Credit Facility, Loans Payable, Senior Notes, Senior Subordinated Notes and Mortgage Company Warehouse Loan (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Senior Subordinated Notes [Abstract]
Senior Subordinate Notes		$ 47,872	$ 295,128
Expenses related to early retirement of debt	3,827	1,208	13,693
8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due December 2011 [Member]
Senior Subordinated Notes [Abstract]
Senior Subordinate Notes		47,872	102,128
8 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due February 2011 [Member]
Senior Subordinated Notes [Abstract]
Senior Subordinate Notes		0	193,000
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Senior Subordinated Notes [Abstract]
Expenses related to early retirement of debt		$ (34)	$ 2,067