Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 74,623	$ 110,251
Cost of revenues	63,975	83,375
Other expenses	10,586	12,439
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	44	(11,374)
Total expenses - net	74,605	84,440
Income (loss) from operations	18	25,811
Other income	2,795	2,503
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	2,813	28,314
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(3,283)	(6,383)
Net income (loss)	6,096	21,931
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	6,687	(11,002)
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	33,584	1,085
Cost of revenues	31,771	1,159
Other expenses	225	157
Total expenses - net	31,996	1,316
Income (loss) from operations	1,588	(231)
Other income	2,653	2,379
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	4,241	2,148
Net income (loss)	4,241	2,148
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	1,996	(20,000)
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	23,430	88,014
Cost of revenues	17,794	69,169
Other expenses	945	3,009
Total expenses - net	18,739	72,178
Income (loss) from operations	4,691	15,836
Other income	5	36
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	4,696	15,872
Net income (loss)	4,696	15,872
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	4,520	7,934
Toll Brothers Realty Trust I and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	9,476	9,150
Cost of revenues	3,343	3,489
Other expenses	6,785	6,002
Total expenses - net	10,128	9,491
Income (loss) from operations	(652)	(341)
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	(652)	(341)
Net income (loss)	(652)	(341)
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	623	464
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	8,133	12,002
Cost of revenues	11,067	9,558
Other expenses	2,631	3,271
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	44	(11,374)
Total expenses - net	13,742	1,455
Income (loss) from operations	(5,609)	10,547
Other income	137	88
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	(5,472)	10,635
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(3,283)	(6,383)
Net income (loss)	(2,189)	4,252
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$ (452)	$ 600