Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 69,812	$ 40,912	$ 99,796	$ 112,110
Cost of revenues	43,327	26,055	66,281	90,488
Other expenses	7,585	8,025	14,793	18,865
Total expenses - net	50,912	34,080	81,074	109,353
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	12,812	7,517	39,704	22,826
Income (loss) from operations	31,712	14,349	58,426	25,583
Other income	501	213	603	3,007
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	32,213	14,562	59,029	28,590
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(8,689)	(4,557)	(23,858)	(8,004)
Net income (loss)	23,524	10,005	35,171	20,586
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(20)	239	282	(50)
Total comprehensive income	23,504	10,244	35,453	20,536
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	4,993	6,989	8,076	13,676
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	33,395	0	35,022	33,584
Cost of revenues	16,587	0	17,805	31,771
Other expenses	567	205	758	430
Total expenses - net	17,154	205	18,563	32,201
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	16,241	(205)	16,459	1,383
Other income	2	1	5	2,653
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	16,243	(204)	16,464	4,036
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	16,243	(204)	16,464	4,036
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	16,243	(204)	16,464	4,036
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	2,894	1,536	2,796	3,532
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	13,787	24,036	22,757	47,466
Cost of revenues	12,868	16,961	19,973	34,754
Other expenses	1,098	1,165	1,292	2,110
Total expenses - net	13,966	18,126	21,265	36,864
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	(179)	5,910	1,492	10,602
Other income	424	74	444	79
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	245	5,984	1,936	10,681
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	245	5,984	1,936	10,681
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(195)		(195)
Total comprehensive income	50	5,984	1,741	10,681
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	356	3,490	1,199	8,010
Toll Brothers Realty Trust I and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	10,621	9,222	20,303	18,698
Cost of revenues	4,717	3,393	9,010	6,736
Other expenses	4,661	4,642	10,427	11,427
Total expenses - net	9,378	8,035	19,437	18,163
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	1,243	1,187	866	535
Other income
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	1,243	1,187	866	535
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	1,243	1,187	866	535
Other comprehensive income (loss)	175	239	477	(50)
Total comprehensive income	1,418	1,426	1,343	485
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	585	458	1,010	1,081
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Restricted Cash Held in Defeasance Account Used to Repay Debt	311,800		311,800		237,500
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	12,009	7,654	21,714	12,362
Cost of revenues	9,155	5,701	19,493	17,227
Other expenses	1,259	2,013	2,316	4,898
Total expenses - net	10,414	7,714	21,809	22,125
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	12,812	7,517	39,704	22,826
Income (loss) from operations	14,407	7,457	39,609	13,063
Other income	75	138	154	275
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	14,482	7,595	39,763	13,338
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(8,689)	(4,557)	(23,858)	(8,004)
Net income (loss)	5,793	3,038	15,905	5,334
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	5,793	3,038	15,905	5,334
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$ 1,158	$ 1,505	$ 3,071	$ 1,053