Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 111,889	$ 137,101
Inventory	829,915	693,962
Non-performing loan portfolio	97,801	107,411
Rental properties	126,237	164,325
Rental properties under development	152,190	133,081
Real estate owned ("REO")	190,217	202,259
Other assets	247,955	257,327
Total assets	1,756,204	1,695,466
Debt	502,270	538,303
Other liabilities	68,963	50,491
Member's equity	997,472	897,027
Non-controlling interest	187,499	209,645
Total liabilities and equity	1,756,204	1,695,466
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	430,615	403,133
Restricted cash	32,175	32,036
Development Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	29,003	30,826
Inventory	448,357	350,150
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	10,330	12,700
Total assets	487,690	393,676
Debt	139,801	135,200
Other liabilities	25,310	21,015
Member's equity	322,579	237,461
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	487,690	393,676
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	157,293	142,448
Homebuilding Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	24,860	31,164
Inventory	381,163	338,814
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	68,288	70,180
Total assets	474,311	440,158
Debt	10,927	11,977
Other liabilities	23,784	19,636
Member's equity	439,600	408,545
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	474,311	440,158
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	175,904	166,271
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	32,191	35,014
Inventory	395	4,998
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties	126,237	164,325
Rental properties under development	152,190	133,081
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	13,412	18,526
Total assets	324,425	355,944
Debt	195,642	235,226
Other liabilities	18,489	9,461
Member's equity	110,294	111,257
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	324,425	355,944
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	74,800	68,711
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	25,835	40,097
Inventory
Non-performing loan portfolio	97,801	107,411
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")	190,217	202,259
Other assets	155,925	155,921
Total assets	469,778	505,688
Debt	155,900	155,900
Other liabilities	1,380	379
Member's equity	124,999	139,764
Non-controlling interest	187,499	209,645
Total liabilities and equity	469,778	505,688
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	22,575	25,703
Restricted cash	$ 155,925	$ 155,921