Supplemental Disclosure to Statements of Cash Flows (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2011

Supplemental Disclosure to Statements of Cash Flows (Tables) [Abstract]

Supplemental disclosures to the statements of cash flows

	2011			2010			2009
Cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized	$	18,666		$	34,333		$	33,003
Income taxes paid				$	3,994		$	144,753
Income taxes 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 acquired under specific performance contracts				$	(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							$	5,283
Reduction in inventory related to debt cancellation							$	16,150
Increase (decrease) in unrecognized gains in defined benefit plans	$	(2,638	)	$	867		$	(4,783	)
Defined benefit retirement plan amendment				$	202
Income tax benefit related to exercise of employee stock options				$	27,150		$	2,672
Reduction of investment in unconsolidated entities due to reduction of letters of credit or accrued liabilities	$	13,423		$	7,679		$	20,489
Reversal of litigation costs previously accrued				$	10,981
Reclassification of stock-based compensation from accrued liabilities to additional paid in capital	$	4,233
Reclassification of accrued liabilities to loans payable							$	7,800
Miscellaneous increases (decreases) to investments in unconsolidated entities	$	(2,212	)	$	2,495		$	1,759
Stock awards	$	24		$	22		$	27