Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 99,071	$ 85,359
Inventory	461,743	394,079
Non-performing loan portfolio	259,545	295,044
Rental properties	175,971	178,339
Real estate owned ("REO")	271,571	231,959
Other assets	258,394	339,214
Total assets	1,526,295	1,523,994
Debt	614,275	888,145
Other liabilities	29,714	18,906
Member's equity	624,290	367,277
Non-controlling interest	258,016	249,666
Total liabilities and equity	1,526,295	1,523,994
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	200,292	126,355
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	21,958	14,190
Inventory	175,277	218,339
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	18,499	150,316
Total assets	215,734	382,845
Debt	71,444	327,856
Other liabilities	20,533	5,352
Member's equity	123,757	49,637
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	215,734	382,845
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	8,538	17,098
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	20,999	10,663
Inventory	280,886	170,239
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	64,799	20,080
Total assets	366,684	200,982
Debt	34,804	50,515
Other liabilities	5,288	9,745
Member's equity	326,592	140,722
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	366,684	200,982
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	151,883	72,734
Toll Brothers Realty Trust I and II [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	11,311	11,726
Inventory	5,580	5,501
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties	175,971	178,339
Real estate owned ("REO")	516	1,087
Other assets	9,183	9,675
Total assets	202,561	206,328
Debt	197,172	198,927
Other liabilities	3,479	3,427
Member's equity	1,910	3,974
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	202,561	206,328
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	4,167	1,872
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	44,803	48,780
Inventory
Non-performing loan portfolio	259,545	295,044
Rental properties
Real estate owned ("REO")	271,055	230,872
Other assets	165,913	159,143
Total assets	741,316	733,839
Debt	310,855	310,847
Other liabilities	414	382
Member's equity	172,031	172,944
Non-controlling interest	258,016	249,666
Total liabilities and equity	741,316	733,839
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	$ 35,704	$ 34,651	$ 29,100