Inventory (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Land owned for future communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities	33	43
Carrying Value	$ 194,678	$ 256,468
Operating communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities	13	2
Carrying Value	$ 67,222	$ 11,076