Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Cash flow (used in) provided by operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 75,729	$ 24,752
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	16,523	17,123
Stock-based compensation	12,227	10,147
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities	(1,621)	39,600
Income from unconsolidated entities	(17,727)	(28,595)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	4,028	7,315
Income from non-performing loan portfolios and foreclosed real estate	(12,725)	(1,187)
Deferred tax benefit	1,477	4,329
Deferred tax valuation allowances	(1,477)	(4,329)
Inventory impairments and write-offs	13,249	34,861
Change in fair value of mortgage loans receivable and derivative instruments	(244)	628
Gain on marketable securities	(40)
Expenses related to early retirement of debt	0	3,414
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Increase in inventory	(222,421)	(208,204)
Origination of mortgage loans	(434,780)	(457,383)
Sale of mortgage loans	426,559	504,724
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(27,248)	36,681
(Increase) decrease in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	(22,175)	(2,955)
Increase in customer deposits	41,777	18,090
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(58,865)	(37,773)
Decrease in income tax refund recoverable		141,590
Decrease in income taxes payable	(26,342)	(56,461)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(234,096)	46,367
Cash flow used in investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net	(7,318)	(6,927)
Purchase of marketable securities	(317,569)	(420,087)
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	270,503	318,372
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	(195,813)
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	33,231	26,285
Investment in non-performing loan portfolios and foreclosed real estate	(30,090)	(42,141)
Return of investments in non-performing loan portfolios and foreclosed real estate	14,412	101
Acquisition of a business	(144,746)
Net cash used in investing activities	(377,390)	(124,397)
Cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes	296,227
Proceeds from loans payable	675,481	666,659
Principal payments of loans payable	(689,242)	(715,131)
Redemption of senior notes		(48,437)
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	24,515	23,731
Receipts related to noncontrolling interest		2,678
Purchase of treasury stock	(384)	(463)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	306,597	(70,963)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(304,889)	(148,993)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	906,340	1,039,060
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 601,451	$ 890,067