Note 16 - Operating and Reporting Segments - Financial Information Relating to Segment Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Jul. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2018
Revenues, Total		$ 482,041		$ 456,712		$ 1,303,326	$ 1,376,422
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		(7,064)	$ 48,100	78	$ (50,200)	(39,082)	(39,971)	$ 8,100
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Revenues, Total	[1]	437		510		1,466	5,165
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total	[1]	(29,470)		(38,558)		(92,824)	(110,717)
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues, Total		469,277		443,703		1,268,647	1,339,471
Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		468,840		443,193		1,267,181	1,334,306
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		18,569		34,613		45,142	59,920
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		20,696		26,705		53,696	90,675
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		283		8,995		6,287	5,254
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		86,948		79,712		221,225	255,169
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		5,111		3,401		5,497	12,053
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		47,858		45,659		135,716	129,176
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		191		66		(1,252)	(3,388)
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		50,233		47,498		143,606	165,067
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		(2,198)		(4,752)		(9,259)	(11,699)
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		152,831		157,514		414,880	444,966
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		8,598		12,461		15,270	28,019
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		110,274		86,105		298,058	249,253
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		6,584		14,442		28,599	29,681
Financial Services [Member]
Revenues, Total		12,764		13,009		34,679	36,951
Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues, Total		12,764		13,009		34,679	36,951
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total		$ 3,837		$ 4,023		$ 8,600	$ 10,826

[1] Corporate and unallocated for the three months ended July 31, 2019 included corporate general and administrative costs of $15.0 million, interest expense of $14.7 million (a component of Other interest on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations), $(0.3) million of other income and expenses primarily related to interest income and stock compensation. Corporate and unallocated for the nine months ended July 30, 2019 included corporate general and administrative costs of $48.8 million, interest expense of $45.4 million (a component of Other interest on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations), and $(1.4) million of other income and expenses. Corporate and unallocated for the three months ended July 30, 2018 included corporate general and administrative costs of $16.4 million, interest expense of $20.2 million (a component of Other interest on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations), loss on extinguishment of debt of $4.3 million and $(2.3) million of other income and expenses primarily related to an adjustment to our insurance reserves, resulting from the Grandview legal settlement. Corporate and unallocated for the nine months ended July 31, 2019 included corporate general and administrative costs of $51.7 million, interest expense of $59.7 million (a component of Other interest on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations), loss on extinguishment of debt of $ 5.7 million and $(6.4) million of other income and expenses primarily related to interest income and gain on sale of our corporate headquarters building.