Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015
Cash flow used in operating activities:
Net income	$ 267,717	$ 216,004
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	16,838	17,667
Stock-based compensation	21,006	17,694
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(1,131)	(4,603)
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	(22,754)	(17,080)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	14,615	8,459
Income from distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(1,593)	(7,192)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	(9,807)	19,006
Deferred tax valuation allowances	506	(1,388)
Inventory impairments and write-offs	11,353	31,279
Other Noncash Income (Expense)	(669)	(137)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Increase in inventory	(667,539)	(349,674)
Origination of mortgage loans	(826,058)	(675,643)
Sale of mortgage loans	780,508	649,464
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and investments	(26,388)	422
(Increase) decrease in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	(11,108)	(32,451)
Increase in customer deposits	43,407	69,589
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	38,073	8,410
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable	47,771	(61,077)
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities, Continuing Operations	(325,253)	(111,251)
Cash flow provided by investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net	(23,280)	(7,245)
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	10,000	2,000
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	(40,627)	(39,281)
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	34,769	34,803
Investment in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(964)	(2,096)
Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	34,601	23,372
Net increase in cash from purchase of joint venture interest		3,848
Net Cash Provided By Investing Activities, Continuing Operations	14,499	15,401
Cash flow (used in) provided by financing activities:
Debt issuance costs for senior notes	(35)
Proceeds from loans payable	1,756,528	1,216,094
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs Notes Payable	(3,936)
Principal payments of loans payable	(1,688,087)	(1,043,542)
Redemption of senior notes		(300,000)
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	5,336	35,246
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	1,131	4,603
Purchase of treasury stock	(327,612)	(6,746)
(Payments) receipts related to noncontrolling interest, net	290	(1,312)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	(256,385)	(95,657)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(567,139)	(191,507)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	918,993	586,315
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 351,854	$ 394,808