Note 18 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - Financial Information Relating to Segment Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 551,009	$ 478,357	$ 1,364,986	$ 1,259,566
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Income (loss) before income taxes	15,372	10,388	(15,816)	(11,679)
Homebuilding [Member] | Excluding Corporate And Unallocated [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	539,953	465,549	1,336,499	1,224,489
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Income (loss) before income taxes	43,910	37,268	77,746	64,755
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	60,531	67,214	179,529	176,285
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Income (loss) before income taxes	(1,971)	1,028	(10,791)	(8,510)
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	90,123	89,365	219,378	200,489
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,397	8,036	9,772	12,305
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	55,423	38,478	147,884	110,204
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Income (loss) before income taxes	4,971	1,941	10,687	5,420
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	55,449	35,731	146,613	101,884
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Income (loss) before income taxes	2,244	276	6,990	3,585
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	201,906	182,699	495,116	476,136
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Income (loss) before income taxes	22,178	22,230	48,259	46,871
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	76,521	52,062	147,979	159,491
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Income (loss) before income taxes	11,091	3,757	12,829	5,084
Financial Services [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	11,106	12,878	28,612	35,219
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Income (loss) before income taxes	3,894	6,238	8,021	14,014
Corporate and Other [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	(50)	(70)	(125)	(142)
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ (32,432)	$ (33,118)	$ (101,583)	$ (90,448)