Fair Value Disclosures (Level 4 inventory fv) (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	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, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Statement of Inventory [Line Items]
Number of Operating Communities Tested	63	76	79	60	108	115	115	113	114	129	142	143
Number of Communities impaired	2	1	1	2	3	4	2	8	3	2	9	6
Fair value of communities, net of impairment charges	$ 6,798	$ 191	$ 749	$ 5,377	$ 9,319	$ 6,609	$ 22,962	$ 49,758	$ 3,367	$ 867	$ 40,765	$ 56,105
Inventory impairments and write-offs													4,523	14,739	51,837
Operating communities [Member]
Statement of Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory impairments and write-offs	$ 2,200	$ 100	$ 340	$ 700	$ 1,400	$ 2,685	$ 2,560	$ 6,425	$ 710	$ 175	$ 10,725	$ 5,475	$ 3,340	$ 13,070	$ 17,085