Inventory (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013 communities	Oct. 31, 2012 communities
Land owned for future communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities (in ones)	24	40
Carrying Value	$ 159,931	$ 240,307
Operating communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities (in ones)	21	5
Carrying Value	$ 108,143	$ 34,685