Inventory (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2013 communities	Oct. 31, 2012 communities
Land owned for future communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities (in ones)	22	40
Carrying Value	$ 157,181	$ 240,307
Operating communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities (in ones)	23	5
Carrying Value	$ 109,442	$ 34,685