Fair Value Disclosures (Level 4 debt fv) (Details 6) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Book value and estimated fair value of the Company's debt
Loans payable (a)	$ 747,088	$ 107,222
Senior notes	2,654,438	2,321,442
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	56,842	75,000
Book value [Member]
Book value and estimated fair value of the Company's debt
Loans payable (a)	747,088	107,222
Senior notes	2,657,376	2,325,336
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	56,842	75,000
Total debt	3,461,306	2,507,558
Estimate fair value [Member]
Book value and estimated fair value of the Company's debt
Loans payable (a)	746,604	106,988
Senior notes	2,848,751	2,458,737
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	56,842	75,000
Total debt	$ 3,652,197	$ 2,640,725