Inventory (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Land owned for future communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities	25	40	43
Carrying Value	$ 153,498	$ 240,307	$ 256,468
Operating communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities	15	5	2
Carrying Value	$ 88,534	$ 34,685	$ 11,076