Note 20 - Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Proceeds Received for the Sale of Inventory		$ 27,200,000	$ 36,100,000
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture		11,400,000	19,700,000	4,743,000	4,071,000	5,262,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Inventory Acquired	34,300,000		9,500,000	34,300,000	9,500,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed	20,600,000		18,500,000	20,600,000	18,500,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Other Liabilities Assumed	15,800,000		(9,000,000)	15,800,000	(9,000,000)
Number of Joint Ventures	1
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Other Assets Acquired	5,000,000			5,000,000
Advances to Affiliates				15,000,000	11,700,000
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures				61,083,000	57,826,000
Management Fees Revenue				$ 15,200,000	$ 7,600,000	$ 6,300,000
Joint Venture Financing Percent of Assets				50.00%
Joint Venture Average Debt to Capitalization Ratio				40.00%
No Profit [Member]
Number of Joint Ventures for which We Do Not Get Any Share of the Profit				1