Information on Operating Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Revenues
Revenues	$ 643,681	$ 424,601
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	71,235	8,326
Total assets
Total assets	7,760,255		6,827,459
North [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	127,644	82,319
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	8,346	4,720
Total assets
Total assets	1,000,985		963,597
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	169,096	129,591
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	21,551	14,850
Total assets
Total assets	1,254,409		1,231,438
South [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	150,559	87,185
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	17,368	2,814
Total assets
Total assets	1,126,470		953,955
West [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	186,226	112,595
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	34,668	8,047
Total assets
Total assets	1,547,449		1,290,388
Traditional Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	633,525	411,690
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	81,933	30,431
Total assets
Total assets	4,929,313		4,439,378
City Living [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	10,156	12,911
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	(1,058)	2,697
Total assets
Total assets	781,698		674,302
Corporate and other [Member]
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	(9,640)	(24,802)
Total assets
Total assets	$ 2,049,244		$ 1,713,779