Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 30, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured By Inventory [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Nonrecourse mortgages secured by inventory	$ 125,076	$ 143,863	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured by Operating Properties [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Nonrecourse mortgages secured by inventory	14,924	15,511	[1]
Homebuilding [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	120,661	245,398	[1]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	6,259	7,299	[1]
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development	1,171,668	1,307,850	[1]
Land and land options held for future development or sale	191,627	214,503	[1]
Consolidated inventory not owned	312,841	122,225	[1]
Total inventories	1,676,136	1,644,578	[1]
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	70,061	61,209
Receivables, deposits and notes, net	65,055	70,349	[1]
Property, plant and equipment, net	45,670	45,534	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other assets	80,004	77,671	[1]
Total assets	2,063,846	2,152,038	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents	120,661	245,398	[1]
Total assets	2,063,846	2,152,038	[1]
Accounts payable and other liabilities	360,946	348,516	[1]
Customers’ deposits	47,976	44,218	[1]
Liabilities from inventory not owned	220,348	105,856	[1]
Liability	769,270	657,964	[1]
Total liabilities	769,270	657,964	[1]
Financial Services [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	8,993	8,347	[1]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	19,134	19,223	[1]
Total assets	160,712	159,981	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents	8,993	8,347	[1]
Mortgage loans held for sale at fair value	129,999	130,320	[1]
Other assets	2,586	2,091	[1]
Total assets	160,712	159,981	[1]
Accounts payable and other liabilities	27,574	27,908	[1]
Liability	136,706	136,783	[1]
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit	109,132	108,875	[1]
Total liabilities	136,706	136,783	[1]
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Senior secured notes, net of discount	982,086	981,346	[1]
Unsecured Senior Notes Excluding Senior Amortizing Notes and Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior secured notes, net of discount	607,575	780,319	[1]
Senior Amortizing Notes [Member]
Senior secured notes, net of discount	10,516	12,811	[1]
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Senior secured notes, net of discount	75,677	73,771	[1]
Common Class A [Member]
Common stock	1,436	1,433	[1]
Common Class B [Member]
Common stock	160	157	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents	129,654	253,745
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	25,400	26,500
Total assets	2,518,627	2,602,298	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents	129,654	253,745
Income taxes receivable – including net deferred tax benefits	294,069	290,279	[1]
Total assets	2,518,627	2,602,298	[1]
Liability	2,670,949	2,730,382	[1]
Total liabilities	2,670,949	2,730,382	[1]
Revolving credit agreement	50,000	47,000	[1]
Accrued interest	39,119	40,388	[1]
Total notes payable	1,764,973	1,935,635	[1]
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value - authorized 100,000 shares; issued and outstanding 5,600 shares with a liquidation preference of $140,000 at April 30, 2016 and at October 31, 2015	135,299	135,299	[1]
Paid in capital – common stock	704,141	703,751	[1]
Accumulated deficit	(877,998)	(853,364)	[1]
Treasury stock – at cost	(115,360)	(115,360)	[1]
Total stockholders’ equity deficit	(152,322)	(128,084)	[1]
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,518,627	$ 2,602,298	[1]

[1] Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2015.