Inventory (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Interest incurred, capitalized and expensed
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$ 267,278	$ 259,818	$ 238,832
Interest incurred	114,761	114,975	118,026
Interest expensed to cost of revenues	(77,623)	(75,876)	(78,661)
Interest directly expensed to statement of operations	(1,504)	(22,751)	(7,949)
Write-off against other income	(1,155)	(8,369)	(10,116)
Interest reclassified to property construction and office equipment	(3,000)	(519)
Capitalized interest applicable to inventory transferred to joint ventures	0		(314)
Interest capitalized, end of period	$ 298,757	$ 267,278	$ 259,818