Supplemental Disclosure to Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized	$ 18,187	$ 1,223	$ 18,666
Income tax payment	3,130	4,264
Income tax refunds	1,190		154,524
Non-cash activity:
Cost of inventory acquired through seller financing municipal bonds or recorded due to VIE criteria, net	45,726	26,059	29,320
Financed portion of land sale	7,200
Reduction in inventory for Company's share of earnings in land purchased from unconsolidated entities	3,035
Transfer of investment in REO to inventory	764
Reclassification of deferred income from inventory to accrued liabilities	4,545
Miscellaneous (decreases) increases to inventory		(478)	1,781
Reclassification of inventory to property, construction and office equipment	5,576		20,005
Increase in SERP Benefits	(3,636)	3,108	2,638
Defined benefit retirement plan amendment	826	575
Income tax benefit related to exercise of employee stock options	24,417	3,885
Increase in accrued expenses related to Stock Price-Based RSUs paid	2,942
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(1,512)	1,263
(Increase) reduction of investments in unconsolidated entities due to increase/reduction in letters of credit or accrued liabilities		448	13,423
Transfer of Inventory to Investment in Non-Performing Loan Portfolios and Foreclosed Real Estate		(802)
Transfer of inventory to investment in unconsolidated entities	54,761	5,793
Reclassification deferred income from investment to accrued liabilities		2,943
Reclassification of stock-based compensation from accrued liabilities to additional paid in capital			4,233
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, before Tax	435	(875)
Increase in investments in unconsolidated entities for change in the fair value of debt guarantees	1,582
Miscellaneous (decreases) increases to investments in unconsolidated entities	(1,811)	(276)	(2,212)
Acquisition of a Business:
Fair value of assets purchased		149,959
Liabilities assumed		5,213
Cash paid	$ 0	$ 144,746	$ 0