Inventory (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Temporarily Closed communities
Inventory Write-down	$ 20,678	$ 4,523	$ 14,739
Land controlled for future communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Inventory Write-down	3,123	1,183	451
Land Owned for Future Communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities	16	25	40
Carrying Value	122,015	153,498	240,307
Inventory Write-down			1,218
Operating communities [Member]
Temporarily Closed communities
Number of Communities	9	15	5
Carrying Value	42,092	88,534	34,685
Inventory Write-down	$ 17,555	$ 3,340	$ 13,070