Note 17 - Financial Information Relating to Segment Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Apr. 30, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Assets		$ 287,781	$ 321,983
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Assets		355,629	342,159
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Assets		169,786	197,899
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Assets		281,694	223,206
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Assets		454,939	465,740
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Assets		298,220	259,943
Homebuilding [Member] | Excluding Corporate and Unallocated [Member]
Assets		1,848,049	1,810,930
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets		2,063,846	2,152,038	[1]
Financial Services [Member]
Assets		160,712	159,981	[1]
Corporate and Other [Member]
Assets	[2]	509,866	631,387
Assets		$ 2,518,627	$ 2,602,298	[1]

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

[2] Includes $294.1 million and $290.3 million of income taxes receivable, including deferred tax assets, as of April 30, 2016 and October 31, 2015, respectively.