Fair Value Disclosures (Level 4 inventory fv) (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Fair value of inventory adjusted for impairment
Number of Operating Communities Tested	108	115	115	113	114	129	142	143	144	155	161	260
Number of Communities impaired	3	4	2	8	3	2	9	6	12	7	7	14
Fair value of communities, net of impairment charges	$ 9,319	$ 6,609	$ 22,962	$ 49,758	$ 3,367	$ 867	$ 40,765	$ 56,105	$ 39,209	$ 21,457	$ 53,594	$ 60,519
Inventory impairments and write-offs													14,739	51,837	115,258
Operating communities [Member]
Fair value of inventory adjusted for impairment
Inventory impairments and write-offs	$ 1,400	$ 2,685	$ 2,560	$ 6,425	$ 710	$ 175	$ 10,725	$ 5,475	$ 9,119	$ 6,600	$ 15,020	$ 22,750	$ 13,070	$ 17,085	$ 53,489