Fair Value Disclosures (Level 4 debt fv) (Details 6) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Book value and estimated fair value of the Company's debt
Loans payable (a)	$ 93,314	$ 99,817
Senior notes	2,021,897	2,080,463
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	43,464	72,664
Book value [Member]
Book value and estimated fair value of the Company's debt
Loans payable (a)	93,314	99,817
Senior notes	2,030,121	2,089,189
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	43,464	72,664
Total debt	2,166,899	2,261,670
Estimate fair value [Member]
Book value and estimated fair value of the Company's debt
Loans payable (a)	93,014	99,093
Senior notes	2,272,730	2,340,189
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	43,464	72,664
Total debt	$ 2,409,208	$ 2,511,946