Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 110,291	$ 137,101
Inventory	723,236	693,962
Non-performing loan portfolio	57,641	107,411
Rental properties	140,238	164,325
EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRentalPropertiesUnderDevelopment	327,315	133,081
Real estate owned ("REO")	184,753	202,259
Other assets	197,649	257,327
Total assets	1,741,123	1,695,466
Debt	521,833	538,303
Other liabilities	123,784	50,491
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Equity Excluding Noncontrolling Interests	936,089	897,027
Non-controlling interest	159,417	209,645
Total liabilities and equity	1,741,123	1,695,466
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	447,078	403,133
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	18,342	32,036
Land Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	31,968	30,826
Inventory	258,092	350,150
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRentalPropertiesUnderDevelopment
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	30,166	12,700
Total assets	320,226	393,676
Debt	102,042	135,200
Other liabilities	23,854	21,015
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Equity Excluding Noncontrolling Interests	194,330	237,461
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	320,226	393,676
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	140,221	142,448
Home Building Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	21,821	31,164
Inventory	465,144	338,814
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRentalPropertiesUnderDevelopment
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	75,164	70,180
Total assets	562,129	440,158
Debt	8,713	11,977
Other liabilities	56,665	19,636
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Equity Excluding Noncontrolling Interests	496,751	408,545
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	562,129	440,158
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	189,509	166,271
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	33,040	35,014
Inventory		4,998
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties	140,238	164,325
EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRentalPropertiesUnderDevelopment	327,315	133,081
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	14,333	18,526
Total assets	514,926	355,944
Debt	333,128	235,226
Other liabilities	43,088	9,461
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Equity Excluding Noncontrolling Interests	138,710	111,257
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	514,926	355,944
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	97,353	68,711
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	23,462	40,097
Inventory
Non-performing loan portfolio	57,641	107,411
Rental properties
EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRentalPropertiesUnderDevelopment
Real estate owned ("REO")	184,753	202,259
Other assets	77,986	155,921
Total assets	343,842	505,688
Debt	77,950	155,900
Other liabilities	177	379
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Equity Excluding Noncontrolling Interests	106,298	139,764
Non-controlling interest	159,417	209,645
Total liabilities and equity	343,842	505,688
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	19,995	25,703
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	78,000	155,900
Toll Brothers Realty Trust 2 [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	$ 1,200