Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - Financial Information Relating to Segment Financial Position (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Assets:
Assets	$ 2,461,435	$ 2,289,930	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Excluding Corporate And Unallocated [Member]
Assets:
Assets	1,651,248	1,501,131
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Assets:
Assets	314,941	315,573
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Assets:
Assets	336,549	313,494
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Assets:
Assets	176,218	169,967
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Assets:
Assets	195,939	148,096
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Assets:
Assets	427,782	410,756
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Assets:
Assets	199,819	143,245
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets:
Assets	2,059,559	1,885,044	[1]
Financial Services [Member]
Assets:
Assets	111,663	120,343	[1]
Corporate and Other [Member]
Assets:
Assets	$ 698,524	$ 668,456

[1] Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2014.