Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 40,912	$ 76,229	$ 112,110	$ 186,482
Cost of revenues	26,055	53,917	90,488	137,292
Other expenses	8,025	10,357	18,865	22,797
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	(7,517)	488	(22,826)	(10,886)
Total expenses - net	26,563	64,762	86,527	149,203
Income (loss) from operations	14,349	11,467	25,583	37,279
Other income	213	3,599	3,007	6,103
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	14,562	15,066	28,590	43,382
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,557)	(1,591)	(8,004)	(7,975)
Net income (loss)	10,005	13,475	20,586	35,407
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	6,989	(11,343)	13,676	(22,345)
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues		33	33,584	1,118
Cost of revenues			31,771	1,159
Other expenses	205	399	430	556
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Total expenses - net	205	399	32,201	1,715
Income (loss) from operations	(205)	(366)	1,383	(597)
Other income	1	3,412	2,653	5,791
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	(204)	3,046	4,036	5,194
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	(204)	3,046	4,036	5,194
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	1,536	(9,649)	3,532	(29,649)
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	24,036	52,331	47,466	140,346
Cost of revenues	16,961	42,323	34,754	111,492
Other expenses	1,165	2,431	2,110	5,441
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Total expenses - net	18,126	44,754	36,864	116,933
Income (loss) from operations	5,910	7,577	10,602	23,413
Other income	74	118	79	154
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	5,984	7,695	10,681	23,567
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	5,984	7,695	10,681	23,567
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	3,490	(4,502)	8,010	3,432
Toll Brothers Realty Trust I and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	9,222	10,715	18,698	19,866
Cost of revenues	3,393	4,494	6,736	7,983
Other expenses	4,642	4,548	11,427	10,550
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Total expenses - net	8,035	9,042	18,163	18,533
Income (loss) from operations	1,187	1,673	535	1,333
Other income
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	1,187	1,673	535	1,333
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	1,187	1,673	535	1,333
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	458	2,203	1,081	2,667
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Restricted Cash Held in Defeasance Account Used to Repay Debt	165,913		165,913		152,642
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	7,654	13,150	12,362	25,152
Cost of revenues	5,701	7,100	17,227	16,658
Other expenses	2,013	2,979	4,898	6,250
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	(7,517)	488	(22,826)	(10,886)
Total expenses - net	197	10,567	(701)	12,022
Income (loss) from operations	7,457	2,583	13,063	13,130
Other income	138	69	275	158
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	7,595	2,652	13,338	13,288
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,557)	(1,591)	(8,004)	(7,975)
Net income (loss)	3,038	1,061	5,334	5,313
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$ 1,505	$ 605	$ 1,053	$ 1,205