Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 29,984	$ 74,623
Cost of revenues	22,955	63,975
Other expenses	7,208	10,586
Total expenses - net	30,163	74,561
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	26,892	(44)
Income (loss) from operations	26,713	18
Other income	101	2,795
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	26,814	2,813
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(15,168)	3,283
Net income (loss)	11,646	6,096
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income	302	(447)
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	11,948	5,649
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	3,083	6,687
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	1,627	33,584
Cost of revenues	1,219	31,771
Other expenses	191	225
Total expenses - net	1,410	31,996
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	217	1,588
Other income	3	2,653
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	220	4,241
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	220	4,241
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	220	4,241
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	(98)	1,996
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	8,970	23,430
Cost of revenues	7,105	17,794
Other expenses	193	945
Total expenses - net	7,298	18,739
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	1,672	4,691
Other income	19	5
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	1,691	4,696
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	1,691	4,696
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	1,691	4,696
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	843	4,520
Toll Brothers Realty Trust I and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	9,682	9,476
Cost of revenues	4,293	3,343
Other expenses	5,766	6,785
Total expenses - net	10,059	10,128
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	(377)	(652)
Other income
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	(377)	(652)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	(377)	(652)
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income	302	(447)
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	(75)	(1,099)
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	425	623
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Restricted Cash Held in Defeasance Account Used to Repay Debt	277,300		237,500
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	9,705	8,133
Cost of revenues	10,338	11,067
Other expenses	1,058	2,631
Total expenses - net	11,396	13,698
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	26,892	(44)
Income (loss) from operations	25,201	(5,609)
Other income	79	137
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	25,280	(5,472)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(15,168)	3,283
Net income (loss)	10,112	(2,189)
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	10,112	(2,189)
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$ 1,913	$ (452)