717 Equity of: Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. 88,884 3,746 92,630 Others 221,451 5,181 226,632 Total equity 310,335 8,927 319,262 Total liabilities and equity $762,623 $9,356 $771,979 Debt to capitalization ratio 52 % 0 % 51 % For The Year Ended October 31, 2018 (Dollars in thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $602,681 $6,418 $609,099 Cost of sales and expenses (577,106 ) (5,173 ) (582,279 ) Joint venture net income $25,575 $1,245 $26,820 Our share of net income $23,904 $623 $24,527 For The Year Ended October 31, 2017 (Dollars in thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $312,164 $5,685 $317,849 Cost of sales and expenses (324,514 ) (4,633 ) (329,147 ) Joint venture net (loss) income $(12,350 ) $1,052 $(11,298 ) Our share of net (loss) income $(7,189 ) $526 $(6,663 ) For The Year Ended October 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) Homebuilding Land Development Total Revenues $141,418 $6,299 $147,717 Cost of sales and expenses (159,431 ) (6,103 ) (165,534 ) Joint venture net (loss) income $(18,013 ) $196 $(17,817 ) Our share of net income $(4,424 ) $98 $(4,326 )

Note 21 - Fair Value of Finan_2

Note 21 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	(In thousands) Fair Value Hierarchy Fair Value at October 31, 2018 Fair Value at October 31, 2017 Mortgage loans held for sale (1) Level 2 $130,709 $132,424 Interest rate lock commitments Level 2 (28 ) (14 ) Forward contracts Level 2 13 15 Total $130,694 $132,425
Fair Value Option, Disclosures [Table Text Block]	Year Ended October 31, 2018 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held for Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $3,115 $(28 ) $13 Year Ended October 31, 2017 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held for Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $4,256 $(14 ) $15 Year Ended October 31, 2016 (In thousands) Mortgage Loans Held for Sale Interest Rate Lock Commitments Forward Contracts Fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues $4,711 $(73 ) $(422 )
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	Year Ended October 31, 2018 (In thousands) Fair Value Hierarchy Pre- Impairment Amount Total Losses Fair Value Sold and unsold homes and lots under development Level 3 $11,170 $(2,117 ) $9,053 Land and land options held for future development or sale Level 3 $- $- $- Year Ended October 31, 2017 (In thousands) Fair Value Hierarchy Pre- Impairment Amount Total Losses Fair Value Sold and unsold homes and lots under development Level 3 $30,022 $(11,658 ) $18,364 Land and land options held for future development or sale Level 3 $22,850 $(3,403 ) $19,447
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis 2 [Table Text Block]	(In thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Senior Secured Notes: 9.5% Senior Secured Notes due November 15, 2020 $- $- $74,250 $74,250 2.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 - - 40,434 40,434 5.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 - 124,781 - 124,781 10.0% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2022 - 424,670 - 424,670 10.5% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2024 - 366,720 - 366,720 Senior Notes: 13.5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2026 - 88,148 - 88,148 5.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2040 - 35,628 - 35,628 Total fair value $- $1,039,947 $114,684 $1,154,631 (In thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Senior Secured Notes: 9.5% Senior Secured Notes due November 15, 2020 $- $- $75,750 $75,750 2.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 - - 44,425 44,425 5.0% Senior Secured Notes due November 1, 2021 - - 132,580 132,580 10.0% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2022 - - 479,600 479,600 10.5% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2024 - - 448,000 448,000 Senior Notes: 7.0% Senior Notes due January 15, 2019 - 131,221 - $131,221 8.0% Senior Notes due November 1, 2019 - 252,478 - 252,478 11.0% Senior Amortizing Notes due December 1, 2017 - - 2,055 2,055 Senior Exchangeable Notes due December 1, 2017 - - 54,217 54,217 Total fair value $- $383,699 $1,236,627 $1,620,326

Note 22 - Unaudited Summarize_2

Note 22 - Unaudited Summarized Consolidated Quarterly Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018
Notes Tables
Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended (In thousands, except per share data) October 31, 2018 July 31, 2018 April 30, 2018 January 31, 2018 Revenues $614,811 $456,712 $502,544 $417,166 Expenses 581,680 463,004 509,352 442,047 Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs 318 96 2,673 414 Loss on extinguishment of debt (1,830 ) (4,266 ) (1,440 ) - Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures 17,134 10,732 1,343 (5,176 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 48,117 78 (9,578 ) (30,471 ) State and federal income tax provision 1,939 1,104 245 338 Net income (loss) $46,178 $(1,026 ) $(9,823 ) $(30,809 ) Per share data: Basic: Net income (loss) per common share $0.30 $(0.01 ) $(0.07 ) $(0.21 ) Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 148,925 148,669 148,435 148,028 Assuming dilution: Net income (loss) per common share $0.29 $(0.01 ) $(0.07 ) $(0.21 ) Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 151,929 148,669 148,435 148,028 Three Months Ended (In thousands, except per share data) October 31, 2017 July 31, 2017 April 30, 2017 January 31, 2017 Revenues $721,686 $592,035 $585,935 $552,009 Expenses 703,964 591,872 586,877 554,482 Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs 8,479 4,197 1,953 3,184 (Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt - (42,258 ) (242 ) 7,646 Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures 3,062 (3,881 ) (4,562 ) (1,666 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 12,305 (50,173 ) (7,699 ) 323 State and federal income tax provision (benefit) 464 287,036 (1,017 ) 466 Net income (loss) $11,841 $(337,209 ) $(6,682 ) $(143 ) Per share data: Basic: Net income (loss) per common share $0.08 $(2.28 ) $(0.05 ) $(0.00 ) Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 147,905 147,748 147,558 147,535 Assuming dilution: Net Income (loss) per common share $0.08 $(2.28 ) $(0.05 ) $(0.00 ) Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 160,548 147,748 147,558 147,535

Supplemental Disclosure of No_2

Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018
8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Interest Rate of Debt	8.00%
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Issuance Date of Debt	Nov. 1, 2019
The 13.5% 2026 Notes [Member]
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Rate	13.50%
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Expiration or Due Date, Year	2,026
Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member]
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Rate	5.00%
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Expiration or Due Date, Year	2,040
Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Investments Reduction		$ 13
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Inventory Acquired		$ 13

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Total	$ (66,822)	$ 301,578	$ 386,996
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Total	35,501	(29,707)	(51,884)
Assets, Total	1,662,042	1,900,898
Financial Services [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Ending Balance	6,948	5,623	6,992
Assets, Total	164,880	162,113
Accounting Standards Update 2016-18 [Member] | New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect [Member]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Total		(4,000)	700
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Total		(2,600)	$ (2,900)
Reclassification from Notes Payable, Net of Discount, Premium and Debt Issuance Costs and Accrued Interest to Revolving and Term Loan Credit Facilities, Net of Debt Issuance Costs [Member] | As of October 31, 2017 [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	$ 73,000
Changed Balance Sheet Presentation on a Combined Basis [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Ending Balance		(5,600)
Assets, Total		$ 5,600

Note 2 - Business (Details Text

Note 2 - Business (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Number of Communities	123
Homebuilding [Member]
Number of Reportable Segments	6
Homebuilding [Member] | Segment Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	97.00%	98.00%	97.00%

Note 3 - Summary of Significa_3

Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total	$ 199,600	$ 13,300
Number of Previously Mothballed Communities Sold During the Period	2
Number of Mothballed Communities Reactivated	2
Number of Communities Mothballed	18	22
Inventory Real Estate Mothballed Communities	$ 24,500	$ 36,700
Inventory Real Estate Mothballed Communities Accumulated Impairment Charges	186,100	214,100
Inventory, Land Held-for-sale	6,400	23,600
General Liability Insurance Deductible	20,000	20,000
Bodily Injury Insurance Deductible	250	250
Bodily Injury Insurance Limit	5,000	5,000
Aggregate Retention for Construction Defects Warranty and Bodily Injury Claims	20,000	21,000
Real Estate Inventory Expense Not Eligible for Capitalization	103,297	97,304	$ 90,967
Advertising Expense	16,400	17,900	21,400
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Ending Balance	11,400	7,300
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Recoveries	600	200
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Write-offs	100	100
Provision for Doubtful Accounts	$ 4,800
Senior Exchangeable Note Units [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.00%
Joint Venture Investments [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment	$ 0	2,800	0
Qualifying Assets Not Exceeding Debt [Member]
Real Estate Inventory Expense Not Eligible for Capitalization	76,200	69,100	50,400
Completed Homes, Land in Planning and Fully Developed Lots without Homes under Construction [Member]
Real Estate Inventory Expense Not Eligible for Capitalization	$ 27,100	28,200	$ 40,600
Maximum [Member]
Joint Venture Voting Interest Percentage	50.00%
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Community, Measurement Input	0.168
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Community, Measurement Input	0.198
Homebuilding [Member]
Liabilities from Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	$ 63,387	91,101
Homebuilding [Member] | Model Sale Leaseback Financing Arrangements [Member]
Inventory Real Estate, Other Options	50,500	58,500
Liabilities from Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	43,900	51,800
Homebuilding [Member] | Land Banking Arrangement [Member]
Inventory Real Estate, Other Options	37,400	66,300
Liabilities from Inventory Real Estate Not Owned	$ 19,500	$ 39,300

Note 3 - Summary of Significa_4

Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Interest Costs Incurred, Expensed and Capitalized (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Oct. 31, 2018		Oct. 31, 2017		Oct. 31, 2016
Interest capitalized at beginning of year		$ 71,051	[1]	$ 96,688	[1]	$ 123,898
Plus interest incurred(1)	[2]	161,048		160,203		166,824
Less cost of sales interest expensed		60,685		88,536		92,391
Less other interest expensed(2)(3)	[3],[4]	103,297		97,304		90,967
Less interest contributed to unconsolidated joint venture(4)	[5]					10,676
Interest capitalized at end of year(5)	[1]	$ 68,117		$ 71,051		$ 96,688
[1]	Capitalized interest amounts are shown gross before allocating any portion of impairments, if any, to capitalized interest.
[2]	Data does not include interest incurred by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries.
[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: Year Ended (In thousands) October 31, 2018 October 31, 2017 October 31, 2016 Other interest expensed $103,297 $97,304 $90,967 Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries 2,478 1,944 2,866 Decrease (increase) in accrued interest 6,241 (9,412) 7,963 Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest $112,016 $89,836 $101,796
[4]	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, which amounted to $76.2 million, $69.1 million and $50.4 million for the years ended October 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Other interest also includes interest on completed homes, land in planning and fully developed lots without homes under construction, which does not qualify for capitalization, and therefore, is expensed. This component of other interest was $27.1 million, $28.2 million and $40.6 million for the years ended October 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
[5]	Represents capitalized interest which was included as part of the assets contributed to the joint venture the Company entered into in November 2015, as discussed in Note 20. There was no impact to the Consolidated Statement of Operations as a result of this transaction.

Note 3 - Summary of Significa_5

Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Cash Paid for Interest, Net of Capitalized Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Other interest expensed	$ 103,297	$ 97,304	$ 90,967
Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries	2,478	1,944	2,866
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest	6,241	(9,412)	7,963
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	$ 112,016	$ 89,836	$ 101,796

Note 4 - Leases (Details Textua

Note 4 - Leases (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Total	$ 14.4	$ 10.8	$ 12.8
Minimum [Member] | Office Leases [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Model Home Leases [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	1 year
Maximum [Member] | Office Leases [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Model Home Leases [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	3 years

Note 4 - Leases - Future Lease

Note 4 - Leases - Future Lease Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)
2,019	$ 9,297
2,020	6,388
2,021	3,903
2,022	2,946
2,023	2,026
Thereafter	2,482
Total	$ 27,042

Note 5 - Property, Plant and _3

Note 5 - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance	$ 20,285	$ 52,919
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance	$ 39,787	69,342
Corporate Headquarters Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance		34,700
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance		26,400
Land [Member] | Corporate Headquarters Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance		1,000
Building [Member] | Corporate Headquarters Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance		$ 60,100

Note 5 - Property, Plant and _4

Note 5 - Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 60,072	$ 122,261
Less accumulated depreciation	39,787	69,342
Total	20,285	52,919
Land and Land Improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,639	2,625
Building [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	9,155	69,279
Building Improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	10,958	9,458
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	5,305	5,571
Equipment, Including Capitalized Software [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 33,015	$ 35,328

Note 6 - Restricted Cash and _2

Note 6 - Restricted Cash and Deposits (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Mortgage Warehouse Lines of Credit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total	$ 2,000	$ 2,300
Homebuilding [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total	12,808	2,077	$ 3,914
Homebuilding [Member] | Customer Deposits [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total	100	400
Financial Services [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total	25,365	22,345	$ 19,035
Financial Services [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total	25,400	22,300
Financial Services [Member] | Customer Deposits [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total	$ 23,400	$ 20,000

Note 7 - Mortgage Loans Held _3

Note 7 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)
Loans Pledged as Collateral	$ 115.2	$ 119.6
Number of Loans Reserved For	46	45

Note 7 - Mortgage Loans Held _4

Note 7 - Mortgage Loans Held for Sale - Loan Origination Reserves (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Loan origination reserves, beginning of period	$ 3,158	$ 8,137
Provisions for losses during the period	160	165
Adjustments to pre-existing provisions for losses from changes in estimates	(755)	(4,571)
Payments/settlements		(573)
Loan origination reserves, end of period	$ 2,563	$ 3,158

Note 8 - Mortgages (Details Tex

Note 8 - Mortgages (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 50,000
Warehouse Agreement Borrowings, Total	$ 40,300	$ 41,500
JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument Variable Rate Basis Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate LIBOR	2.31%
JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.50%
JP Morgan Chase Bank [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.63%
Customers Bank [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 50,000
Warehouse Agreement Borrowings, Total	$ 40,200	40,700
Customers Bank [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.38%
Customers Bank [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	5.13%
Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured By Inventory [Member] | Mortgages [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Secured Debt, Total	$ 95,557	64,512
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	$ 241,900	$ 157,800
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	6.10%	5.30%
Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured by Operating Properties [Member] | Mortgages [Member] | Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Secured Debt, Total		$ 13,000
Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured by Operating Properties [Member] | Mortgages [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Secured Debt, Total		13,012
Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	50,000
Warehouse Agreement Borrowings, Total	$ 32,700	$ 32,400
Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument Variable Rate Basis Floor Rate	0.25%
Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.25%
Comerica Master Repurchase Agreement [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.25%

Note 9 - Senior Notes and Cre_3

Note 9 - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities (Details Textual)		Jan. 15, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 10, 2018USD ($)	May 29, 2018USD ($)	Feb. 01, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 01, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 27, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 08, 2016USD ($)	May 15, 2016USD ($)	Jan. 15, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)		Jul. 31, 2018USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)		Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)		Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)shares		Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2017USD ($)	Nov. 15, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 11, 2016USD ($)	Nov. 01, 2011USD ($)
Interest Payable												$ 35,600,000					$ 41,800,000					$ 35,600,000		$ 41,800,000
Debt Issuance Costs, Net, Total												$ 14,100,000					16,100,000					$ 14,100,000		16,100,000
Debt Covenant Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Minimum												2										2
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total												$ (1,830,000)		$ (4,266,000)	$ (1,440,000)				$ (42,258,000)	$ (242,000)	$ 7,646,000	$ (7,536,000)		(34,854,000)		$ (3,200,000)
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure, Total												1,154,631,000					1,620,326,000					1,154,631,000		1,620,326,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt								$ 146,300,000
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures, Total												123,694,000					$ 115,090,000					123,694,000		$ 115,090,000
The 7% 2019 Notes [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total					$ (500,000)
The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				8.00%
Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total				$ 65,700,000
The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 and Delayed Draw Term Loans [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total																						(4,300,000)
Secured Term Loans [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total																						(1,800,000)
8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total																						$ (900,000)
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage																						7.625%
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage																	9.50%							9.50%
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						6.00%
Repayments of Senior Debt, Total						$ 53,900,000
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]																8.00%							8.00%
Secured Term Loans [Member]
Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total			$ 41,000,000
Senior Notes and Senior Exchangeable Note Units [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total																								$ 7,800,000
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount																	$ 30,800,000							30,800,000
9.5 % Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total																								(400,000)
Stand-alone Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit Agreements and Facilities [Member]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount												12,500,000					1,700,000					$ 12,500,000		1,700,000
Stand-alone Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit Agreements and Facilities [Member] | Restricted Cash [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount												$ 12,700,000					1,700,000					$ 12,700,000		1,700,000
GSO [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					132,500,000																						$ 132,500,000
GSO [Member] | Delayed Draw Term Loans [Member]
Debt Agreement Maximum Borrowing Capacity																											80,000,000
GSO [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage												10.00%										10.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity												$ 125,000,000										$ 125,000,000					$ 125,000,000
Long-term Line of Credit, Total												0										0
Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit			$ 35,000,000
Citi Bank [Member] | Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity											$ 75,000,000
Long-term Line of Credit, Total																	52,000,000							52,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term											5 years
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount																	$ 14,600,000							$ 14,600,000
8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 26,000,000	$ 170,200,000							$ 26,000,000										$ 26,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				8.00%	8.00%							8.00%										8.00%
Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total				$ 65,700,000
8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | K. Hovnanian at Sunrise Trail III, LLC [Member]
Repayments of Senior Debt, Total					$ 26,500,000
8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage																	8.00%							8.00%			8.00%
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount																	$ 14,000,000							$ 14,000,000
The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount																														$ 141,800,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage												5.00%	[2],[3]				5.00%	[2],[3]				5.00%	[2],[3]	5.00%	[2],[3]					5.00%
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure, Total												$ 124,781,000					$ 132,580,000					$ 124,781,000		$ 132,580,000
The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount																														$ 53,200,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage												2.00%	[2],[3]				2.00%	[2],[3]				2.00%	[2],[3]	2.00%	[2],[3]					2.00%
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure, Total												$ 40,434,000					$ 44,425,000					$ 40,434,000		$ 44,425,000
The 9.50% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 75,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage								9.50%				9.50%	[2],[3]				9.50%	[2],[3]				9.50%	[2],[3]	9.50%	[2],[3]
The 10.0% 2022 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 440,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							10.00%					10.00%	[2],[3]				10.00%	[2],[3]				10.00%	[2],[3]	10.00%	[2],[3]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure, Total												$ 424,670,000					$ 479,600,000					$ 424,670,000		$ 479,600,000
The 10.0% 2022 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						100.00%
The 10.0% 2022 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						105.00%
The 10.0% 2022 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						102.50%
The 10.0% 2022 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Four [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						100.00%
The 10.0% 2022 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Redemption with Net Cash Proceeds from Certain Equity Offerings [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						110.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed																						35.00%
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					7.00%
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage												7.00%					7.00%					7.00%		7.00%
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount																	$ 17,500,000							$ 17,500,000
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure, Total																	$ 131,221,000							$ 131,221,000
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2],[3]											7.00%					7.00%					7.00%		7.00%
Repayments of Senior Debt, Total					$ 132,500,000
The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | GSO [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 25,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		10.50%
Debt Instrument, Purchase Price		$ 1,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stated Rate Due to Terms		0.50%
The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 400,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							10.50%					10.50%	[2],[3]				10.50%	[2],[3]				10.50%	[2],[3]	10.50%	[2],[3]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure, Total												$ 366,720,000					$ 448,000,000					$ 366,720,000		$ 448,000,000
The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						100.00%
The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						105.25%
The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						102.625%
The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Four [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						100.00%
The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Redemption with Net Cash Proceeds from Certain Equity Offerings [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						110.50%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed																						35.00%
The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage												10.50%										10.50%
The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member] | Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						11.00%											11.00%	[2],[3]						11.00%	[2],[3]
Repayments of Senior Debt, Total						$ 2,100,000
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure, Total																	$ 2,055,000							$ 2,055,000
The 7% 2019 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					7.00%
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Additional Borrowings				$ 70,000,000
The 5.0% Notes Due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					5.00%
The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Aggregate Principal Outstanding, Percentage					72.14%
The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage																	8.00%							8.00%
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure, Total																	$ 252,478,000							$ 252,478,000
Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 90,600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					13.50%
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure, Total					$ 103,000,000
Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						100.00%
Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						100.00%
Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage												13.50%										13.50%
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure, Total												$ 88,148,000										$ 88,148,000
Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2],[3]											13.50%										13.50%
Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 90,100,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					5.00%
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure, Total					$ 44,000,000
Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						100.00%
Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						100.00%
Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage												5.00%										5.00%
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure, Total												$ 35,628,000										$ 35,628,000
Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2],[3]											5.00%										5.00%
The Purchased 8% Notes [Member] | K. Hovnanian at Sunrise Trail III, LLC [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					8.00%
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount					$ 26,000,000
The 6.00% Exchangeable Note Units [Member] | Senior Exchangeable Note Units [Member]
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount																	$ 6,900,000							$ 6,900,000
Debt Instrument, Exchangeable, Number of Units Repurchased | shares																								6,925
The 7.25% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							7.25%
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount							$ 575,912,000																					$ 1,088,000
The 9.125% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							9.125%
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount							$ 87,321,000																					$ 57,679,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount								$ 75,000,000
The 10.0% 2018 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								75,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							10.00%
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount							$ 75,000,000
The 7.25% 2020 Notes, The 9.125% 2020 Notes, and The 10.0% 2018 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total							$ (42,300,000)
The 10% 2022 Notes and 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Real Estate Inventory [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount												$ 437,900,000										$ 437,900,000
The 10% 2022 Notes and 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents Collateral [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount												125,600,000										125,600,000
The 10% 2022 Notes and 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Restricted Cash [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount												$ 11,900,000										$ 11,900,000
The 6.25% 2016 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										6.25%
Repayments of Senior Debt, Total										$ 172,700,000
The 7.5% 2016 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Repayments of Senior Debt, Total									$ 86,500,000
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | The 7.5% 2016 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage									7.50%
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | The 8.625% 2017 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage																													8.625%
Long-term Debt, Gross																													$ 121,000,000
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Aggregate Price																													$ 126,100,000
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 75,000,000
9.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage												9.50%					9.50%					9.50%		9.50%
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure, Total												$ 74,250,000					$ 75,750,000					$ 74,250,000		$ 75,750,000
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																								100.00%
9.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																								100.00%
The 2.0% 2021 Notes Member and 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																						100.00%
Debt Instrument, Voluntary Prepayment Premium, Aggregate Principal Amount, Percentage												1.00%										1.00%
The 2.0% 2021 Notes Member and 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents Collateral [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount												$ 75,000,000										$ 75,000,000
The 2021 Notes and 9.5% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Restricted Cash [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount												800,000										800,000
The 2021 Notes and 9.5% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount												139,200,000										139,200,000
The 2021 Notes and 9.5% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Secured Group [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures, Total												$ 114,800,000										$ 114,800,000
[1]	$26.0 million of 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019 are owned by a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary of HEI. Therefore, in accordance with GAAP, such notes are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of HEI.
[2]	"Notes payable" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2018 and 2017 consists of the total senior secured, senior, senior amortizing and senior exchangeable notes shown above, as well as accrued interest of $35.6 million and $41.8 million, respectively.
[3]	Unamortized debt issuance costs at October 31, 2018 and 2017 were $14.1 million and $16.1 million, respectively.

Note 9 - Senior Notes and Cre_4

Note 9 - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities Balances (Details) - USD ($)		Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Senior debt	[1]	$ 1,493,257,000
Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]
Long-term Line of Credit, Total	[2],[3]		$ 72,987,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior debt	[2],[3]	1,093,423,000	1,090,636,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 9.50% 2020 Notes [Member]
Senior debt	[2],[3]	74,561,000	74,350,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member]
Senior debt	[2],[3]	53,094,000	53,058,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member]
Senior debt	[2],[3]	135,571,000	133,732,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.0% 2022 Notes [Member]
Senior debt	[2],[3]	435,461,000	434,543,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member]
Senior debt	[2],[3]	394,736,000	394,953,000
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior debt	[2],[3]	144,426,000	366,250,000
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]
Senior debt	[2],[3]		131,957,000
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Senior debt	[2],[3],[4]		234,293,000
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member]
Senior debt	[2],[3]	101,162,000
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member]
Senior debt	[2],[3]	43,264,000
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member] | The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member]
Senior debt	[2],[3]		2,045,000
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member] | Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Senior debt	[2],[3]		53,919,000
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility Due 2027 [Member]
Long-term Line of Credit, Total		201,389
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Line of Credit, Total	[2],[3]		52,000,000
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Line of Credit, Total	[2],[3],[5]
[1]	Does not include our $125.0 million Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility under which there were no borrowings outstanding as of October 31, 2018.
[2]	"Notes payable" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2018 and 2017 consists of the total senior secured, senior, senior amortizing and senior exchangeable notes shown above, as well as accrued interest of $35.6 million and $41.8 million, respectively.
[3]	Unamortized debt issuance costs at October 31, 2018 and 2017 were $14.1 million and $16.1 million, respectively.
[4]	$26.0 million of 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019 are owned by a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary of HEI. Therefore, in accordance with GAAP, such notes are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of HEI.
[5]	Availability under the Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility will terminate on December 28, 2019 and any loans thereunder on such date shall convert to secured term loans maturing on December 28, 2022.

Note 9 - Senior Notes and Cre_5

Note 9 - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities Balances (Details) (Parentheticals)		12 Months Ended
		Oct. 31, 2018		Oct. 31, 2017		Feb. 01, 2018	Dec. 01, 2017	Jul. 27, 2017	Sep. 08, 2016	Nov. 01, 2011
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				9.50%
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]			8.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1]			Nov. 1, 2019
Senior Unsecured Term Loan Credit Facility Due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Feb. 1, 2027
The 9.50% 2020 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		9.50%	[2],[3]	9.50%	[2],[3]				9.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[3]	Nov. 15, 2020		Nov. 15, 2020
The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.00%	[2],[3]	2.00%	[2],[3]					2.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[3]	Nov. 1, 2021		Nov. 1, 2021
The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.00%	[2],[3]	5.00%	[2],[3]					5.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[3]	Nov. 1, 2021		Nov. 1, 2021
The 10.0% 2022 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		10.00%	[2],[3]	10.00%	[2],[3]			10.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[3]	Jul. 15, 2022		Jul. 15, 2022
The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		10.50%	[2],[3]	10.50%	[2],[3]			10.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[3]	Jul. 15, 2024		Jul. 15, 2024
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						7.00%
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2],[3]	7.00%		7.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[3]	Jan. 15, 2019		Jan. 15, 2019
Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						13.50%
Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2],[3]	13.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[3]	Feb. 1, 2026
Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						5.00%
Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2],[3]	5.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[3]	Feb. 1, 2040
The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member] | Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				11.00%	[2],[3]		11.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[3]			Dec. 1, 2017
Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member] | Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[3]			Dec. 1, 2017
[1]	$26.0 million of 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019 are owned by a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary of HEI. Therefore, in accordance with GAAP, such notes are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of HEI.
[2]	"Notes payable" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2018 and 2017 consists of the total senior secured, senior, senior amortizing and senior exchangeable notes shown above, as well as accrued interest of $35.6 million and $41.8 million, respectively.
[3]	Unamortized debt issuance costs at October 31, 2018 and 2017 were $14.1 million and $16.1 million, respectively.

Note 9 - Senior Notes and Cre_6

Note 9 - Senior Notes and Credit Facilities - Future Maturities of Borrowings (Details) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)	[1]
2,019
2,020
2,021	75,000
2,022	635,000
2,023
Thereafter	783,257
Total	$ 1,493,257
[1]	Does not include our $125.0 million Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility under which there were no borrowings outstanding as of October 31, 2018.

Note 10 - Operating and Repor_3

Note 10 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2018USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)
Real Estate Inventory Expense Not Eligible for Capitalization									$ 103,297	$ 97,304	$ 90,967
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total	$ (1,830)	$ (4,266)	$ (1,440)			$ (42,258)	$ (242)	$ 7,646	(7,536)	(34,854)	(3,200)
Increase (Decrease) In Construction Defect Reserves	$ (10,200)				$ 12,500
Qualifying Assets Not Exceeding Debt [Member]
Real Estate Inventory Expense Not Eligible for Capitalization									76,200	69,100	50,400
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
General and Administrative Expense, Total									69,600	59,400	60,100
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total									(7,500)	(34,900)	(3,200)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total									14,100	900	800
Increase (Decrease) In Construction Defect Reserves										12,500	(9,200)
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Qualifying Assets Not Exceeding Debt [Member]
Real Estate Inventory Expense Not Eligible for Capitalization									$ 76,200	$ 69,100	$ 50,400
Homebuilding [Member]
Number of Reportable Segments									6

Note 10 - Operating and Repor_4

Note 10 - Operating and Reporting Segments - Financial Information Relating to Segment Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Revenues, Total		$ 614,811	$ 456,712	$ 502,544	$ 417,166	$ 721,686	$ 592,035	$ 585,935	$ 552,009	$ 1,991,233	$ 2,451,665	$ 2,752,247
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		48,117	78	(9,578)	(30,471)	12,305	(50,173)	(7,699)	323	8,146	(45,244)	2,436
Total interest expense, net										164,086	185,210	182,595
Total depreciation										3,156	4,249	3,565
Net additions to operating properties and equipment										5,193	6,478	8,007
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures		$ 17,134	$ 10,732	$ 1,343	$ (5,176)	$ 3,062	$ (3,881)	$ (4,562)	$ (1,666)	24,033	(7,047)	(4,346)
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Revenues, Total	[1]									5,764	1,066	141
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total	[1]									(139,160)	(174,958)	(105,306)
Total interest expense, net										76,183	69,124	50,387
Total depreciation										1,599	2,999	2,631
Net additions to operating properties and equipment										3,333	2,066	3,988
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues, Total										1,937,878	2,392,922	2,679,630
Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total										1,932,114	2,391,856	2,679,489
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total										129,079	103,317	72,269
Total interest expense, net										87,799	116,716	132,971
Total depreciation										1,543	1,234	893
Net additions to operating properties and equipment										1,860	4,412	3,989
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total										116,296	209,509	278,028
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total										20,869	2,300	(3,869)
Total interest expense, net										11,811	20,308	19,417
Total depreciation										135	71	62
Net additions to operating properties and equipment										142	442	78
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures										20,231	(4,376)	(2,639)
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total										354,690	464,126	458,579
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total										18,757	17,191	17,476
Total interest expense, net										15,051	23,886	23,662
Total depreciation										63	50	56
Net additions to operating properties and equipment										318	71	208
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures										799	1,180	(27)
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total										196,599	199,770	311,322
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total										1,528	(1,151)	(11,416)
Total interest expense, net										5,874	7,799	12,275
Total depreciation										1,106	858	497
Net additions to operating properties and equipment										621	3,773	3,180
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures										(775)	(1,424)	(1,304)
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total										241,620	260,402	260,584
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total										(9,914)	(6,199)	(17,791)
Total interest expense, net										14,934	13,646	16,770
Total depreciation										124	83	82
Net additions to operating properties and equipment										701	28	233
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures										(2,032)	837	(1,774)
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total										638,282	827,503	1,028,529
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total										49,852	71,540	84,424
Total interest expense, net										21,820	25,278	37,552
Total depreciation										70	78	104
Net additions to operating properties and equipment										23	18	199
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures										5,165	(306)	(64)
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total										384,627	430,546	342,447
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total										47,987	19,636	3,445
Total interest expense, net										18,309	25,799	23,295
Total depreciation										45	94	92
Net additions to operating properties and equipment										55	80	91
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures										645	(2,958)	1,462
Financial Services [Member]
Revenues, Total										53,355	58,743	72,617
Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total										53,355	58,743	72,617
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total										18,227	26,397	35,473
Financial services interest expense (1)	[2]									104	(630)	(763)
Total depreciation										14	16	41
Net additions to operating properties and equipment												$ 30
[1]	Corporate and unallocated for the year ended October 31, 2018 included corporate general and administrative costs of $69.6 million, interest expense of $76.2 million (a component of Other interest on our Consolidated Statements of Operations), loss on extinguishment of debt of $7.5 million, and $14.1 million of other income and expenses primarily related to interest income and gain on the sale of our former corporate headquarters building, along with the adjustment to our insurance reserves. Corporate and unallocated for the year ended October 31, 2017 included corporate general and administrative costs of $59.4 million, interest expense of $69.1 million (a component of Other interest on our Consolidated Statements of Operations), loss on extinguishment of debt of $34.9 million, $12.5 million adjustment for construction defect reserves (discussed in Note 16) and $0.9 million of other income and expenses primarily related to interest income, rental income, bond amortization and stock compensation. Corporate and unallocated for the year ended October 31, 2016 included corporate general and administrative costs of $60.1 million, interest expense of $50.4 million (a component of Other interest on our Consolidated Statements of Operations), loss on extinguishment of debt of $3.2 million, $(9.2) million adjustment for construction defect reserves (discussed in Note 16) and $0.8 million of other income and expenses primarily related to bond amortization, stock compensation and rental income.
[2]	Financial services interest expenses are included in the Financial services lines on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the respective revenues and expenses sections.

Note 10 - Operating and Repor_5

Note 10 - Operating and Reporting Segments - Financial Information Relating to Segment Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Assets	$ 1,662,042	$ 1,900,898
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	123,694	115,090
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Assets	229,515	547,554
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	1,382	935
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets	1,497,162	1,738,785
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	123,694	115,090
Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	1,267,647	1,191,231
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	122,312	114,155
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	152,607	180,545
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	51,094	36,411
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	217,807	224,398
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	7,307	20,873
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	85,398	84,960
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	3,738	4,268
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	246,497	231,644
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	39,509	36,320
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	320,452	294,337
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	18,219	11,832
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	244,886	175,347
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	2,445	4,451
Financial Services [Member]
Assets	164,880	162,113
Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	$ 164,880	$ 162,113

Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details

Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 22, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total		$ 1,939	$ 1,104	$ 245	$ 338	$ 464	$ 287,036	$ (1,017)	$ 466		$ 3,626	$ 286,949	$ 5,255
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	35.00%									21.00%	21.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Revaluation of Deferred Tax Asset, Decrease											$ 298,500
Revaluation of Deferred Tax Liabilities, Decrease											12,200
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Adjustment of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability											0
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance, Total		638,191				918,203				$ 638,191	638,191	$ 918,203
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		48,117	78	(9,578)	(30,471)	12,305	(50,173)	(7,699)	323		8,146	(45,244)	$ 2,436
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total		(1,830)	$ (4,266)	$ (1,440)			$ (42,258)	$ (242)	$ 7,646		(7,536)	$ (34,854)	(3,200)
Increase in Interest Incurred Per Year, Amount											23,400
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Prior Year Income Taxes, Refunds on Previous Taxes Paid, Percent												(114.80%)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued, Total		300								300	300
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense, Total											41	$ 45	2
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease), Total												200
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate		1,200				$ 1,100				1,200	1,200	1,100
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Income (Loss), Total											0	0	(4,400)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total												275,688	2,798
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Between 2028 and 2037 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total		1,600,000								1,600,000	1,600,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Indefinite Tax Period [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total		16,400								16,400	16,400
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Income (Loss), Total											(4,400)	(18,200)	(16,400)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total											3,626	$ 11,261	$ 2,457
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Indefinite Tax Period [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total		43,300								43,300	43,300
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Between 2019 and 2038 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total		2,500,000								2,500,000	2,500,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Between 2019 and 2023 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total		145,300								145,300	145,300
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Between 2024 and 2028 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total		691,200								691,200	691,200
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Between 2029 and 2033 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total		1,300,000								1,300,000	1,300,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Between 2034 and 2038 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total		$ 320,000								$ 320,000	$ 320,000

Note 11 - Income Taxes - Income

Note 11 - Income Taxes - Income Taxes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Deferred
Total	3,334	2,227
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Current	3,334	2,227
Deferred
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Current
Deferred

Note 11 - Income Taxes - Provis

Note 11 - Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Federal (1)	[1]											$ (2,796)
State (2)	[2]									3,626	1,371	1,200
Total current income tax expense (benefit):										3,626	1,371	(1,596)
Federal											275,688	5,594
State											9,890	1,257
Total deferred income tax expense (benefit):											285,578	6,851
Total		$ 1,939	$ 1,104	$ 245	$ 338	$ 464	$ 287,036	$ (1,017)	$ 466	$ 3,626	$ 286,949	$ 5,255
[1]	The current federal income tax expense did not include the use of federal net operating losses for the years ended October 31, 2018 and 2017. The current federal income tax benefit is net of the use of federal net operating losses totaling $4.4 million for the year ended October 31, 2016.
[2]	The current state income tax expense (benefit) is net of the use of state net operating losses totaling $4.4 million, $18.2 million and $16.4 million for the years ended October 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Note 11 - Income Taxes - Deferr

Note 11 - Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Inventory impairment loss	$ 60,854	$ 122,584
Uniform capitalization of overhead	4,183	5,766
Warranty and legal reserves	4,774	8,763
Acquisition intangibles	1,185	4,420
Other	14,030	23,366
Joint venture loss	3,384	12,028
Federal net operating losses	334,971	549,862
State net operating losses	191,064	172,307
Total deferred tax assets	638,191	948,668
Debt repurchase income		30,465
Total deferred tax liabilities		30,465
Valuation allowance	(638,191)	(918,203)
Net deferred income taxes
Provision for Losses [Member]
Other	18,044	38,831
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share based compensation	1,344	4,202
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share based compensation	$ 4,358	$ 6,539

Note 11 - Income Taxes - Effect

Note 11 - Income Taxes - Effective Tax Rate (Details)		Dec. 22, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Computed “expected” tax rate		35.00%	21.00%	21.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit				17.20%	1.00%	65.40%
Permanent differences, net				74.00%	(2.40%)	222.20%
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance impact				(70.80%)	(667.80%)
Tax contingencies				1.00%		0.30%
Adjustments to prior years’ tax accruals(1)	[1]			2.10%		(107.20%)
Effective tax rate				44.50%	(634.20%)	215.70%
[1]	For the year ended October 31, 2017, the adjustments to prior years’ tax accruals includes the impact of a federal specified liability loss refund of taxes paid in fiscal year 2002 of (114.8%).

Note 11 - Income Taxes - Unreco

Note 11 - Income Taxes - Unrecognized Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Unrecognized tax benefit—November 1,	$ 1.1	$ 1.1
Gross increases—tax positions in current period	0.3	0.2
Lapse of statute of limitations	(0.2)	(0.2)
Unrecognized tax benefit—October 31,	$ 1.2	$ 1.1

Note 12 - Reduction of Invent_3

Note 12 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details Textual) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)
Number of Communities Evaluated for Impairment	391	372
Number of Communities Performed Detailed Impairment Calculations	5	12
Carrying Value of Communities Tested for Impairment	$ 11.2	$ 98
Impairment of Real Estate	2.1	15.1	$ 24.5
Land Option Write Offs	1.4	2.7	8.9
Homebuilding [Member]
Impairment of Real Estate	$ 2.1	$ 15.1	$ 24.5
Number of Communities Impaired	5	10	20
Number of Communities Tested for Impairment for Which Undiscounted Future Cash Flow Only Exceeded Carrying Amount By Less Than 20 Percent		2
Carrying Value of Communities Tested for Impairment for Which Undiscounted Future Cash Flow Only Exceeded Carrying Amount by Less than 20 Percent		$ 45
Percentage Undiscounted Cash Flow Exceeds Carrying Amount		20.00%
Land Option Write Offs	$ 1.4	$ 2.7	$ 8.9
Homebuilding [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member]
Inventory, Measurement Input	0.168	0.183	0.168
Homebuilding [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member]
Inventory, Measurement Input	0.198	0.198	0.188

Note 12 - Reduction of Invent_4

Note 12 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value - Inventory Impairments by Homebuilding Segment (Details) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)
Dollar amount of impairment		$ 2.1	$ 15.1	$ 24.5
Homebuilding [Member]
Number of communities		5	10	20
Dollar amount of impairment		$ 2.1	$ 15.1	$ 24.5
Pre-impairment value	[1]	$ 11.2	$ 52.9	$ 88.4
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Number of communities		1	2	5
Dollar amount of impairment		$ 0.4	$ 3.3	$ 9.5
Pre-impairment value	[1]	$ 1	$ 22.2	$ 33.8
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Number of communities			1
Dollar amount of impairment			$ 1.5
Pre-impairment value	[1]		$ 8.5
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Number of communities		1	2	12
Dollar amount of impairment		$ 0.1	$ 0.2	$ 13.5
Pre-impairment value	[1]	$ 0.5	$ 0.8	$ 43.7
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Number of communities		3	3	3
Dollar amount of impairment		$ 1.6	$ 8.1	$ 1.5
Pre-impairment value	[1]	$ 9.7	$ 18.3	$ 10.9
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Number of communities
Dollar amount of impairment
Pre-impairment value	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Number of communities			2
Dollar amount of impairment			$ 2
Pre-impairment value	[1]		$ 3.1
[1]	Represents carrying value, net of prior period impairments, if any, at the time of recording the applicable period's impairments.

Note 12 - Reduction of Invent_5

Note 12 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value - Write-offs and Lots Walked Away From (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Amount of write-offs	$ 1.4	$ 2.7	$ 8.9
Homebuilding [Member]
Amount of write-offs	1.4	2.7	8.9
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Amount of write-offs	0.6	0.5	1.6
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Amount of write-offs	0.2	0.6	0.8
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Amount of write-offs	0.1	0.3	1.3
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Amount of write-offs		0.8	1.8
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Amount of write-offs	0.2	0.4	3.2
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Amount of write-offs	$ 0.3	$ 0.1	$ 0.2

Note 13 - Per Share Calculati_3

Note 13 - Per Share Calculations (Details Textual) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Exchangeable Note Unit Rate Stated Percentage	6.00%
Non Vested Stock and Outstanding Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount		2.7	4.4
Convertible Debt Securities [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0.8	10	14.6
Out of the Money Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	5.4	4.6	7.3

Note 13 - Per Share Calculati_4

Note 13 - Per Share Calculations - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Hovnanian	$ 46,178	$ (1,026)	$ (9,823)	$ (30,809)	$ 11,841	$ (337,209)	$ (6,682)	$ (143)	$ 4,520	$ (332,193)	$ (2,819)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares									(159)
Numerator for basic earnings per share									4,361	(332,193)	(2,819)
Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares									159
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to nonvested shares									(159)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share									$ 4,361	$ (332,193)	$ (2,819)
Denominator for basic earnings per share (in shares)	148,925	148,669	148,435	148,028	147,905	147,748	147,558	147,535	148,515	147,703	147,451
Share-based payments (in shares)									3,271
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)	151,929	148,669	148,435	148,028	160,548	147,748	147,558	147,535	151,786	147,703	147,451
Net income (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.21)	$ 0.08	$ (2.28)	$ (0.05)	$ 0	$ 0.03	$ (2.25)	$ (0.02)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.21)	$ 0.08	$ (2.28)	$ (0.05)	$ 0	$ 0.03	$ (2.25)	$ (0.02)

Note 14 - Capital Stock (Detail

Note 14 - Capital Stock (Details Textual) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Jul. 12, 2005$ / sharesshares	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)shares	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)shares	Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 05, 2008	Aug. 15, 2008	Aug. 04, 2008	Jul. 03, 2001shares
Common Stock Dividends Percent of Increase from Class A to Class B		110.00%
Conversion of Stock From Class B to Class A Conversion Ratio		1
Shareholder Ownership Percentage of Increase							50.00%
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total		5,600	5,600
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer | $		$ 7,000	$ 6,800	$ 6,600
Minimum [Member]
Shareholder Ownership Percentage							5.00%
Common Class A [Member]
Common Stock Voting Rights Votes per Share Number		1
Shareholder Ownership Percentage						4.90%
Number of Rights						1
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								4,000,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares		0
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased		500,000
Common Class B [Member]
Common Stock Voting Rights Votes per Share Number		10
Preferred Class A [Member]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total	5,600
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	7.625%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share | $ / shares	$ 25,000
Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Number of Shares of Preferred Stock in Each Depositary Share	0.001
Payments of Dividends, Total | $		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Note 15 - Stock Plans (Details

Note 15 - Stock Plans (Details Textual) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Total | $	$ 3,700	$ 600	$ 2,900
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax | $	$ 2,000		2,300
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Installments	4
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value | $	$ 26	$ 12
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value | $			$ 0
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit | $ / shares	$ 1.54
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit | $ / shares	6.28
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	1.08	$ 1.33	$ 1
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 2.78	$ 2.60	$ 2.55
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Participants Years of Service	15 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	2,423,148
Share-based Compensation, Total | $	$ 3,669	$ 557	$ 2,921
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	2,129,073
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Ending Balance	5,175,258	6,174,477
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	5,000,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Forfeited	2,100,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Total | $	$ 5,100
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 182 days
Nonemployee Director [Member]
Number of Directors	5
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Total | $	$ 700	$ 500	500
Share-based Compensation Income | $			$ 1,500
Performance Shares, Including LTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Reverse of Previously Recognized Expense | $		2,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Total | $		$ 2,100
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period	507,278	366,513	456,070
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period		452,500	33,125
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested, Number	540,229	312,419	224,326
Restricted Stock [Member] | Prior Period [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period	148,424	101,218	176,944
Restricted Stock [Member] | Participants With Service Requirement [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Participants Age	58 years
Restricted Stock [Member] | Nonemployee Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Installments	3
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Post-vesting Holding Period	2 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period	397,590	298,388	356,382
Restricted Stock [Member] | Participants Without Service Requirement [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Participants Age	60 years
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Reverse of Previously Recognized Expense | $			$ 2,100
Awards Other Than Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Total | $	$ 2,800	$ 21	$ 4,300
Target 2016 LTIP Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	2,400,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Previous Period, Net of Forfeited in Current Period	300,000
Target 2018 LTIP Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	800,000
Market Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Reverse of Previously Recognized Expense | $	$ 800
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Installments	4
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	850,000	850,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Ending Balance	3,000,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Compensation Award Fair Value Measurement Period	60 days
Market Stock Units [Member] | Two Year [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate		1.35%	0.73%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	48.41%	57.93%	56.50%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Market Stock Units [Member] | Two and a Half Year [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	2.56%	1.43%	0.81%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	51.92%	54.61%	52.77%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Market Stock Units [Member] | Three Year [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate		1.49%	0.87%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	56.11%	52.66%	50.34%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Market Stock Units [Member] | Four Year [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	2.68%	1.63%	1.02%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	52.59%	48.85%	52.36%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Market Stock Units [Member] | Five Year [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate		1.76%	1.17%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	49.57%	50.78%	61.08%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Market Stock Units [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	50.00%
Market Stock Units [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Percentage of Target Number of Shares Covered by MSU Awards	0.00%
Market Stock Units [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Percentage of Target Number of Shares Covered by MSU Awards	200.00%
Market Stock Units [Member] | Fiscal Year 2016 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period	58,733
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Ending Balance	675,000
Market Stock Units [Member] | Fiscal Year 2015 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period	96,925
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Ending Balance	400,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Adjustment for Shares Grants in Previous Period	104,377
Market Stock Units [Member] | Fiscal Year 2014 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Ending Balance	200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Adjustment for Shares Grants in Previous Period	200,000
Performance Based MSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Installments	4
Performance Based MSUs [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	50.00%
Equity Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	2.80%	2.05%	1.38%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	0.50%	0.53%	0.61%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	8 years	7 years 233 days	7 years 131 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Estimated Forfeiture Rate	9.90%	9.92%	10.90%

Note 15 - Stock Plans - Stock O

Note 15 - Stock Plans - Stock Option Activity (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	6,860,701	7,373,951	6,393,876
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 3.40	$ 4.03	$ 4.78
Granted (in shares)	945,625	236,250	1,148,481
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.25	$ 2.34	$ 1.95
Exercised (in shares)	30,250	48,250
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$ 2	$ 2.07
Forfeited (in shares)	50,000	452,375	51,125
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 2.57	$ 5.85	$ 2.73
Expired (in shares)	761,750	248,875	117,281
Expired (in dollars per share)	$ 6.28	$ 16.68	$ 25.05
Options outstanding at end of period (in shares)	6,964,326	6,860,701	7,373,951
Options outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 2.95	$ 3.40	$ 4.03
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares)	4,793,490	5,259,011	5,071,181

Note 15 - Stock Plans - Stock_2

Note 15 - Stock Plans - Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018$ / sharesshares
Lower limit exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 1.54
Upper limit exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 6.28
Number outstanding (in shares) | shares	6,964,326
Weighted-average exercise price - outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 2.95
Weighted-average remaining contractual life - outstanding (Year)	4 years 160 days
Number exercisable (in shares) | shares	4,793,490
Weighted-average exercise price - exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 3.29
Weighted-average remaining contractual life - exercisable (Year)	2 years 222 days
Range One [Member]
Lower limit exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 1.54
Upper limit exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 2.41
Number outstanding (in shares) | shares	2,645,784
Weighted-average exercise price - outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 2
Weighted-average remaining contractual life - outstanding (Year)	6 years 116 days
Number exercisable (in shares) | shares	1,108,534
Weighted-average exercise price - exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 1.97
Weighted-average remaining contractual life - exercisable (Year)	3 years 237 days
Range Two [Member]
Lower limit exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 2.42
Upper limit exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 4.41
Number outstanding (in shares) | shares	3,004,042
Weighted-average exercise price - outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 2.77
Weighted-average remaining contractual life - outstanding (Year)	3 years 208 days
Number exercisable (in shares) | shares	2,370,456
Weighted-average exercise price - exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 2.81
Weighted-average remaining contractual life - exercisable (Year)	2 years 32 days
Range Three [Member]
Lower limit exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 4.42
Upper limit exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 6.28
Number outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,314,500
Weighted-average exercise price - outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 5.27
Weighted-average remaining contractual life - outstanding (Year)	2 years 240 days
Number exercisable (in shares) | shares	1,314,500
Weighted-average exercise price - exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 5.27
Weighted-average remaining contractual life - exercisable (Year)	2 years 240 days

Note 15 - Stock Plans - Nonvest

Note 15 - Stock Plans - Nonvested Share Awards (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018$ / sharesshares
Nonvested at beginning of period (in shares) | shares	6,174,477
Nonvested at beginning of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.36
Granted (in shares) | shares	2,129,073
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.55
Vested (in shares) | shares	705,144
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.31
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	2,423,148
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.98
Nonvested at end of period (in shares) | shares	5,175,258
Nonvested at end of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.62

Note 16 - Warranty Costs (Detai

Note 16 - Warranty Costs (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Cash Received from Subcontractors for Owner Controlled Insurance Program			$ 4,600	$ 4,100
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	20,000	21,000	20,000	21,000
Increase (Decrease) In Construction Defect Reserves	$ (10,200)	12,500
Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Period Increase (Decrease), Total		$ 4,600
Payments by Insurance Companies for Claims			$ 200	$ 900

Note 16 - Warranty Costs - Warr

Note 16 - Warranty Costs - Warranty and General Liability Reserve (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Balance, beginning of period	$ 127,702	$ 121,144
Charges incurred during the period	(43,462)	(28,019)
Changes to pre-existing reserves	(15,380)	7,872
Balance, end of period	95,064	127,702
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Additions	9,024	10,870
Cost of Sales [Member]
Additions	$ 17,180	$ 15,835

Note 17 - Transactions With R_2

Note 17 - Transactions With Related Parties (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Tavit Najarian [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$ 700,000	$ 800,000	$ 1,000,000
Carson Sorsby [Member] | Compensation [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	148,000	191,000	152,000
Alexander Hovnanian [Member] | Compensation [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$ 514,000	$ 336,000	$ 166,000

Note 18 - Commitments and Con_2

Note 18 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 02, 2018	Jan. 12, 2018	Dec. 15, 2017	Jun. 01, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Feb. 16, 2018
EPA Case Involving a Housing Redevelopment Project in Newark, New Jersey [Member]
Loss Contingency, Percentage of Plaintiff's Costs for Which Reimbursement is Demanded	100.00%
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 2.7
Grandview at Riverwalk Port Imperial Condominium Association Construction Defect Lawsuit [Member]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value					$ 41.3
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value				$ 9
Litigation Settlement, Amount Awarded to Other Party		$ 10.4
Loss Contingency, Supersedeas Bond						$ 11.1
Grandview at Riverwalk Port Imperial Condominium Association Construction Defect Lawsuit [Member] | Breach of Warranty and New Jersey Fraud Claims Prior to Statutory Trebling [Member]
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value				$ 3
Grandview at Riverwalk Port Imperial Condominium Association Construction Defect Lawsuit [Member] | Attorney Fees and Costs [Member]
Litigation Settlement, Amount Awarded to Other Party			$ 1.4
Great Notch Condominium Claims[Member]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value					$ 119.5

Note 19 - Variable Interest E_2

Note 19 - Variable Interest Entities (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)
Deposits Associated with Land and Lot Options of Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities	$ 59
Purchase Price Associated with Land and Lot Options of Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities	$ 1,200

Note 20 - Investments in Unco_3

Note 20 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2018USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)
Number of Owned Communities Transferred to the Joint Venture								1
Number of Optioned Communities Transferred to the Joint Venture								3
Proceeds from Transfer of Land to Joint Venture								$ 11,200
Fair Value of Assets Acquired				$ 13,000
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures, Total	$ 123,694				$ 115,090				$ 123,694	$ 115,090
Revenues, Total	$ 614,811	$ 456,712	$ 502,544	$ 417,166	721,686	$ 592,035	$ 585,935	$ 552,009	$ 1,991,233	2,451,665	$ 2,752,247
Joint Venture Total Debt to Capitalization Ratio	45.00%								45.00%
Joint Ventures in Northeast [Member]
Joint Venture Impairment Charge									$ 700
Joint Ventures in Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Joint Venture Impairment Charge									600
Homebuilding [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures, Total	$ 123,694				115,090				123,694	115,090
Revenues, Total									1,937,878	2,392,922	2,679,630
Homebuilding [Member] | Management Fees [Member]
Revenues, Total									21,100	11,300	$ 5,800
Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Advances to Affiliate	$ 4,600				$ 22,400				$ 4,600	$ 22,400
Joint Venture Total Debt to Capitalization Ratio	45.00%				51.00%				45.00%	51.00%

Note 20 - Investments in Unco_4

Note 20 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures - Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Debt to capitalization ratio	45.00%								45.00%
Our share of net income (loss)	$ 17,134	$ 10,732	$ 1,343	$ (5,176)	$ 3,062	$ (3,881)	$ (4,562)	$ (1,666)	$ 24,033	$ (7,047)	$ (4,346)
Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	52,285				60,774				52,285	60,774
Inventories	514,654				675,179				514,654	675,179
Other assets	35,105				36,026				35,105	36,026
Total assets	602,044				771,979				602,044	771,979
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	79,854				122,075				79,854	122,075
Notes payable	236,665				330,642				236,665	330,642
Total liabilities	316,519				452,717				316,519	452,717
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	119,319				92,630				119,319	92,630
Others	166,206				226,632				166,206	226,632
Total equity	285,525				319,262				285,525	319,262
Total liabilities and equity	$ 602,044				$ 771,979				$ 602,044	$ 771,979
Debt to capitalization ratio	45.00%				51.00%				45.00%	51.00%
Revenues									$ 609,099	$ 317,849	147,717
Cost of sales and expenses									(582,279)	(329,147)	(165,534)
Joint venture net income (loss)									26,820	(11,298)	(17,817)
Our share of net income (loss)									24,527	(6,663)	(4,326)
Homebuilding Joint Venture [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 50,010				$ 60,580				50,010	60,580
Inventories	506,650				666,017				506,650	666,017
Other assets	35,105				36,026				35,105	36,026
Total assets	591,765				762,623				591,765	762,623
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	79,108				121,646				79,108	121,646
Notes payable	236,665				330,642				236,665	330,642
Total liabilities	315,773				452,288				315,773	452,288
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	114,950				88,884				114,950	88,884
Others	161,042				221,451				161,042	221,451
Total equity	275,992				310,335				275,992	310,335
Total liabilities and equity	$ 591,765				$ 762,623				$ 591,765	$ 762,623
Debt to capitalization ratio	46.00%				52.00%				46.00%	52.00%
Revenues									$ 602,681	$ 312,164	141,418
Cost of sales and expenses									(577,106)	(324,514)	(159,431)
Joint venture net income (loss)									25,575	(12,350)	(18,013)
Our share of net income (loss)									23,904	(7,189)	(4,424)
Land Development Joint Venture [Member] | Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,275				$ 194				2,275	194
Inventories	8,004				9,162				8,004	9,162
Other assets
Total assets	10,279				9,356				10,279	9,356
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	746				429				746	429
Notes payable
Total liabilities	746				429				746	429
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.	4,369				3,746				4,369	3,746
Others	5,164				5,181				5,164	5,181
Total equity	9,533				8,927				9,533	8,927
Total liabilities and equity	$ 10,279				$ 9,356				$ 10,279	$ 9,356
Debt to capitalization ratio	0.00%				0.00%				0.00%	0.00%
Revenues									$ 6,418	$ 5,685	6,299
Cost of sales and expenses									(5,173)	(4,633)	(6,103)
Joint venture net income (loss)									1,245	1,052	196
Our share of net income (loss)									$ 623	$ 526	$ 98

Note 21 - Fair Value of Finan_3

Note 21 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Loans Held for Sale Mortgages Unpaid Principal	$ 127.6	$ 128.4
Other Commitment, Total	26.5
Impairment of Real Estate	2.1	$ 15.1	$ 24.5
Loan Origination Commitments [Member]
Loan Applications in Process	$ 429
Loan Origination Commitments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Number of Days in Committment	60 days
Interest Rate Committed Loan Applications [Member]
Interest Rate Committed Loan Applications	$ 41.5

Note 21 - Fair Value of Finan_4

Note 21 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Total		$ 130,694	$ 132,425
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mortgage loans held for sale	[1]	130,709	132,424
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Derivative Fair Value		(28)	(14)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative Fair Value		$ 13	$ 15
[1]	The aggregate unpaid principal balance was $127.6 million and $128.4 million at October 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Note 21 - Fair Value of Finan_5

Note 21 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Changes in Fair Values Included in Income (Loss) (Details) - Financial Services Revenue Line Item [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Loans Held for Sale [Member]
Fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues	$ 3,115	$ 4,256	$ 4,711
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues	(28)	(14)	(73)
Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair value included in net loss all reflected in financial services revenues	$ 13	$ 15	$ (422)

Note 21 - Fair Value of Finan_6

Note 21 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Total Losses	$ (2,100)	$ (15,100)	$ (24,500)
Sold and Unsold Homes and Lots Under Development [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Pre-impairment value	11,170	30,022
Total Losses	(2,117)	(11,658)
Fair Value of Inventory	9,053	18,364
Land and Land Options Held for Future Development or Sale [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Pre-impairment value		22,850
Total Losses		(3,403)
Fair Value of Inventory		$ 19,447

Note 21 - Fair Value of Finan_7

Note 21 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Notes (Details) - USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018	Feb. 01, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Notes, Fair Value	$ 1,154,631,000		$ 1,620,326,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	1,039,947,000		383,699,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	114,684,000		1,236,627,000
Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value		$ 103,000,000
Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value		$ 44,000,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | 9.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	74,250,000		75,750,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | 9.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | 9.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | 9.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	74,250,000		75,750,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	40,434,000		44,425,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	40,434,000		44,425,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	124,781,000		132,580,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	124,781,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value			132,580,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.0% 2022 Notes [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	424,670,000		479,600,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.0% 2022 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.0% 2022 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	424,670,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.0% 2022 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value			479,600,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	366,720,000		448,000,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	366,720,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value			448,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] | Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	88,148,000
Senior Notes [Member] | Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Notes [Member] | Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	88,148,000
Senior Notes [Member] | Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Notes [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]
Notes, Fair Value			131,221,000
Senior Notes [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Notes [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value			131,221,000
Senior Notes [Member] | The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Notes [Member] | Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	35,628,000
Senior Notes [Member] | Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Notes [Member] | Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value	35,628,000
Senior Notes [Member] | Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Notes [Member] | The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value			252,478,000
Senior Notes [Member] | The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Notes [Member] | The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value			252,478,000
Senior Notes [Member] | The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member] | The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member]
Notes, Fair Value			2,055,000
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member] | The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member] | The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member] | The 11.0% 2017 Amortizing Note [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value			2,055,000
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value			54,217,000
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member] | Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Notes, Fair Value			$ 54,217,000

Note 21 - Fair Value of Finan_8

Note 21 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Notes (Details) (Parentheticals)		12 Months Ended
		Oct. 31, 2018		Oct. 31, 2017		Feb. 01, 2018	Dec. 01, 2017	Jul. 27, 2017	Nov. 01, 2011
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate				9.50%
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate							6.00%
9.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate		9.50%		9.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Nov. 15, 2020		Nov. 15, 2020
The 2.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate		2.00%	[1],[2]	2.00%	[1],[2]				2.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1],[2]	Nov. 1, 2021		Nov. 1, 2021
The 5.0% 2021 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate		5.00%	[1],[2]	5.00%	[1],[2]				5.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1],[2]	Nov. 1, 2021		Nov. 1, 2021
The 10.0% 2022 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate		10.00%	[1],[2]	10.00%	[1],[2]			10.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1],[2]	Jul. 15, 2022		Jul. 15, 2022
The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate		10.50%	[1],[2]	10.50%	[1],[2]			10.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1],[2]	Jul. 15, 2024		Jul. 15, 2024
The 10.5% 2024 Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate		10.50%
Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate						13.50%
Thirteen and a Half Percent Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate		13.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Feb. 1, 2026
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate						7.00%
The 7.0% 2019 Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate		7.00%		7.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date				Jan. 15, 2019
Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate						5.00%
Five Percent Senior Notes due 2040 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Stated Interest Rate		5.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Feb. 1, 2040
The 8.0% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
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, Stated Interest Rate				11.00%	[1],[2]		11.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1],[2]			Dec. 1, 2017
Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member] | Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1],[2]			Dec. 1, 2017
Senior Exchangeable Notes Due 2017 [Member] | Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date				Dec. 1, 2017
[1]	"Notes payable" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2018 and 2017 consists of the total senior secured, senior, senior amortizing and senior exchangeable notes shown above, as well as accrued interest of $35.6 million and $41.8 million, respectively.
[2]	Unamortized debt issuance costs at October 31, 2018 and 2017 were $14.1 million and $16.1 million, respectively.

Note 22 - Unaudited Summarize_3

Note 22 - Unaudited Summarized Consolidated Quarterly Information - Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Revenues	$ 614,811	$ 456,712	$ 502,544	$ 417,166	$ 721,686	$ 592,035	$ 585,935	$ 552,009	$ 1,991,233	$ 2,451,665	$ 2,752,247
Expenses	581,680	463,004	509,352	442,047	703,964	591,872	586,877	554,482
Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs	318	96	2,673	414	8,479	4,197	1,953	3,184	3,501	17,813	33,353
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(1,830)	(4,266)	(1,440)			(42,258)	(242)	7,646	(7,536)	(34,854)	(3,200)
Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	17,134	10,732	1,343	(5,176)	3,062	(3,881)	(4,562)	(1,666)	24,033	(7,047)	(4,346)
Income (loss) before income taxes	48,117	78	(9,578)	(30,471)	12,305	(50,173)	(7,699)	323	8,146	(45,244)	2,436
State and federal income tax provision	1,939	1,104	245	338	464	287,036	(1,017)	466	3,626	286,949	5,255
Net income (loss)	$ 46,178	$ (1,026)	$ (9,823)	$ (30,809)	$ 11,841	$ (337,209)	$ (6,682)	$ (143)	$ 4,520	$ (332,193)	$ (2,819)
Net income (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.21)	$ 0.08	$ (2.28)	$ (0.05)	$ 0	$ 0.03	$ (2.25)	$ (0.02)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	148,925	148,669	148,435	148,028	147,905	147,748	147,558	147,535	148,515	147,703	147,451
Net income (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.21)	$ 0.08	$ (2.28)	$ (0.05)	$ 0	$ 0.03	$ (2.25)	$ (0.02)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	151,929	148,669	148,435	148,028	160,548	147,748	147,558	147,535	151,786	147,703	147,451