Real estate and equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012 Apartment Buildings Minimum	Oct. 31, 2012 Apartment Buildings Maximum	Oct. 31, 2012 Commercial Buildings/Shopping Centers Minimum	Oct. 31, 2012 Commercial Buildings/Shopping Centers Maximum	Oct. 31, 2012 Equipment/Furniture Minimum	Oct. 31, 2012 Equipment/Furniture Maximum
Land	$ 76,637	$ 76,745
Unimproved land	874	865
Apartment buildings	81,784	82,275
Commercial buildings/shopping centers	115,492	113,707
Equipment/Furniture	2,814	2,777
[RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost]	277,601	276,369
Less accumulated depreciation	69,619	64,976
Totals	$ 207,982	$ 211,393
Estimated Useful Lives			7 years	40 years	15 years	50 years	3 years	15 years