Inventory (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011
Total Inventory
Inventory	$ 3,655,100		$ 3,416,723
Inventory impairment charges and expensing of costs that not to be recoverable
Inventory impairments and write-offs	8,120	5,126
Land controlled for future communities [Member]
Total Inventory
Inventory	43,215		46,581
Inventory impairment charges and expensing of costs that not to be recoverable
Inventory impairments and write-offs	777	(349)
Land owned for future communities [Member]
Total Inventory
Inventory	1,068,747		979,145
Inventory impairment charges and expensing of costs that not to be recoverable
Inventory impairments and write-offs	918
Operating communities [Member]
Total Inventory
Inventory	2,543,138		2,390,997
Inventory impairment charges and expensing of costs that not to be recoverable
Inventory impairments and write-offs	$ 6,425	$ 5,475