Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011 Homes	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 22, 2010
Commitments and Contingencies (Additional Textual) [Abstract]
Outstanding letter of credit	$ 113,200,000	$ 0	$ 140,100,000
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Tangible net worth	2,520,000,000
Outstanding letter of credit collateralized by restricted cash	13,000,000
Outstanding surety bonds amount	367,200,000
Amount of work remains on improvements in the Company's various communities	202,500,000
Additional surety bonds outstanding	73,600,000
Aggregate sales value of outstanding homes to be delivered	981,100,000
Number of homes to be delivered	1,667
New credit facility [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Additional Textual) [Abstract]
Outstanding letter of credit	100,300,000
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Outstanding letter of credit	$ 100,300,000