Note 21 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Loans Held For Sale, Mortgages, Unpaid Principal	$ 113,800,000	$ 70,400,000
Impairment of Real Estate	9,800,000	77,500,000	122,500,000
Loan Applications in Process	307,000,000
Interest Rate Committed Loan Applications	43,400,000
Number of Days in Committment	60 days
Other Commitment	13,000,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	448,700,000	359,000,000
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	5,500,000	4,400,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	994,200,000	653,500,000
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	23,100,000
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 87,200,000