Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 137,101	$ 112,496
Inventory	693,962	512,234
Non-performing loan portfolio	107,411	226,315
Rental properties	164,325	173,767
EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRentalPropertiesUnderDevelopment	133,081	43,695
Real estate owned ("REO")	202,259	254,250
Other assets	257,327	331,385
Total assets	1,695,466	1,654,142
Debt	538,303	633,643
Other liabilities	50,491	29,923
Member's equity	897,027	720,663
Non-controlling interest	209,645	269,913
Total liabilities and equity	1,695,466	1,654,142
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	403,133	330,617
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	30,826	17,189
Inventory	350,150	255,561
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRentalPropertiesUnderDevelopment
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	12,700	12,427
Total assets	393,676	285,177
Debt	135,200	96,362
Other liabilities	21,015	14,390
Member's equity	237,461	174,425
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	393,676	285,177
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	142,448	116,452
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	31,164	24,964
Inventory	338,814	251,030
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRentalPropertiesUnderDevelopment
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	70,180	72,289
Total assets	440,158	348,283
Debt	11,977	11,755
Other liabilities	19,636	9,438
Member's equity	408,545	327,090
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	440,158	348,283
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	166,271	135,688
Rental Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	35,014	26,167
Inventory	4,998	5,643
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties	164,325	173,767
EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRentalPropertiesUnderDevelopment	133,081	43,695
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	18,526	9,193
Total assets	355,944	258,465
Debt	235,226	213,725
Other liabilities	9,461	5,534
Member's equity	111,257	39,206
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	355,944	258,465
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	68,711	41,134
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	40,097	44,176
Inventory
Non-performing loan portfolio	107,411	226,315
Rental properties
EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRentalPropertiesUnderDevelopment
Real estate owned ("REO")	202,259	254,250
Other assets	155,921	237,476
Total assets	505,688	762,217
Debt	155,900	311,801
Other liabilities	379	561
Member's equity	139,764	179,942
Non-controlling interest	209,645	269,913
Total liabilities and equity	505,688	762,217
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	25,703	37,343
Restricted Cash Held in Defeasance Account Used to Repay Debt	$ 155,921	$ 237,476