Information on Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2021	Jan. 31, 2021	Apr. 30, 2020	Apr. 30, 2021	Apr. 30, 2020	Oct. 31, 2020
Revenues
Revenues	$ 1,930,124		$ 1,549,072	$ 3,493,500	$ 2,880,503
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	169,826		102,113	297,231	168,045
Total assets
Total assets	10,975,019			10,975,019		$ 11,065,733
Inventory Write-down	1,581		14,214	2,847	15,245
Proceeds from sale of golf club property				80,418	15,617
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets				(38,706)	(12,970)
North [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	390,665		296,023	703,304	550,082
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	39,220		16,996	58,102	19,527
Total assets
Total assets	1,454,881			1,454,881		1,427,523
Inventory Write-down	31		278	65	372
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	218,291		192,900	382,275	355,376
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	23,967		(155)	42,780	6,833
Total assets
Total assets	1,033,712			1,033,712		918,641
Inventory Write-down	59		10,666	90	10,667
South [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	280,176		230,860	497,060	414,490
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	38,268		20,113	59,751	29,190
Total assets
Total assets	1,353,477			1,353,477		1,176,962
Inventory Write-down	419		1,243	444	1,990
Mountain [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	431,850		337,504	809,827	600,600
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	52,080		33,199	88,093	50,784
Total assets
Total assets	2,211,927			2,211,927		1,961,348
Inventory Write-down	11		81	20	259
Pacific [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	458,605		423,292	789,763	818,648
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	74,167		67,737	121,721	131,059
Total assets
Total assets	2,372,804			2,372,804		2,226,685
Inventory Write-down	1,061		1,946	1,128	1,957
Traditional Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	1,779,587		1,480,579	3,182,229	2,739,196
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	227,702		137,890	370,447	237,393
Total assets
Total assets	8,426,801			8,426,801		7,711,159
Inventory Write-down	1,581		14,214	1,747	15,245
City Living [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	57,985		36,772	65,778	76,607
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	12,480		8,698	45,172	18,247
Total assets
Total assets	519,912			519,912		539,750
Inventory Write-down	0		0	1,100	0
Corporate and other [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	(1,312)		(1,117)	(1,043)	(2,232)
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	(70,356)		(44,475)	(118,388)	(87,595)
Total assets
Total assets	2,028,306			2,028,306		$ 2,814,824
Home Building [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	1,836,260		1,516,234	3,246,964	2,813,571
Land [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	$ 93,864		$ 32,838	$ 246,536	$ 66,932
Land [Member] | City Living [Member]
Total assets
Proceeds from sale of golf club property		$ 82,400
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets		$ 38,300