Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 133,115	$ 69,812	$ 155,973	$ 99,796
Cost of revenues	80,490	43,327	97,867	66,281
Other expenses	11,176	7,585	24,944	14,793
Total expenses	91,666	50,912	122,811	81,074
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	(2,551)	(12,812)	(6,458)	(39,704)
Income (loss) from operations	44,000	31,712	39,620	58,426
Other income	1,917	501	44,938	603
Net income (loss)	45,917	32,213	84,558	59,029
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,751)	(8,689)	(2,654)	(23,858)
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	44,166	23,524	81,904	35,171
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(56)	(20)	729	282
Total comprehensive income	44,110	23,504	82,633	35,453
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	14,327	4,993	37,242	8,076
Development Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	110,406	33,395	111,950	35,022
Cost of revenues	61,488	16,587	62,170	17,805
Other expenses	210	567	465	758
Total expenses	61,698	17,154	62,635	18,563
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	48,708	16,241	49,315	16,459
Other income	4	2	5	5
Net income (loss)	48,712	16,243	49,320	16,464
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	48,712	16,243	49,320	16,464
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	48,712	16,243	49,320	16,464
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	135	2,894	103	2,796
Homebuilding Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	11,647	13,787	23,228	22,757
Cost of revenues	11,451	12,868	21,825	19,973
Other expenses	1,047	690	2,047	1,154
Total expenses	12,498	13,558	23,872	21,127
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	(851)	229	(644)	1,630
Other income	162	421	201	435
Net income (loss)	(689)	650	(443)	2,065
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	(689)	650	(443)	2,065
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	(689)	650	(443)	2,065
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	145	369	327	1,079
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	7,557	10,621	17,006	20,303
Cost of revenues	3,419	4,717	7,390	9,010
Other expenses	9,504	5,069	21,558	10,565
Total expenses	12,923	9,786	28,948	19,575
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	(5,366)	835	(11,942)	728
Other income	342	3	43,199	9
Net income (loss)	(5,024)	838	31,257	737
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	(5,024)	838	31,257	737
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(56)	(20)	729	282
Total comprehensive income	(5,080)	818	31,986	1,019
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	12,872	572	36,622	1,130
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	3,505	12,009	3,789	21,714
Cost of revenues	4,132	9,155	6,482	19,493
Other expenses	415	1,259	874	2,316
Total expenses	4,547	10,414	7,356	21,809
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	(2,551)	(12,812)	(6,458)	(39,704)
Income (loss) from operations	1,509	14,407	2,891	39,609
Other income	1,409	75	1,533	154
Net income (loss)	2,918	14,482	4,424	39,763
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,751)	(8,689)	(2,654)	(23,858)
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	1,167	5,793	1,770	15,905
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income	1,167	5,793	1,770	15,905
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$ 1,175	$ 1,158	$ 190	$ 3,071