Inventory (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Total Inventory
Inventory	$ 4,155,047	$ 3,761,187
Land controlled for future communities [Member]
Total Inventory
Inventory	54,521	56,300
Land owned for future communities [Member]
Total Inventory
Inventory	1,253,102	1,040,373
Operating communities [Member]
Total Inventory
Inventory	$ 2,847,424	$ 2,664,514

The net carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the sum of the various components of an operative builder's inventory, including finished homes. Operative builders primarily consist of entities that develop land, construct residential homes and commercial and industrial buildings thereon, and sell them to home buyers and operators of the commercial and industrial properties.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryOperativeBuilders
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant