Note 16 - Operating and Reporting Segments - Financial Information Relating to Segment Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Apr. 30, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Oct. 31, 2018
Revenues, Total		$ 440,691		$ 502,544		$ 821,285	$ 919,710
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		(14,912)	$ 48,100	(9,578)	$ (50,200)	(32,018)	(40,049)	$ 8,100
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Revenues, Total	[1]	426		475		1,029	4,655
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total	[1]	(28,929)		(37,317)		(63,354)	(72,159)
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues, Total		428,384		489,490		799,370	895,768
Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		427,958		489,015		798,341	891,113
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		10,388		23,483		26,573	25,307
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		13,059		43,771		33,000	63,970
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		125		5,960		6,004	(3,741)
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		80,847		104,160		134,277	175,457
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		393		6,700		386	8,652
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		42,937		42,938		87,858	83,517
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		(594)		(1,110)		(1,443)	(3,454)
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		49,382		60,901		93,373	117,569
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		(4,132)		(5,286)		(7,061)	(6,947)
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		143,850		159,147		262,049	287,452
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		4,286		10,047		6,672	15,558
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		97,883		78,098		187,784	163,148
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		10,310		7,172		22,015	15,239
Financial Services [Member]
Revenues, Total		12,307		13,054		21,915	23,942
Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		12,307		13,054		21,915	23,942
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		$ 3,629		$ 4,256		$ 4,763	$ 6,803

[1] Corporate and unallocated for the three months ended April 30, 2019 included corporate general and administrative costs of $16.2 million, interest expense of $13.1 million (a component of Other interest on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations), $(0.3) million of other income and expenses primarily related to interest income and stock compensation. Corporate and unallocated for the six months ended April 30, 2019 included corporate general and administrative costs of $33.8 million, interest expense of $30.7 million (a component of Other interest on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations), and $(1.1) million of other income and expenses. Corporate and unallocated for the three months ended April 30, 2018 included corporate general and administrative costs of $16.2 million, interest expense of $19.9 million (a component of Other interest on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations), loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.4 million and $(0.1) million of other income and expenses primarily related to interest income and gain on sale of corporate headquarters building. Corporate and unallocated for the six months ended April 30, 2018 included corporate general and administrative costs of $35.3 million, interest expense of $39.5 million (a component of Other interest on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations), loss on extinguishment of debt of $ 1.4 million and $(4.0) million of other income and expenses primarily related to interest income and gain on sale of our corporate headquarters building.