Note 16 - Operating and Reporting Segments - Financial Information Relating to Segment Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 30, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Assets	$ 1,642,491	$ 1,900,898
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Assets	296,848	547,554
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets	1,521,802	1,738,785
Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	1,224,954	1,191,231
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	168,640	180,545
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	210,238	224,398
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	83,412	84,960
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	244,337	231,644
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	328,521	294,337
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	189,806	175,347
Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	$ 120,689	$ 162,113