Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Cash flow used in operating activities:
Net income	$ 110,802	$ 29,106
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	11,095	12,768
Stock-based compensation	12,294	10,027
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(1,841)	0
Income from unconsolidated entities	(37,242)	(8,076)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	39,471	8,855
Income from distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(7,934)	(4,893)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	18,864	18,348
Deferred tax valuation allowances	(1,226)	(1,277)
Inventory impairments and write-offs	3,906	1,738
Change in fair value of mortgage loans receivable and derivative instruments	429	292
Gain on marketable securities	(6)	(137)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Increase in inventory	(319,826)	(617,360)
Origination of mortgage loans	(308,466)	(301,952)
Sale of mortgage loans	352,349	322,160
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	9,494	13,475
(Increase) decrease in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	(4,587)	(15,172)
Increase in customer deposits	28,994	47,119
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	21,973	36,405
Increase in income taxes payable	5,272	3,166
Net cash used in operating activities	(66,185)	(445,408)
Cash flow (used in) provided by investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net	(5,767)	(20,264)
Purchase of marketable securities		(36,162)
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	39,243	239,484
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	(80,654)	(31,994)
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	39,014	34,686
Investment in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(757)	(26,155)
Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	22,424	6,114
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	(1,489,116)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,475,613)	165,709
Cash flow used in financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes	600,000	298,050
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs for Senior debt	(4,700)
Proceeds from loans payable	1,597,562	501,884
Payments of Financing Costs for loans payable	(3,005)
Principal payments of loans payable	(1,046,677)	(545,175)
Redemption of senior notes	(267,960)	(59,068)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	220,357
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	23,333	8,430
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	1,841	0
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	81	33
Purchase of treasury stock	(185)	(178)
Net cash used in financing activities	1,120,647	203,976
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(421,151)	(75,723)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	772,972	778,824
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 351,821	$ 703,101