Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - Financial Information Relating to Segment Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 575,605	$ 445,714	$ 445,714
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	(13,194)	(19,680)	$ (19,680)
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	557,399	434,628
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	8,364	13,531
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	72,504	50,730
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	2,734	(3,153)
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	93,820	81,185
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	2,622	5,177
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	91,920	64,439
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	(5,559)	3,711
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	39,252	37,894
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	(1,834)	(1,156)
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	204,325	167,187
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	16,369	11,325
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	55,578	33,193
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	(5,968)	(2,373)
Financial Services [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	18,226	11,122
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	10,011	3,805
Corporate and Other [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	(20)	(36)
(Loss) income before income taxes:
(Loss) income before income taxes	$ (31,569)	$ (37,016)