Receivables, Prepaid Expenses, and Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 30, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets [Abstract]
Expected recoveries from insurance carriers and others	$ 162,475	$ 165,696
Improvement cost receivable	95,129	85,627
Escrow cash held by our captive title company	40,919	138,633
Property held for rental development	134,874	81,693
Investment in foreclosed real estate assets	4,258	11,552
Prepaid expenses	18,143	25,659
Other	80,716	73,898
Receivables, Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets	$ 536,514	$ 582,758