Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Cash flow used in operating activities:
Net income	$ 216,004	$ 208,508
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	17,667	16,690
Stock-based compensation	17,694	16,985
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(4,603)	(221)
Income Loss from Unconsolidated Entities	(17,080)	(38,192)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	8,459	41,580
Income from distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(7,192)	(14,024)
Deferred tax provision	19,006	24,653
Deferred tax valuation allowances	(1,388)	(2,655)
Inventory impairments and write-offs	31,279	9,898
Change in fair value of mortgage loans receivable and derivative instruments	$ (137)	143
(Gain) loss on marketable securities		(6)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Increase in inventory	$ (349,674)	(352,826)
Origination of mortgage loans	(675,643)	(546,401)
Sale of mortgage loans	649,464	560,401
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	422	9,635
(Increase) decrease in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	(32,451)	(7,222)
Increase in customer deposits	69,589	27,157
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	8,410	36,599
Increase in income taxes payable	(61,077)	47,914
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities, Continuing Operations	(111,251)	38,616
Cash flow (used in) provided by investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net	(7,245)	(9,500)
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	2,000	40,243
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	(39,281)	(93,039)
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	34,803	50,677
Investment in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(2,096)	(1,127)
Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	23,372	$ 40,675
Net increase in cash from purchase of joint venture interest	$ 3,848
Acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired		$ (1,489,116)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities, Continuing Operations	$ 15,401	(1,461,187)
Cash flow (used in) provided by financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		600,000
Debt issuance costs for senior notes		(4,700)
Proceeds from loans payable	$ 1,216,094	1,870,880
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs Notes Payable		(3,005)
Principal payments of loans payable	$ (1,043,542)	(1,417,848)
Redemption of senior notes	$ (300,000)	(267,960)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock		220,365
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	$ 35,246	26,555
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	4,603	221
Purchase of treasury stock	(6,746)	(341)
(Payments) receipts related to noncontrolling interest, net	(1,312)	81
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	(95,657)	1,024,248
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(191,507)	(398,323)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	586,315	772,972
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 394,808	$ 374,649