Fair Value Disclosures (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Book value and estimated fair value of the Company's debt
Loans payable (a)	$ 93,279	$ 106,556
Senior notes	1,491,442	1,490,972
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	31,864	57,409
Fair Value Disclosures (Textual) [Abstract]
Marketable securities debt maturity date range low	1 month
Marketable securities debt maturity date range high	9 months
Book value [Member]
Book value and estimated fair value of the Company's debt
Loans payable (a)	93,279	106,556
Senior notes	1,499,371	1,499,371
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	31,864	57,409
Total debt	1,624,514	1,663,336
Estimate fair value [Member]
Book value and estimated fair value of the Company's debt
Loans payable (a)	88,137	98,950
Senior notes	1,634,469	1,614,010
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	31,864	57,409
Total debt	$ 1,754,470	$ 1,770,369