Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 50,009	$ 92,291	$ 162,119	$ 278,775
Cost of revenues	35,470	69,906	125,958	207,196
Other expenses	8,346	9,380	27,211	32,179
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	(1,865)	(44,841)	(24,691)	(55,727)
Total expenses - net	41,951	34,445	128,478	183,648
Income (loss) from operations	8,058	57,846	33,641	95,127
Other income	202	1,605	3,209	7,706
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	8,260	59,451	36,850	102,833
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	220	(27,084)	(7,784)	(35,059)
Net income (loss)	8,480	32,367	29,066	67,774
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	5,672	11,340	19,348	(11,005)
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	3,525	3,524	37,109	4,643
Cost of revenues	2,925	2,829	34,696	3,987
Other expenses	630	283	1,060	839
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Total expenses - net	3,555	3,112	35,756	4,826
Income (loss) from operations	(30)	412	1,353	(183)
Other income	10	1,689	2,663	7,479
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	(20)	2,101	4,016	7,296
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	(20)	2,101	4,016	7,296
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	(81)	(46)	3,451	(29,695)
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	28,859	67,299	76,325	207,645
Cost of revenues	20,274	53,964	55,028	165,456
Other expenses	1,056	2,164	3,166	7,605
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Total expenses - net	21,330	56,128	58,194	173,061
Income (loss) from operations	7,529	11,171	18,131	34,584
Other income	39	(155)	118	(1)
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	7,568	11,016	18,249	34,583
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	7,568	11,016	18,249	34,583
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	5,308	7,407	13,318	10,839
Toll Brothers Realty Trust I and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	9,129	8,997	27,827	28,863
Cost of revenues	3,450	3,399	10,186	11,382
Other expenses	4,600	4,404	16,027	14,955
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Total expenses - net	8,050	7,803	26,213	26,337
Income (loss) from operations	1,079	1,194	1,614	2,526
Other income	0
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	1,079	1,194	1,614	2,526
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	1,079	1,194	1,614	2,526
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	475	500	1,556	3,167
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Restricted Cash Held in Defeasance Account Used to Repay Debt	189,297		189,297		152,642
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	8,496	12,471	20,858	37,624
Cost of revenues	8,821	9,714	26,048	26,371
Other expenses	2,060	2,529	6,958	8,780
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	(1,865)	(44,841)	(24,691)	(55,727)
Total expenses - net	9,016	(32,598)	8,315	(20,576)
Income (loss) from operations	(520)	45,069	12,543	58,200
Other income	153	71	428	228
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	(367)	45,140	12,971	58,428
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	220	(27,084)	(7,784)	(35,059)
Net income (loss)	(147)	18,056	5,187	23,369
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$ (30)	$ 3,479	$ 1,023	$ 4,684