Real estate and equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013 Apartment Buildings Minimum	Oct. 31, 2013 Apartment Buildings Maximum	Oct. 31, 2013 Commercial Buildings/Shopping Centers Minimum	Oct. 31, 2013 Commercial Buildings/Shopping Centers Maximum	Oct. 31, 2013 Equipment/Furniture Minimum	Oct. 31, 2013 Equipment/Furniture Maximum
Land	$ 76,602	$ 76,637
Unimproved land	883	874
Apartment buildings	81,972	81,784
Commercial buildings/shopping centers	118,253	115,492
Equipment/Furniture	2,967	2,814
[RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost]	280,677	277,601
Less accumulated depreciation	75,226	69,619
Totals	$ 205,451	$ 207,982
Estimated Useful Lives			7 years	40 years	15 years	50 years	3 years	15 years