Note 16 - Operating and Reporting Segments - Financial Information Relating to Segment Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Assets	$ 1,645,937	$ 1,900,898
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Assets	334,826	547,554
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets	1,544,012	1,738,785
Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	1,209,186	1,191,231
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	168,967	180,545
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	222,284	224,398
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	86,909	84,960
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	234,358	231,644
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	325,296	294,337
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	171,372	175,347
Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	$ 101,925	$ 162,113