Segment information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	$ 8,913	$ 9,215	$ 17,874	$ 18,422
Real estate operating expenses	6,433	7,944	12,930	14,461
Net operating income	3,548	5,523	7,511	9,784
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Segment NOI	5,569	6,061	11,529	12,210
Deferred rents - straight lining	(55)	16	(110)	10
Amortization of acquired leases	(6)	3	(12)	12
Investment income	50	31	100	55
General and administrative expenses	(446)	(495)	(869)	(864)
Depreciation	(1,514)	(1,522)	(3,027)	(3,044)
Income from early lease termination, net of related deferred project write-off		1,460		1,460
Interest expense including amortization of deferred financing costs, and in 2010 a prepayment penalty of $2.1 million	(3,064)	(2,891)	(6,083)	(5,706)
Income from continuing operations	534	2,663	1,528	4,133
Income from discontinued operations	1	104	707	196
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	1,377		1,377
Net income	1,912	2,767	3,612	4,329
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(43)	(824)	(272)	(1,193)
Net income attributable to common equity	1,869	1,943	3,340	3,136
Commercial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of properties of each segment	10		10
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	5,355	5,739	11,217	11,831
Real estate operating expenses	2,260	2,293	4,486	4,817
Net operating income	3,095	3,446	6,731	7,014
Residential
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of properties of each segment	7		7
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	4,687	4,759	9,346	9,442
Real estate operating expenses	2,213	2,144	4,548	4,246
Net operating income	2,474	2,615	4,798	5,196
Recurring capital improvements	(144)	(77)	(204)	(250)
Total Reportable Segments
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	10,042	10,498	20,563	21,273
Real estate operating expenses	4,473	4,437	9,034	9,063
Net operating income	$ 5,569	$ 3,061	$ 11,529	$ 12,210