Note 16 - Operating and Reporting Segments - Financial Information Relating to Segment Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Apr. 30, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Assets		$ 2,133,596	$ 2,354,956	[1]
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Assets	[2]	641,674	696,872
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets		1,729,606	1,874,093	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets		1,372,384	1,460,854
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets		196,796	219,363
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets		290,279	292,899
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets		103,805	111,596
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets		236,085	226,124
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets		337,646	341,472
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets		207,773	269,400
Financial Services [Member]
Assets		119,538	197,230
Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets		$ 119,538	$ 197,230

[1] Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2016. See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

[2] Includes $284.5 million and $283.6 million of income taxes receivable, including deferred tax assets, as of April 30, 2017 and October 31, 2016, respectively.