Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured By Inventory [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Nonrecourse mortgages	$ 91,319	$ 143,863
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured by Operating Properties [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Nonrecourse mortgages	14,621	15,511	[1]
Homebuilding [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	181,526	245,398	[1]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	4,107	7,299	[1]
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	989,416	1,307,850	[1]
Land and land options held for future development or sale	196,610	214,503	[1]
Consolidated inventory not owned	280,728	122,225	[1]
Total inventories	1,466,754	1,644,578	[1]
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	87,991	61,209
Receivables, deposits and notes, net	66,184	70,349	[1]
Property, plant and equipment, net	48,351	45,534	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other assets	74,685	77,671	[1]
Total assets	1,929,598	2,152,038	[1]
Total assets	1,929,598	2,152,038	[1]
Accounts payable and other liabilities	380,786	348,516	[1]
Customers’ deposits	45,530	44,218	[1]
Liabilities from inventory not owned	195,755	105,856	[1]
Total liabilities	728,011	657,964	[1]
Total liabilities	728,011	657,964	[1]
Financial Services [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	8,516	8,347	[1]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	17,055	19,223	[1]
Total assets	165,885	159,981	[1]
Mortgage loans held for sale at fair value	137,784	130,320	[1]
Other assets	2,530	2,091	[1]
Total assets	165,885	159,981	[1]
Accounts payable and other liabilities	26,383	27,908	[1]
Total liabilities	142,039	136,783	[1]
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit	115,656	108,875	[1]
Total liabilities	142,039	136,783	[1]
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior notes	982,468	981,346	[1]
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior notes	521,043	780,319	[1]
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Senior notes	8,094	12,811	[1]
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior notes	76,650	73,771	[1]
Common Class A [Member]
Common stock	1,437	1,433	[1]
Common Class B [Member]
Common stock	160	157	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents	190,042	253,745
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	21,200	26,500
Total assets	2,388,841	2,602,298	[1]
Income taxes receivable – including net deferred tax benefits	293,358	290,279	[1]
Total assets	2,388,841	2,602,298	[1]
Total liabilities	2,540,784	2,730,382	[1]
Total liabilities	2,540,784	2,730,382	[1]
Revolving credit agreement	52,000	47,000	[1]
Accrued interest	30,479	40,388	[1]
Total notes payable	1,670,734	1,935,635	[1]
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value - authorized 100,000 shares; issued and outstanding 5,600 shares with a liquidation preference of $140,000 at July 31, 2016 and at October 31, 2015	135,299	135,299	[1]
Paid in capital – common stock	704,993	703,751	[1]
Accumulated deficit	(878,472)	(853,364)	[1]
Treasury stock – at cost	(115,360)	(115,360)	[1]
Total stockholders’ equity deficit	(151,943)	(128,084)	[1]
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,388,841	$ 2,602,298	[1]

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