Fair Value Disclosures (Level 4 inventory fv) (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012
Statement of Inventory [Line Items]
Number of Operating Communities Tested	79	60	108	115	115	113
Number of Communities Impaired	1	2	3	4	2	8
Fair Value of the Impaired Inventory	$ 749	$ 5,377	$ 9,319	$ 6,609	$ 22,962	$ 49,758
Inventory Write-down	1,029				2,008		1,738	10,128
Operating communities [Member]
Statement of Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory Write-down	$ 340	$ 700	$ 1,400	$ 2,685	$ 2,560	$ 6,425	$ 1,040	$ 8,985	$ 13,070