Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 90,942	$ 112,496
Inventory	620,570	512,233
Non-performing loan portfolio	142,501	226,315
Rental properties	168,204	173,767
Rental properties under development	93,010	43,694
Real estate owned ("REO")	226,926	254,250
Other assets	406,921	331,387
Total assets	1,749,074	1,654,142
Debt	665,571	633,643
Other liabilities	46,202	29,923
Member's equity	805,925	720,663
Non-controlling interest	231,376	269,913
Total liabilities and equity	1,749,074	1,654,142
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	356,837	330,617
Development Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	21,902	17,189
Inventory	312,815	255,561
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	13,157	12,427
Total assets	347,874	285,177
Debt	127,641	96,362
Other liabilities	19,533	14,390
Member's equity	200,700	174,425
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	347,874	285,177
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	126,412	116,452
Homebuilding Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	23,465	24,964
Inventory	302,759	251,029
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	69,650	72,290
Total assets	395,874	348,283
Debt	12,874	11,755
Other liabilities	17,385	9,438
Member's equity	365,615	327,090
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	395,874	348,283
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	147,500	135,688
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	28,883	26,167
Inventory	4,996	5,643
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties	168,204	173,767
Rental properties under development	93,010	43,694
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	12,298	9,194
Total assets	307,391	258,465
Debt	213,255	213,725
Other liabilities	8,777	5,534
Member's equity	85,359	39,206
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	307,391	258,465
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	52,492	41,134
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	16,692	44,176
Inventory
Non-performing loan portfolio	142,501	226,315
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")	226,926	254,250
Other assets	311,816	237,476
Total assets	697,935	762,217
Debt	311,801	311,801
Other liabilities	507	561
Member's equity	154,251	179,942
Non-controlling interest	231,376	269,913
Total liabilities and equity	697,935	762,217
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	30,483	37,343
Restricted Cash Held in Defeasance Account Used to Repay Debt	$ 311,800	$ 237,500