Fair Value Disclosures (Level 4 inventory fv) (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Inventory impairments and write-offs													$ 20,678	$ 4,523	$ 14,739
Operating communities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Inventory impairments and write-offs													17,555	3,340	13,070
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Operating communities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Number of Operating Communities Tested	55	63	65	67	63	76	79	60	108	115	115	113
Number of Communities impaired	7	1	2	1	2	1	1	2	3	4	2	8
Fair Value Of Communities Net Of Impairment Charges	38,473	14,122	6,211	7,131	6,798	191	749	5,377	9,319	6,609	22,962	49,758	38,473	6,798	9,319
Inventory impairments and write-offs	$ 9,855	$ 4,800	$ 1,600	$ 1,300	$ 2,200	$ 100	$ 340	$ 700	$ 1,400	$ 2,685	$ 2,560	$ 6,425	$ 17,555	$ 3,340	$ 13,070