Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Cash flow (used in) provided by operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 14,086	$ (17,356)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	10,698	10,337
Stock-based compensation	8,831	7,717
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities	(1,621)	39,600
Income from unconsolidated entities	(12,055)	(17,255)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	1,550	6,789
Income from non-performing loan portfolios and foreclosed real estate	(10,004)	(473)
Deferred tax benefit	(3,318)	(6,515)
Deferred tax valuation allowances	3,318	6,515
Inventory impairments and write-offs	10,128	18,048
Change in fair value of mortgage loans receivable and derivative instruments	284	818
Gain on marketable securities	39
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Increase in inventory	(202,466)	(154,440)
Origination of mortgage loans	(253,866)	(301,778)
Sale of mortgage loans	266,713	365,328
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(27,638)	28,781
(Increase) decrease in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	(31,550)	7,172
Increase in customer deposits	28,838	17,554
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(67,789)	(36,546)
Decrease in income tax refund recoverable		141,590
Decrease in income taxes payable	(6,959)	(18,241)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(272,859)	97,645
Cash flow used in investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net	(4,747)	(5,112)
Purchase of marketable securities	(177,833)	(329,105)
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	189,716	227,080
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	(75,008)
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	20,568	15,751
Investment in non-performing loan portfolios and foreclosed real estate	(27,490)	(42,141)
Return of investments in non-performing loan portfolios and foreclosed real estate	11,582
Acquisition of a business	(144,746)
Net cash used in investing activities	(207,958)	(133,527)
Cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes	296,227
Proceeds from loans payable	400,092	438,713
Principal payments of loans payable	(429,709)	(498,960)
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	17,189	4,676
Receipts related to noncontrolling interest		2,678
Purchase of treasury stock	(284)	(389)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	283,515	(53,282)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(197,302)	(89,164)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	906,340	1,039,060
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 709,038	$ 949,896