Segment information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015 segments	Apr. 30, 2014
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	$ 11,252	$ 10,632	$ 22,532	$ 21,204
Real estate operating expenses	8,056	6,939	15,281	13,457
Operating income	3,196	3,693	7,251	7,747
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Deferred rents - straight lining	(73)	(41)	(148)	(87)
Amortization of acquired leases		(5)	(1)	(11)
Investment income	36	41	76	83
General and administrative expenses	(652)	(401)	(1,144)	(803)
Depreciation	(1,648)	(1,520)	(3,295)	(3,040)
Financing costs	(2,771)	(2,844)	(5,553)	(5,821)
Income from continuing operations	461	890	1,774	2,009
Income from discontinued operations				7
Gain on sale of discontinued operation		41		8,734
Net income	461	931	1,774	10,750
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	71	(98)	(194)	(291)
Net income attributable to common equity	532	833	1,580	10,459
Number of reportable segments			2
Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	11,325	10,678	22,681	21,302
Real estate operating expenses	5,756	5,018	10,842	9,614
Operating income	5,569	5,660	11,839	11,688
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Segment NOI	5,569	5,660	11,839	11,688
Commercial [Member]
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Number of properties	10		10
Commercial [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	5,944	5,804	11,688	11,512
Real estate operating expenses	2,983	2,643	5,415	4,966
Operating income	2,961	3,161	6,273	6,546
Residential [Member]
Reportable Segments
Recurring capital improvements	(168)	(37)	(254)	(141)
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Number of properties	7		7
Residential [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	5,381	4,874	10,993	9,790
Real estate operating expenses	2,773	2,375	5,427	4,648
Operating income	$ 2,608	$ 2,499	$ 5,566	$ 5,142