Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 889,309	$ 374,815	$ 248,795
Cost of revenues	562,947	236,525	159,855
Other expenses	83,055	44,850	33,620
Total expenses	646,002	281,375	193,475
Gain on disposition of loans and REO	48,079	49,579	42,939
Income (loss) from operations	291,386	143,019	98,259
Other income (expense)	14,028	5,294	8,287
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	305,414	148,313	106,546
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Tax Provision	7,662
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income Including Earnings from Noncontrolling Interests	297,752
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(20,439)	(18,218)	(19,928)
Net income (loss)	277,313	130,095	86,618
Other comprehensive income		100	52
Total comprehensive income (loss)		130,195	86,670
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	116,066	40,748	21,119
Land Development Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	288,440	142,015	128,889
Cost of revenues	191,965	63,429	58,435
Other expenses	6,508	3,904	1,999
Total expenses	198,473	67,333	60,434
Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	89,967	74,682	68,455
Other income (expense)	4,723	3,464	615
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	94,690	78,146	69,070
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Tax Provision	94
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income Including Earnings from Noncontrolling Interests	94,596
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	94,596	78,146	69,070
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income (loss)		78,146	69,070
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	13,007	15,772	12,005
Home Building Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	475,260	168,164	78,072
Cost of revenues	286,446	118,621	69,142
Other expenses	13,102	8,124	6,135
Total expenses	299,548	126,745	75,277
Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	175,712	41,419	2,795
Other income (expense)	7,317	(486)	1,072
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	183,029	40,933	3,867
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Tax Provision	7,473
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income Including Earnings from Noncontrolling Interests	175,556
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	175,556	40,933	3,867
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income (loss)		40,933	3,867
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	77,339	16,945	3,448
Rental Property Joint Ventures, including Trust I [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	115,519	58,707	35,732
Cost of revenues	70,108	29,791	15,539
Other expenses	59,503	30,779	24,174
Total expenses	129,611	60,570	39,713
Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	(14,092)	(1,863)	(3,981)
Other income (expense)	1,556	1,144	4,376
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	(12,536)	(719)	395
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Tax Provision	95
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income Including Earnings from Noncontrolling Interests	(12,631)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	(12,631)	(719)	395
Other comprehensive income		100	52
Total comprehensive income (loss)		(619)	447
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	21,458	5,721	3,027
Gibraltar Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	10,090	5,929	6,102
Cost of revenues	14,428	24,684	16,739
Other expenses	3,942	2,043	1,312
Total expenses	18,370	26,727	18,051
Gain on disposition of loans and REO	48,079	49,579	42,939
Income (loss) from operations	39,799	28,781	30,990
Other income (expense)	432	1,172	2,224
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	40,231	29,953	33,214
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income Including Earnings from Noncontrolling Interests	40,231
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(20,439)	(18,218)	(19,928)
Net income (loss)	19,792	11,735	13,286
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income (loss)		11,735	13,286
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	$ 4,262	$ 2,310	$ 2,639