Information on Operating Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Revenues
Revenues	$ 1,056,857	$ 689,160	$ 2,560,912	$ 1,629,765
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	151,325	68,253	316,044	117,547
Total assets
Total assets	8,331,916		8,331,916		6,827,459
North [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	163,530	113,457	428,415	288,024
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	17,740	3,320	34,892	11,235
Total assets
Total assets	1,051,162		1,051,162		963,597
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	202,791	155,819	552,362	425,929
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	26,518	18,061	72,427	50,051
Total assets
Total assets	1,278,640		1,278,640		1,231,438
South [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	239,902	189,175	576,589	411,917
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	36,690	21,965	77,642	38,978
Total assets
Total assets	1,187,030		1,187,030		953,955
West [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	381,640	144,514	889,476	385,730
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	73,859	21,825	153,371	42,880
Total assets
Total assets	2,783,956		2,783,956		1,290,388
Traditional Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	987,863	602,965	2,446,842	1,511,600
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	154,807	65,171	338,332	143,144
Total assets
Total assets	6,300,788		6,300,788		4,439,378
City Living [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	68,994	86,195	114,070	118,165
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	26,387	28,905	35,351	37,241
Total assets
Total assets	810,422		810,422		674,302
Corporate and other [Member]
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	(29,869)	(25,823)	(57,639)	(62,838)
Total assets
Total assets	$ 1,220,706		$ 1,220,706		$ 1,713,779