Geographic Segments (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs	$ 2,008				$ 12,922		$ 10,128	$ 18,048
Inventory	3,767,877		3,416,723				3,767,877		3,416,723
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	200,292		126,355				200,292		126,355
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities	(1,621)				19,600		(1,621)	39,600
Land controlled for future communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs	(552)				2,197		225	1,848
Inventory	41,442		46,581				41,442		46,581
Operating communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs	2,560	6,425	710	175	10,725	5,475	8,985	16,200	17,085
Inventory	2,680,195		2,390,997				2,680,195		2,390,997
Land owned for future communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs	0				0		918	0
Inventory	1,046,240		979,145				1,046,240		979,145
North [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	121,490		40,734				121,490		40,734
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities
North [Member] | Land controlled for future communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs	(1,020)				241		(996)	399
Inventory	8,445		19,390				8,445		19,390
North [Member] | Operating communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs	460				1,450		2,725	2,725
Inventory	784,121		738,473				784,121		738,473
North [Member] | Land owned for future communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs
Inventory	281,551		231,085				281,551		231,085
Mid-Atlantic [Member] | Land controlled for future communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs	482				19		680	85
Inventory	24,361		21,592				24,361		21,592
Mid-Atlantic [Member] | Operating communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs	2,100				3,700		2,100	3,700
Inventory	753,780		659,081				753,780		659,081
Mid-Atlantic [Member] | Land owned for future communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs
Inventory	429,116		455,818				429,116		455,818
South [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	30,393		32,000				30,393		32,000
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities					10,000			10,000
South [Member] | Land controlled for future communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs	13				6		569	312
Inventory	1,546		3,812				1,546		3,812
South [Member] | Operating communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs					3,800		4,160	3,800
Inventory	585,456		539,582				585,456		539,582
South [Member] | Land owned for future communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs							918
Inventory	130,809		125,461				130,809		125,461
West [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	8,538		17,098				8,538		17,098
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities	(1,621)				9,600		(1,621)	29,600
West [Member] | Land controlled for future communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs	(27)				1,931		(28)	1,052
Inventory	7,090		1,787				7,090		1,787
West [Member] | Operating communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs					1,775			5,975
Inventory	556,838		453,861				556,838		453,861
West [Member] | Land owned for future communities [Member]
Inventory
Inventory impairments and write-offs
Inventory	204,764		166,781				204,764		166,781
Corporate and other [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	39,871		36,523				39,871		36,523
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities