Inventory (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013 communities	Oct. 31, 2012 communities
Land owned for future communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities (in ones)	17	40
Carrying Value	$ 102,017	$ 240,307
Operating communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities (in ones)	27	5
Carrying Value	$ 163,312	$ 34,685