Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 42,486	$ 46,070
Cost of revenues	35,513	35,886
Other expenses	9,307	6,424
Total expenses	44,820	42,310
Gain on disposition of loans and REO	25,983	7,631
Income (loss) from operations	23,649	11,391
Other income	1,005	658
Net income (loss)	24,654	12,049
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(11,610)	(1,623)
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	13,044	10,426
Other comprehensive income (loss)	87	(22)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	13,131	10,404
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	8,638	4,901
Land Development Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	12,622	18,276
Cost of revenues	7,159	9,630
Other expenses	1,029	135
Total expenses	$ 8,188	$ 9,765
Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	$ 4,434	$ 8,511
Other income	821
Net income (loss)	$ 5,255	$ 8,511
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	$ 5,255	$ 8,511
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ 5,255	$ 8,511
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	5,006	2,442
Home Building Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	16,042	19,294
Cost of revenues	13,476	16,913
Other expenses	1,522	1,575
Total expenses	$ 14,998	$ 18,488
Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	$ 1,044	$ 806
Other income	(73)	72
Net income (loss)	$ 971	$ 878
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	$ 971	$ 878
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ 971	$ 878
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	343	542
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	12,884	7,611
Cost of revenues	7,691	3,269
Other expenses	6,190	4,388
Total expenses	$ 13,881	$ 7,657
Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	$ (997)	$ (46)
Other income	75
Net income (loss)	$ (922)	$ (46)
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	$ (922)	$ (46)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	87	(22)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(835)	(68)
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	1,742	1,700
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	938	889
Cost of revenues	7,187	6,074
Other expenses	566	326
Total expenses	7,753	6,400
Gain on disposition of loans and REO	25,983	7,631
Income (loss) from operations	19,168	2,120
Other income	182	586
Net income (loss)	19,350	2,706
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(11,610)	(1,623)
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	$ 7,740	$ 1,083
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ 7,740	$ 1,083
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	$ 1,547	$ 217