Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended						6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended				24 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012 Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Toll Brothers Inc. [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Toll Brothers Inc. [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Toll Brothers Inc. [Member]	Jul. 31, 2012 Development Joint Venture [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Development Joint Venture [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Development Joint Venture [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Development Joint Venture [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 South Edge LLC [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 South Edge LLC [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 South Edge LLC [Member]	Jan. 31, 2011 South Edge LLC [Member]	Oct. 31, 2009 South Edge LLC [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Condominium Joint Ventures [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Condominium Joint Ventures [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Condominium Joint Ventures [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Condominium Joint Ventures [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Condominium New JV [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Planned Community Joint Venture [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Planned Community Joint Venture [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Planned Community Joint Venture [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Trust I [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Trust I [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Trust I [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Trust I [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Trust II [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Textual) [Abstract]
Impairment Charges	$ (1,621,000)	$ 19,600,000	$ (1,621,000)	$ 39,600,000									$ 0	$ 0		$ (1,600,000)	$ (3,900,000)	$ 9,600,000	$ 20,000,000	$ 70,300,000	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0		$ 5,200,000	$ 10,000,000
Investments in joint ventures	200,292,000		200,292,000		126,355,000	35,704,000	34,651,000	29,100,000					8,538,000	8,538,000	17,098,000						121,500,000		121,500,000		79,020,000			30,400,000	500,000		500,000		3,600,000
Structured Asset Joint Venture Description						it is a 20% participant with two unrelated parties to purchase a 40% interest in an entity that owns and controls a portfolio of loans and real estate
Funding Commitments related to one Development Joint Venture													3,500,000	3,500,000							37,500,000		37,500,000					8,300,000
Owned by Third Party																															33.30%		50.00%
Percentage ownership held by company													50.00%																		33.30%		50.00%
Percent owned by Company's Management																															33.30%
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture			75,008,000									110,000,000
Deposits Assets													10,000,000	10,000,000
Development finance and management services recognized during period																													600,000	600,000	1,100,000	1,100,000
Cumulative impairment charges in connection with joint ventures																94,400,000					63,900,000		63,900,000					15,200,000
Aggregate exposure with respect to its estimated obligations	$ 2,077,000		$ 2,077,000		$ 60,205,000