Note 12 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value - Write-offs and Lots Walked Away From (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Amount of write-offs	$ 1.4	$ 2.7	$ 8.9
Homebuilding [Member]
Amount of write-offs	1.4	2.7	8.9
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Amount of write-offs	0.6	0.5	1.6
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Amount of write-offs	0.2	0.6	0.8
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Amount of write-offs	0.1	0.3	1.3
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Amount of write-offs		0.8	1.8
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Amount of write-offs	0.2	0.4	3.2
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Amount of write-offs	$ 0.3	$ 0.1	$ 0.2