Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 24,945	$ 50,009	$ 124,742	$ 162,119
Cost of revenues	18,035	35,470	84,318	125,958
Other expenses	6,493	8,346	21,287	27,211
Total expenses	24,528	43,816	105,605	153,169
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	7,878	1,865	47,583	24,691
Income (loss) from operations	8,295	8,058	66,720	33,641
Other income	211	202	814	3,209
Net income (loss)	8,506	8,260	67,534	36,850
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,035)	220	(27,893)	(7,784)
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	4,471	8,480	39,641	29,066
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,064	(528)	1,162	(578)
Total comprehensive income	5,535	7,952	40,803	28,488
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	768	5,672	8,844	19,348
Development Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	1,791	3,525	36,813	37,109
Cost of revenues	186	2,925	17,992	34,696
Other expenses	179	630	936	1,060
Total expenses	365	3,555	18,928	35,756
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	1,426	(30)	17,885	1,353
Other income	3	10	8	2,663
Net income (loss)	1,429	(20)	17,893	4,016
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	1,429	(20)	17,893	4,016
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	1,429	(20)	17,893	4,016
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	57	(81)	2,853	3,451
Homebuilding Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	8,817	28,859	31,574	76,325
Cost of revenues	8,043	20,273	28,017	55,028
Other expenses	712	800	1,866	2,856
Total expenses	8,755	21,073	29,883	57,884
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	62	7,786	1,691	18,441
Other income	119	39	554	118
Net income (loss)	181	7,825	2,245	18,559
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	181	7,825	2,245	18,559
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	181	7,825	2,245	18,559
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	387	5,435	1,466	13,473
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	8,937	9,129	29,241	27,827
Cost of revenues	3,667	3,451	12,677	10,186
Other expenses	5,108	4,857	15,673	16,337
Total expenses	8,775	8,308	28,350	26,523
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	162	821	891	1,304
Other income	9		17
Net income (loss)	171	821	908	1,304
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	171	821	908	1,304
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,064	(528)	1,162	(578)
Total comprehensive income	1,235	293	2,070	726
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	(213)	347	917	1,401
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	5,400	8,496	27,114	20,858
Cost of revenues	6,139	8,821	25,632	26,048
Other expenses	494	2,059	2,812	6,958
Total expenses	6,633	10,880	28,444	33,006
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	7,878	1,865	47,583	24,691
Income (loss) from operations	6,645	(519)	46,253	12,543
Other income	80	153	235	428
Net income (loss)	6,725	(366)	46,488	12,971
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,035)	220	(27,893)	(7,784)
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	2,690	(146)	18,595	5,187
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	2,690	(146)	18,595	5,187
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$ 537	$ (29)	$ 3,608	$ 1,023