Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 232,770	$ 160,542	$ 197,946
Cost of revenues	155,251	103,550	148,196
Other expenses	42,483	27,974	34,763
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	197,734	131,524	182,959
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Gain Loss On Disposition Of Loans And Owned Real Estate	30,420	68,323	42,244
Income (loss) from operations	65,456	97,341	57,231
Other income	49,225	997	3,506
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	114,681	98,338	60,737
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(15,496)	(43,349)	(19,888)
Net income (loss)	99,185	54,989	40,849
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income	728	922	0
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	99,913	55,911	40,849
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	41,141	14,392	23,592
Land Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	136,949	43,937	39,278
Cost of revenues	73,628	20,142	36,315
Other expenses	730	1,146	1,414
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	74,358	21,288	37,729
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Gain Loss On Disposition Of Loans And Owned Real Estate
Income (loss) from operations	62,591	22,649	1,549
Other income	66	11	2,658
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	62,657	22,660	4,207
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	62,657	22,660	4,207
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	62,657	22,660	4,207
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	1,190	3,288	3,995
Home Building Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	54,923	40,386	89,947
Cost of revenues	53,221	36,208	65,068
Other expenses	5,165	2,554	3,477
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	58,386	38,762	68,545
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Gain Loss On Disposition Of Loans And Owned Real Estate
Income (loss) from operations	(3,463)	1,624	21,402
Other income	105	571	153
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	(3,358)	2,195	21,555
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	(3,358)	2,195	21,555
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	(3,358)	2,195	21,555
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	(2,034)	1,471	15,303
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	32,875	38,727	37,035
Cost of revenues	14,250	16,704	13,985
Other expenses	35,003	20,875	21,226
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	49,253	37,579	35,211
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Gain Loss On Disposition Of Loans And Owned Real Estate
Income (loss) from operations	(16,378)	1,148	1,824
Other income	45,933	86	4
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	29,555	1,234	1,828
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	29,555	1,234	1,828
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income	728	922
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	30,283	2,156	1,828
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	40,081	3,965	1,602
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	8,023	37,492	31,686
Cost of revenues	14,152	30,496	32,828
Other expenses	1,585	3,399	8,646
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	15,737	33,895	41,474
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Gain Loss On Disposition Of Loans And Owned Real Estate	30,420	68,323	42,244
Income (loss) from operations	22,706	71,920	32,456
Other income	3,121	329	691
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	25,827	72,249	33,147
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(15,496)	(43,349)	(19,888)
Net income (loss)	10,331	28,900	13,259
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	10,331	28,900	13,259
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	$ 1,904	$ 5,668	$ 2,692