Information on Operating Segments Information on Operating Segments (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	$ 414,864		$ 412,860
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	8,638	$ 4,901
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	12,332		12,167
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	0	0
South [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	95,394		97,041
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	2,424	2,766
West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	0		0
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	2,921	504
California [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	123,951		128,338
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	187	83
Traditional Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	231,677		237,546
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	5,532	3,353
City Living [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	57,260		52,634
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	(183)	(369)
Corporate and other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	125,927		$ 122,680
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	$ 3,289	$ 1,917