Inventory (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Land owned for future communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities	35	43
Carrying Value	$ 206,744	$ 256,468
Operating communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities	10	2
Carrying Value	$ 52,135	$ 11,076