SCHEDULE XI - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Schedule of Properties) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2016
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					$ 329,719
Initial Cost to Company
Land					64,991
Buildings and Improvements					151,798
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land					13,158
Improvements					199,498
Carrying Costs
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					78,149
Buildings and Improvements					351,296
Total		$ 409,297	$ 354,032	$ 354,032	429,445
Accumulated Depreciation		88,452	81,569	81,569	92,547
Real estate:
Balance, beginning of year		409,297	354,032	292,769
Buildings and improvements		26,206	55,265	62,340
Disposal: Buildings and improvements		(3,513)
Sale of commercial property		(2,545)
Sale of discontinued operation				(1,077)
Balance, end of year		429,445	409,297	354,032
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, beginning of year		88,452	81,569	75,226
Additions - Charged to operating expenses		7,852	6,883	6,346
Disposal - Buildings and improvements		(3,466)
Sale of commercial property		(291)
Sale of discontinued operation
Adjustments				(3)
Balance, end of year		92,547	$ 88,452	$ 81,569
Residential Properties [Member] | Hammel Gardens, Maywood, NJ [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					8,087
Initial Cost to Company
Land					312
Buildings and Improvements					728
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					1,276
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					312
Buildings and Improvements					2,004
Total	[1]	2,316			2,316
Accumulated Depreciation		1,581			1,581
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	2,316
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		1,581
Residential Properties [Member] | Steuben Arms, River Edge, NJ [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					10,659
Initial Cost to Company
Land					364
Buildings and Improvements					1,773
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					1,453
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					364
Buildings and Improvements					3,226
Total	[1]	3,590			3,590
Accumulated Depreciation		2,724			2,724
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	3,590
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		2,724
Residential Properties [Member] | Berdan Court, Wayne, NJ [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					18,054
Initial Cost to Company
Land					250
Buildings and Improvements					2,206
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					4,302
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					250
Buildings and Improvements					6,508
Total	[1]	6,758			6,758
Accumulated Depreciation		5,077			5,077
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	6,758
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		5,077
Residential Properties [Member] | Westwood Hills, Westwood, NJ [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					21,098
Initial Cost to Company
Land					3,849
Buildings and Improvements					11,546
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					2,397
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					3,849
Buildings and Improvements					13,943
Total	[1]	17,792			17,792
Accumulated Depreciation		7,985			7,985
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	17,792
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		7,985
Residential Properties [Member] | Pierre Towers, Hackensack, NJ [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					29,901
Initial Cost to Company
Land					8,390
Buildings and Improvements					37,486
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land					19
Improvements					8,994
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					8,409
Buildings and Improvements					46,480
Total	[1]	54,889			54,889
Accumulated Depreciation		14,847			14,847
Cost for Federal income tax purposes					42,500
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	54,889
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		14,847
Residential Properties [Member] | Boulders - Rockaway, NJ [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					17,141
Initial Cost to Company
Land					1,632
Buildings and Improvements
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land					3,386
Improvements					15,756
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					5,018
Buildings and Improvements					15,756
Total	[1]	20,774			20,774
Accumulated Depreciation		4,469			4,469
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	20,774
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		4,469
Residential Properties [Member] | Regency Club - Middletown, NY [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					578
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					2,833
Buildings and Improvements					18,370
Total	[1]	21,203			21,203
Accumulated Depreciation		1,101			1,101
Cost for Federal income tax purposes					13,100
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	21,203
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		1,101
Residential Properties [Member] | Icon - Baltimore, MD [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					67,126
Initial Cost to Company
Land					5,871
Buildings and Improvements
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					86,441
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					5,871
Buildings and Improvements					86,441
Total	[1]	92,312			92,312
Accumulated Depreciation		541			541
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	92,312
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 541
Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Hammel Gardens, Maywood, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Steuben Arms, River Edge, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Berdan Court, Wayne, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Westwood Hills, Westwood, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Pierre Towers, Hackensack, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Boulders - Rockaway, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Regency Club - Middletown, NY [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Icon - Baltimore, MD [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		7 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Hammel Gardens, Maywood, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Steuben Arms, River Edge, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Berdan Court, Wayne, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Westwood Hills, Westwood, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		39 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Pierre Towers, Hackensack, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Boulders - Rockaway, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Regency Club - Middletown, NY [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Icon - Baltimore, MD [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Damascus Shopping Center, Damascus, MD [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					20,831
Initial Cost to Company
Land					2,950
Buildings and Improvements					6,987
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land					6,296
Improvements					17,197
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					9,246
Buildings and Improvements					24,184
Total	[1]	$ 33,430			33,430
Accumulated Depreciation		5,287			5,287
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	33,430
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		5,287
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Franklin Crossing, Franklin Lakes, NJ [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					7,409
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					3,411
Buildings and Improvements					7,409
Total	[1]	10,820			10,820
Accumulated Depreciation		3,628			3,628
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	10,820
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		3,628
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Glen Rock, NJ [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					230
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					12
Buildings and Improvements					266
Total	[1]	278			278
Accumulated Depreciation		154			154
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	278
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		154
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Pathmark Super Center, Patchogue, NY [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					5,231
Initial Cost to Company
Land					2,128
Buildings and Improvements					8,818
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					(8)
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					2,128
Buildings and Improvements					8,810
Total	[1]	10,938			10,938
Accumulated Depreciation		4,221			4,221
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	10,938
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		4,221
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Westridge Square S/C, Frederick, MD [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					4,366
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					9,134
Buildings and Improvements					23,525
Total	[1]	32,659			32,659
Accumulated Depreciation		16,988			16,988
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	32,659
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		16,988
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Westwood Plaza, Westwood, NJ [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					20,801
Initial Cost to Company
Land					6,889
Buildings and Improvements					6,416
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					2,547
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					6,889
Buildings and Improvements					8,963
Total	[1]	15,852			15,852
Accumulated Depreciation		7,952			7,952
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	15,852
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		7,952
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Preakness S/C, Wayne, NJ [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					25,749
Initial Cost to Company
Land					9,280
Buildings and Improvements					24,217
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements					1,723
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					9,280
Buildings and Improvements					25,940
Total	[1]	35,220			35,220
Accumulated Depreciation		9,678			9,678
Cost for Federal income tax purposes					35,100
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	35,220
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		9,678
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | The Rotunda, Baltimore, MD [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances					46,841
Initial Cost to Company
Land					10,392
Buildings and Improvements					14,634
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land					232
Improvements					44,837
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land					10,624
Buildings and Improvements					59,471
Total	[1]	70,095			70,095
Accumulated Depreciation		6,314			6,314
Cost for Federal income tax purposes					159,500
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	[1]	70,095
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year		$ 6,314
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Damascus Shopping Center, Damascus, MD [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		5 years
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Franklin Crossing, Franklin Lakes, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		5 years
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Glen Rock, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		5 years
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Pathmark Super Center, Patchogue, NY [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		15 years
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Westridge Square S/C, Frederick, MD [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		5 years
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Westwood Plaza, Westwood, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		5 years
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Preakness S/C, Wayne, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		5 years
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Minimum [Member] | The Rotunda, Baltimore, MD [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		5 years
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Damascus Shopping Center, Damascus, MD [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		39 years 6 months
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Franklin Crossing, Franklin Lakes, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		39 years 6 months
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Glen Rock, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		25 years
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Pathmark Super Center, Patchogue, NY [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		39 years 6 months
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Westridge Square S/C, Frederick, MD [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		31 years 6 months
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Westwood Plaza, Westwood, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		31 years 6 months
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Preakness S/C, Wayne, NJ [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		39 years 6 months
Westwood Plaza and Damascus Shopping Center [Member] | Maximum [Member] | The Rotunda, Baltimore, MD [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed		40 years
Land Leased [Member] | Rockaway, NJ [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
Vacant Land [Member] | Rockaway, NJ [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
Vacant Land [Member] | Franklin Lakes, NJ [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
Vacant Land [Member] | Wayne, NJ [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
Land
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 Regency Club and the Rotunda properties (Icon and The Rotunda) whose cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $42.5 million, $35.1 million, $13.1 million and $159.5 million, respectively.