Credit Facility, Loans Payable, Senior Notes, Senior Subordinated Notes and Mortgage Company Warehouse Loan (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Amount of senior notes redeemed and expenses related to the retirement of notes
Amount of senior notes redeemed	$ 55,089	$ 45,540	$ 200,120
Expenses related to early retirement of debt	3,827	1,208	13,693
6.875% Senior notes due 2012 [Member]
Amount of senior notes redeemed and expenses related to the retirement of notes
Amount of senior notes redeemed	55,089	0	105,135
5.95% Senior notes due 2013 [Member]
Amount of senior notes redeemed and expenses related to the retirement of notes
Amount of senior notes redeemed	0	13,500	94,985
4.95% Senior notes due 2014 [Member]
Amount of senior notes redeemed and expenses related to the retirement of notes
Amount of senior notes redeemed	0	32,040	0
Senior Notes [Member]
Amount of senior notes redeemed and expenses related to the retirement of notes
Expenses related to early retirement of debt	$ 3,827	$ 744	$ 11,626