Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 248,795	$ 232,770	$ 160,542
Cost of revenues	159,855	155,251	103,550
Other expenses	33,620	42,483	27,974
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	193,475	197,734	131,524
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Gain Loss On Disposition Of Loans And Owned Real Estate	42,939	30,420	68,323
Income (loss) from operations	98,259	65,456	97,341
Other income	8,287	49,225	997
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	106,546	114,681	98,338
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(19,928)	(15,496)	(43,349)
Net income (loss)	86,618	99,185	54,989
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income	52	728	922
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	86,670	99,913	55,911
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	21,119	41,141	14,392
Land Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	128,889	136,949	43,937
Cost of revenues	58,435	73,628	20,142
Other expenses	1,999	730	1,146
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	$ 60,434	$ 74,358	$ 21,288
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Gain Loss On Disposition Of Loans And Owned Real Estate
Income (loss) from operations	$ 68,455	$ 62,591	$ 22,649
Other income	615	66	11
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	$ 69,070	$ 62,657	$ 22,660
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	$ 69,070	$ 62,657	$ 22,660
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	$ 69,070	$ 62,657	$ 22,660
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	12,005	1,190	3,288
Home Building Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	78,072	54,923	40,386
Cost of revenues	69,142	53,221	36,208
Other expenses	6,135	5,165	2,554
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	$ 75,277	$ 58,386	$ 38,762
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Gain Loss On Disposition Of Loans And Owned Real Estate
Income (loss) from operations	$ 2,795	$ (3,463)	$ 1,624
Other income	1,072	105	571
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	$ 3,867	$ (3,358)	$ 2,195
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	$ 3,867	$ (3,358)	$ 2,195
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	$ 3,867	$ (3,358)	$ 2,195
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	3,448	(2,034)	1,471
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	35,732	32,875	38,727
Cost of revenues	15,539	14,250	16,704
Other expenses	24,174	35,003	20,875
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	$ 39,713	$ 49,253	$ 37,579
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Gain Loss On Disposition Of Loans And Owned Real Estate
Income (loss) from operations	$ (3,981)	$ (16,378)	$ 1,148
Other income	4,376	45,933	86
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	$ 395	$ 29,555	$ 1,234
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	$ 395	$ 29,555	$ 1,234
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income	52	728	922
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	447	30,283	2,156
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	3,027	40,081	3,965
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	6,102	8,023	37,492
Cost of revenues	16,739	14,152	30,496
Other expenses	1,312	1,585	3,399
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Expenses	18,051	15,737	33,895
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Gain Loss On Disposition Of Loans And Owned Real Estate	42,939	30,420	68,323
Income (loss) from operations	30,990	22,706	71,920
Other income	2,224	3,121	329
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	33,214	25,827	72,249
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(19,928)	(15,496)	(43,349)
Net income (loss)	$ 13,286	$ 10,331	$ 28,900
equity method summarized financial information other comprehensive income
Equity method summarized financial information comprehensive income (loss)	$ 13,286	$ 10,331	$ 28,900
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	$ 2,639	$ 1,904	$ 5,668