Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 108,379	$ 95,263
Inventory	1,052,107	1,024,157
Non-performing loan portfolio	17,976	27,572
Rental properties	361,191	278,897
Rental properties under development	381,411	390,399
Real estate owned ("REO")	98,372	117,758
Other assets	158,543	224,617
Total assets	2,177,979	2,158,663
Debt	1,125,119	1,127,121
Other liabilities	139,960	130,315
Member's equity	821,427	806,327
Non-controlling interest	91,473	94,900
Total liabilities and equity	2,177,979	2,158,663
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	414,864	412,860
Restricted cash	29,350	16,795
Land Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	35,054	29,281
Inventory	$ 713,254	$ 701,527
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	$ 75,522	$ 70,799
Total assets	823,830	801,607
Debt	430,143	417,025
Other liabilities	31,673	29,772
Member's equity	$ 362,014	$ 354,810
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	$ 823,830	$ 801,607
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	211,965	214,060
Home Building Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	7,830	11,203
Inventory	$ 338,853	$ 322,630
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	$ 68,576	$ 61,144
Total assets	415,259	394,977
Debt	132,430	117,251
Other liabilities	75,017	70,078
Member's equity	$ 207,812	$ 207,648
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	$ 415,259	$ 394,977
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	76,972	76,120
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 27,710	$ 44,310
Inventory
Non-performing loan portfolio
Rental properties	$ 361,191	$ 278,897
Rental properties under development	$ 381,411	$ 390,399
Real estate owned ("REO")
Other assets	$ 11,976	$ 12,199
Total assets	782,288	725,805
Debt	562,546	514,895
Other liabilities	29,145	30,329
Member's equity	$ 190,597	$ 180,581
Non-controlling interest
Total liabilities and equity	$ 782,288	$ 725,805
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	116,338	110,454
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 37,785	$ 10,469
Inventory
Non-performing loan portfolio	$ 17,976	$ 27,572
Rental properties
Rental properties under development
Real estate owned ("REO")	$ 98,372	$ 117,758
Other assets	2,469	80,475
Total assets	$ 156,602	236,274
Debt		77,950
Other liabilities	$ 4,125	136
Member's equity	61,004	63,288
Non-controlling interest	91,473	94,900
Total liabilities and equity	156,602	236,274
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	$ 9,589	12,226
Restricted cash		$ 78,000