Information on Operating Segments Information on Operating Segments (Details 2) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Aug. 11, 2014
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	$ 463,578,000	$ 447,078,000
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	11,841,000	11,841,000
South [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	98,828,000	98,362,000
West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	58,380,000	59,573,000
Traditional Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	169,049,000	169,776,000
City Living [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	178,223,000	159,953,000
Corporate and other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	116,306,000	117,349,000
Rental Property Joint Venture College Park, Maryland [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	12,500,000		11,900,000
Rental Property Joint Venture College Park, Maryland [Member] | Corporate and other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures		$ 12,400,000