Supplemental Disclosure to Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized	$ 18,666	$ 34,333	$ 33,003
Income taxes paid	0	3,994	144,753
Income tax refunded	154,524	152,770	105,584
Non-cash activity:
Cost of inventory acquired through seller financing municipal bonds or recorded due to VIE criteria, Net	29,320	41,276	6,263
Cost of inventory accrued under specific performance contracts	0	(4,889)	14,889
Miscellaneous changes in inventory	1,781	1,725	431
Reclassification of inventory to property, construction and office equipment	20,005	18,711
Increase in inventory for reclassification of minority interest contribution	0		5,283
Reduction in inventory related to debt cancellation	0		16,150
Increase (decrease) in unrecognized gains in defined benefit plans	(2,638)	867	(4,783)
Defined benefit retirement plan amendment	0	202
Income tax benefit related to exercise of employee stock options	0	27,150	2,672
Reduction of investments in unconsolidated entities due to reduction in letters of credit or accrued liabilities	13,423	7,679	20,489
Reversal of litigation costs previously accrued	0	10,981
Reclassification of stock-based compensation from accrued liabilities to additional paid in capital	4,233
Reclassification of accrued liabilities to loan payable	0		7,800
Miscellaneous (decreases) increases to investments in unconsolidated entities	(2,212)	2,495	1,759
Stock awards	$ 24	$ 22	$ 27