Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - Financial Information Relating to Segment Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 445,714	$ 364,048
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	(19,680)	(23,890)
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	50,730	53,253
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	(3,153)	(6,061)
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	81,185	60,520
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	5,177	1,913
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	64,439	43,758
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	3,711	2,355
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	37,894	39,141
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	(1,156)	1,431
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	167,187	128,577
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	11,325	10,405
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	33,193	30,750
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	(2,373)	(359)
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	434,628	355,999
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	13,531	9,684
Financial Services [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	11,122	8,094
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	3,805	1,422
Corporate and Other [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	(36)	(45)
(Loss) income before income taxes:
Income (Loss) before income taxes	$ (37,016)	$ (34,996)