Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 112,496	$ 85,359
Inventory	555,928	213,080
Non-performing loan portfolio	226,315	295,044
Rental properties	173,767	178,339
Real estate owned ("REO")	254,250	231,959
Other assets	331,386	520,213
Total assets	1,654,142	1,523,994
Debt	638,206	888,145
Other liabilities	25,360	18,906
Member's equity	720,663	367,277
Non-controlling interest	269,913	249,666
Total liabilities and equity	1,654,142	1,523,994
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	330,617	126,355
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	17,189	14,190
Inventory	255,561	37,340
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	12,427	331,315
Total assets	285,177	382,845
Debt	96,862	327,856
Other liabilities	13,890	5,352
Member's equity	174,425	49,637
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	285,177	382,845
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	116,452	17,098
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	40,126	10,663
Inventory	294,724	170,239
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	72,301	20,080
Total assets	407,151	200,982
Debt	34,184	50,515
Other liabilities	5,707	9,745
Member's equity	367,260	140,722
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	407,151	200,982
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	173,465	72,734
Toll Brothers Realty Trust I and II [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	11,005	11,726
Inventory	5,643	5,501
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties	173,767	178,339
Real estate owned ("REO")		1,087
Other assets	9,182	9,675
Total assets	199,597	206,328
Debt	195,359	198,927
Other liabilities	5,202	3,427
Member's equity	(964)	3,974
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	199,597	206,328
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	3,357	1,872
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	44,176	48,780
Inventory
Non-performing loan portfolio	226,315	295,044
Rental properties
Real estate owned ("REO")	254,250	230,872
Other assets	237,476	159,143
Total assets	762,217	733,839
Debt	311,801	310,847
Other liabilities	561	382
Member's equity	179,942	172,944
Non-controlling interest	269,913	249,666
Total liabilities and equity	762,217	733,839
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	37,343	34,651
Restricted Cash Held in Defeasance Account Used to Repay Debt	$ 237,476	$ 152,600