Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	$ 374,815	$ 248,795	$ 232,770
Cost of revenues	236,525	159,855	155,251
Other expenses	44,850	33,620	42,483
Total expenses	281,375	193,475	197,734
Gain on disposition of loans and REO	49,579	42,939	30,420
Income (loss) from operations	143,019	98,259	65,456
Other income (expense)	5,294	8,287	49,225
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	148,313	106,546	114,681
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(18,218)	(19,928)	(15,496)
Net income (loss)	130,095	86,618	99,185
Other comprehensive income	100	52	728
Total comprehensive income (loss)	130,195	86,670	99,913
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	40,748	21,119	41,141
Land Development Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	142,015	128,889	136,949
Cost of revenues	63,429	58,435	73,628
Other expenses	3,904	1,999	730
Total expenses	67,333	60,434	74,358
Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	74,682	68,455	62,591
Other income (expense)	3,464	615	66
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	78,146	69,070	62,657
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	78,146	69,070	62,657
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income (loss)	78,146	69,070	62,657
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	15,772	12,005	1,190
Home Building Joint Ventures, Total [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	168,164	78,072	54,923
Cost of revenues	118,621	69,142	53,221
Other expenses	8,124	6,135	5,165
Total expenses	126,745	75,277	58,386
Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	41,419	2,795	(3,463)
Other income (expense)	(486)	1,072	105
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	40,933	3,867	(3,358)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	40,933	3,867	(3,358)
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income (loss)	40,933	3,867	(3,358)
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	16,945	3,448	(2,034)
Rental Property Joint Ventures, including Trust I [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	58,707	35,732	32,875
Cost of revenues	29,791	15,539	14,250
Other expenses	30,779	24,174	35,003
Total expenses	60,570	39,713	49,253
Gain on disposition of loans and REO
Income (loss) from operations	(1,863)	(3,981)	(16,378)
Other income (expense)	1,144	4,376	45,933
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	(719)	395	29,555
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income (loss)	(719)	395	29,555
Other comprehensive income	100	52	728
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(619)	447	30,283
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	5,721	3,027	40,081
Gibraltar Joint Ventures [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations:
Revenues	5,929	6,102	8,023
Cost of revenues	24,684	16,739	14,152
Other expenses	2,043	1,312	1,585
Total expenses	26,727	18,051	15,737
Gain on disposition of loans and REO	49,579	42,939	30,420
Income (loss) from operations	28,781	30,990	22,706
Other income (expense)	1,172	2,224	3,121
Net income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	29,953	33,214	25,827
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(18,218)	(19,928)	(15,496)
Net income (loss)	11,735	13,286	10,331
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income (loss)	11,735	13,286	10,331
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities	$ 2,310	$ 2,639	$ 1,904