Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Condensed Statements of Operations aggregated by type of business
Revenues	$ 330,865	$ 191,585	$ 83,818
Cost of Revenues	241,760	133,109	90,609
Other expenses	39,913	31,312	27,501
Gain on disposition of loans and REO	61,406	(5,272)
Income (loss) from operations	110,598	21,892	(34,292)
Other income	11,355	15,450	13,604
Net income before noncontrolling interest	121,953	36,085
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	40,048	987
Net income (loss)	81,905	35,098	(20,688)
(Loss) income from unconsolidated entities	(1,194)	23,470	(7,518)
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations aggregated by type of business
Revenues	4,624	7,370	144
Cost of Revenues	3,996	6,402	141
Other expenses	1,527	1,522	1,025
Income (loss) from operations	(899)	(554)	(1,022)
Other income	9,498	13,616	15,483
Net income before noncontrolling interest	8,599	13,062
Net income (loss)	8,599	13,062	14,461
(Loss) income from unconsolidated entities	(25,327)	10,664	(5,120)
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations aggregated by type of business
Revenues	242,326	132,878	48,719
Cost of Revenues	191,922	106,638	76,525
Other expenses	8,954	8,121	8,482
Income (loss) from operations	41,450	18,119	(36,288)
Other income	1,605	572	(1,879)
Net income before noncontrolling interest	43,055	18,691
Net income (loss)	43,055	18,691	(38,167)
(Loss) income from unconsolidated entities	15,159	11,172	(3,676)
Toll Brothers Realty Trust I and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations aggregated by type of business
Revenues	37,728	34,755	34,955
Cost of Revenues	15,365	13,375	13,943
Other expenses	18,808	18,693	17,994
Income (loss) from operations	3,555	2,687	3,018
Net income before noncontrolling interest	3,555	2,687
Net income (loss)	3,555	2,687	3,018
(Loss) income from unconsolidated entities	3,581	1,402	1,278
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations aggregated by type of business
Revenues	46,187	16,583
Cost of Revenues	30,477	6,694
Other expenses	10,624	2,977
Gain on disposition of loans and REO	61,406	(5,272)
Income (loss) from operations	66,492	1,640
Other income	252	5
Net income before noncontrolling interest	66,744	1,645
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	40,048	987
Net income (loss)	26,696	1,645
(Loss) income from unconsolidated entities	$ 5,339	$ 132