Supplemental Disclosure to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015
Cash flow information:
Interest Paid, Net	$ 876	$ 10,897
Income tax payment	116,681	162,390
Income tax refunds	2,002	16,916
Non-cash activity:
Cost of inventory acquired through seller financing municipal bonds or recorded due to VIE criteria, net	25,368	51,980
Reduction in inventory, share of equity earnings, land purchase from JV	8,546	4,309
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments	757	754
Deferred tax decrease related to stock based compenation activity included in additional paid-in capital	9,797
Inrease in accrued expenses related to stock based compensation	6,240
Income tax benefit recognized in total comprehensive income	25
Non cash transfer of investment in unconsolidated investments to inventory		132,256
Non Cash Transfer Of Investment in Distressed Loans and Foreclosed Real Estate To Investment In Unconsolidated Entities	5,917
Non Cash Transfer Of Other Assets To Investment In Unconsolidated Entities	19,050	4,852
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives held by equity investees		(2)
(Decrease) increase in investments in unconsolidated entities for change in the fair value of debt guarantees	(324)	1,575
Miscellaneous (decreases) increases to investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 1,558	$ 119