Information on Segments (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 366,252	$ 431,813
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	24,868	85,240	$ 116,066
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	8,525	7,823
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	91,956	84,610
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	19,098	12,263	9,185
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
California [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	9,825	84,160
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	(37)	2,404	7,509
Traditional Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	110,306	176,593
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	19,061	10,604	17,223
City Living [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	60,512	65,936
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	4,103	6,857	73,123
Corporate and other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	195,434	189,284
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	$ 1,704	$ 67,779	$ 25,720