Other Income - Net (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Interest income	$ 1,036	$ 1,117	$ 3,713	$ 3,301
Income from Ancillary Businesses	1,020	1,585	4,452	4,313
Gibraltar	4,072	645	5,184	6,509
Management fee income	665	369	1,796	1,845
Retained customer deposits	756	1,082	1,879	2,330
Land sales, net	2,713	11	2,968	1,257
Income recognized due to settlement of litigation			13,229
Other misc income	2,022	972	3,223	2,477
Total other income - net	12,284	5,781	36,444	22,032
Revenues and expenses of non-core ancillary businesses
Revenue	24,666	19,255	64,092	51,791
Expense	$ 23,646	$ 17,670	$ 59,640	$ 47,478