Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 108,652	$ 137,101
Inventory	666,271	693,962
Non-performing loan portfolio	69,909	107,411
Rental properties	125,298	164,325
Rental properties under development	177,390	133,081
Real estate owned ("REO")	207,358	202,259
Other assets	267,698	257,327
Total assets	1,622,576	1,695,466
Debt	457,351	538,303
Other liabilities	84,490	50,491
Member's equity	907,399	897,027
Non-controlling interest	173,336	209,645
Total liabilities and equity	1,622,576	1,695,466
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	441,842	403,133
Restricted cash	22,542	32,036
Development Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	31,267	30,826
Inventory	256,691	350,150
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	19,275	12,700
Total assets	307,233	393,676
Debt	36,092	135,200
Other liabilities	26,279	21,015
Member's equity	244,862	237,461
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	307,233	393,676
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	160,528	142,448
Homebuilding Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	26,209	31,164
Inventory	409,188	338,814
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	78,720	70,180
Total assets	514,117	440,158
Debt	10,174	11,977
Other liabilities	38,783	19,636
Member's equity	465,160	408,545
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	514,117	440,158
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	182,956	166,271
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	39,360	35,014
Inventory	392	4,998
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties	125,298	164,325
Rental properties under development	177,390	133,081
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	13,774	18,526
Total assets	356,214	355,944
Debt	255,185	235,226
Other liabilities	19,210	9,461
Member's equity	81,819	111,257
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	356,214	355,944
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	75,574	68,711
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	11,816	40,097
Inventory
Non-performing loan portfolio	69,909	107,411
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")	207,358	202,259
Other assets	155,929	155,921
Total assets	445,012	505,688
Debt	155,900	155,900
Other liabilities	218	379
Member's equity	115,558	139,764
Non-controlling interest	173,336	209,645
Total liabilities and equity	445,012	505,688
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	22,784	25,703
Restricted cash	$ 155,921	$ 155,921