Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 45,355	$ 24,945	$ 201,328	$ 124,742
Cost of revenues	28,624	18,035	126,493	84,318
Other expenses	6,379	6,493	31,323	21,287
Total expenses	35,003	24,528	157,816	105,605
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	(8,076)	(7,878)	(14,534)	(47,583)
Income (loss) from operations	18,428	8,295	58,046	66,720
Other income	2,232	211	47,172	814
Net income (loss)	20,660	8,506	105,218	67,534
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,524)	(4,035)	(7,178)	(27,893)
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	16,136	4,471	98,040	39,641
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(82)	1,064	647	1,162
Total comprehensive income	16,054	5,535	98,687	40,803
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	950	768	38,192	8,844
Development Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	17,842	1,791	129,792	36,813
Cost of revenues	6,650	186	68,820	17,992
Other expenses	115	179	580	936
Total expenses	6,765	365	69,400	18,928
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	11,077	1,426	60,392	17,885
Other income	54	3	60	8
Net income (loss)	11,131	1,429	60,452	17,893
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	11,131	1,429	60,452	17,893
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	11,131	1,429	60,452	17,893
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	353	57	456	2,853
Homebuilding Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	16,357	8,817	39,585	31,574
Cost of revenues	14,438	8,043	36,264	28,017
Other expenses	1,680	712	3,727	1,866
Total expenses	16,118	8,755	39,991	29,883
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	239	62	(406)	1,691
Other income	(110)	119	91	554
Net income (loss)	129	181	(315)	2,245
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	129	181	(315)	2,245
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	129	181	(315)	2,245
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	(60)	387	266	1,466
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	7,955	8,937	24,961	29,241
Cost of revenues	3,411	3,667	10,802	12,677
Other expenses	4,219	5,108	25,777	15,673
Total expenses	7,630	8,775	36,579	28,350
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	325	162	(11,618)	891
Other income	1,535	9	44,735	17
Net income (loss)	1,860	171	33,117	908
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	1,860	171	33,117	908
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(82)	1,064	647	1,162
Total comprehensive income	1,778	1,235	33,764	2,070
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	55	(213)	36,678	917
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	3,201	5,400	6,990	27,114
Cost of revenues	4,125	6,139	10,607	25,632
Other expenses	365	494	1,239	2,812
Total expenses	4,490	6,633	11,846	28,444
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	(8,076)	(7,878)	(14,534)	(47,583)
Income (loss) from operations	6,787	6,645	9,678	46,253
Other income	753	80	2,286	235
Net income (loss)	7,540	6,725	11,964	46,488
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,524)	(4,035)	(7,178)	(27,893)
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	3,016	2,690	4,786	18,595
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	3,016	2,690	4,786	18,595
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$ 602	$ 537	$ 792	$ 3,608