Revised Supplemental Guarantor Information Supplemental Guarantor Information (Level 4 New Guarantor Info.) (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Inventory, Operative Builders	$ 3,761,187				$ 3,416,723				$ 3,761,187	$ 3,416,723
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	330,617				126,355				330,617	126,355
Total assets	6,181,044				5,055,246				6,181,044	5,055,246
Loans payable	99,817				106,556				99,817	106,556
Advances from Affiliiate	0				0				0	0
Total liabilities	3,053,173				2,462,695				3,053,173	2,462,695
Total equity	3,127,871				2,592,551				3,127,871	2,592,551	2,559,013	2,516,482
Revenues	632,826	554,319	373,681	321,955	427,785	394,305	319,675	334,116	1,882,781	1,475,881	1,494,771
Operating Income (Loss)									63,429	(46,244)	(145,011)
Income (loss) before income taxes	60,749	42,952	15,649	(6,408)	15,277	3,888	(31,484)	(17,047)	112,942	(29,366)	(117,187)
New Guarantors [Member]
Inventory, Operative Builders	168,218				429,130				168,218	429,130
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	110,014				0				110,014	0
Total assets	282,638				463,592				282,638	463,592
Loans payable	30,424				44,562				30,424	44,562
Advances from Affiliiate	239,301				248,429				239,301	248,429
Total liabilities	277,741				366,184				277,741	366,184
Total equity	4,897				97,408				4,897	97,408
Revenues									22,269	56,999	51,867
Operating Income (Loss)									6,923	(4,830)	(13,292)
Income (loss) before income taxes									$ 3,545	$ (31,927)	$ 1,272