Property acquisition (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jun. 18, 2014	Dec. 29, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net operating income	$ 4,055,000	$ 4,052,000
Gain on sale of discontinued operations (net of tax of $1,965 in fiscal 2012)		8,693,000
Mortgages [Member] | Provident Bank Mortgage [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Loan amount				16,200,000
South Brunswick property [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Deferred gain utilized in acquisition			9,800,000
Regency Club Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of units acquired			132
Number of buildings acquired			11
Acquisition price			20,625,000
Regency acquisition costs			648,000
Remaining balance in acquisition, after net proceeds from sale			11,500,000
Cash used for acquisition			10,000,000
Acquisition price allocation to buildings			18,500,000
Acquisition price allocation to land			$ 2,100,000
Estimated useful life	40 years