Note 22 - Consolidating Condensed Financial Statements - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Assets	$ 2,379,440	$ 2,602,298
Income taxes receivable	283,633	290,279
Liability	2,507,950	2,730,382
Notes payable	1,677,915	1,935,635
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(128,510)	(128,084)	$ (117,799)	$ (432,799)
Total liabilities and equity	2,379,440	2,602,298
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets	1,898,577	2,152,038
Liability	657,590	657,964
Financial Services [Member]
Assets	197,230	159,981
Liability	172,445	136,783
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Assets	(1,757,988)	(2,018,037)
Intercompany receivable	(1,315,446)	(1,633,992)
Investments in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries	(442,542)	(384,045)
Intercompany payable	(1,315,446)	(1,633,992)
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries	(82,951)	(72,503)
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(359,591)	(311,542)
Total liabilities and equity	(1,757,988)	(2,018,037)
Subsidiary Issuer [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Assets	1,465,024	1,717,871
Income taxes receivable	(58,597)	(89,212)
Intercompany receivable	1,227,334	1,575,712
Investments in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries	4,914	1,013
Notes payable	1,672,514	1,933,119
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(208,608)	(215,335)
Total liabilities and equity	1,465,024	1,717,871
Subsidiary Issuer [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member] \| Homebuilding [Member]
Assets	291,373	230,358
Liability	1,118	87
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Assets	1,874,893	2,203,816
Income taxes receivable	226,258	251,293
Investments in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries	437,628	383,032
Notes payable	5,084	2,132
Intercompany payable	1,157,453	1,453,311
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	130,568	143,842
Total liabilities and equity	1,874,893	2,203,816
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member] \| Homebuilding [Member]
Assets	1,197,554	1,553,811
Liability	568,450	588,854
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member] \| Financial Services [Member]
Assets	13,453	15,680
Liability	13,338	15,677
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Assets	681,571	570,472
Income taxes receivable	32	22
Intercompany receivable	88,112	58,280
Notes payable	317	384
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	437,631	383,035
Total liabilities and equity	681,571	570,472
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member] \| Homebuilding [Member]
Assets	409,650	367,869
Liability	84,516	65,947
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member] \| Financial Services [Member]
Assets	183,777	144,301
Liability	159,107	121,106
Parent Company [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Assets	115,940	128,176
Income taxes receivable	115,940	128,176
Intercompany payable	157,993	180,681
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries	82,951	72,503
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(128,510)	(128,084)
Total liabilities and equity	115,940	128,176
Parent Company [Member] \| Reportable Legal Entities [Member] \| Homebuilding [Member]
Liability	$ 3,506	$ 3,076

Represents the amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries.

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Total investments in and long-term advances receivable from consolidated subsidiaries.

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Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance-sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, plus accrued interest on these notes.

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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The aggregate amount of receivables to be collected from related parties where one party can exercise control or significant influence over another party; including affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, pension trusts, and so forth, at the financial statement date. which are usually due within one year (or one business cycle).

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of obligations due all related parties. For classified balance sheets, represents the current portion of such liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of income taxes previously overpaid to tax authorities (such as U.S. Federal, state and local tax authorities) representing refunds of overpayments or recoveries based on agreed-upon resolutions of disputes. Also called income tax refund receivable.

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities that are recognized. Liabilities are probable future sacrifices of economic benefits arising from present obligations of an entity to transfer assets or provide services to other entities in the future.

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Amount of liabilities and equity items, including the portion of equity attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any.

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Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

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