Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 105,132	$ 112,496
Inventory	586,305	512,233
Non-performing loan portfolio	159,925	226,315
Rental properties	168,340	173,767
Rental properties under development	78,799	43,695
Real estate owned ("REO")	243,802	254,250
Other assets	403,119	331,386
Total assets	1,745,422	1,654,142
Debt	654,417	633,643
Other liabilities	42,604	29,923
Member's equity	786,973	720,663
Non-controlling interest	261,428	269,913
Total liabilities and equity	1,745,422	1,654,142
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	357,532	330,617
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	19,963	17,189
Inventory	308,294	255,561
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	12,539	12,427
Total assets	340,796	285,177
Debt	119,601	96,362
Other liabilities	22,046	14,390
Member's equity	199,149	174,425
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	340,796	285,177
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	124,317	116,452
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	38,771	40,126
Inventory	272,326	251,029
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Rental properties under development	78,799	43,695
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	69,535	72,301
Total assets	459,431	407,151
Debt	29,532	30,121
Other liabilities	14,320	9,770
Member's equity	415,579	367,260
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	459,431	407,151
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	196,584	173,465
Toll Brothers Realty Trust I and II [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	12,681	11,005
Inventory	5,685	5,643
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties	168,340	173,767
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")	557
Other assets	9,239	9,182
Total assets	196,502	199,597
Debt	193,483	195,359
Other liabilities	5,059	5,202
Member's equity	(2,040)	(964)
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	196,502	199,597
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	3,480	3,357
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	33,717	44,176
Inventory
Non-performing loan portfolio	159,925	226,315
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")	243,245	254,250
Other assets	311,806	237,476
Total assets	748,693	762,217
Debt	311,801	311,801
Other liabilities	1,179	561
Member's equity	174,285	179,942
Non-controlling interest	261,428	269,913
Total liabilities and equity	748,693	762,217
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	$ 33,151	$ 37,343