Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Cash flow provided by operating activities:
Net income	$ 382,095	$ 363,167	$ 340,032
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	23,121	23,557	22,999
Stock-based compensation	26,679	22,903	21,656
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(2,114)	(1,628)	(7,593)
Income from unconsolidated entities	(40,748)	(21,119)	(41,141)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	15,287	19,459	43,973
Income from distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(8,390)	(13,269)	(15,833)
Deferred tax provision	19,252	62,084	47,431
Change in deferred tax valuation allowances	1,018	(12,642)	(11,929)
Inventory impairments and write-offs	13,807	35,709	20,678
Other	(1,739)	(316)	(22)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Increase in inventory	(391,178)	(351,983)	(271,982)
Origination of mortgage loans	(1,275,047)	(1,029,112)	(818,515)
Sale of mortgage loans	1,150,156	1,007,671	829,948
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and investments	(14,496)	1,547	13,694
Increase in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	(307,351)	(55,553)	(5,214)
Increase in customer deposits	27,838	46,478	10,516
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	524,553	28,729	82,101
(Decrease)/Increase in income taxes payable	6,028	(65,500)	52,401
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	148,771	60,182	313,200
Cash flow provided by (used in) investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net	(28,426)	(9,447)	(15,074)
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	10,000	2,000	40,242
Investment in unconsolidated entities	(69,655)	(123,940)	(113,029)
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	47,806	39,766	73,845
Investment in foreclosed real estate and distressed loans	(1,133)	(2,624)	(2,089)
Return of investments in foreclosed real estate and distressed loans	49,619	37,625	53,130
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) provided by investing activities	8,211	(52,772)	(1,452,091)
Cash flow (used in) provided by financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		350,000	600,000
Debt issuance costs for senior notes	(35)	(3,175)	(4,739)
Proceeds from loans payable	2,443,496	1,954,432	2,229,371
Debt issuance costs for loans payable	(4,868)		(3,063)
Principal payments of loans payable	(2,497,585)	(1,659,458)	(1,767,115)
Repayments of senior notes		(300,000)	(267,960)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock			220,365
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	6,986	39,514	28,364
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	2,114	1,628	7,593
Purchase of treasury stock	(392,772)	(56,888)	(90,754)
Receipts (payments) related to noncontrolling interest, net	404	(785)	172
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(442,260)	325,268	952,234
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(285,278)	332,678	(186,657)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	918,993	586,315	772,972
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 633,715	$ 918,993	$ 586,315