Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Cash flow used in operating activities:
Net income	$ 45,580	$ 4,432
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,289	6,525
Stock-based compensation	7,669	5,684
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(789)
Income from unconsolidated entities	(22,915)	(3,083)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	22,143	2,413
Income from distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(6,619)	(3,011)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	1,711	2,306
Deferred tax valuation allowances	(448)	(216)
Inventory impairments and write-offs	1,982	709
Change in fair value of mortgage loans receivable and derivative instruments	605	554
Gain on marketable securities	(21)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Increase in inventory	(363,914)	(378,715)
Origination of mortgage loans	(146,354)	(141,148)
Sale of mortgage loans	200,830	176,830
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(139)	13,519
(Increase) decrease in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	(7,274)	(8,256)
Increase in customer deposits	7,132	12,059
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(14,282)	1,302
Increase in income taxes payable	19,426	2,274
Net cash used in operating activities	(250,388)	(305,822)
Cash flow (used in) provided by investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net	(2,853)	(5,391)
Purchase of marketable securities		(26,019)
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	39,243	38,775
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	(60,408)	(7,614)
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	32,429	17,311
Investment in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(191)	(16,252)
Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	17,574	3,015
Deposit - acquisition of a business	(161,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(135,206)	3,825
Cash flow used in financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes	600,000
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs	(4,700)
Proceeds from loans payable	(275,334)	(244,830)
Principal payments of loans payable	(307,195)	(299,862)
Redemption of senior notes		(59,068)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	220,357
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	18,529	6,108
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	789
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	81
Purchase of treasury stock	(84)	(79)
Net cash used in financing activities	803,111	(108,071)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	417,517	(410,068)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	772,972	778,824
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 1,190,489	$ 368,756