Information on Segments (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 431,813	$ 481,758
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	85,240	116,066	$ 40,748
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	7,823	11,093
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	(4,000)	(2,000)
South [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	84,610	85,757
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	12,263	9,185	11,013
West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	(63)	2,529	2,921
California [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	84,160	148,499
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	2,404	7,509	5,896
Traditional Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	176,593	245,349
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	10,604	17,223	19,830
City Living [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	65,936	92,904
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	6,857	73,123	13,184
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	189,284	143,505
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	$ 67,779	$ 25,720	$ 7,734