Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 91,463	$ 85,359
Inventory	533,780	394,079
Non-performing loan portfolio	240,723	295,044
Rental properties	174,982	178,339
Real estate owned ("REO")	270,215	231,959
Other assets	286,896	339,214
Total assets	1,598,059	1,523,994
Debt	638,357	888,145
Other liabilities	27,449	18,906
Member's equity	674,445	367,277
Non-controlling interest	257,808	249,666
Total liabilities and equity	1,598,059	1,523,994
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	311,481	126,355
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	17,618	14,190
Inventory	253,984	218,339
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	16,697	150,316
Total assets	288,299	382,845
Debt	96,862	327,856
Other liabilities	16,873	5,352
Member's equity	174,564	49,637
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	288,299	382,845
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	117,305	17,098
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	23,018	10,663
Inventory	274,175	170,239
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	70,789	20,080
Total assets	367,982	200,982
Debt	33,658	50,515
Other liabilities	4,582	9,745
Member's equity	329,742	140,722
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	367,982	200,982
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	155,272	72,734
Toll Brothers Realty Trust I and II [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	9,995	11,726
Inventory	5,621	5,501
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties	174,982	178,339
Real estate owned ("REO")		1,087
Other assets	9,625	9,675
Total assets	200,223	206,328
Debt	196,266	198,927
Other liabilities	5,690	3,427
Member's equity	(1,733)	3,974
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	200,223	206,328
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	3,230	1,872
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	40,832	48,780
Inventory
Non-performing loan portfolio	240,723	295,044
Rental properties
Real estate owned ("REO")	270,215	230,872
Other assets	189,785	159,143
Total assets	741,555	733,839
Debt	311,571	310,847
Other liabilities	304	382
Member's equity	171,872	172,944
Non-controlling interest	257,808	249,666
Total liabilities and equity	741,555	733,839
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	$ 35,674	$ 34,651	$ 29,100