Note 17 - Operating and Reporting Segments - Financial Information Relating to Segment Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2020	Oct. 31, 2019
Assets	$ 1,790,003	$ 1,881,424
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Assets	153,947	186,046
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets	1,672,446	1,682,149
Homebuilding [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	1,518,499	1,496,103
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	151,859	163,342
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	267,198	264,894
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	122,317	117,242
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	276,643	281,654
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	364,239	357,052
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	336,243	311,919
Financial Services [Member]
Assets	117,557	199,275
Financial Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets	$ 117,557	$ 199,275