Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Cash flow used in operating activities:
Net income	$ 208,508	$ 75,701
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	16,690	19,137
Stock-based compensation	16,985	14,449
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(221)
Income from unconsolidated entities	(38,192)	(8,844)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	41,580	12,194
Income from distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(14,024)	(10,296)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	24,653	46,440
Deferred tax valuation allowances	(2,655)	(3,133)
Inventory impairments and write-offs	9,898	1,977
Change in fair value of mortgage loans receivable and derivative instruments	143	534
(Gain) loss on marketable securities	(6)	15
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Increase in inventory	(352,826)	(751,418)
Origination of mortgage loans	(546,401)	(490,908)
Sale of mortgage loans	560,401	502,405
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	9,635	13,860
(Increase) decrease in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	(7,222)	(18,816)
Increase in customer deposits	27,157	69,217
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	36,599	72,969
Increase in income taxes payable	47,914	(2,018)
Net cash used in operating activities	38,616	(456,535)
Cash flow (used in) provided by investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net	(9,500)	(24,184)
Purchase of marketable securities		(36,202)
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	40,243	348,595
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	(93,039)	(49,210)
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	50,677	50,453
Investment in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(1,127)	(26,155)
Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	40,675	15,396
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	(1,489,116)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,461,187)	278,693
Cash flow used in financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes	600,000	400,383
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs for Senior debt	(4,700)
Proceeds from loans payable	1,870,880	796,791
Payments of Financing Costs for loans payable	(3,005)
Principal payments of loans payable	(1,417,848)	(834,836)
Redemption of senior notes	(267,960)	(59,068)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	220,365
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	26,555	10,365
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	221
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	81	33
Purchase of treasury stock	(341)	(15,309)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,024,248	298,359
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(398,323)	120,517
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	772,972	778,824
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 374,649	$ 899,341