Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies (Additional Textual) [Abstract]
Outstanding letter of credit	79,900,000
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Purchase commitments to acquire land for apartment development	63,100,000
Deposits on purchase commitment to acquire land for apartment development	1,475,000
Outstanding surety bonds	410,800,000
Amount of work remains on improvements in the Company's various communities	257,300,000
Additional outstanding surety bonds	58,600,000
Number of homes to be delivered	3,655
Aggregate sales value of outstanding homes to be delivered	2,530,000,000
Collateralized under credit facility [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Additional Textual) [Abstract]
Outstanding letter of credit	67,100,000
Collateralized by restricted cash [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Additional Textual) [Abstract]
Outstanding letter of credit	12,800,000
Baker Ranch [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Percentage Ownership Held by Company	50.00%
Baker Ranch [Member] | Future phases [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of lots to be acquired from joint venture	545