Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Additional Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
More Likely Than Not Definition Threshold	50.00%
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	$ 157,500,000	$ 153,300,000
Depreciation	8,100,000	9,800,000	14,100,000
Advertising Expense	11,400,000	11,100,000	9,200,000
Condition for accounting in investments as per equity method	Investments in 50% or less owned partnerships and affiliates are accounted for using the equity method unless it is determined that the Company has effective control of the entity, in which case the entity would be consolidated
Percentage Investment in Partnerships and Affiliates up to which Accounted as Equity Method Investment	50.00%
Minimum Period to Develop Sell and Deliver Home in Community after Land Development Approval	4 years
Minimum Period to Develop Master Planned Communities	10 years
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Provision for Loan Losses	$ 2,300,000	$ 0
Consolidated venture [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	67.00%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	33.00%