Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Cash flow (used in) provided by operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 487,146	$ 39,795	$ (3,374)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	22,586	23,142	20,044
Stock-based compensation	15,575	12,494	11,677
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities	(2,311)	40,870	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(5,776)		(4,954)
Income from unconsolidated entities	(21,281)	(39,676)	(23,470)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	5,258	12,081	10,297
Income from non-performing loan portfolios and foreclosed real estate	(12,444)	(5,113)
Deferred tax benefit	41,810	(18,188)	60,697
Deferred tax valuation allowances	(394,718)	18,188	(60,697)
Inventory impairments and write-offs	14,739	51,837	115,258
Change in fair value of mortgage loans receivable and derivative instruments	(670)	475	(970)
Gain on marketable securities	(40)
Expenses related to early retirement of debt		3,827	1,208
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Increase in inventory	(195,948)	(215,738)	(140,344)
Origination of mortgage loans	(651,618)	(630,294)	(628,154)
Sale of mortgage loans	629,397	659,610	579,221
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(27,516)	41,146	(60,906)
(Increase) decrease in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	(33,922)	(11,522)	(3,115)
Increase in customer deposits	44,383	13,175	(15,182)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(58,537)	(28,624)	(38,598)
Decrease in income tax refund recoverable	0	141,590	20,250
Decrease in income taxes payable	(25,075)	(56,225)	14,828
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(168,962)	52,850	(146,284)
Cash flow used in investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net	(14,495)	(9,553)	(4,830)
Purchase of marketable securities	(579,958)	(452,864)	(157,962)
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	368,253	408,831	60,000
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	(217,160)	(132)	(58,286)
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	38,368	43,309	9,696
Investment in non-performing loan portfolios and foreclosed real estate	(30,090)	(66,867)
Return of investments in non-performing loan portfolios and foreclosed real estate	16,707	2,806
Acquisition of a business	(144,746)
Net cash used in investing activities	(563,121)	(74,470)	(151,382)
Cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes	578,696
Proceeds from loans payable	1,002,934	921,251	927,233
Principal payments of loans payable	(1,016,081)	(952,621)	(1,316,514)
Redemption of senior notes			(47,872)
Redemption of senior notes		(58,837)	(46,114)
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	33,747	25,531	7,589
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	5,776		4,954
Purchase of treasury stock	(505)	(49,102)	(588)
Change in noncontrolling interest		2,678	320
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	604,567	(111,100)	(470,992)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(127,516)	(132,720)	(768,658)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	906,340	1,039,060	1,807,718
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 778,824	$ 906,340	$ 1,039,060