Information on Operating Segments Information on Operating Segments (Details 2) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	$ 467,259,000	$ 447,078,000
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	11,929,000	11,841,000
South [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	101,541,000	98,362,000
West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	58,575,000	59,573,000
Traditional Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	172,045,000	169,776,000
City Living [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	177,311,000	159,953,000
Corporate and other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	117,903,000	117,349,000
Rental Property Joint Venture College Park, Maryland [Member] | Corporate and other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures		$ 12,400,000