Inventory (Details 1) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($) communities	Oct. 31, 2014 USD ($) communities	Oct. 31, 2013 USD ($) communities
Temporarily Closed communities
Inventory Write-down	$ 35,709	$ 20,678	$ 4,523
Land controlled for future communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Inventory Write-down	$ 809	$ 3,123	$ 1,183
Operating communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities | communities	11	9	15
Carrying Value	$ 63,668	$ 42,092	$ 88,534
Inventory Write-down	$ 22,300	$ 17,555	$ 3,340
Land Owned for Future Communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities | communities	15	16	25
Carrying Value	$ 119,138	$ 122,015	$ 153,498
Inventory Write-down	$ 12,600