Information on Segments (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 496,411	$ 412,860
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	40,748	21,119	$ 41,141
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	12,639	12,167
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities			(8)
South [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	93,182	97,041
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	11,013	11,074	2,621
West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	2,921	447	(166)
California [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	130,534	128,338
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	5,896	5,089	302
Traditional Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	236,355	237,546
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	19,830	16,610	2,749
City Living [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	85,882	52,634
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	13,184	(1,158)	(3,593)
Corporate and other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Investment and Equity in Earnings (Losses) in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	174,174	122,680
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	$ 7,734	$ 5,667	$ 41,985