Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Cash flow provided by operating activities:
Net income	$ 535,495	$ 382,095	$ 363,167
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	25,361	23,121	23,557
Stock-based compensation	28,466	26,679	22,903
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(5,328)	(2,114)	(1,628)
Income from unconsolidated entities	(116,066)	(40,748)	(21,119)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	134,291	15,287	19,459
Income from distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	(4,937)	(8,390)	(13,269)
Deferred tax provision	217,864	19,252	62,084
Change in deferred tax valuation allowances	(32,154)	1,018	(12,642)
Inventory impairments and write-offs	14,794	13,807	35,709
Other	1,395	(1,739)	(316)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Decrease (increase) in inventory	129,666	(391,178)	(351,983)
Origination of mortgage loans	(1,217,274)	(1,275,047)	(1,029,112)
Sale of mortgage loans	1,332,207	1,150,156	1,007,671
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and investments	10,639	(14,496)	1,547
(Increase) decrease in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	31,766	(307,351)	(55,553)
Increase in customer deposits	37,967	27,838	46,478
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(140,463)	524,553	28,729
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable	(23,970)	6,028	(65,500)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	959,719	148,771	60,182
Cash flow provided by (used in) investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net	(28,872)	(28,426)	(9,447)
Sale and redemption of marketable securities and restricted investments - net	18,049	10,000	2,000
Investment in unconsolidated entities	(122,334)	(69,655)	(123,940)
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	195,505	47,806	39,766
Investment in foreclosed real estate and distressed loans	(710)	(1,133)	(2,624)
Return of investments in foreclosed real estate and distressed loans	13,765	49,619	37,625
Net increase in cash from purchase of joint venture interest			3,848
Acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired	(83,088)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(7,685)	8,211	(52,772)
Cash flow (used in) provided by financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	455,483		350,000
Proceeds from loans payable	1,621,043	2,443,496	1,954,432
Debt issuance costs	4,449	4,903	3,175
Principal payments of loans payable	(1,999,357)	(2,497,585)	(1,659,458)
Repayments of senior notes	(687,500)		(300,000)
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	66,000	6,986	39,514
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	5,328	2,114	1,628
Purchase of treasury stock	(290,881)	(392,772)	(56,888)
Payments of Dividends	(38,587)
Receipts (payments) related to noncontrolling interest, net		404	(785)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(872,920)	(442,260)	325,268
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	79,114	(285,278)	332,678
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	633,715	918,993	586,315
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 712,829	$ 633,715	$ 918,993