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Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2014
Jan. 31, 2013
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]    
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs $ 700 $ 79
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
    
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]    
Number of Walk-Away Lots 199 [1]  
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs 400 [2]    [3]
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
    
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]    
Number of Walk-Away Lots 433 [1] 140
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs 100 [2]    [3]
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
    
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]    
Number of Walk-Away Lots 265 [1]  
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs    [2]    [3]
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
    
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]    
Number of Walk-Away Lots 527 [1]  
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs 100 [2]    [3]
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
    
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]    
Number of Walk-Away Lots 112 [1] 45
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs 100 [2]    [3]
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
    
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]    
Number of Walk-Away Lots    [1]  
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs    [2]    [3]
Homebuilding [Member]
    
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]    
Number of Walk-Away Lots 1,536 [1] 185
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs 700 [2] 100 [3]
Northeast [Member]
    
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]    
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs   29
Midwest [Member]
    
Note 5 - Reduction of Inventory to Fair Value (Details) - Write-Offs and Lots Walked Away From [Line Items]    
Dollar Amount of Write-Offs $ 21  
[1] During the three months ended January 31, 2014, we walked-away from a significant number of lots that were optioned during the latter half of fiscal 2013. Most of these walk-aways occurred during the initial due diligence period when any deposits are still refundable, and therefore, the write-offs associated with these walk-aways primarily related to investigation costs and not deposit forfeitures.
[2] During the three months ended January 31, 2014, there were write-offs in the Midwest totaling $21 thousand.
[3] During the three months ended January 31, 2013 there were write-offs totaling $79 thousand. The write-offs were in the Northeast totaling $29 thousand, in the Mid-Atlantic totaling $6 thousand, in the Southeast totaling $19 thousand, in the Southwest totaling $11 thousand and in the West totaling $14 thousand.