Information on Operating Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Revenues
Revenues	$ 860,374	$ 516,004	$ 1,504,055	$ 940,605
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	93,484	40,968	164,719	49,294
Total assets
Total assets	8,245,066		8,245,066		6,827,459
North [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	137,241	92,248	264,885	174,567
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	8,806	3,195	17,152	7,915
Total assets
Total assets	1,004,364		1,004,364		963,597
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	180,475	140,519	349,571	270,110
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	24,358	17,140	45,909	31,990
Total assets
Total assets	1,254,364		1,254,364		1,231,438
South [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	186,129	135,557	336,688	222,742
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	23,584	14,199	40,952	17,013
Total assets
Total assets	1,157,627		1,157,627		953,955
West [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	321,609	128,621	507,835	241,216
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	44,844	13,008	78,714	21,055
Total assets
Total assets	2,831,037		2,831,037		1,290,388
Traditional Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	825,454	496,945	1,458,979	908,635
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	101,592	47,542	182,727	77,973
Total assets
Total assets	6,247,392		6,247,392		4,439,378
City Living [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	34,920	19,059	45,076	31,970
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	10,022	5,639	8,964	8,336
Total assets
Total assets	817,287		817,287		674,302
Corporate and other [Member]
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	(18,130)	(12,213)	(26,972)	(37,015)
Total assets
Total assets	$ 1,180,387		$ 1,180,387		$ 1,713,779