Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 22,857	$ 29,984
Cost of revenues	17,376	22,955
Other expenses	13,768	7,208
Total expenses	31,144	30,163
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	3,908	26,892
Income (loss) from operations	(4,379)	26,713
Other income	43,021	101
Net income (loss)	38,642	26,814
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(903)	(15,168)
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	37,739	11,646
Other comprehensive income (loss)	786	302
Total comprehensive income	38,525	11,948
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	22,915	3,083
Development Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	1,544	1,627
Cost of revenues	681	1,219
Other expenses	255	191
Total expenses	936	1,410
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	608	217
Other income	1	3
Net income (loss)	609	220
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	609	220
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	609	220
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	(32)	(98)
Homebuilding Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	11,581	8,970
Cost of revenues	10,374	7,105
Other expenses	999	464
Total expenses	11,373	7,569
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	208	1,401
Other income	39	14
Net income (loss)	247	1,415
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	247	1,415
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	247	1,415
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	182	710
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	9,449	9,682
Cost of revenues	3,971	4,293
Other expenses	12,055	5,495
Total expenses	16,026	9,788
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	(6,577)	(106)
Other income	42,858	5
Net income (loss)	36,281	(101)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	36,281	(101)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	786	302
Total comprehensive income	37,067	201
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	23,750	558
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	283	9,705
Cost of revenues	2,350	10,338
Other expenses	459	1,058
Total expenses	2,809	11,396
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	3,908	26,892
Income (loss) from operations	1,382	25,201
Other income	123	79
Net income (loss)	1,505	25,280
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(903)	(15,168)
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	602	10,112
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	602	10,112
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$ (985)	$ 1,913