Inventory (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$ 330,581	$ 298,757
Interest incurred	31,748	28,899
Interest expensed to cost of revenues	(19,974)	(16,321)
Write-off against other income	(88)
Capitalized interest on investments in unconsolidated entities	(1,363)
Interest capitalized, end of period	$ 340,904	$ 311,335

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of interest costs that were capitalized to properties under development during the land development and construction period of a project, and which are included in inventory.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 34

-Paragraph 21

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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