Note 11 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - Financial Information Relating to Segment Financial Position (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 2,289,930		$ 1,759,130
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	63,883		51,438
Homebuilding [Member] | Excluding Corporate And Unallocated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	1,501,131		1,206,067
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	63,427		50,874
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	315,573		323,152
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	6,987		8,828
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	313,494		240,486
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	36,285		33,052
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	169,967		104,596
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	806		1,661
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	148,096		101,410
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	4,787		3,412
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	410,756		305,878
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	143,245		130,545
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	14,562		3,921
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	1,885,044		1,610,277
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	63,883		51,438
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	120,343		148,853
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	668,456	[1]	404,210	[1]
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 456		$ 564

[1] Includes $285.1 million related to the partial reversal of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance in fiscal 2014.