Note 23 - Unaudited Summarized Consolidated Quarterly Information (Detail) - Quarterly Financial Information - Current Period (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Revenues	$ 487,045	$ 387,011	$ 341,698	$ 269,599	$ 341,625	$ 285,618	$ 255,097	$ 252,567	$ 1,485,353	$ 1,134,907	$ 1,371,842
Expenses	481,996	395,221	364,678	308,511	387,604	326,121	306,978	302,613	1,562,936	1,425,065	1,693,127
Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs	5,300	689	3,216	3,325	59,873	11,426	16,925	13,525	12,530	101,749	135,699
(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt	(87,033)	6,230	27,039	24,698	10,563	(1,391)	(1,644)		(29,066)	7,528	25,047	41,300
Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,077	852	1,495	(23)	(2,479)	(2,255)	(3,232)	(992)	5,401	(8,958)	956
(Loss) income before income taxes	(84,207)	(1,817)	2,338	(17,562)	(97,768)	(55,575)	(73,682)	(64,563)	(101,248)	(291,588)	(295,282)
State and federal income tax provision (benefit)	203	(36,493)	536	703	580	(4,645)	(1,015)	(421)	(35,051)	(5,501)	(297,870)
Net (loss) income	$ (84,410)	$ 34,676	$ 1,802	$ (18,265)	$ (98,348)	$ (50,930)	$ (72,667)	$ (64,142)	$ (66,197)	$ (286,087)	$ 2,588
Basic:
(Loss) income per common share (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.59)	$ 0.25	$ 0.02	$ (0.17)	$ (0.90)	$ (0.47)	$ (0.69)	$ (0.82)	$ (0.52)	$ (2.85)	$ 0.03
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in Shares)	142,249	138,472	116,021	108,735	108,740	108,721	105,894	78,598	126,350	100,444	79,683
Assuming dilution: (Loss) income per common share (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.59)	$ 0.25	$ 0.02	$ (0.17)	$ (0.90)	$ (0.47)	$ (0.69)	$ (0.82)	$ (0.52)	$ (2.85)	$ 0.03
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in Shares)	142,249	138,552	116,117	108,735	108,740	108,721	105,894	78,598	126,350	100,444	78,691