Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 94,258	$ 110,291
Inventory	532,803	723,236
Non-performing loan portfolio	32,294	57,641
Rental properties	269,632	140,238
Rental properties under development	353,019	327,315
Real estate owned ("REO")	132,857	184,753
Other assets	213,772	197,649
Total assets	1,628,635	1,741,123
Debt	747,333	521,833
Other liabilities	123,495	123,784
Member's equity	645,038	936,089
Non-controlling interest	112,769	159,417
Total liabilities and equity	1,628,635	1,741,123
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	334,925	447,078
Restricted cash	17,920	18,342
Land Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	29,414	31,968
Inventory	$ 233,488	$ 258,092
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	$ 65,142	$ 30,166
Total assets	328,044	320,226
Debt	100,139	102,042
Other liabilities	29,548	23,854
Member's equity	$ 198,357	$ 194,330
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	$ 328,044	$ 320,226
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	140,526	140,221
Home Building Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	13,752	21,821
Inventory	$ 299,315	$ 465,144
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	$ 55,099	$ 75,164
Total assets	368,166	562,129
Debt	100,213	8,713
Other liabilities	62,361	56,665
Member's equity	$ 205,592	$ 496,751
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	$ 368,166	$ 562,129
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	74,156	189,509
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 30,924	$ 33,040
Inventory
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties	$ 269,632	$ 140,238
Rental properties under development	$ 353,019	$ 327,315
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	$ 12,930	$ 14,333
Total assets	666,505	514,926
Debt	469,031	333,128
Other liabilities	31,586	43,088
Member's equity	$ 165,888	$ 138,710
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	$ 666,505	$ 514,926
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	106,425	97,353
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 20,168	$ 23,462
Inventory
Non-performing loan portfolio	$ 32,294	$ 57,641
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")	$ 132,857	$ 184,753
Other assets	80,601	77,986
Total assets	265,920	343,842
Debt	$ 77,950	77,950
Other liabilities		177
Member's equity	$ 75,201	106,298
Non-controlling interest	112,769	159,417
Total liabilities and equity	265,920	343,842
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	13,818	19,995
Restricted cash	$ 78,000	$ 78,000