Geographic Segments (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended							9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2010
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	$ 3,423,617			$ 3,241,725				$ 3,423,617		$ 3,241,725
Impairment Charges Recognized	16,812				12,508			34,861	88,220
Investments in unconsolidated entities and non-performing loan portfolio
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities and non-performing loan portfolio	186,917			198,442				186,917		198,442
Impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities								39,600
Land controlled for future communities [Member] | North [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	13,700			3,600				13,700		3,600
Impairment Charges Recognized	400				200			800	1,900
Land owned for future communities [Member] | North [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	256,400			208,500				256,400		208,500
Impairment Charges Recognized									5,300
Operating communities [Member] | North [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	711,300			685,300				711,300		685,300
Impairment Charges Recognized	100				3,500			2,800	8,300
North [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated entities and non-performing loan portfolio
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities and non-performing loan portfolio	40,500			47,600				40,500		47,600
Land controlled for future communities [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	17,500			14,800				17,500		14,800
Impairment Charges Recognized	100				(300)			300	(100)
Land owned for future communities [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	457,400			452,900				457,400		452,900
Impairment Charges Recognized									9,000
Operating communities [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	671,000			662,400				671,000		662,400
Impairment Charges Recognized					500			3,700	2,100
Land controlled for future communities [Member] | South [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	9,200			11,000				9,200		11,000
Impairment Charges Recognized	100				(100)			300	(300)
Land owned for future communities [Member] | South [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	147,500			119,800				147,500		119,800
Impairment Charges Recognized	16,000				5,800			16,000	13,900
Operating communities [Member] | South [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	493,600			443,300				493,600		443,300
Impairment Charges Recognized					100			3,800	17,400
South [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated entities and non-performing loan portfolio
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities and non-performing loan portfolio	39,800			51,700				39,800		51,700
Impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities								10,000
Land controlled for future communities [Member] | West [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	3,200			2,500				3,200		2,500
Impairment Charges Recognized					300			1,100	700
Land owned for future communities [Member] | West [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	169,800			142,800				169,800		142,800
Impairment Charges Recognized									13,400
Operating communities [Member] | West [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	473,000			494,800				473,000		494,800
Impairment Charges Recognized	100				2,500			6,100	16,600
West [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated entities and non-performing loan portfolio
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities and non-performing loan portfolio	17,000			58,500				17,000		58,500
Impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities								29,600
Corporate and other [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated entities and non-performing loan portfolio
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities and non-performing loan portfolio	89,600			40,600				89,600		40,600
Land controlled for future communities [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	43,554			31,899				43,554		31,899
Impairment Charges Recognized	637				58			2,486	2,250
Operating communities [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	2,348,919			2,285,854				2,348,919		2,285,854
Impairment Charges Recognized	175	10,725	5,475	9,120	6,600	15,020	22,750	16,375	44,370	53,490
Land owned for future communities [Member]
Inventory
Net Carrying Value of Inventory or Investment	1,031,144			923,972				1,031,144		923,972
Impairment Charges Recognized	$ 16,000				$ 5,850			$ 16,000	$ 41,600