Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Cash Paid for Interest, Net of Capitalized Interest (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012
Cash Paid for Interest, Net of Capitalized Interest [Abstract]
Other interest expensed	$ 87,378	[1],[2]	$ 91,344	[1],[2]	$ 97,895	[1],[2]
Interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries	1,969		2,975		2,433
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest	(3,961)		(8,062)		1,132
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	$ 85,386		$ 86,257		$ 101,460

[1] Other interest expensed is comprised of interest that does not qualify for capitalization because our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) do not exceed our debt. Interest on completed homes and land in planning which does not qualify for capitalization is expensed.

[2] Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest is the sum of other interest expensed, as defined above, and interest paid by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries adjusted for the change in accrued interest, which is calculated as follows: