Note 16 - Operating and Reporting Segments - Financial Information Relating to Segment Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018
Assets	$ 1,795,262	$ 1,662,042
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Assets	126,788	229,515
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets	1,686,098	1,497,162
Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	1,559,310	1,267,647
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	189,299	152,607
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	261,728	217,807
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	121,664	85,398
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	296,046	246,497
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	391,536	320,452
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	299,037	244,886
Financial Services [Member]
Assets	109,164	164,880
Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	$ 109,164	$ 164,880