Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 197,946	$ 330,865	$ 191,585
Cost of revenues	148,196	241,760	133,108
Other expenses	34,763	39,913	31,313
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	(42,244)	(61,406)	5,272
Total expenses - net	140,715	220,267	169,693
Income (loss) from operations	57,231	110,598	21,892
Other income	3,506	11,355	14,193
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	60,737	121,953	36,085
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(19,888)	(40,048)	(987)
Net income (loss)	40,849	81,905	35,098
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	23,592	(1,194)	23,470
Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	39,278	4,624	7,370
Cost of revenues	36,315	3,996	6,402
Other expenses	1,414	1,527	1,522
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Total expenses - net	37,729	5,523	7,924
Income (loss) from operations	1,549	(899)	(554)
Other income	2,658	9,498	13,616
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	4,207	8,599	13,062
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	4,207	8,599	13,062
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	3,996	(25,272)	10,664
Home Building Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	89,947	242,326	132,878
Cost of revenues	65,068	191,922	106,638
Other expenses	4,116	8,954	8,121
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Total expenses - net	69,184	200,876	114,759
Income (loss) from operations	20,763	41,450	18,119
Other income	157	1,605	572
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	20,920	43,055	18,691
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	20,920	43,055	18,691
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	14,985	15,159	11,272
Toll Brothers Realty Trust I and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	37,035	37,728	34,755
Cost of revenues	13,985	15,365	13,375
Other expenses	20,587	18,808	18,693
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Total expenses - net	34,572	34,173	32,068
Income (loss) from operations	2,463	3,555	2,687
Other income
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	2,463	3,555	2,687
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	2,463	3,555	2,687
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	1,919	3,580	1,402
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	31,686	46,187	16,582
Cost of revenues	32,828	30,477	6,693
Other expenses	8,646	10,624	2,977
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	(42,244)	(61,406)	5,272
Total expenses - net	(770)	(20,305)	14,942
Income (loss) from operations	32,456	66,492	1,640
Other income	691	252	5
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	33,147	66,744	1,645
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(19,888)	(40,048)	(987)
Net income (loss)	13,259	26,696	658
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$ 2,692	$ 5,339	$ 132