Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 39,795	$ (3,374)	$ (755,825)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	23,142	20,044	23,925
Stock-based compensation	12,768	11,677	10,987
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		(4,954)	(24,817)
Impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities	40,870		11,300
Income/loss from unconsolidated entities	(39,676)	(23,470)	(3,782)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	12,081	10,297	816
Income from non-performing loan portfolios	(5,113)
Change in deferred tax asset	(18,188)	60,697	(52,577)
Deferred tax valuation allowances	18,188	(60,697)	458,280
Inventory impairments	51,837	115,258	465,411
Change in fair value of mortgage loans receivable and derivative instruments	475	(970)
Expenses related to early retirement of debt	3,827	1,208	13,693
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
(Increase) decrease in inventory	(215,738)	(140,344)	489,213
Origination of mortgage loans	(630,294)	(628,154)	(571,158)
Sale of mortgage loans	659,610	579,221	577,263
Decrease (Increase) in restricted cash	41,146	(60,906)
(Increase) decrease in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	(11,521)	(3,115)	20,045
Increase (decrease) in customer deposits	13,175	(15,182)	(45,706)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(28,899)	(38,598)	(149,065)
Decrease (increase) in income tax refund recoverable	141,590	20,250	(161,840)
Decrease (increase) in current income taxes payable	(56,225)	14,828	(22,972)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	52,850	(146,284)	283,191
Cash flow used in investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net	(9,553)	(4,830)	(2,712)
Purchase of marketable securities	(452,864)	(157,962)	(101,324)
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	408,831	60,000
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	(132)	(58,286)	(31,342)
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	43,309	9,696	3,205
Investment in non-performing loan portfolios and foreclosed real estate	(66,867)
Return of investments in non-performing loan portfolios and foreclosed real estate	2,806
Net cash used in investing activities	(74,470)	(151,382)	(132,173)
Cash flow (used in) provided by financing activities
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes			635,765
Proceeds from loans payable	921,251	927,233	636,975
Principal payments of loans payable	(952,621)	(1,316,514)	(785,883)
Redemption of senior subordinated notes		(47,872)	(296,503)
Redemption of senior notes	(58,837)	(46,114)	(210,640)
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	25,531	7,589	22,147
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		4,954	24,817
Purchase of treasury stock	(49,102)	(588)	(1,473)
Change in noncontrolling interest	2,678	320	(2,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(111,100)	(470,992)	23,205
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(132,720)	(768,658)	174,223
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	1,039,060	1,807,718	1,633,495
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$ 906,340	$ 1,039,060	$ 1,807,718