Note 20 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015
Loan Origination Commitments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Number of Days in Committment			60 days
Loan Origination Commitments [Member]
Loan Applications in Process	$ 752,600,000		$ 752,600,000
Interest Rate Committed Loan Applications [Member]
Interest Rate Committed Loan Applications	85,400,000		85,400,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value of Inventory		$ 0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	818,900,000		818,900,000		$ 869,400,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	8,100,000		8,100,000		12,800,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	66,700,000		66,700,000		69,000,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	393,900,000		393,900,000		689,600,000
Loans Held for Sale Mortgages Unpaid Principal	123,300,000		123,300,000		$ 122,700,000
Other Commitment	25,000,000		25,000,000
Impairment of Real Estate	$ 1,300,000	$ 0	$ 16,400,000	$ 4,400,000