Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Homebuilding [Member]
Number of Reportable Segments	6
Corporate and Other [Member]
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance	$ 294,100	$ 290,300
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance	$ 294,069	$ 290,279	[1]

[1] Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2015.