SCHEDULE XI - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Schedule of Properties) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2015
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					$ 307,899
Initial Cost to Company
Land					66,631
Buildings and Improvements					152,703
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land					13,158
Improvements					$ 176,805
Carrying Costs
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					$ 79,789
Buildings and Improvements					329,508
Total		$ 409,297	$ 292,769	$ 292,769	409,297
Accumulated Depreciation		88,452	75,226	75,226	88,452
Real estate:
Balance, beginning of year		354,032	292,769	283,703
Buildings and improvements		$ 55,265	62,340	9,903
Sale of discontinued operation			(1,077)	(837)
Balance, end of year		$ 409,297	354,032	292,769
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, beginning of year		81,569	75,226	69,619
Additions - Charged to operating expenses		$ 6,883	$ 6,346	6,244
Sale of discontinued operation				(631)
Adjustments/Deletions			$ (3)	(6)
Balance, end of year		$ 88,452	$ 81,569	$ 75,226
Hammel Gardens, Maywood, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					8,234
Initial Cost to Company
Land					312
Buildings and Improvements					$ 728
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					$ 1,293
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					312
Buildings and Improvements					2,021
Total	[1]	2,333			2,333
Accumulated Depreciation		1,615			1,615
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	2,333
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 1,615
Hammel Gardens, Maywood, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Hammel Gardens, Maywood, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Steuben Arms, River Edge, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					10,852
Initial Cost to Company
Land					364
Buildings and Improvements					$ 1,773
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					$ 1,637
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					364
Buildings and Improvements					3,410
Total	[1]	$ 3,774			3,774
Accumulated Depreciation		2,877			2,877
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	3,774
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 2,877
Steuben Arms, River Edge, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Steuben Arms, River Edge, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Berdan Court, Wayne, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					18,378
Initial Cost to Company
Land					250
Buildings and Improvements					$ 2,206
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					$ 4,484
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					250
Buildings and Improvements					6,690
Total	[1]	$ 6,940			6,940
Accumulated Depreciation		5,200			5,200
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	6,940
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 5,200
Berdan Court, Wayne, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Berdan Court, Wayne, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Westwood Hills, Westwood, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					21,545
Initial Cost to Company
Land					3,849
Buildings and Improvements					$ 11,546
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					$ 2,780
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					3,849
Buildings and Improvements					14,326
Total	[1]	$ 18,175			18,175
Accumulated Depreciation		8,081			8,081
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	18,175
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 8,081
Westwood Hills, Westwood, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Westwood Hills, Westwood, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Pierre Towers, Hackensack, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					30,567
Initial Cost to Company
Land					8,390
Buildings and Improvements					37,486
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land					19
Improvements					8,912
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					8,409
Buildings and Improvements					46,398
Total	[1]	$ 54,807			54,807
Accumulated Depreciation		13,606			13,606
Cost for Federal income tax purposes					41,900
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	54,807
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 13,606
Pierre Towers, Hackensack, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Pierre Towers, Hackensack, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Boulders - Rockaway, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					17,596
Initial Cost to Company
Land					$ 1,632
Buildings and Improvements
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land					$ 3,386
Improvements					16,313
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					5,018
Buildings and Improvements					16,313
Total	[1]	$ 21,331			21,331
Accumulated Depreciation		4,628			4,628
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	21,331
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 4,628
Boulders - Rockaway, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Boulders - Rockaway, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Regency Club - Middletown, NY [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					16,200
Initial Cost to Company
Land					2,833
Buildings and Improvements					$ 17,792
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					$ 409
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					2,833
Buildings and Improvements					18,201
Total	[1]	$ 21,034			21,034
Accumulated Depreciation		613			613
Cost for Federal income tax purposes					12,900
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	21,034
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 613
Regency Club - Middletown, NY [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Regency Club - Middletown, NY [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Damascus Shopping Center, Damascus, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					18,938
Initial Cost to Company
Land					2,950
Buildings and Improvements					6,987
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land					6,296
Improvements					17,490
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					9,246
Buildings and Improvements					24,477
Total	[1]	$ 33,723			33,723
Accumulated Depreciation		4,872			$ 4,872
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	33,723
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 4,872
Damascus Shopping Center, Damascus, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		15 years
Damascus Shopping Center, Damascus, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		39 years
Franklin Crossing, Franklin Lakes, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land					$ 29
Buildings and Improvements
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land					$ 3,382
Improvements					8,003
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					3,411
Buildings and Improvements					8,003
Total	[1]	$ 11,414			11,414
Accumulated Depreciation		4,010			$ 4,010
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	11,414
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 4,010
Franklin Crossing, Franklin Lakes, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		10 years
Franklin Crossing, Franklin Lakes, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		50 years
Glen Rock, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land					$ 12
Buildings and Improvements					$ 36
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					$ 214
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					12
Buildings and Improvements					250
Total	[1]	$ 262			262
Accumulated Depreciation		211			211
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	262
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 211
Glen Rock, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		10 years
Glen Rock, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		31 years 6 months
Pathmark Super Center, Patchogue, NY [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					5,243
Initial Cost to Company
Land					2,128
Buildings and Improvements					$ 8,818
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					$ (21)
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					2,128
Buildings and Improvements					8,797
Total	[1]	$ 10,925			10,925
Accumulated Depreciation		$ 3,997			3,997
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		39 years
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	$ 10,925
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		3,997
Westridge Square S/C, Frederick, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					22,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land					9,135
Buildings and Improvements					19,159
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land					(1)
Improvements					4,269
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					9,134
Buildings and Improvements					23,428
Total	[1]	32,562			32,562
Accumulated Depreciation		16,191			16,191
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	32,562
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 16,191
Westridge Square S/C, Frederick, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		15 years
Westridge Square S/C, Frederick, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		31 years 6 months
Westwood Plaza, Westwood, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					21,355
Initial Cost to Company
Land					6,889
Buildings and Improvements					$ 6,416
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					$ 2,469
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					6,889
Buildings and Improvements					8,885
Total	[1]	$ 15,774			15,774
Accumulated Depreciation		7,700			7,700
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	15,774
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 7,700
Westwood Plaza, Westwood, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		15 years
Westwood Plaza, Westwood, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		31 years 6 months
Preakness S/C, Wayne, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					25,038
Initial Cost to Company
Land					9,280
Buildings and Improvements					$ 24,217
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					$ 1,769
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					9,280
Buildings and Improvements					25,986
Total	[1]	$ 35,266			35,266
Accumulated Depreciation		9,235			9,235
Cost for Federal income tax purposes					35,500
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	35,266
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 9,235
Preakness S/C, Wayne, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		15 years
Preakness S/C, Wayne, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		31 years 6 months
The Rotunda, Baltimore, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					91,953
Initial Cost to Company
Land					16,263
Buildings and Improvements					14,634
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land					232
Improvements					106,784
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					16,495
Buildings and Improvements					121,418
Total	[1]	$ 137,913			137,913
Accumulated Depreciation		$ 5,344			5,344
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Cost for Federal income tax purposes					$ 129,100
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	$ 137,913
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		5,344
Rockaway, NJ [Member] | Land Leased [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land					$ 114
Buildings and Improvements
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					$ 114
Buildings and Improvements
Total	[1]	$ 114			$ 114
Accumulated Depreciation
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	$ 114
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year
Rockaway, NJ [Member] | Vacant Land [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land					$ 51
Buildings and Improvements
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					$ 51
Buildings and Improvements
Total	[1]	$ 51			$ 51
Accumulated Depreciation
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	$ 51
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year
Rochelle Park, NJ [Member] | Land Leased [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land					$ 1,640
Buildings and Improvements					$ 905
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					$ 1,640
Buildings and Improvements					905
Total	[1]	$ 2,545			2,545
Accumulated Depreciation		272			$ 272
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	2,545
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		272
Franklin Lakes, NJ [Member] | Vacant Land [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land					$ 224
Buildings and Improvements
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land					$ (156)
Improvements
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					$ 68
Buildings and Improvements
Total	[1]	$ 68			$ 68
Accumulated Depreciation
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	$ 68
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year
Wayne, NJ [Member] | Vacant Land [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land					$ 286
Buildings and Improvements
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					$ 286
Buildings and Improvements
Total	[1]	$ 286			$ 286
Accumulated Depreciation
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	$ 286
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year

[1] Total cost for each property is the same for federal income tax purposes, with the exception of Pierre Towers, Preakness S/C, The Rotunda and the Regency Club whose cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $41.9 million, $35.5 million, $129.1 million and $12.9 million, respectively.