Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($) home_sites joint_ventures	Oct. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Purchase Obligation	$ 1,217,348	$ 1,227,914
Expected Lot Purchase | home_sites	3,600
Land Development Joint Venture [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Number of JV with Purchase Commitments | joint_ventures	1
Land Purchase Commitment To JV [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Purchase Obligation	$ 136,340	$ 184,260
Land for Apartment Development Purchase Commitment [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Purchase Obligation	69,400
Deposits on purchase commitment to acquire land for apartment development	2,400
Lease On Land For High-Rise Cooperative Owned Building [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Deposits on purchase commitment to acquire land for apartment development	$ 4,700
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	99 years
Purchase commitments to acquire land for apartment development	$ 17,300
Estimated number of years to be paid	2 years
Estimated lease payments	$ 4,700
Commitment To Acquire Home Sites [Member] | Land Development Joint Venture [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Maximum Quantity | home_sites	378