Note 1 - Basis of Presentation (Details Textual) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Reclassification of Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs from Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets to Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured by Inventory, Liabilities from Inventory not Owned and Notes Payable and Term Loan [Member] | October 31, 2016 [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	$ 24.5
Reclassification of Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs from Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets to Nonrecourse Mortgages Secured by Inventory [Member] | October 31, 2016 [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	1.3
Reclassification of Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs from Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets to Liabilities from Inventory not Owned [Member] | October 31, 2016 [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	3.0
Reclassification of Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs from Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets to Notes Payable and Term Loan [Member] | October 31, 2016 [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	$ 20.2
Homebuilding [Member]
Number of Reportable Segments	6