Information on Operating Segments (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Aug. 11, 2014
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 412,860	$ 447,078
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	21,119	41,141	$ 14,392
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 12,167	11,841
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities		(8)
South [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 97,041	98,362
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	$ 11,074	2,621	$ 184
West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities		1,841
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	$ 447	(166)	(183)
California [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	128,338	57,732
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	5,089	302	3,584
Traditional Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	237,546	169,776
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	16,610	2,749	3,585
City Living [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	52,634	159,953
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	(1,158)	(3,593)	1,174
Corporate and other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	122,680	117,349
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	5,667	41,985	$ 9,633
Rental Property Joint Venture College Park, Maryland [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 12,700			$ 11,900
Rental Property Joint Venture College Park, Maryland [Member] | Corporate and other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities		$ 12,400