Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Cash flow used in operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 4,432	$ (2,786)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	6,525	5,229
Stock-based compensation	5,684	5,626
Income from unconsolidated entities	(3,083)	(6,687)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	2,413	872
Income from distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(3,011)	(4,138)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	2,306	(1,246)
Deferred tax valuation allowances	(216)	1,246
Inventory impairments and write-offs	709	8,120
Change in fair value of mortgage loans receivable and derivative instruments	554	346
Gain on marketable securities		(39)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Increase in inventory	(378,715)	(108,468)
Origination of mortgage loans	(141,148)	(120,662)
Sale of mortgage loans	176,830	146,895
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	13,519	(28,481)
(Increase) decrease in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	(8,256)	11,781
Increase in customer deposits	12,059	3,230
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,302	(67,127)
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable	2,274	(5,790)
Net cash used in operating activities	(305,822)	(162,079)
Cash flow provided by (used in) investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net	(5,391)	(3,392)
Purchase of marketable securities	(26,019)
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	38,775	88,217
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	(7,614)	(71,784)
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	17,311	15,333
Investment in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(16,252)	(26,410)
Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	3,015	3,702
Acquisition of a business		(144,746)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	3,825	(139,080)
Cash flow used in financing activities:
Proceeds from loans payable	244,830	199,139
Principal payments of loans payable	(299,862)	(237,896)
Redemption of senior notes	(59,068)
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	6,108	9,334
Purchase of treasury stock	(79)	(64)
Net cash used in financing activities	(108,071)	(29,487)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(410,068)	(330,646)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	778,824	906,340
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 368,756	$ 575,694