Organization and significant accounting policies (Schedule of Subsidiaries) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017
Westwood Hills, LLC [Member]
% Ownership	40.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	1994
S and A Commercial Associates Limited Partnership ("S and A") [Member]
% Ownership	65.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2000
Wayne PSC, LLC [Member]
% Ownership	40.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2002
Damascus Centre, LLC [Member]
% Ownership	70.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2003
Pierre Towers, LLC [Member]
% Ownership	100.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2004
Grande Rotunda, LLC [Member]
% Ownership	60.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2005
WestFREIT Corp [Member]
% Ownership	100.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2007
FREIT Regency, LLC [Member]
% Ownership	100.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2014