Commitments and Contingencies (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Company mortgage commitments
Aggregate mortgage loan commitments	$ 467,881	$ 433,002
Investor commitments to purchase	41,537	91,689
Amount of commitments with unlocked interest rates by home buyer	314,291	263,477
Mortgage loans receivable [Member]
Company mortgage commitments
Investor commitments to purchase	195,127	261,214
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]
Company mortgage commitments
Aggregate mortgage loan commitments	153,590	169,525
Investor commitments to purchase	153,590	169,525
Non IRLC [Member]
Company mortgage commitments
Aggregate mortgage loan commitments	$ 314,291	$ 263,477