Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010
Condensed balance sheets aggregated by type of business
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 85,359	$ 70,496
Inventory	213,080	835,197
Non-performing loan portfolio	295,044	498,256
Rental properties	178,339	185,658
Real estate owned	231,959	126,709
Other assets	520,213	248,319
Total assets	1,523,994	1,964,635
Debt	888,144	1,075,896
Other liabilities	18,906	75,809
Member's equity	367,278	603,314
Non-controlling interest	249,666	209,616
Total liabilities and equity	1,523,994	1,964,635
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	126,355	198,442
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed balance sheets aggregated by type of business
Cash and cash equivalents	14,190	21,224
Inventory	37,340	486,394
Non-performing loan portfolio	0	0
Rental properties	0	0
Real estate owned	0	0
Other assets	331,315	194,541
Total assets	382,845	702,159
Debt	327,856	379,793
Other liabilities	5,352	60,385
Member's equity	49,637	261,981
Non-controlling interest	0	0
Total liabilities and equity	382,845	702,159
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	17,098	58,551
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed balance sheets aggregated by type of business
Cash and cash equivalents	10,663	14,831
Inventory	170,239	343,463
Non-performing loan portfolio	0	0
Rental properties	0	0
Real estate owned	0	0
Other assets	20,080	29,374
Total assets	200,982	387,668
Debt	50,515	208,295
Other liabilities	9,745	11,207
Member's equity	140,722	168,166
Non-controlling interest	0	0
Total liabilities and equity	200,982	387,668
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	72,734	99,259
Toll Brothers Realty Trust I and II [Member]
Condensed balance sheets aggregated by type of business
Cash and cash equivalents	11,726	13,154
Inventory	5,501	5,340
Non-performing loan portfolio	0	0
Rental properties	178,339	185,658
Real estate owned	1,087	1,934
Other assets	9,675	9,401
Total assets	206,328	215,487
Debt	198,927	184,616
Other liabilities	3,427	3,952
Member's equity	3,974	26,919
Non-controlling interest	0	0
Total liabilities and equity	206,328	215,487
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	1,872	11,382
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed balance sheets aggregated by type of business
Cash and cash equivalents	48,780	21,287
Inventory	0	0
Non-performing loan portfolio	295,044	498,256
Rental properties	0	0
Real estate owned	230,872	124,775
Other assets	159,143	15,003
Total assets	733,839	659,321
Debt	310,847	303,192
Other liabilities	382	265
Member's equity	172,944	146,248
Non-controlling interest	249,666	209,616
Total liabilities and equity	733,839	659,321
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	$ 34,651	$ 29,250	$ 29,100