Note 13 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-offs and Lots Walked Away From (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Note 13 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]
Amount of write-offs	$ 4.0	$ 2.6	$ 2.7
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Note 13 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]
Amount of write-offs	0.9	0.7	0.7
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Note 13 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]
Amount of write-offs	0.2	0.1	0.6
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Note 13 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]
Amount of write-offs	1.0	0.2	0.2
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Note 13 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]
Amount of write-offs	0.7	0.2	0.7
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Note 13 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]
Amount of write-offs	1.2	1.4	0.4
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Note 13 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]
Amount of write-offs			0.1
Homebuilding [Member]
Note 13 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]
Amount of write-offs	$ 4.0	$ 2.6	$ 2.7