Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 160,542	$ 197,946	$ 330,865
Cost of revenues	103,550	148,196	241,760
Other expenses	27,974	34,763	39,913
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	131,524	182,959	281,673
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	68,323	42,244	61,406
Income (loss) from operations	97,341	57,231	110,598
Other income	997	3,506	11,355
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	98,338	60,737	121,953
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(43,349)	(19,888)	(40,048)
Net income (loss)	54,989	40,849	81,905
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income	922	0	0
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	55,911	40,849	81,905
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	14,392	23,592	(1,194)
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	43,937	39,278	4,624
Cost of revenues	20,142	36,315	3,996
Other expenses	1,146	1,414	1,527
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	21,288	37,729	5,523
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	22,649	1,549	(899)
Other income	11	2,658	9,498
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	22,660	4,207	8,599
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	22,660	4,207	8,599
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	22,660	4,207	8,599
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	3,288	3,995	(25,272)
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	40,386	89,947	242,326
Cost of revenues	36,208	65,068	191,922
Other expenses	2,554	3,477	6,988
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	38,762	68,545	198,910
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	1,624	21,402	43,416
Other income	571	153	68
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	2,195	21,555	43,484
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	2,195	21,555	43,484
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	2,195	21,555	43,484
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	1,471	15,303	14,895
Rental Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	38,727	37,035	37,728
Cost of revenues	16,704	13,985	15,365
Other expenses	20,875	21,226	20,774
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	37,579	35,211	36,139
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	1,148	1,824	1,589
Other income	86	4	1,537
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	1,234	1,828	3,126
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	1,234	1,828	3,126
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income	922
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	2,156	1,828	3,126
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	3,965	1,602	3,844
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	37,492	31,686	46,187
Cost of revenues	30,496	32,828	30,477
Other expenses	3,399	8,646	10,624
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	33,895	41,474	41,101
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	68,323	42,244	61,406
Income (loss) from operations	71,920	32,456	66,492
Other income	329	691	252
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	72,249	33,147	66,744
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(43,349)	(19,888)	(40,048)
Net income (loss)	28,900	13,259	26,696
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	28,900	13,259	26,696
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	$ 5,668	$ 2,692	$ 5,339