First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey (FREVS) 10-K 14 Jan 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Jan. 14, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY
Entity Central Index Key	36840
Document Type	10-K
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Period End Date	31-Oct-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Is Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer?	No
Is Entity a Voluntary Filer?	No
Entitys Reporting Status Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$100
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		6,821,171

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Real estate, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation	$222,317	$205,451
Construction in progress	50,146	12,092
Cash and cash equivalents	10,554	7,801
Tenants' security accounts	1,590	1,435
Receivables arising from straight-lining of rents	3,869	4,259
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	1,673	2,602
Secured loans receivable	5,451	3,323
Prepaid expenses and other assets	4,059	3,393
Deferred charges, net	5,143	2,915
Interest rate swap contract	515	980
Total Assets	305,317	244,251
Liabilities:
Mortgages payable	251,552	199,423
Deferred trustee compensation payable	9,017	7,813
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	9,495	5,656
Dividends payable	2,046	4,582
Tenants' security deposits	2,319	2,118
Deferred revenue	1,042	854
Total Liabilities	275,471	220,446
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Common equity:
Shares of beneficial interest without par value: 8,000,000 shares authorized; 6,993,152 shares issued	24,985	24,969
Treasury stock, at cost: 171,981 shares @ October 31, 2014; 51,009 shares @ October 31, 2013	-3,348	-1,135
Dividends in excess of net income	-6,270	-9,651
Accumulated other comprehensive income	360	686
Total Common Equity	15,727	14,869
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	14,119	8,936
Total Equity	29,846	23,805
Total Liabilities and Equity	$305,317	$244,251

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract]
Shares of benefical interest, no par value (in dollars per share)
Shares of benefical interest, authorized	8,000,000	8,000,000
Shares of benefical interest, issued	6,993,152	6,993,152
Treasury stock at cost, shares	171,981	51,009

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Revenue:
Rental income	$36,913	$35,819	$36,440
Reimbursements	5,054	5,006	4,843
Income relating to early lease termination			2,950
Sundry income	463	512	795
Revenue	42,430	41,337	45,028
Expenses:
Operating expenses	11,405	10,374	10,118
Management fees	1,968	1,849	1,863
Real estate taxes	7,515	7,527	7,611
Depreciation	6,346	6,233	6,171
Deferred project cost write-off			3,726
Expenses	27,234	25,983	29,489
Operating income	15,196	15,354	15,539
Investment income	184	191	173
Acquisition expenses-Regency	-648
Interest expense including amortization of deferred financing costs	-11,309	-11,945	-11,704
Income from continuing operations	3,423	3,600	4,008
Income from discontinued operations	7	797	460
Gain on sale of discontinued operations (net of tax of $1,965 in fiscal 2012)	8,734	3,545	7,528
Net income	12,164	7,942	11,996
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	-507	-493	-645
Net income attributable to common equity	11,657	7,449	11,351
Earnings per share - basic and diluted:
Continuing operations	$0.42	$0.45	$0.49
Discontinued operations	$1.27	$0.62	$1.15
Net income attributable to common equity	$1.69	$1.07	$1.64
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic and diluted	6,908	6,942	6,942
Amounts attributable to common equity:
Income from continuing operations	2,916	3,107	3,363
Income from discontinued operations	8,741	4,342	7,988
Net income attributable to common equity	$11,657	$7,449	$11,351

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Tax on sale of discontinued operations	$1,965

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Net income	$12,164	$7,942	$11,996
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap contract before reclassifications	-774	721
Amount reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense	309	259
Net unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap contract	-465	980
Comprehensive income	11,699	8,922	11,996
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-507	-493	-645
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate swap contract attributable to noncontrolling interests	140	-294
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-367	-787	-645
Comprehensive income attributable to common equity	$11,332	$8,135	$11,351

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EQU

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Shares of Beneficial Interest [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Dividends in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Common Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Oct. 31, 2011	$22,650,000	$24,969,000	($1,135,000)	($9,984,000)		$13,850,000	$8,800,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-834,000						-834,000
Net income	11,996,000			11,351,000		11,351,000	645,000
Dividends declared	-7,637,000			-7,637,000		-7,637,000
Net unrealized loss on interest rate swap
Balance at Oct. 31, 2012	26,175,000	24,969,000	-1,135,000	-6,270,000		17,564,000	8,611,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-462,000						-462,000
Net income	7,942,000			7,449,000		7,449,000	493,000
Dividends declared	-10,830,000			-10,830,000		-10,830,000
Net unrealized loss on interest rate swap	980,000				686,000	686,000	294,000
Balance at Oct. 31, 2013	23,805,000	24,969,000	-1,135,000	-9,651,000	686,000	14,869,000	8,936,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Repurchase of 120,972 shares of beneficial interest	-2,213,000		-2,213,000			-2,213,000
Stock based compensation expense	16,000	16,000				16,000
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-975,000						-975,000
Net income	12,164,000			11,657,000		11,657,000	507,000
Dividends declared	-8,276,000			-8,276,000		-8,276,000
Net unrealized loss on interest rate swap	-465,000				-326,000	-326,000	-140,000
Additional investment by noncontrolling interest to Granda Rotunda, LLC	5,791,000						5,791,000
Balance at Oct. 31, 2014	$29,846,000	$24,985,000	($3,348,000)	($6,270,000)	$360,000	$15,727,000	$14,119,000

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EQU1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 17, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY [Abstract]
Dividends declared, per share		$0.30	$0.30	$0.30	$0.30	$0.66	$0.30	$0.30	$0.30	$1.20	$1.56	$1.10
Number of shares repurchased	20,400									120,972

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income	$12,164		$7,942		$11,996
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities (including discontinued operations):
Depreciation	6,346		6,244		6,215
Amortization	750		665		669
Stock based compensation	16
Net amortization of acquired leases	21		24		2
Income from early lease termination					-2,950
Deferred project cost write-off					3,726
Net gain on sale of discontinued operations	-8,734		-3,545		-7,528
Income tax adjustment on gain on sale of discontinued operation			-720	[1]
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Tenants' security accounts	46		17		17
Accounts and straight-line rents receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets	-217		-181		-324
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred trustee compensation	1,812		318		1,541
Deferred revenue	190		-289		-239
Net cash provided by operating activities	12,394		10,475		13,125
Investing activities:
Capital improvements - existing properties	-3,770		-2,149		-2,114
Construction and pre-development costs	-33,579	[2]	-4,732	[3]	-3,999	[4]
Regency acquisition	-10,855	[5]
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations			3,752		9,908
Secured loans receivable to noncontrolling interest	-2,128
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-50,332		-3,129		3,795
Financing activities:
Repayment of mortgages and construction loan	-13,260		-45,747		-6,337
Repayment of credit line	-7,000
Proceeds from mortgages and construction loans	61,829		42,750		3,085
Proceeds from credit line	10,000		2,000
Deferred financing costs	-2,669		-1,059		-210
Dividends paid	-10,812		-7,637		-8,331
Repurchase of Company's shares of beneficial interest	-2,213
Additional investment by noncontrolling interest	5,791	[6]
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-975		-462		-834
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	40,691		-10,155		-12,627
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,753		-2,809		4,293
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	7,801		10,610		6,317
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	10,554		7,801		10,610
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow data:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	10,206		10,933		10,526
Income taxes paid			1,072
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operation applied to acquisition of 1031 replacement property.	9,770
Accrued capital expenditures, construction costs, pre-development costs and interest	8,091		3,766		747
Financing activities:
Dividends declared but not paid	$2,046		$4,582		$1,389
[1]	Income tax adjustment relating to fiscal 2012 gain on sale of discontinued operation.
[2]	Includes $3,766 that was incurred and accrued in fiscal 2013; paid in fiscal 2014.
[3]	Includes $743 that was incurred and accrued in fiscal 2012; paid in fiscal 2013.
[4]	Includes $2,256 that was incurred and accrued in fiscal 2011; paid in fiscal 2012.
[5]	Net of $9,770 of proceeds from the sale of South Brunswick property (see Note 2).
[6]	Represents $5,791 investment in Grande Rotunda, LLC, of which $2,128 was loaned to noncontrolling interest by FREIT.

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Construction in Progress Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	$3,766	$743	$2,256

Organization_and_significant_a

Organization and significant accounting policies	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Organization and significant accounting policies [Abstract]
Organization and significant accounting policies	Note 1 - Organization and significant accounting policies:
	Organization:
	First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey ("FREIT" or the “Company”) was organized on November 1, 1961 as a New Jersey Business Trust. FREIT is engaged in owning residential and commercial income producing properties located primarily in New Jersey, Maryland and New York.
	FREIT has elected to be taxed as a Real Estate Investment Trust under the provisions of Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended. Accordingly, FREIT does not pay federal income tax on income whenever income distributed to shareholders is equal to at least 90% of real estate investment trust taxable income. Further, FREIT pays no federal income tax on capital gains distributed to shareholders.
	FREIT is subject to federal income tax on undistributed taxable income and capital gains. FREIT may make an annual election under Section 858 of the Internal Revenue Code to apply part of the regular dividends paid in each respective subsequent year as a distribution for the immediately preceding year.
	Adopted and recently issued accounting standards:
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.  This update requires companies to present the effects on the line items of net income of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income if the amount being reclassified is required under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles to be reclassified in its entirety to net income in the same reporting period.  ASU 2013-02 is effective prospectively for the Company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012 with early adoption permitted. The Company has adopted this guidance effective with its 1st quarter ended January 31, 2014. The adoption of this guidance in the year ended October 31, 2014 did not have any material impact on our financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”, which amends the definition of a discontinued operation. The new guidance requires discontinued operation treatment for disposals of a component or group of components that represent a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major impact on an entity's operations or financial results. The ASU is effective prospectively for all disposals that occur in annual periods (and interim periods therein) beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”,  which is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. ASU 2014-09 outlines a new, single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry specific guidance. FREIT is currently assessing the impact this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.
	Principles of consolidation:
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FREIT and the following subsidiaries in which FREIT has a controlling financial interest, including two LLCs in which FREIT is the managing member with a 40% ownership interest:
	Subsidiary	Owning		%			Year
		Entity		Ownership			Acquired/Organized
	Westwood Hills, LLC		FREIT		40	%		1994
	S and A Commercial Associates Limited Partnership ("S and A")		FREIT		65	%		2000
	Wayne PSC, LLC		FREIT		40	%		2002
	Damascus Centre, LLC		FREIT		70	%		2003
	Pierre Towers, LLC		S and A		100	%		2004
	Grande Rotunda, LLC		FREIT		60	%		2005
	WestFREIT Corp		FREIT		100	%		2007
	WestFredic LLC		FREIT		100	%		2007
	Damascus Second, LLC		FREIT		70	%		2008
	FREIT Regency, LLC		FREIT		100	%		2014
	The consolidated financial statements include 100% of each subsidiary's assets, liabilities, operations and cash flows, with the interests not owned by FREIT reflected as "noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries”. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of estimates:
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Financial instruments that potentially subject FREIT to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. FREIT considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. FREIT maintains its cash and cash equivalents in bank and other accounts, the balances of which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits of $250,000.
	Real estate development costs:
	It is FREIT's policy to capitalize pre-development costs, which generally include legal and other professional fees and other directly related third-party costs. Real estate taxes and interest costs incurred during the development and construction phases are also capitalized. FREIT ceases capitalization of these costs, when the project or portion thereof becomes operational, or when construction has been postponed. Capitalization of these costs will recommence once construction on the project resumes.
	Depreciation:
	Real estate and equipment are depreciated on the straight-line method by annual charges to operations calculated to absorb costs of assets over their estimated useful lives.
	Impairment of long-lived assets:
	Impairment losses on long-lived assets, such as real estate and equipment, are recognized when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by such assets are less than their carrying value and, accordingly, all or a portion of such carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are then measured by comparing the fair value of assets to their carrying amounts. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were no impairments of long-lived assets.
	Deferred charges:
	Deferred charges consist of mortgage costs and leasing commissions. Deferred mortgage costs are amortized on the straight-line method by annual charges to income over the terms of the mortgages. Amortization of such costs is included in interest expense and approximated $359,000, $370,000 and $368,000 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Deferred leasing commissions are amortized on the straight-line method over the terms of the applicable leases.
	Revenue recognition:
	Income from leases is recognized on a straight-line basis regardless of when payment is due. Lease agreements between FREIT and commercial tenants generally provide for additional rentals and reimbursements based on such factors as percentage of tenants' sales in excess of specified volumes, increases in real estate taxes, Consumer Price Indices and common area maintenance charges. These additional rentals are generally included in income when reported to FREIT, when earned, or ratably over the appropriate period.
	Interest rate swap contract:
	FREIT utilizes derivative financial instruments to reduce interest rate risk. FREIT does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. FREIT recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value. Changes in fair value of those instruments, which qualify as cash flow hedges, are reported in other comprehensive income (see Note 6).
	Advertising:
	FREIT expenses the cost of advertising and promotions as incurred. Advertising costs charged to operations amounted to approximately $133,000, $93,000 and $127,000 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Stock-based compensation:
	FREIT has a stock-based compensation plan that was approved by FREIT's Board of Trustees (“Board”), and ratified by FREIT's shareholders. Stock based awards under the plan to employees are accounted for based on their grant-date fair value (see Note 12).
	Stock-based awards to nonemployees are accounted for based on the fair value of the equity instruments on the vesting date.
	Acquired Over Market and Below Market Value Leases and In-Place Leases:
	Capitalized above-market lease values are being amortized as a reduction of base rental revenue over the remaining term of the leases, and the capitalized below-market lease values are being amortized as an increase to base rental revenue over the remaining terms of the leases, including renewal options. The value ascribed to leases in place is being amortized over the weighted average remaining lease terms.

Discontinued_operations

Discontinued operations	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Discontinued operations [Abstract]
Discontinued operations	Note 2 – Discontinued operations:
	On December 20, 2013, FREIT's South Brunswick property, which consisted of vacant land, was sold for $11 million resulting in a capital gain of approximately $8.7 million net of sales fees and commissions. FREIT structured this sale in a manner that qualifies it as a like-kind exchange of real estate pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. The 1031 Exchange transaction will result in a deferral for income tax purposes of the $8.7 million capital gain. The net proceeds from this sale, which were approximately $9.8 million, were held in escrow until a replacement property was purchased. A replacement property related to this like-kind exchange was acquired on June 18, 2014, and the sale proceeds held in escrow were applied to the purchase price of such property (see Note 3 for further details).
	On April 26, 2013, FREIT sold its Palisades Manor Apartments in Palisades Park, New Jersey for $1.6 million and recognized a capital gain of approximately $1.4 million from the sale. On August 13, 2013, FREIT sold its Grandview Apartments in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey for $2.5 million and recognized a capital gain of approximately $2.2 million from the sale of this property.
	On August 29, 2012, FREIT sold its Heights Manor Apartments in Spring Lake Heights, NJ. In connection with the Heights Manor sale, FREIT recognized a capital gain of approximately $9.5 million of which it distributed approximately $5 million to its shareholders during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2012. As FREIT did not intend to distribute to its shareholders the remaining $4.5 million of capital gain, FREIT paid approximately $1.5 million federal and $400,000 state income taxes on such undistributed gain, which were charged to discontinued operations during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2012. In the quarter ended January 31, 2013, FREIT elected, under Section 858 of the Internal Revenue Code, to treat the $1.4 million dividend paid during such period as a distribution of the prior year's capital gain and, accordingly, reversed $720,000 of the income tax liability, which has been credited to income from discontinued operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013.
	The gains from the sale of the properties as described above, as well as the related results of their operations for the other three properties described above, have been classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of income for all periods presented. Revenue attributable to discontinued operations for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $1,000, $317,000 and $1,299,000, respectively.

Property_acquisition

Property acquisition	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Property acquisition [Abstract]
Property acquisition	Note 3 – Property acquisition:
	On June 18, 2014, FREIT completed the acquisition of the Regency Club (“Regency”), a residential apartment complex located in Middletown, New York. The Regency complex consists of 132 units in 11 buildings and a clubhouse. The acquisition cost was $20,625,000 (exclusive of $648,000 of transaction costs charged to expense), which was funded in part with $9.8 million in net proceeds from the sale of the South Brunswick land, and the remaining balance of $11.5 million (inclusive of the $648,000 of transaction costs) was funded utilizing $10 million of FREIT's credit line with Provident Bank, and FREIT's available cash. On December 29, 2014, FREIT secured long-term financing for this property in the amount of $16.2 million from Provident Bank. A portion of the loan will be used to replace the funds borrowed from its credit line, and the remainder will be available to fund FREIT's future capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes (see Note 17).
	The acquisition price of $20,625,000 has been preliminarily allocated as follows: $17.8 million (86.3%) to the buildings and $2.8 million (13.7%) to the land. These allocated values are subject to change as more data becomes available and the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired can be more accurately determined.
	The Regency is part of FREIT's Residential segment. Results of Regency's operations are included in the accompanying financial statements from June 18, 2014, the date of acquisition. Since its acquisition, total revenue, net operating income, and net income recorded for the Regency amounts to $808,000, $314,000, and $165,000, respectively.
	FREIT identified the Regency as a replacement property for the vacant land located in South Brunswick, New Jersey that FREIT sold on December 20, 2013 (see Note 2).
	The following unaudited pro forma information shows the results of operations for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 for FREIT and Subsidiaries as though the Regency had been acquired at the beginning of fiscal 2012:
		Years Ended October 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(In Thousands)
	Revenues	$	44,016		$	43,672		$	47,213
	Net expenses		40,033			39,935			42,942
	Income from continuing operations		3,983			3,737			4,271
	Income from discontinued operations		7			797			460
	Gain on sale of discontinued operation		—			3,545			7,528
	Net income		3,990			8,079			12,259
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries		(507	)		(493	)		(645	)
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	3,483		$	7,586		$	11,614
	Earnings per share - basic and diluted:
	Continuing operations	$	0.5		$	0.47		$	0.52
	Discontinued operations		0			0.62			1.15
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	0.5		$	1.09		$	1.67
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted		6,908			6,942			6,942
	The pro forma results for the current and prior year periods reflect the following adjustments: (a) additional depreciation expense based on the purchase price allocated to the buildings and a depreciable life of 40 years, (b) additional interest expense based on the $10 million loan used towards the purchase of the property at acquisition date, (c) exclusion of the $8.7 million gain from the sale of the South Brunswick land in June 2014, since this sale was treated as a 1031 Exchange, and would have had to occur prior to the Regency acquisition under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, and (d) exclusion of the $648,000 in non-recurring acquisition expenses related to the Regency purchase.
	The pro forma results of operations set forth above are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the acquisition been made at the beginning of fiscal 2012, or of future results of operations of FREIT's combined properties.

Real_estate

Real estate	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Real estate [Abstract]
Real estate	Note 4 - Real estate:
	Real estate consists of the following:
		Range of
		Estimated	October 31,
		Useful Lives	2014		2013
			(In Thousands of Dollars)
	Land		$	79,435	$	76,602
	Unimproved land			354		883
	Apartment buildings	7-40 years		101,968		81,972
	Commercial buildings/shopping centers	15-50 years		119,027		118,253
	Equipment/Furniture	3-15 years		3,102		2,967
				303,886		280,677
	Less accumulated depreciation			81,569		75,226
	Totals		$	222,317	$	205,451

Mortgages_notes_payable_and_cr

Mortgages, notes payable and credit line	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Mortgages, notes payable and credit line [Abstract]
Mortgages, notes payable and credit line	Note 5 – Mortgages, notes payable and credit line:
			October 31,
			2014			2013
			(In Thousands of Dollars)
	Frederick, MD (A)		$	22,000		$	22,000
	Rockaway, NJ (B)			18,030			18,440
	Westwood, NJ (C)			21,884			22,388
	Patchogue, NY (D)			5,376			5,503
	Wayne, NJ (E)			18,686			18,976
	River Edge, NJ (F):
	First mortgage			—			3,952
	Second mortgage			—			1,494
	River Edge, NJ (G)			11,037			—
	Maywood, NJ (H):
	First mortgage			—			2,868
	Second mortgage			—			1,060
	Maywood, NJ (I)			8,374			—
	Westwood, NJ (J)			21,974			22,383
	Wayne, NJ (K)			25,978			26,863
	Hackensack, NJ (L)			31,198			31,797
	Damascus, MD (M)			19,326			19,699
	Total fixed rate mortgage loans			203,863			197,423
	Baltimore, MD (N)			42,689			—
	Line of credit - Provident Bank (O)			5,000			2,000
	Total  mortgages, notes payable and credit line		$	251,552		$	199,423
		(A)	Payable in monthly installments of interest only computed over the actual number of days in the elapsed monthly interest period at the rate of 5.55% through May 2017 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgage is secured by a retail building in Frederick, MD having a net book value of approximately $17,197,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(B)	Payable in monthly installments of $115,850 including interest at 5.37% through February 2022 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgage is secured by a residential building in Rockaway, NJ having a net book value of approximately $17,080,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(C)	On January 14, 2013, FREIT refinanced its Westwood Plaza mortgage loan in the amount of $8.0 million, with a new mortgage loan in the amount of $22,750,000, which is payable in monthly installments of $129,702 including interest at 4.75% through January 2023 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The new mortgage is secured by a retail building in Westwood, NJ having a net book value of approximately $8,375,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(D)	The loan, modified effective January 31, 2013, is payable in monthly installments of $31,046 including interest at 4.5%, through March 2018 at which time the outstanding balance is due. Under the terms of the mortgage loan agreement, FREIT can request, during the term of the loan, additional fundings that will bring the outstanding principal balance up to 75% of loan-to-value (percentage of mortgage loan to total appraised value of property securing the loan). The mortgage is secured by a retail building in Patchogue, NY having a net book value of approximately $7,152,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(E)	Payable in monthly installments of $121,100 including interest at 6.09%, through September 1, 2019 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgage is secured by an apartment building in Wayne, NJ having a net book value of approximately $1,653,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(F)	The first mortgage was payable in monthly installments of $34,862 including interest at 6.75% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance was due. The second mortgage is payable in monthly installments of $12,318 including interest at 5.53% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance was due (see G).
		(G)	On November 19, 2013, FREIT refinanced these mortgage loans, which were scheduled to mature on December 1, 2013. The amount of the new loan is $11,200,000 at a fixed interest rate of 4.54%, with a scheduled maturity of December 1, 2023. The mortgages are secured by an apartment building in River Edge, NJ having a net book value of approximately $942,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(H)	The first mortgage was payable in monthly installments of $25,295 including interest at 6.75% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance was due. The second mortgage is payable in monthly installments of $8,739 including interest at 5.53% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance was due (see I).
		(I)	On November 19, 2013, FREIT refinanced these mortgage loans, which were scheduled to mature on December 1, 2013. The amount of the new loan is $8,500,000 at a fixed interest rate of 4.54%, with a scheduled maturity of December 1, 2023. The mortgages are secured by an apartment building in Maywood, NJ having a net book value of approximately $748,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(J)	Payable in monthly installments of $120,752 including interest of 4.62%, through November 1, 2020, at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgage is secured by an apartment building in Westwood, NJ having a net book value of approximately $10,398,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(K)	Payable in monthly installments of $206,960 including interest of 6.04% until June 2016 at which time the unpaid balance is due. The mortgage is secured by a shopping center in Wayne, NJ having a net book value of approximately $26,945,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(L)	Payable in monthly installments of $191,197 including interest of 5.38% until May 2019 at which time the unpaid balance is due. The mortgage is secured by an apartment building in Hackensack, NJ having a net book value of approximately $41,546,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(M)	On December 26, 2012, Damascus Centre, LLC refinanced its $15 million construction loan with long-term financing provided by People's United Bank. The amount of the new loan is $25 million, of which $20 million has been drawn as of October 31, 2014. The balance, up to an additional $5 million, will be available as a one-time draw over the 36 month period ending December 26, 2015, and the amount available will depend on future leasing at the shopping center. The new loan bears a floating interest rate equal to 210 basis points over the BBA LIBOR and the loan will mature on January 3, 2023. In order to minimize interest rate volatility during the term of the loan, Damascus Centre, LLC entered into an interest rate swap agreement that in effect, converted the floating interest rate to a fixed interest rate of 3.81% over the term of the loan (see Note 6 for additional information relating to the interest rate swap). The shopping center securing the loan has a net book value of approximately $29,644,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(N)	On February 1, 2010, a principal payment of $3 million was made reducing the original loan amount of $22.5 million to $19.5 million and the due date was extended until February 1, 2013. As part of the terms of the loan extension agreement, the loan was further collateralized by a first mortgage lien and the assignment of the ground lease on FREIT's Rochelle Park, NJ land parcel. Under the restructured terms, the interest rate is now 350 basis points above the BBA LIBOR with a floor of 4%, and monthly principal payments of $10,000 are required. An additional principal payment of $110,000 was required on February 1, 2012 in order to reduce the loan to achieve the stipulated debt service coverage ratio. Under the agreement with the equity owners of Grande Rotunda, LLC, FREIT would be responsible for 60% of any cash required by Grande Rotunda, LLC, and 40% would be the responsibility of the minority interest. The due date of the loan was further extended to May 1, 2013 from February 1, 2013. While the bank agreed to an additional extension of ninety-days (90) from May 1, 2013, FREIT elected to purchase the Rotunda loan from the bank and have all the bank's rights assigned to FREIT. The purchase of this loan by FREIT was completed on May 28, 2013. FREIT subsequently sold this loan to Wells Fargo Bank, the lender providing the construction financing for the expansion of the Rotunda project. On December 9, 2013, Grande Rotunda, LLC closed with Wells Fargo Bank on a construction loan of up to $120 million to be used for the purpose of funding the major redevelopment and expansion project in progress at the Rotunda. The construction loan is for a term of four (4) years, with one 12-month extension, at a rate of 225 basis points over the monthly LIBOR. Interest on the loan is accrued and applied to principal. Such interest will be due and payable at maturity. The loan is secured by the Rotunda property in Baltimore, MD, which has a net book value of approximately $79,268,000 as of October 31, 2014, including $48.8 million classified as construction in progress. As of October 31, 2014, $42.7 million was drawn on the construction loan with Wells Fargo Bank, of which $19 million was used to pay off the loan from FREIT, and $23.7 million was used towards the construction at the Rotunda.
		(O)	Credit Line: FREIT has a line of credit provided by the Provident Bank in the amount of $13 million. The line of credit is for a two year term ending on November 1, 2016, but can be cancelled by the bank, at its will, within 60 days before or after each anniversary date. The credit line will automatically be extended at the termination date of the current term and each subsequent term for an additional period of 24 months, provided there is no default and the credit line has not been cancelled. Draws against the credit line can be used for general corporate purposes, for property acquisitions, construction activities, and letters of credit. Draws against the credit line are secured by mortgages on FREIT's Franklin Crossing Shopping Center, in Franklin Lakes, NJ, and retail space in Glen Rock, NJ. Interest rates on draws will be set at the time of each draw for 30, 60, or 90-day periods, based on our choice of the prime rate or at 175 basis points over the 30, 60, or 90-day LIBOR rates at the time of the draws. The interest rate on the line of credit has a floor of 3.5%. The Palisades Manor and the Grandview Apartment properties had been part of the collateral for the line of credit prior to FREIT's sales of these properties in April 2013 and August 2013, respectively. Provident Bank released these properties as collateral for the credit line in connection with these dispositions, and as a result, the credit line was reduced from $18 million to approximately $13 million as of July 2013. As of October 31, 2014, approximately $8 million was available under the line of credit, and $5 million was outstanding.
	Certain of the Company's mortgage loans and the Credit Line contain financial covenants. The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants as of October 31, 2014.
	Fair Value of Long-Term Debt:
	The following table shows the estimated fair value and carrying value of FREIT's long-term debt at October 31, 2014 and 2013:
			October 31,			October 31,
	($ in Millions)		2014			2013
	Fair Value		$	256		$	201.9
	Carrying Value		$	251.6		$	199.4
	Fair values are estimated based on market interest rates at October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 and on discounted cash flow analysis. Changes in assumptions or estimation methods may significantly affect these fair value estimates. The fair value, which is based on observable inputs, has been characterized as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as provided by authoritative guidance.
	Principal amounts (in thousands of dollars) due under the above obligations in each of the five years subsequent to October 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Year Ending October 31,		Amount
	2015		$	4,101
	2016		$	28,434
	2017		$	25,494
	2018		$	8,489
	2019		$	91,102	(a)
		(a)	Includes $42,689 relating to the Rotunda construction loan, due December 2018. (See Note 5(N).)

Interest_rate_swap_contract

Interest rate swap contract	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Interest rate swap contract [Abstract]
Interest rate swap contract	Note 6 - Interest rate swap contract:
	On December 26, 2012, Damascus Centre, LLC refinanced its $15 million construction loan with a variable rate $25 million mortgage loan of which $20 million has been drawn as of October 31, 2014. The new loan will mature on January 3, 2023 (see Note 5(M) for additional information regarding the refinanced loan). In connection therewith, on December 26, 2012, FREIT entered into an interest rate swap contract to reduce the impact of interest rate fluctuations on the LIBOR based variable rate mortgage. At October 31, 2014, the derivative financial instrument has a notional amount of approximately $19,356,000 and a current maturity date of January 2023. The contract effectively converts the LIBOR based variable rate to a fixed rate of 3.81%. In accordance with ASC 815, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, FREIT is accounting for this interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge and marks to market its fixed pay interest rate swap, taking into account present interest rates compared to the contracted fixed rate over the life of the contract. For the year ended October 31, 2013, FREIT recorded an unrealized gain of $980,000 in comprehensive income representing the fair value of the swap, which resulted in a $980,000 corresponding asset as of October 31, 2013.  During the year ended October 31, 2014, FREIT recorded an unrealized loss of $465,000 in comprehensive income representing the reduction in the fair value of the swap for fiscal 2014, which resulted in a $515,000 corresponding asset as of October 31, 2014. The fair value is based on observable inputs (level 2 in the fair value hierarchy).

Capitalized_interest

Capitalized interest	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Capitalized interest [Abstract]
Capitalized interest	Note 7 - Capitalized interest
	Interest costs associated with amounts expended at the Rotunda development are capitalized and included in the cost of the project. Interest capitalized during the year ended October 31, 2014, amounted to $1,110,000.

Commitments_and_contigencies

Commitments and contigencies	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Commitments and contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and contigencies	Note 8 - Commitments and contingencies:
	Leases:
	Commercial tenants:
	FREIT leases commercial space having a net book value of approximately $179 million at October 31, 2014 to tenants for periods of up to twenty-five years. Most of the leases contain clauses for reimbursement of real estate taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain other operating expenses of the properties.
	Minimum rental income (in thousands of dollars) to be received from non-cancelable operating leases in years subsequent to October 31, 2014 is as follows:
	Year Ending October	Amount
	31,
	2015	$	16,667
	2016		15,398
	2017		12,276
	2018		10,258
	2019		8,861
	Thereafter		56,270
	Total	$	119,730
	The above amounts assume that all leases which expire are not renewed and, accordingly, neither minimal rentals nor rentals from replacement tenants are included.
	Minimum future rentals do not include contingent rentals, which may be received under certain leases on the basis of percentage of reported tenants' sales volume or increases in Consumer Price Indices. Rental income that is contingent on future events is not included in income until the contingency is resolved. Contingent rentals included in income for each of the three years for the period ended October 31, 2014 were not material.
	Residential tenants:
	Lease terms for residential tenants are usually one year or less.
	Environmental concerns:
	The Westwood Plaza Shopping Center property is in a Flood Hazard Zone. FREIT maintains flood insurance in the amount of $500,000 for the subject property, which is the maximum available under the Flood Program for the property. Any reconstruction of that portion of the property situated in the flood hazard zone is subject to regulations promulgated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”), which could require extraordinary construction methods.
	Prior to its purchase by Wayne PSC, LLC, a 40% owned affiliate of FREIT (“Wayne PSC”), a Phase I and Phase II Environmental Assessment of the Preakness shopping center revealed soil and ground water contamination with Percloroethylene (Dry Cleaning Fluid) caused by the mishandling of this chemical by a former dry cleaner tenant.
	The seller of the Preakness shopping center to Wayne PSC is in the process of performing the remedial work in accordance with the requirements of the NJDEP. Additionally, the seller has escrowed the estimated cost of the remediation and has purchased a cap-cost insurance policy covering any expenses over and above the estimated cost.
	In performing the remedial work, possible contamination of this property by groundwater migrating from an offsite source was discovered. The NJDEP has not made any determination with respect to responsibility for remediation of this possible condition, and it is not possible to determine whether or to what extent Wayne PSC will have potential liability with respect to this condition or whether or to what extent insurance coverage may be available.
	FREIT has conducted environmental audits for all of its properties except for its undeveloped land and retail properties in Franklin Lakes (Franklin Crossing) and Glen Rock, New Jersey. Except as noted above, the environmental reports secured by FREIT have not revealed any environmental conditions on its properties, which require remediation pursuant to any applicable federal or state law or regulation.
	FREIT has determined that several of its properties contain lead based paint (“LBP”). FREIT believes that it complies with all federal, state and local requirements as they pertain to LBP.
	FREIT does not believe that the environmental conditions described above will have a materially adverse effect upon the capital expenditures, revenues, earnings, financial condition or competitive position of FREIT.

Giant_lease_termination_Rotund

Giant lease termination; Rotunda project cost write-off	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Giant lease termination; Rotunda project cost write-off [Abstract]
Giant lease termination; Rotunda project cost write-off	Note 9 - Giant lease termination; Rotunda project cost write-off:
	On February 3, 2012, Grande entered into a lease termination agreement (“Agreement”) with Giant of Maryland LLC (“Giant”), the former tenant and operator of the 35,994 sq. ft. Giant supermarket at Grande's Rotunda property located in Baltimore, Maryland. Giant, under the terms of the Agreement, agreed to (i) waive its right to extend the term of the lease through March 31, 2035, (ii) terminate the lease and surrender the premises to Grande no later than the earlier of commencement of the redevelopment of the property or March 31, 2015, and (iii) notwithstanding any earlier termination date, continue to pay monthly fixed rent payments plus its share of common area maintenance charges and taxes for the Rotunda property through March 31, 2015. Grande agreed (i) not to lease more than 20,000 sq. ft. of any space in the property for use as a food supermarket through March 31, 2035, and (ii) if Grande decides to lease such space for use as a food supermarket, it must first offer the space for the same use under the terms acceptable to Grande, to Giant, which will have thirty days to accept the offer before the space may be leased to a third party. As a result of the Giant lease termination and the terms of the Agreement, Grande will not be required to construct a lower level Giant supermarket as part of the redevelopment project at the Rotunda, which represented a costly component to the project. In addition, the Giant lease contained significant restrictions on Grande's ability to make modifications to the property. This development cleared the way for Grande to move forward with the redevelopment planning for this property. As a result of Giant terminating its lease and vacating its space at the Rotunda shopping center, the results for Fiscal 2012 include income of $2.95 million relating to the Giant early lease termination, offset by a $1.49 million deferred project cost write-off relating to a change in the future development plans for the Rotunda shopping center, specifically the impact that the Giant portion of the project had on the design fees incurred to date and included in Construction in Progress (“CIP”). The early lease termination fee is comprised of the net present value of the monthly rent in accordance with the terms of the terminated lease, projected common area maintenance charges and real estate taxes from April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2015. In addition, included in the $2.95 million lease termination fee are the write-off of the balances in Below Market Value Acquisition Costs, and In-Place Lease Costs relating to the Giant lease. Accretion of the present value discount during Fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 amounted to approximately $44,000, $87,000 and $69,000, respectively, which is included in investment income on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.
	In light of the Giant lease termination and its potential impact on the scope of the development plans for the Rotunda site, management proposed further revisions to the scope of the Rotunda development project. On July 24, 2012, the Board approved the revisions to the scope of the project, thereby further reducing the complexity and projected cost of the project. As a result of the Board's decision to move forward with the revised development plans, an additional $2.2 million of certain deferred project costs relating to planning and feasibility costs included in CIP were no longer deemed to have any utility, and were written-off in Fiscal 2012.

Management_agreement_fees_and_

Management agreement, fees and transactions with related party	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Management agreement, fees and transactions with related party [Abstract]
Management agreement, fees and transactions with related party	Note 10 - Management agreement, fees and transactions with related party:
	On April 10, 2002, FREIT and Hekemian & Co., Inc. (“Hekemian”) executed a Management Agreement whereby Hekemian would continue as Managing Agent for FREIT. The term of the Management Agreement was renewed on November 1, 2013 for a two-year term which will expire on October 31, 2015. The Management Agreement automatically renews for successive periods of two years unless either party gives not less than six (6) months prior notice to the other of non-renewal.
	Pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreement: FREIT retains Hekemian as the exclusive management and leasing agent for properties which FREIT owned as of April 2002 and for the Preakness Shopping Center acquired on November 1, 2002 by Wayne PSC. However, FREIT may retain other managing agents to manage certain other properties acquired after April 10, 2002 and to perform various other duties such as sales, acquisitions, and development with respect to any or all properties. Hekemian does not serve as the exclusive advisor for FREIT to locate and recommend to FREIT investments, which Hekemian deems suitable for FREIT, and is not required to offer potential acquisition properties exclusively to FREIT before acquiring those properties for its own account. The Management Agreement includes a detailed schedule of fees for those services, which Hekemian may be called upon to perform. The Management Agreement provides for a termination fee in the event of a termination or non-renewal of the Management Agreement under certain circumstances.
	Hekemian currently manages all the properties owned by FREIT, except for the Rotunda, a mixed-use office and retail facility located in Baltimore, Maryland, which is managed by an independent third party management company. The management agreement with Hekemian, effective November 1, 2001, requires the payment of management fees equal to a percentage of rents collected. Such fees were approximately $1,866,000, $1,747,000 and $1,792,000 in Fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In addition, the management agreement provides for the payment to Hekemian of leasing commissions, as well as the reimbursement of operating expenses incurred on behalf of FREIT. Such fees amounted to approximately $673,000, $339,000 and $402,000 in Fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The primary reason for the increase in fees for fiscal 2014 was leasing commissions amounting to approximately $396,000. Total Hekemian management fees outstanding at October 31, 2014 and 2013 were $171,000 and $152,000, respectively, and included in Accounts Payable on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. FREIT also uses the resources of the Hekemian insurance department to secure various insurance coverages for its properties and subsidiaries. Hekemian is paid a commission for these services. Such commissions amounted to approximately $133,000, $121,000 and $122,000 in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Grande owns and operates the Rotunda. FREIT owns a 60% equity interest in Grande, and Rotunda 100, LLC (“Rotunda 100”) owns a 40% equity interest.
	Damascus Centre, LLC owns and operates the Damascus Center. During fiscal 2005, the Board authorized an investor group, Damascus 100, LLC (“Damascus 100”), to acquire a 30% equity interest in Damascus Centre, LLC. The sale price, based on the fair market value of the shopping center, reduced FREIT's equity interest to 70%. The sale was completed on October 31, 2006, at a sales price of $3,224,000, of which FREIT financed approximately $1,451,000. The sale price was equivalent to the book value of the interest sold.
	The equity owners of Rotunda 100, and Damascus 100 are principally employees of Hekemian. To incentivize the employees of Hekemian, FREIT has agreed to advance, only to employees of Hekemian, up to 50% of the amount of the equity contributions that the Hekemian employees were required to invest in Rotunda 100 and Damascus 100. These advances are in the form of secured loans that bear interest that will float at 225 basis points over the ninety (90) day LIBOR, as adjusted each November 1, February 1, May 1 and August 1. These loans are secured by the Hekemian employees' interests in Rotunda 100 and Damascus 100, and are full recourse loans. Interest only payments are required to be made quarterly.
	No principal payments are required during the term of the notes, except that the borrowers are required to pay to FREIT all refinancing proceeds and other cash flow they receive from their interests in Damascus Centre, LLC and Grande. These payments shall be applied first to accrued and unpaid interest and then any outstanding principal. The notes mature at the earlier of (a) ten (10) years after issue (Grande– 6/19/2015, Damascus Centre, LLC – 9/30/2016), or, (b) at the election of FREIT, ninety (90) days after the borrower terminates employment with Hekemian, at which time all outstanding unpaid principal is due. On May 8, 2008, the Board approved amendments to the existing loan agreements with the Hekemian employees, relative to their interests in Rotunda 100, to increase the aggregate amount that FREIT may advance to such employees from $2 million to $4 million. No other terms of the loan agreements were amended.
	With regard to the funding of the Rotunda redevelopment project, Wells Fargo Bank, the construction lender, required that Grande contribute not less than $14,460,000 towards the construction before any construction loan proceeds could be disbursed. To secure these funds Grande made a capital call on its members – FREIT and Rotunda 100. FREIT's share (60%) amounts to approximately $8.7 million, and the Rotunda 100 members' share (40%) amounts to approximately $5.8 million. During Fiscal 2014, FREIT, pursuant to previous agreements, has made secured loans to the Rotunda 100 members of approximately $2.1 million towards their share of the $5.8 million capital call. The balance of Rotunda 100's capital call of approximately $3.7 million was initially made by FREIT until it was repaid by Rotunda 100 in August 2014.  These loans bear an interest rate of 225 basis points over the 90 day LIBOR, and have a maturity date of June 19, 2015. These loans are included in Secured Loans Receivable on FREIT's consolidated balance sheet at October 31, 2014.
	As of October 31, 2014, FREIT and Rotunda 100 have made their required capital call contributions of $8.7 million and $5.8 million, respectively, towards the Rotunda construction financing. Both FREIT and the Rotunda 100 members are treating their required capital call contributions as additional investments in Grande. Rotunda 100 is principally owned by employees of Hekemian, including certain members of the immediate family of Robert S. Hekemian and Robert S. Hekemian, Jr.
	The aggregate outstanding principal balance of the notes at October 31, 2014 and 2013 was $5,451,000 and $3,323,000, respectively. The accrued but unpaid interest related to these notes for Fiscal 2014 and Fiscal 2013 amounted to approximately $595,000 and $486,000, respectively, and is included in Accounts Receivable on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	From time to time, FREIT engages Hekemian to provide certain additional services, such as consulting services related to development, property sales and financing activities of FREIT. Separate fee arrangements are negotiated between Hekemian and FREIT with respect to such additional services. In Fiscal 2007, the Board approved development fee arrangements for the Rotunda and Damascus Center redevelopment projects. In connection with the development activities at the Rotunda and the redevelopment activities at the Damascus Center, definitive contract agreements for the development services to be provided by Hekemian Development Resources LLC (“Resources”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hekemian, have been approved and executed. The development fee arrangement for the Rotunda provides for Resources to receive a fee equal to 6.375% of the total development costs of up to $84.6 million (as may be modified, and less the amount of $3 million previously paid to Hekemian for the Rotunda project). In addition, the Board approved the payment of a fee to Resources in the amount of $1.4 million in connection with the revision to the scope of the Rotunda development project. The fee will be paid to Resources upon the following terms: (i) $500,000 of the $1.4 million will be paid on a monthly basis during the design phase (the $500,000 was paid in Fiscal 2013); and (ii) $900,000 of the $1.4 million will be paid upon the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the multi-family portion of the project, (the $900,000 is included in Accounts Payable at October 31, 2014 and 2013). The fee for the redevelopment of the Damascus Center was equal to 7% of the redevelopment costs of up to approximately $17.3 million (as may be modified). Such fees incurred to Hekemian and Resources during Fiscal 2014, Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012 were $1,998,000, $1,823,000 and $317,000, respectively. Included within the $2.0 million in fees for Fiscal 2014 are: (a) development fees of approximately $1 million paid to Resources, relating to the Rotunda development project, and (b) commissions of $880,000 relating to the sale of the South Brunswick land and the subsequent acquisition of the Regency apartment complex. Included within the $1.8 million in fees incurred for Fiscal 2013 are: (a) development fees totaling $1.4 million payable to Resources, relating to the Rotunda development project, referred to above, (b) services performed with regard to the Westwood Plaza shopping center and Damascus shopping center mortgage loan refinancings amounting to $239,000 (see Note 5), and (c) $185,000 relating to commissions paid to Hekemian for the sale of the Palisades Manor and Grandview Apartment properties. In Fiscal 2012, FREIT paid Hekemian $317,000 relating to the commission on the sale of the Heights Manor property. All such fees, expect for those related to sales of properties, were capitalized.
	Resources, Rotunda 100, and Damascus 100 are principally owned by employees of Hekemian, including certain members of the immediate family of Robert S. Hekemian and Robert S. Hekemian, Jr. Robert S. Hekemian, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee of FREIT, is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Hekemian. Robert S. Hekemian, Jr, a Trustee of FREIT, is the President of Hekemian. Trustee fee expense (including interest) incurred by FREIT for Fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $642,000, $586,000 and $546,000, respectively, for Robert S. Hekemian, and $46,000, $40,000 and $43,000, respectively, for Robert S. Hekemian, Jr. The members of the Hekemian family have majority management control of these entities.

Income_taxes

Income taxes	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Income taxes [Abstract]
Income taxes	Note 11 – Income taxes:
	FREIT distributed as dividends to its shareholders 100% of its ordinary taxable income for each of the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Accordingly, no provision for federal or state income taxes related to such ordinary taxable income was recorded in the Company's financial statements. As described in Note 2, FREIT has completed a like-kind exchange with respect to the sale of the South Brunswick, NJ property, which was sold on December 20, 2013 at a gain of approximately $8.7 million. Accordingly, no provision for federal or state income taxes related to such gain was recorded in the Company's financial statements. The tax basis of Regency, which was the replacement property in the like-kind exchange, is approximately $8 million lower than the acquisition cost of approximately $20.6 million recorded for financial reporting purposes. In December 2013, FREIT distributed as dividends in December 2013, the entire capital gain of approximately $3.5 million realized on the sale of its Palisades Manor and Grandview properties in Fiscal 2013, and in Fiscal 2012, FREIT distributed $5 million of the $9.5 million capital gain realized from the sale of its Heights Manor Apartments (see Note 2). With regard to such capital gains dividend distributions for Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012, no provisions for federal or state income taxes related to such capital gain income was recorded in the Company's financial statements. However, since FREIT did not intend to distribute to its shareholders the remaining $4.5 million of capital gain realized on the Heights Manor sale, FREIT provided approximately $1.5 million federal and $400,000 state income taxes on such undistributed gain, which was charged to discontinued operations in Fiscal 2012. In the quarter ended January 31, 2013, FREIT decided to elect, under Section 858 of the Internal Revenue Code, to treat the $1.4 million dividend paid during such period as a distribution of the prior year's capital gain and, accordingly, reversed $720,000 of the income tax liability, which has been credited to income from discontinued operations for Fiscal 2013.
	As of October 31, 2014, the Company had no material uncertain income tax positions. The tax years subsequent to and including the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.

Equity_incentive_plan

Equity incentive plan	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Equity incentive plan [Abstract]
Equity incentive plan	Note 12- Equity incentive plan:
	On September 10, 1998, the Board approved FREIT's Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") which was ratified by FREIT's shareholders on April 7, 1999, whereby up to 920,000 of FREIT's shares of beneficial interest (adjusted for stock splits) may be granted to key personnel in the form of stock options, restricted share awards and other share-based awards. In connection therewith, the Board approved an increase of 920,000 shares in FREIT's number of authorized shares of beneficial interest. Key personnel eligible for these awards include trustees, executive officers and other persons or entities including, without limitation, employees, consultants and employees of consultants, who are in a position to make significant contributions to the success of FREIT. Under the Plan, the exercise price of all options will be the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. The consideration to be paid for restricted share and other share-based awards shall be determined by the Board, with the amount not to exceed the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. The maximum term of any award granted may not exceed ten years. The Board will determine the actual terms of each award.
	On April 4, 2007, FREIT shareholders approved amendments to the Plan as follows: (a) reserving an additional 300,000 shares for issuance under the Plan; and (b) extending the term of the Plan until September 10, 2018. As of October 31, 2014, 220,000 shares are available for issuance under the Plan.
	On September 4, 2014, the Board approved the grant of a total of 246,000 non-qualified share options under the Plan to certain FREIT Executive Officers, the members of the Board and certain employees of Hekemian & Co., Inc., FREIT's managing agent. The options have an exercise price of $18.45 per share, will vest over a 5 year period at 20% per year, and will expire 10 years from the date of grant, which will be September 3, 2024.
	During Fiscal 2013 and 2012, no options or other stock awards were granted under the Plan. There were no options outstanding at October 31, 2013, since all previously granted options expired in September 2008 or were exercised prior to that date.
	The following table summarizes stock option activity for Fiscal 2014:
			Year Ended October 31,
			2014
			No. of Options		Exercise
			Outstanding		Price
	Options outstanding beginning of period			—		—
	Options granted during period			246,000	$	18.45
	Options outstanding end of period			246,000	$	18.45
	Options expected to vest			—
	Options exercisable at end of period			—
	The estimated fair value of options granted during Fiscal 2014 was $1.91 per option. Such value was estimated on the grant date using a binomial lattice option pricing model using the following assumptions:
		•	Expected volatility – 30.50%
		•	Risk-free interest rate – 2.50%
		•	Imputed option life – 6.81 years
		•	Expected dividend yield – 6.60%
	The expected volatility over the options' expected life was based on the historical volatility of the weekly closing price of the Company's stock over a five (5) year period. The risk-free interest rate is based on the annual yield on the grant date of a zero-coupon U.S. Treasury Bond the maturity of which equals the option's expected life. The imputed option life is based on the simplified expected term calculation permitted by the SEC, which defines the expected life as the average of the contractual term of the options and the weighted-average vesting period for all option tranches. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company's historical dividend yield, exclusive of capital gain dividends.
	For Fiscal 2014, compensation expense related to stock options granted amounted to $16,000. At October 31, 2014, there was approximately $454,000 of unrecognized compensation cost relating to outstanding non-vested stock options to be recognized over a vesting period of approximately five (5) years.
	The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding at October 31, 2014 was $12,300.

Deferred_fee_plan

Deferred fee plan	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Deferred fee plan [Abstract]
Deferred fee plan	Note 13- Deferred fee plan:
	During fiscal 2001, the Board adopted a deferred fee plan for its officers and trustees, which was amended and restated in fiscal 2009 to make the deferred fee plan compliant with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Deferred Fee Plan”). Pursuant to the Deferred Fee Plan, any officer or trustee may elect to defer receipt of any fees that would be due them. These fees include annual retainer and meeting attendance fees as determined by the full Board of Trustees. FREIT has agreed to pay any participant (the “Participant”) in the Deferred Fee Plan interest on any deferred fee at 9% per annum, compounded quarterly. Any such deferred fee is to be paid to the Participants at the later of: (i) the retirement age specified in the deferral election; (ii) actual retirement; or (iii) upon cessation of a Participant's duties as an officer or trustee.
	The Deferred Fee Plan provides that any such deferral fee will be paid in a lump sum or in annual installments over a period not to exceed 10 years, at the election of the Participant. Trustee fee expense (including interest) for each of the years ended October 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $1,204,000, $1,101,000, and $1,045,000, respectively. As of October 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately $5,163,000 and $4,703,000, respectively, of fees have been deferred together with accrued interest of approximately $3,854,000 and $3,110,000, respectively.
	On September 4, 2014, the Board approved the following amendments to the FREIT Deferred Fee Plan, effective November 1, 2014, as follows:
		(a)	On a prospective basis, a change in the interest rate payable on deferred fees payable to FREIT Trustees from 9% per annum, compounded quarterly, to a floating rate, adjusted quarterly, equal to the average interest rate on ten year treasury bonds plus 150 basis points;
		(b)	On a prospective basis, allowing for the continued deferral of fees payable to FREIT Trustees, but not for the deferral of salaries payable to Executive Officers of FREIT;
		(c)	To provide for the issuance of share units payable in FREIT shares in respect of (i) deferred amounts of fees on a prospective basis; (ii) interest on fees deferred prior to November 1, 2014; and (iii) dividends payable in respect of share units allocated to participants in the Deferred Fee Plan as a result of the deferrals described in subparagraphs (c)(i) and (c)(ii) above. The number of share units will be determined by the closing price of FREIT shares on the date of the deferral. The number of share units will be converted into an equivalent number of FREIT shares upon distribution to the participant on a future date designated by the participant.

Dividends_and_earnings_per_sha

Dividends and earnings per share	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Dividends and earnings per share [Abstract]
Dividends and earnings per share	Note 14- Dividends and earnings per share:
	FREIT declared dividends of $8,276,000 ($1.20 per share), $10,830,000 ($1.56 per share) and $7,637,000 ($1.10 per share) to shareholders of record during Fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common equity by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period. The calculation of diluted earnings per share is similar to that of basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional shares which would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive shares, such as those issuable upon the exercise of stock options had been issued during the period, after utilizing the exercise proceeds to repurchase outstanding shares at the average market price during the period under the Treasury Stock method.
	For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012, no options or other potentially diluted shares were outstanding. On September 4, 2014, a total of 246,000 non-qualified stock options were granted and outstanding at October 31, 2014. (See Note 12.)
	For fiscal 2014, outstanding stock options were anti-dilutive, since the exercise price was higher than the average market price for FREIT shares during the period the options were outstanding.

Segment_information

Segment information	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment information [Abstract]
Segment information	Note 15- Segment information:
	ASC 280-10, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information", established standards for reporting financial information about operating segments in interim and annual financial reports and provides for a "management approach" in identifying the reportable segments.
	FREIT has determined that it has two reportable segments: commercial properties and residential properties. These reportable segments offer different types of space, have different types of tenants, and are managed separately because each requires different operating strategies and management expertise.
	The commercial segment is comprised of ten (10) properties during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. The residential segment is comprised of seven (7) properties during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014, inclusive of the property acquired in fiscal 2014, and six (6) properties during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012, exclusive of the residential properties sold in Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012 which have been classified as discontinued operations.
	The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1.
	The chief operating decision-making group of FREIT's commercial segment, residential segment and corporate/other is comprised of the Board.
	FREIT assesses and measures segment operating results based on net operating income ("NOI"). NOI is based on operating revenue and expenses directly associated with the operations of the real estate properties, but excludes: deferred rents (straight lining), depreciation, financing costs, amortization of acquired lease values and other items. NOI is not a measure of operating results or cash flows from operating activities as measured by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.
	Continuing real estate rental revenue, operating expenses, NOI and recurring capital improvements for the reportable segments are summarized below and reconciled to consolidated net income attributable to common equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended October 31, 2014. Asset information is not reported since FREIT does not use this measure to assess performance.
		Years Ended October 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(In Thousands of Dollars)
	Real estate rental revenue:
	Commercial	$	22,424		$	22,876		$	23,383
	Residential		20,419			18,497			18,680
	Totals		42,843			41,373			42,063
	Real estate operating expenses:
	Commercial		9,663			9,235			9,526
	Residential		9,757			8,892			8,442
	Totals		19,420			18,127			17,968
	Net operating income:
	Commercial		12,761			13,641			13,857
	Residential		10,662			9,605			10,238
	Totals	$	23,423		$	23,246		$	24,095
	Recurring capital improvements-
	residential	$	(549	)	$	(681	)	$	(697	)
	Reconciliation to consolidated net
	income-common equity:
	Segment NOI	$	23,423		$	23,246		$	24,095
	Deferred rents - straight lining		(93	)		(12	)		17
	Amortization of acquired above and below
	market value leases		(21	)		(24	)		(2	)
	Net investment income		184			191			173
	General and administrative expenses		(1,396	)		(1,623	)		(1,624	)
	G-Mart lease termination expenses		(371	)		—			—
	Acquisition costs-Regency		(648	)		—			—
	Depreciation		(6,346	)		(6,233	)		(6,171	)
	Deferred project cost write-off, net of
	income relating to early lease termination		—			—			(776	)
	Financing costs		(11,309	)		(11,945	)		(11,704	)
	Income from continuing operations		3,423			3,600			4,008
	Income from discontinued operation		7			797			460
	Gain on sale of discontinued operation		8,734			3,545			7,528	(a)
	Net income		12,164			7,942			11,996
	Net income attributable to
	noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries		(507	)		(493	)		(645	)
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	11,657		$	7,449		$	11,351
	(a) Represents gain of $9,493 net of federal and state tax of $1,965.

Share_repurchases

Share repurchases	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Share repurchases [Abstract]
Share repurchases	Note 16 – Share repurchases:
	On December 4, 2013, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to 24,400 FREIT shares. On December 17, 2013, FREIT repurchased 20,400 shares in a privately-negotiated transaction with an unaffiliated party for an aggregate purchase price of $357,000, or $17.50 per share.
	On September 4, 2014, the Board authorized the repurchase of 100,572 FREIT shares held by the pension plan of Hekemian & Co., Inc., FREIT's managing agent, for an aggregate cash purchase of $1,855,553 or $18.45 per share, which was the closing price of FREIT shares on September 3, 2014. The repurchase was undertaken in connection with the termination of the pension plan. Mr. Robert S. Hekemian, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FREIT, and Mr. Robert S. Hekemian, Jr., a Trustee of FREIT, and members of their family are participants in the pension plan.

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Subsequent events [Abstract]
Subsequent events	Note 17- Subsequent events:
	On December 29, 2014, FREIT Regency, LLC closed on a $16.2 million mortgage loan with Provident Bank. The new loan bears a floating interest rate equal to 125 basis points over the BBA LIBOR and the loan will mature on December 15, 2024. In order to minimize interest rate volatility during the term of the loan, FREIT Regency, LLC entered into an interest rate swap agreement that in effect, converted the floating interest rate to a fixed interest rate of 3.75% over the term of the loan. Proceeds from the loan will be used to pay-off the outstanding balance on FREIT's credit line, and the remainder of the proceeds will be available to fund future capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.

Selected_quarterly_financial_d

Selected quarterly financial data (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Selected quarterly financial data (unaudited) [Abstract]
Selected quarterly financial data (unaudited)	Note 18- Selected quarterly financial data (unaudited):
	The following summary represents the results of operations for each quarter for the years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
	2014:00:00	Quarter Ended												Year
		January 31,			April 30,			July 31,			October 31,			October 31,
	Revenue	$	10,572		$	10,632		$	10,433		$	10,793	(c)	$	42,430
	Expenses		9,454			9,742			9,716	(b)		10,095	(d)		39,007
	Income from continuing operations		1,118			890			717			698			3,423
	Income from discontinued operations		8,700	(a)		41			—			—			8,741
	Net income		9,818			931			717			698			12,164
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries		(193	)		(98	)		(162	)		(54	)		(507	)
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	9,625		$	833		$	555		$	644		$	11,657
	Basic & diluted earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.13		$	0.11		$	0.08	(b)	$	0.1	(c)	$	0.42
	Discontinued operations		1.26	(a)		0.01			—			—			1.27
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	1.39		$	0.12		$	0.08		$	0.1		$	1.69
	Dividends declared per share	$	0.3		$	0.3		$	0.3		$	0.3		$	1.2
	(a) Represents gain on sale of discontinued operations of $8,734
	(b) Includes $648 in expenses related to Regency acquisition ($0.09 per share)
	(c) Includes $298 in straight-line rent expense related to G-Mart lease termination ($0.04 per share)
	(d) Includes $73 in expenses related to G-Mart lease termination ($0.01 per share)
	2013:00:00	Quarter Ended												Year
		January 31,			April 30,			July 31,			October 31,			October 31,
	Revenue	$	10,387		$	9,907		$	10,384		$	10,659		$	41,337
	Expenses		9,417			9,403			9,339			9,578			37,737
	Income from continuing operations		970			504			1,045			1,081			3,600
	Income from discontinued operations		730	(a)		1,409	(b)		48			2,155	(c)		4,342
	Net income		1,700			1,913			1,093			3,236			7,942
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries		(229	)		(43	)		(182	)		(39	)		(493	)
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	1,471		$	1,870		$	911		$	3,197		$	7,449
	Basic earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.11		$	0.07		$	0.12		$	0.15		$	0.45
	Discontinued operations		0.1	(a)		0.2	(b)		0.01			0.31	(c)		0.62
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	0.21		$	0.27		$	0.13		$	0.46		$	1.07
	Dividends declared per share	$	0.3		$	0.3		$	0.3		$	0.66		$	1.56
	(a) Includes $720 reversal of income tax provision ($0.10 per share) (See Note 11)
	(b) Includes gain on sale of discontinued operations of $1,377 ($0.20 per share)
	(c) Includes gain on sale of discontinued operations of $2,168 ($0.31 per share)

SCHEDULE_XI_REAL_ESTATE_AND_AC

SCHEDULE XI - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
SCHEDULE XI - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION [Abstract]
SCHEDULE XI - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION	FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SCHEDULE XI – REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
	31-Oct-14
	(In Thousands of Dollars)
	Column A		Column B			Column C						Column D								Column E						Column F		Column G	Column H	Column I
						Initial Cost						Costs Capitalized								Gross Amount at Which
						to Company						Subsequent to Acquisition								Carried at Close of Period
																														Life on
									Buildings													Buildings								Which De-
			Encum-						and						Improve-			Carrying				and				Accumulated		Date of	Date	preciation
	Description		brances			Land			Improvements			Land			ments			Costs		Land		Improvements		Total (1)		Depreciation		Construction	Acquired	is Computed
	Residential Properties:
	Hammel Gardens, Maywood, NJ		$	8,374			312			728			—			1,272					312		2,000		2,312		1,564	1949	1972	7-40 years
	Steuben Arms, River Edge, NJ			11,037			364			1,773			—			1,573					364		3,346		3,710		2,768	1966	1975	7-40 years
	Berdan Court, Wayne, NJ			18,686			250			2,206			—			4,221					250		6,427		6,677		5,024	1964	1965	7-40 years
	Westwood Hills, Westwood, NJ			21,974			3,849			11,546			—			2,674					3,849		14,220		18,069		7,671	1965-70	1994	7-40 years
	Pierre Towers, Hackensack, NJ			31,198			8,390			37,486			19			7,932					8,409		45,418		53,827		12,281	1970	2004	7-40 years
	Boulders - Rockaway, NJ			18,030			1,683			—			3,335			16,274					5,018		16,274		21,292		4,212	2005-2006	1963/1964	7-40 years
	Regency Club - Middletown, NY			—			2,833			17,792			—			85					2,833		17,877		20,710		149	2003	2014	7-40 years
	Retail Properties:
	Damascus Shopping Center,
	Damascus, MD			19,326			2,950			6,987			6,296			17,425					9,246		24,412		33,658		4,014	1960's	2003	15-39 years
	Franklin Crossing, Franklin Lakes, NJ			—			29			—			3,382			7,999					3,411		7,999		11,410		3,756	1963/75/97	1966	10-50 years
	Glen Rock, NJ			—			12			36			—			213					12		249		261		204	1940	1962	10-31.5 years
	Pathmark Super Center,
	Patchogue, NY			5,376			2,128			8,818			—			(21	)				2,128		8,797		10,925		3,773	1997	1997	39 years
	Westridge Square S/C, Frederick, MD			22,000			9,135			19,159			(1	)		4,196					9,134		23,355		32,489		15,292	1986	1992	15-31.5 years
	Westwood Plaza, Westwood, NJ			21,884			6,889			6,416			—			2,487					6,889		8,903		15,792		7,417	1981	1988	15-31.5 years
	Preakness S/C, Wayne, NJ			25,978			9,280			24,217			—			1,685					9,280		25,902		35,182		8,524	1955/89/00	2002	15-31.5 years
	The Rotunda, Baltimore, MD			42,689			16,263			14,634			232			53,525					16,495		68,159		84,654		4,682	1920	2005	40 years
	Land Leased:
	Rockaway, NJ			—			114			—			51			—					165		—		165		—		1963/1964
	Rochelle Park, NJ			—			1,640			905			—			—					1,640		905		2,545		238		2007
	Vacant Land:												`
	Franklin Lakes, NJ			—			224			—			(156	)		—					68		—		68		—		1966/93
	Wayne, NJ			—			286			—						—					286		—		286		—		2002
			$	246,552		$	66,631		$	152,703		$	13,158		$	121,540		$	—	$	79,789	$	274,243	$	354,032	$	81,569
	-1	Total cost for each property is the same for Federal income tax purposes, with the exception of Pierre Towers, Preakness S/C, The Rotunda and the Regency Club whose cost for Federal income tax purposes is approximately $40.9 million, $35.4 million, $71.6 million and $12.6 million, respectively.
	FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SCHEDULE XI - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
	(In Thousands of Dollars)
	Reconciliation of Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation:
			2014			2013			2012
	Real estate:
	Balance, Beginning of year		$	292,769		$	283,703		$	285,137
	Additions:
	Buildings and improvements			62,340			9,903			4,267
	Deferred project cost write-off			—			—			(3,726	)
	Sale of discontinued operation			(1,077	)		(837	)		(1,975	)
	Balance, end of year		$	354,032		$	292,769		$	283,703
	Accumulated depreciation:
	Balance, beginning of year		$	75,226		$	69,619		$	64,976
	Additions - Charged to operating expenses			6,346			6,244			6,215
	Sale of discontinued operation			—			(631	)		(1,561	)
	Adjustments/Deletions			(3	)		(6	)		(11	)
	Balance, end of year		$	81,569		$	75,226		$	69,619

Organization_and_significant_a1

Organization and significant accounting policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Organization and significant accounting policies [Abstract]
Adopted and recently issued accounting standards:	Adopted and recently issued accounting standards:
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.  This update requires companies to present the effects on the line items of net income of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income if the amount being reclassified is required under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles to be reclassified in its entirety to net income in the same reporting period.  ASU 2013-02 is effective prospectively for the Company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012 with early adoption permitted. The Company has adopted this guidance effective with its 1st quarter ended January 31, 2014. The adoption of this guidance in the year ended October 31, 2014 did not have any material impact on our financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”, which amends the definition of a discontinued operation. The new guidance requires discontinued operation treatment for disposals of a component or group of components that represent a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major impact on an entity's operations or financial results. The ASU is effective prospectively for all disposals that occur in annual periods (and interim periods therein) beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”,  which is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. ASU 2014-09 outlines a new, single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry specific guidance. FREIT is currently assessing the impact this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.
Principles of consolidation:	Principles of consolidation:
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FREIT and the following subsidiaries in which FREIT has a controlling financial interest, including two LLCs in which FREIT is the managing member with a 40% ownership interest:
	Subsidiary	Owning		%			Year
		Entity		Ownership			Acquired/Organized
	Westwood Hills, LLC		FREIT		40	%		1994
	S and A Commercial Associates Limited Partnership ("S and A")		FREIT		65	%		2000
	Wayne PSC, LLC		FREIT		40	%		2002
	Damascus Centre, LLC		FREIT		70	%		2003
	Pierre Towers, LLC		S and A		100	%		2004
	Grande Rotunda, LLC		FREIT		60	%		2005
	WestFREIT Corp		FREIT		100	%		2007
	WestFredic LLC		FREIT		100	%		2007
	Damascus Second, LLC		FREIT		70	%		2008
	FREIT Regency, LLC		FREIT		100	%		2014
	The consolidated financial statements include 100% of each subsidiary's assets, liabilities, operations and cash flows, with the interests not owned by FREIT reflected as "noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries”. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates:	Use of estimates:
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and cash equivalents:	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Financial instruments that potentially subject FREIT to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. FREIT considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. FREIT maintains its cash and cash equivalents in bank and other accounts, the balances of which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits of $250,000.
Real estate development costs:	Real estate development costs:
	It is FREIT's policy to capitalize pre-development costs, which generally include legal and other professional fees and other directly related third-party costs. Real estate taxes and interest costs incurred during the development and construction phases are also capitalized. FREIT ceases capitalization of these costs, when the project or portion thereof becomes operational, or when construction has been postponed. Capitalization of these costs will recommence once construction on the project resumes.
Depreciation:	Depreciation:
	Real estate and equipment are depreciated on the straight-line method by annual charges to operations calculated to absorb costs of assets over their estimated useful lives.
Impairment of long-lived assets:	Impairment of long-lived assets:
	Impairment losses on long-lived assets, such as real estate and equipment, are recognized when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by such assets are less than their carrying value and, accordingly, all or a portion of such carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are then measured by comparing the fair value of assets to their carrying amounts. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were no impairments of long-lived assets.
Deferred charges:	Deferred charges:
	Deferred charges consist of mortgage costs and leasing commissions. Deferred mortgage costs are amortized on the straight-line method by annual charges to income over the terms of the mortgages. Amortization of such costs is included in interest expense and approximated $359,000, $370,000 and $368,000 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Deferred leasing commissions are amortized on the straight-line method over the terms of the applicable leases.
Revenue recognition:	Revenue recognition:
	Income from leases is recognized on a straight-line basis regardless of when payment is due. Lease agreements between FREIT and commercial tenants generally provide for additional rentals and reimbursements based on such factors as percentage of tenants' sales in excess of specified volumes, increases in real estate taxes, Consumer Price Indices and common area maintenance charges. These additional rentals are generally included in income when reported to FREIT, when earned, or ratably over the appropriate period.
Interest rate swap contract:	Interest rate swap contract:
	FREIT utilizes derivative financial instruments to reduce interest rate risk. FREIT does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. FREIT recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value. Changes in fair value of those instruments, which qualify as cash flow hedges, are reported in other comprehensive income (see Note 6).
Advertising:	Advertising:
	FREIT expenses the cost of advertising and promotions as incurred. Advertising costs charged to operations amounted to approximately $133,000, $93,000 and $127,000 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Stock-based compensation:	Stock-based compensation:
	FREIT has a stock-based compensation plan that was approved by FREIT's Board of Trustees (“Board”), and ratified by FREIT's shareholders. Stock based awards under the plan to employees are accounted for based on their grant-date fair value (see Note 12).
	Stock-based awards to nonemployees are accounted for based on the fair value of the equity instruments on the vesting date.
Acquired over market and below market value leases and in-place leases	Acquired Over Market and Below Market Value Leases and In-Place Leases:
	Capitalized above-market lease values are being amortized as a reduction of base rental revenue over the remaining term of the leases, and the capitalized below-market lease values are being amortized as an increase to base rental revenue over the remaining terms of the leases, including renewal options. The value ascribed to leases in place is being amortized over the weighted average remaining lease terms.

Organization_and_significant_a2

Organization and significant accounting policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Organization and significant accounting policies [Abstract]
Schedule of subsidiaries in which FREIT has a controlling financial interest	Subsidiary	Owning		%			Year
		Entity		Ownership			Acquired/Organized
	Westwood Hills, LLC		FREIT		40	%		1994
	S and A Commercial Associates Limited Partnership ("S and A")		FREIT		65	%		2000
	Wayne PSC, LLC		FREIT		40	%		2002
	Damascus Centre, LLC		FREIT		70	%		2003
	Pierre Towers, LLC		S and A		100	%		2004
	Grande Rotunda, LLC		FREIT		60	%		2005
	WestFREIT Corp		FREIT		100	%		2007
	WestFredic LLC		FREIT		100	%		2007
	Damascus Second, LLC		FREIT		70	%		2008
	FREIT Regency, LLC		FREIT		100	%		2014

Property_acquisition_Tables

Property acquisition (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Property acquisition [Abstract]
Schedule of unaudited pro forma information		Years Ended October 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(In Thousands)
	Revenues	$	44,016		$	43,672		$	47,213
	Net expenses		40,033			39,935			42,942
	Income from continuing operations		3,983			3,737			4,271
	Income from discontinued operations		7			797			460
	Gain on sale of discontinued operation		—			3,545			7,528
	Net income		3,990			8,079			12,259
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries		(507	)		(493	)		(645	)
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	3,483		$	7,586		$	11,614
	Earnings per share - basic and diluted:
	Continuing operations	$	0.5		$	0.47		$	0.52
	Discontinued operations		0			0.62			1.15
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	0.5		$	1.09		$	1.67
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted		6,908			6,942			6,942

Real_estate_Tables

Real estate (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Real estate [Abstract]
Schedule of real estate and equipment		Range of
		Estimated	October 31,
		Useful Lives	2014		2013
			(In Thousands of Dollars)
	Land		$	79,435	$	76,602
	Unimproved land			354		883
	Apartment buildings	7-40 years		101,968		81,972
	Commercial buildings/shopping centers	15-50 years		119,027		118,253
	Equipment/Furniture	3-15 years		3,102		2,967
				303,886		280,677
	Less accumulated depreciation			81,569		75,226
	Totals		$	222,317	$	205,451

Mortgages_notes_payable_and_cr1

Mortgages, notes payable and credit line (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Mortgages, notes payable and credit line [Abstract]
Schedule of debt
			October 31,
			2014			2013
			(In Thousands of Dollars)
	Frederick, MD (A)		$	22,000		$	22,000
	Rockaway, NJ (B)			18,030			18,440
	Westwood, NJ (C)			21,884			22,388
	Patchogue, NY (D)			5,376			5,503
	Wayne, NJ (E)			18,686			18,976
	River Edge, NJ (F):
	First mortgage			—			3,952
	Second mortgage			—			1,494
	River Edge, NJ (G)			11,037			—
	Maywood, NJ (H):
	First mortgage			—			2,868
	Second mortgage			—			1,060
	Maywood, NJ (I)			8,374			—
	Westwood, NJ (J)			21,974			22,383
	Wayne, NJ (K)			25,978			26,863
	Hackensack, NJ (L)			31,198			31,797
	Damascus, MD (M)			19,326			19,699
	Total fixed rate mortgage loans			203,863			197,423
	Baltimore, MD (N)			42,689			—
	Line of credit - Provident Bank (O)			5,000			2,000
	Total  mortgages, notes payable and credit line		$	251,552		$	199,423
		(A)	Payable in monthly installments of interest only computed over the actual number of days in the elapsed monthly interest period at the rate of 5.55% through May 2017 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgage is secured by a retail building in Frederick, MD having a net book value of approximately $17,197,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(B)	Payable in monthly installments of $115,850 including interest at 5.37% through February 2022 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgage is secured by a residential building in Rockaway, NJ having a net book value of approximately $17,080,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(C)	On January 14, 2013, FREIT refinanced its Westwood Plaza mortgage loan in the amount of $8.0 million, with a new mortgage loan in the amount of $22,750,000, which is payable in monthly installments of $129,702 including interest at 4.75% through January 2023 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The new mortgage is secured by a retail building in Westwood, NJ having a net book value of approximately $8,375,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(D)	The loan, modified effective January 31, 2013, is payable in monthly installments of $31,046 including interest at 4.5%, through March 2018 at which time the outstanding balance is due. Under the terms of the mortgage loan agreement, FREIT can request, during the term of the loan, additional fundings that will bring the outstanding principal balance up to 75% of loan-to-value (percentage of mortgage loan to total appraised value of property securing the loan). The mortgage is secured by a retail building in Patchogue, NY having a net book value of approximately $7,152,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(E)	Payable in monthly installments of $121,100 including interest at 6.09%, through September 1, 2019 at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgage is secured by an apartment building in Wayne, NJ having a net book value of approximately $1,653,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(F)	The first mortgage was payable in monthly installments of $34,862 including interest at 6.75% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance was due. The second mortgage is payable in monthly installments of $12,318 including interest at 5.53% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance was due (see G).
		(G)	On November 19, 2013, FREIT refinanced these mortgage loans, which were scheduled to mature on December 1, 2013. The amount of the new loan is $11,200,000 at a fixed interest rate of 4.54%, with a scheduled maturity of December 1, 2023. The mortgages are secured by an apartment building in River Edge, NJ having a net book value of approximately $942,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(H)	The first mortgage was payable in monthly installments of $25,295 including interest at 6.75% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance was due. The second mortgage is payable in monthly installments of $8,739 including interest at 5.53% through December 2013 at which time the outstanding balance was due (see I).
		(I)	On November 19, 2013, FREIT refinanced these mortgage loans, which were scheduled to mature on December 1, 2013. The amount of the new loan is $8,500,000 at a fixed interest rate of 4.54%, with a scheduled maturity of December 1, 2023. The mortgages are secured by an apartment building in Maywood, NJ having a net book value of approximately $748,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(J)	Payable in monthly installments of $120,752 including interest of 4.62%, through November 1, 2020, at which time the outstanding balance is due. The mortgage is secured by an apartment building in Westwood, NJ having a net book value of approximately $10,398,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(K)	Payable in monthly installments of $206,960 including interest of 6.04% until June 2016 at which time the unpaid balance is due. The mortgage is secured by a shopping center in Wayne, NJ having a net book value of approximately $26,945,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(L)	Payable in monthly installments of $191,197 including interest of 5.38% until May 2019 at which time the unpaid balance is due. The mortgage is secured by an apartment building in Hackensack, NJ having a net book value of approximately $41,546,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(M)	On December 26, 2012, Damascus Centre, LLC refinanced its $15 million construction loan with long-term financing provided by People's United Bank. The amount of the new loan is $25 million, of which $20 million has been drawn as of October 31, 2014. The balance, up to an additional $5 million, will be available as a one-time draw over the 36 month period ending December 26, 2015, and the amount available will depend on future leasing at the shopping center. The new loan bears a floating interest rate equal to 210 basis points over the BBA LIBOR and the loan will mature on January 3, 2023. In order to minimize interest rate volatility during the term of the loan, Damascus Centre, LLC entered into an interest rate swap agreement that in effect, converted the floating interest rate to a fixed interest rate of 3.81% over the term of the loan (see Note 6 for additional information relating to the interest rate swap). The shopping center securing the loan has a net book value of approximately $29,644,000 as of October 31, 2014.
		(N)	On February 1, 2010, a principal payment of $3 million was made reducing the original loan amount of $22.5 million to $19.5 million and the due date was extended until February 1, 2013. As part of the terms of the loan extension agreement, the loan was further collateralized by a first mortgage lien and the assignment of the ground lease on FREIT's Rochelle Park, NJ land parcel. Under the restructured terms, the interest rate is now 350 basis points above the BBA LIBOR with a floor of 4%, and monthly principal payments of $10,000 are required. An additional principal payment of $110,000 was required on February 1, 2012 in order to reduce the loan to achieve the stipulated debt service coverage ratio. Under the agreement with the equity owners of Grande Rotunda, LLC, FREIT would be responsible for 60% of any cash required by Grande Rotunda, LLC, and 40% would be the responsibility of the minority interest. The due date of the loan was further extended to May 1, 2013 from February 1, 2013. While the bank agreed to an additional extension of ninety-days (90) from May 1, 2013, FREIT elected to purchase the Rotunda loan from the bank and have all the bank's rights assigned to FREIT. The purchase of this loan by FREIT was completed on May 28, 2013. FREIT subsequently sold this loan to Wells Fargo Bank, the lender providing the construction financing for the expansion of the Rotunda project. On December 9, 2013, Grande Rotunda, LLC closed with Wells Fargo Bank on a construction loan of up to $120 million to be used for the purpose of funding the major redevelopment and expansion project in progress at the Rotunda. The construction loan is for a term of four (4) years, with one 12-month extension, at a rate of 225 basis points over the monthly LIBOR. Interest on the loan is accrued and applied to principal. Such interest will be due and payable at maturity. The loan is secured by the Rotunda property in Baltimore, MD, which has a net book value of approximately $79,268,000 as of October 31, 2014, including $48.8 million classified as construction in progress. As of October 31, 2014, $42.7 million was drawn on the construction loan with Wells Fargo Bank, of which $19 million was used to pay off the loan from FREIT, and $23.7 million was used towards the construction at the Rotunda.
		(O)	Credit Line: FREIT has a line of credit provided by the Provident Bank in the amount of $13 million. The line of credit is for a two year term ending on November 1, 2016, but can be cancelled by the bank, at its will, within 60 days before or after each anniversary date. The credit line will automatically be extended at the termination date of the current term and each subsequent term for an additional period of 24 months, provided there is no default and the credit line has not been cancelled. Draws against the credit line can be used for general corporate purposes, for property acquisitions, construction activities, and letters of credit. Draws against the credit line are secured by mortgages on FREIT's Franklin Crossing Shopping Center, in Franklin Lakes, NJ, and retail space in Glen Rock, NJ. Interest rates on draws will be set at the time of each draw for 30, 60, or 90-day periods, based on our choice of the prime rate or at 175 basis points over the 30, 60, or 90-day LIBOR rates at the time of the draws. The interest rate on the line of credit has a floor of 3.5%. The Palisades Manor and the Grandview Apartment properties had been part of the collateral for the line of credit prior to FREIT's sales of these properties in April 2013 and August 2013, respectively. Provident Bank released these properties as collateral for the credit line in connection with these dispositions, and as a result, the credit line was reduced from $18 million to approximately $13 million as of July 2013. As of October 31, 2014, approximately $8 million was available under the line of credit, and $5 million was outstanding.
Schedule of estimated fair value and carrying value of long-term debt			October 31,			October 31,
	($ in Millions)		2014			2013
	Fair Value		$	256		$	201.9
	Carrying Value		$	251.6		$	199.4
Schedule of principal amounts of long-term debt	Year Ending October 31,		Amount
	2015		$	4,101
	2016		$	28,434
	2017		$	25,494
	2018		$	8,489
	2019		$	91,102	(a)
		(a)	Includes $42,689 relating to the Rotunda construction loan, due December 2018. (See Note 5(N).)

Commitments_and_contingencies_

Commitments and contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Commitments and contingencies [Abstract]
Schedule of minimum rental income to be received from non-cancelable operating leases	Year Ending October	Amount
	31,
	2015	$	16,667
	2016		15,398
	2017		12,276
	2018		10,258
	2019		8,861
	Thereafter		56,270
	Total	$	119,730

Equity_incentive_plan_Tables

Equity incentive plan (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Equity incentive plan [Abstract]
Schedule of Stock Option Activity		Year Ended October 31,
		2014
		No. of Options		Exercise
		Outstanding		Price
	Options outstanding beginning of period		—		—
	Options granted during period		246,000	$	18.45
	Options outstanding end of period		246,000	$	18.45
	Options expected to vest		—
	Options exercisable at end of period		—

Segment_information_Tables

Segment information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment information [Abstract]
Schedule of segment and related information		Years Ended October 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(In Thousands of Dollars)
	Real estate rental revenue:
	Commercial	$	22,424		$	22,876		$	23,383
	Residential		20,419			18,497			18,680
	Totals		42,843			41,373			42,063
	Real estate operating expenses:
	Commercial		9,663			9,235			9,526
	Residential		9,757			8,892			8,442
	Totals		19,420			18,127			17,968
	Net operating income:
	Commercial		12,761			13,641			13,857
	Residential		10,662			9,605			10,238
	Totals	$	23,423		$	23,246		$	24,095
	Recurring capital improvements-
	residential	$	(549	)	$	(681	)	$	(697	)
	Reconciliation to consolidated net
	income-common equity:
	Segment NOI	$	23,423		$	23,246		$	24,095
	Deferred rents - straight lining		(93	)		(12	)		17
	Amortization of acquired above and below
	market value leases		(21	)		(24	)		(2	)
	Net investment income		184			191			173
	General and administrative expenses		(1,396	)		(1,623	)		(1,624	)
	G-Mart lease termination expenses		(371	)		—			—
	Acquisition costs-Regency		(648	)		—			—
	Depreciation		(6,346	)		(6,233	)		(6,171	)
	Deferred project cost write-off, net of
	income relating to early lease termination		—			—			(776	)
	Financing costs		(11,309	)		(11,945	)		(11,704	)
	Income from continuing operations		3,423			3,600			4,008
	Income from discontinued operation		7			797			460
	Gain on sale of discontinued operation		8,734			3,545			7,528	(a)
	Net income		12,164			7,942			11,996
	Net income attributable to
	noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries		(507	)		(493	)		(645	)
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	11,657		$	7,449		$	11,351
	(a) Represents gain of $9,493 net of federal and state tax of $1,965.

Selected_quarterly_financial_d1

Selected quarterly financial data (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Selected quarterly financial data (unaudited) [Abstract]
Schedule of quarterly results of operation
	2014:00:00	Quarter Ended												Year
		January 31,			April 30,			July 31,			October 31,			October 31,
	Revenue	$	10,572		$	10,632		$	10,433		$	10,793	(c)	$	42,430
	Expenses		9,454			9,742			9,716	(b)		10,095	(d)		39,007
	Income from continuing operations		1,118			890			717			698			3,423
	Income from discontinued operations		8,700	(a)		41			—			—			8,741
	Net income		9,818			931			717			698			12,164
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries		(193	)		(98	)		(162	)		(54	)		(507	)
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	9,625		$	833		$	555		$	644		$	11,657
	Basic & diluted earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.13		$	0.11		$	0.08	(b)	$	0.1	(c)	$	0.42
	Discontinued operations		1.26	(a)		0.01			—			—			1.27
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	1.39		$	0.12		$	0.08		$	0.1		$	1.69
	Dividends declared per share	$	0.3		$	0.3		$	0.3		$	0.3		$	1.2
	(a) Represents gain on sale of discontinued operations of $8,734
	(b) Includes $648 in expenses related to Regency acquisition ($0.09 per share)
	(c) Includes $298 in straight-line rent expense related to G-Mart lease termination ($0.04 per share)
	(d) Includes $73 in expenses related to G-Mart lease termination ($0.01 per share)
	2013:00:00	Quarter Ended												Year
		January 31,			April 30,			July 31,			October 31,			October 31,
	Revenue	$	10,387		$	9,907		$	10,384		$	10,659		$	41,337
	Expenses		9,417			9,403			9,339			9,578			37,737
	Income from continuing operations		970			504			1,045			1,081			3,600
	Income from discontinued operations		730	(a)		1,409	(b)		48			2,155	(c)		4,342
	Net income		1,700			1,913			1,093			3,236			7,942
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries		(229	)		(43	)		(182	)		(39	)		(493	)
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	1,471		$	1,870		$	911		$	3,197		$	7,449
	Basic earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.11		$	0.07		$	0.12		$	0.15		$	0.45
	Discontinued operations		0.1	(a)		0.2	(b)		0.01			0.31	(c)		0.62
	Net income attributable to common equity	$	0.21		$	0.27		$	0.13		$	0.46		$	1.07
	Dividends declared per share	$	0.3		$	0.3		$	0.3		$	0.66		$	1.56
	(a) Includes $720 reversal of income tax provision ($0.10 per share) (See Note 11)
	(b) Includes gain on sale of discontinued operations of $1,377 ($0.20 per share)
	(c) Includes gain on sale of discontinued operations of $2,168 ($0.31 per share)

Organization_and_significant_a3

Organization and significant accounting policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Organization and significant accounting policies [Abstract]
Advertising costs	$133,000	$93,000	$127,000
Amortization of mortgage costs and leasing commissions	$359,000	$370,000	$368,000

Organization_and_significant_a4

Organization and significant accounting policies (Schedule of Subsidiaries) Details)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Westwood Hills, LLC [Member]
% Ownership	40.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	1994
S and A Commercial Associates Limited Partnership ("S and A") [Member]
% Ownership	65.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2000
Wayne PSC, LLC [Member]
% Ownership	40.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2002
Damascus Centre, LLC [Member]
% Ownership	70.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2003
Pierre Towers, LLC [Member]
% Ownership	100.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2004
Grande Rotunda, LLC [Member]
% Ownership	60.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2005
WestFREIT Corp [Member]
% Ownership	100.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2007
WestFredic LLC [Member]
% Ownership	100.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2007
Damascus Second, LLC [Member]
% Ownership	70.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2008
FREIT Regency, LLC [Member]
% Ownership	100.00%
Year Acquired/Organized	2014

Discontinued_operations_Detail

Discontinued operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012	Dec. 20, 2013	Apr. 26, 2013	Aug. 13, 2013	Aug. 29, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Capital gain on sale of apartments			$3,500,000		$9,493,000
Tax on sale of discontinued operations					1,965,000
Income tax adjustment on gain on sale of discontinued operation	-720,000		-720,000	[1]
Revenue from discontinued operations		1,000	317,000		1,299,000
South Brunswick property [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale of property						11,000,000
Capital gain on sale of apartments						8,700,000
Deferred gain on sale						8,700,000
Net proceeds on sale of business						9,800,000
Palisades Manor Apartments [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale of property							1,600,000
Capital gain on sale of apartments							1,400,000
Grandview Apartments [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale of property								2,500,000
Capital gain on sale of apartments								2,200,000
Heights Manor Apartments [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Capital gain on sale of apartments					9,500,000				9,500,000
Distributions to shareholders					5,000,000				5,000,000	1,400,000
Undistributed gain									4,500,000
Income tax adjustment on gain on sale of discontinued operation			-720,000
Heights Manor Apartments [Member] | Federal [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Tax on sale of discontinued operations					1,500,000
Heights Manor Apartments [Member] | State [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Tax on sale of discontinued operations					$400,000
[1]	Income tax adjustment relating to fiscal 2012 gain on sale of discontinued operation.

Property_acquisition_Narrative

Property acquisition (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	4 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jun. 18, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Dec. 29, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Regency acquisition costs	$648,000				$648,000
Net operating income					15,196,000	15,354,000	15,539,000
Gain on sale of discontinued operations (net of tax of $1,965 in fiscal 2012)		8,734,000	2,168,000	1,377,000	8,734,000	3,545,000	7,528,000
Mortgages [Member] | Provident Bank Mortgage [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Loan amount											16,200,000
South Brunswick property [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Deferred gain utilized in acquisition								9,800,000
Gain on sale of discontinued operations (net of tax of $1,965 in fiscal 2012)									8,700,000
Regency Club Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of units acquired								132
Number of buildings acquired								11
Acquisition price								20,625,000
Regency acquisition costs								648,000
Remaining balance in acquisition, after net proceeds from sale								11,500,000
Cash used for acquisition								10,000,000
Acquisition price allocation to buildings								17,800,000
Percentage allocation to buildings								86.30%
Acquisition price allocation to land								2,800,000
Percentage allocation to land								13.70%
Total revenue										808,000
Net operating income										314,000
Net income										$165,000
Estimated useful life					40 years

Property_acquisition_Schedule_

Property acquisition (Schedule of Results of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Schedule of pro-forma information
Revenues	$44,016	$43,672	$47,213
Net expenses	40,033	39,935	42,942
Income from continuing operations	3,983	3,737	4,271
Income from discontinued operations	7	797	460
Gain on sale of discontinued operations		3,545	7,528
Net income	3,990	8,079	12,259
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	-507	-493	-645
Net income attributable to common equity	$3,483	$7,586	$11,614
Earnings per share - basic and diluted:
Continuing operations	$0.50	$0.47	$0.52
Discontinued operations	$0	$0.62	$1.15
Net income attributable to common equity	$0.50	$1.09	$1.67
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted	6,908	6,942	6,942

Real_estate_Details

Real estate (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land	79,435	$76,602
Unimproved land	354	883
Equipment/Furniture	3,102	2,967
Real estate and equipment	303,886	280,677
Less accumulated depreciation	81,569	75,226
Totals	222,317	205,451
Apartment Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Rental properties	101,968	81,972
Commercial Buildings/Shopping Centers [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Rental properties	119,027	$118,253
Minimum [Member] | Apartment Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	7 years
Minimum [Member] | Commercial Buildings/Shopping Centers [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	15 years
Maximum [Member] | Apartment Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Commercial Buildings/Shopping Centers [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	50 years
Equipment/Furniture [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	3 years
Equipment/Furniture [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	15 years

Mortgages_notes_payable_and_cr2

Mortgages, notes payable and credit line (Schedule of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total mortgages, notes payable and credit line	$251,552	$199,423
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans	203,863	197,423
Mortgages [Member] | Frederick, MD [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans	22,000	22,000
Mortgages [Member] | Rockaway, NJ Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans	18,030	18,440
Mortgages [Member] | Westwood, NJ #2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans	21,884	22,388
Mortgages [Member] | Patchogue, NY [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans	5,376	5,503
Mortgages [Member] | Wayne, NJ Mortgage 1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans	18,686	18,976
Mortgages [Member] | River Edge, NJ First Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans		3,952
Mortgages [Member] | River Edge, NJ Second Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans		1,494
Mortgages [Member] | River Edge, NJ Refinanced Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans	11,037
Mortgages [Member] | Maywood, NJ First Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans		2,868
Mortgages [Member] | Maywood, NJ Second Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans		1,060
Mortgages [Member] | Refinanced Maywood, NJ Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans	8,374
Mortgages [Member] | Westwood, NJ #3 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans	21,974	22,383
Mortgages [Member] | Second Wayne, NJ Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans	25,978	26,863
Mortgages [Member] | Hackensack, NJ [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans	31,198	31,797
Mortgages [Member] | Damascus, MD [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate mortgage loans	19,326	19,699
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member] | Baltimore, MD [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total mortgages, notes payable and credit line	42,689
Provident Bank [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total mortgages, notes payable and credit line	$5,000	$2,000

Mortgages_notes_payable_and_cr3

Mortgages, notes payable and credit line (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012		Jan. 14, 2013	Feb. 01, 2010	Feb. 01, 2012	Jan. 30, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of mortgages and construction loan	$13,260,000		$45,747,000		$6,337,000
Construction and pre-development costs	33,579,000	[1]	4,732,000	[2]	3,999,000	[3]
Amount due within five years	91,102,000
Mortgages [Member] | Frederick, MD [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	5.55%
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	17,197,000
Mortgages [Member] | Rockaway, NJ Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	5.37%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	115,850
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	17,080,000
Mortgages [Member] | Westwood, NJ#1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Refinanced loan amount							8,000,000
Mortgages [Member] | Westwood, NJ #2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	4.75%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	129,702
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	8,375,000
Loan amount	22,750,000
Mortgages [Member] | Patchogue, NY [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	4.50%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	31,046
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	7,152,000
Loan To Value	75.00%
Mortgages [Member] | Wayne, NJ Mortgage 1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	6.09%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	121,100
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	1,653,000
Mortgages [Member] | River Edge, NJ First Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	6.75%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	34,862
Mortgages [Member] | River Edge, NJ Second Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	5.53%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	12,318
Mortgages [Member] | River Edge, NJ Refinanced Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	4.54%
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	942,000
Loan amount	11,200,000
Mortgages [Member] | Maywood, NJ First Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	6.75%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	25,295
Mortgages [Member] | Maywood, NJ Second Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	5.53%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	8,739
Mortgages [Member] | Refinanced Maywood, NJ Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	4.54%
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	748,000
Loan amount	8,500,000
Mortgages [Member] | Westwood, NJ #3 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	4.62%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	120,752
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	10,398,000
Mortgages [Member] | Second Wayne, NJ Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	6.04%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	206,960
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	26,945,000
Mortgages [Member] | Hackensack, NJ [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	5.38%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	191,197
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	41,546,000
Mortgages [Member] | Damascus, MD [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis points, interest rate	2.10%
Fixed interest rate	3.81%
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	29,644,000
Loan amount	25,000,000
Amount drawn on loan	20,000,000
Unused loan draw	5,000,000
Term of the loan	36 months
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member] | Baltimore, MD [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis points, interest rate	3.50%
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	79,268,000
Loan amount								19,500,000		22,500,000
Construction and pre-development costs	23,700,000
Debt reduction								3,000,000	110,000
Interest rate floor	4.00%
Monthly principal payment amount	10,000
Amount due within five years	42,689,000
Repayments of debt to affiliate	19,000,000
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member] | Baltimore, MD [Member] | Construction in Progress [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	48,800,000
Provident Bank [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis points, interest rate	1.75%
Term of the loan	2 years
Interest rate floor	3.50%
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	13,000,000				18,000,000
Line of credit, current borrowing capacity	8,000,000
Line of credit	5,000,000
Construction Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Refinanced loan amount	15,000,000		15,000,000
Loan amount			25,000,000
Amount drawn on loan	20,000,000
Construction Loan [Member] | Baltimore, MD [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis points, interest rate	2.25%
Loan amount	$120,000,000
Term of the loan	4 years
[1]	Includes $3,766 that was incurred and accrued in fiscal 2013; paid in fiscal 2014.
[2]	Includes $743 that was incurred and accrued in fiscal 2012; paid in fiscal 2013.
[3]	Includes $2,256 that was incurred and accrued in fiscal 2011; paid in fiscal 2012.

Mortgages_notes_payable_and_cr4

Mortgages, notes payable and credit line (Schedule of Fair Value of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value of long-term debt	$256,000,000	$201,900,000
Carrying value of long-term debt	$251,552,000	$199,423,000

Mortgages_notes_payable_and_cr5

Mortgages, notes payable and credit line (Schedule of Principal Amounts Due) (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mortgages, notes payable and credit line [Abstract]
2015	$4,101
2016	28,434
2017	25,494
2018	8,489
2019	$91,102

Interest_rate_swap_contract_De

Interest rate swap contract (Details)) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Notional amount of interest rate swap	$19,356,000
Maturity date	3-Jan-23
Fixed interest rate	3.81%
Interest rate swap contract	515,000	980,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	-465,000	980,000
Construction Loan [Member]
Refinanced loan amount	15,000,000	15,000,000
Loan amount		25,000,000
Amount drawn on loan	$20,000,000

Capitalized_interest_Details

Capitalized interest (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Capitalized interest [Abstract]
Interest capitalized	$1,110,000

Commitments_and_contingencies_1

Commitments and contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Commercial space leases, net book value	$179,000,000
Lease terms for tenants, periods	25 years
Westwood Plaza Shopping Center [Member]
Flood insurance, amount per incident	$500,000

Commitments_and_contingencies_2

Commitments and contingencies (Schedule of Minimum Rental Income) (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and contingencies [Abstract]
2015	$16,667
2016	15,398
2017	12,276
2018	10,258
2019	8,861
Thereafter	56,270
Total	$119,730

Giant_lease_termination_Rotund1

Giant lease termination; Rotunda project cost write-off (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 24, 2012	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Feb. 03, 2012
					sqft
Deferred project cost write-off				($3,726,000)
Lease termination agreement [Member]
Area of property					35,994
Maximum ceiling on space that can be given on lease for use as a food supermarket (in square feet)					20,000
Deferred project cost write-off	2,200,000			1,490,000
Lease termination fee				2,950,000
Accretion of present value discount		$44,000	$87,000	$69,000

Management_agreement_fees_and_1

Management agreement, fees and transactions with related party (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2006	7-May-08
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset management fees	$1,968,000	$1,849,000	$1,863,000
Total construction financing, including other members	14,460,000
Secured loans receivable to noncontrolling interest	-2,128,000
Amount of the capital call	8,700,000
Payment of capital call	8,700,000
S and A Commercial Associates Limited Partnership ("S and A") [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership by parent (percentage)	65.00%
Damascus Centre, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership by parent (percentage)	70.00%
Ownership by noncontrolling owners (percentage)	30.00%
Sale of interest				3,224,000
Sale of interest, amount financed				1,451,000
Grande Rotunda, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aggregate outstanding principal balance	5,451,000	3,323,000
Accrued but unpaid interest	595,000	486,000
Ownership by parent (percentage)	60.00%
Ownership by noncontrolling owners (percentage)	40.00%
Managing Agent Hekemian & Co [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset management fees	1,866,000	1,747,000	1,792,000
Leasing commissions and reimbursement of operating expenses	673,000	339,000	402,000
Leasing commissions	396,000
Insurance commissions	133,000	121,000	122,000
Sales commissions	880,000	185,000	317,000
Other fees - refinancing		239,000
Maximum advances to employees	4,000,000				2,000,000
Accounts Payable	171,000	152,000
Robert S. Hekemian [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Trustee fee expense	642,000	586,000	546,000
Robert S. Hekemian, Jr. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Trustee fee expense	46,000	40,000	43,000
Rotunda 100 [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Secured loans receivable to noncontrolling interest	-2,100,000
Basis points, interest rate	2.25%
Amount of the capital call	5,800,000
Payment of capital call	5,800,000
Advance to affiliate	3,700,000
Fee amount	1,400,000
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Development fee (as percentage)	6.38%
Development costs, maximum amount	84,600,000
Development fees paid		3,000,000
Fee, monthly amount during design phase	500,000
Fee, to be paid on issuance of certificate of occupancy	900,000
Affiliated Entity 1 [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Development fees paid	1,000,000
Redevelopment fee (as percentage)	7.00%
Redevelopment costs, maximum amount	17,300,000
Redevelopment fees	1,998,000	1,823,000	317,000
Construction and development costs		1,400,000
Development fees included in accounts payable	$900,000	$900,000

Income_taxes_Details

Income taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012	Dec. 20, 2013	Aug. 29, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013	Apr. 26, 2013	Aug. 13, 2013	Jun. 18, 2014
Ordinary taxable income distributed as dividends (percentage)		100.00%	100.00%		100.00%
Capital gain on sale of apartments			$3,500,000		$9,493,000
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, tax effect					1,965,000
Income tax adjustment on gain on sale of discontinued operation	-720,000		-720,000	[1]
Distributions to shareholders	1,400,000	10,812,000	7,637,000		8,331,000
South Brunswick property [Member]
Capital gain on sale of apartments						8,700,000
Heights Manor Apartments [Member]
Capital gain on sale of apartments					9,500,000		9,500,000
Income tax adjustment on gain on sale of discontinued operation			-720,000
Distributions to shareholders					5,000,000		5,000,000	1,400,000
Undistributed gain							4,500,000
Heights Manor Apartments [Member] | Federal [Member]
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, tax effect					1,500,000
Heights Manor Apartments [Member] | State [Member]
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, tax effect					400,000
Palisades Manor Apartments [Member]
Capital gain on sale of apartments									1,400,000
Grandview Apartments [Member]
Capital gain on sale of apartments										2,200,000
Regency Club Acquisition [Member]
Acquisition price											20,625,000
Amount tax basis is lower than the acquisition price		$8,000,000
[1]	Income tax adjustment relating to fiscal 2012 gain on sale of discontinued operation.

Equity_incentive_plan_Details

Equity incentive plan (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 04, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Apr. 04, 2007	Sep. 10, 1998
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Plan term	10 years
Vesting term	5 years
Vesting rate	20.00%
No. of Options Outstanding
Options outstanding beginning of period
Options granted during period	246,000	246,000
Options outstanding end of period		246,000
Options expected to vest
Options exercisable at end of period
Exercise Price
Options outstanding beginning of period
Options granted during period	$18.45	$18.45
Options outstanding end of period		$18.45
Estimated fair value of options granted		$1.91
Such value was estimated on the grant date using a binomial lattice option pricing model using the following assumptions:
Expected volatility		30.50%
Risk-free interest rate		2.50%
Imputed option life		6 years 9 months 22 days
Expected dividend yield		6.60%
Compensation expense related to stock options		$16,000
Unrecognized compensation cost		454,000
Unrecognized compensation cost, recognition period		5 years
Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding		$12,300
Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized to be issued under plan				920,000
Increase in number of shares authorized			300,000	920,000
Shares available for issuance		220,000
Plan term		10 years

Deferred_fee_plan_Details

Deferred fee plan (Details) (Deferred Fee Plan [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Deferred Fee Plan [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Trustee fee expense	$1,204,000	$1,101,000	$1,045,000
Deferred trustee fees	5,163,000	4,703,000
Deferred accrued interest	$3,854,000	$3,110,000
Interest rate on any deferred fee	9.00%
Basis spread on any deferred fee (percentage)	1.50%
Term of distribution to participants	10 years

Dividends_and_earnings_per_sha1

Dividends and earnings per share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Dividends and earnings per share [Abstract]
Dividends declared (amount)									$8,276	$10,830	$7,637
Dividends declared (per share)	$0.30	$0.30	$0.30	$0.30	$0.66	$0.30	$0.30	$0.30	$1.20	$1.56	$1.10
Anti-dilutive stock options outstanding									246,000

Segment_information_Details

Segment information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
									segments
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue									$42,430,000	$41,337,000	$45,028,000
Real estate operating expenses									27,234,000	25,983,000	29,489,000
Operating income									15,196,000	15,354,000	15,539,000
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Deferred rents - straight lining	-298,000								-93,000	-12,000	17,000
Amortization of acquired above and below market value leases									-21,000	-24,000	-2,000
Net investment income									184,000	191,000	173,000
General and administrative expenses									-1,396,000	-1,623,000	-1,624,000
G-Mart lease termination expenses	-73,000								-371,000
Acquisition expenses-Regency		-648,000							-648,000
Depreciation									-6,346,000	-6,233,000	-6,171,000
Deferred project write-off, net of income from early lease termination											-776,000
Financing costs									-11,309,000	-11,945,000	-11,704,000
Income from continuing operations	698,000	717,000	890,000	1,118,000	1,081,000	1,045,000	504,000	970,000	3,423,000	3,600,000	4,008,000
Income from discontinued operation									7,000	797,000	460,000
Gain on sale of discontinued operation				8,734,000	2,168,000		1,377,000		8,734,000	3,545,000	7,528,000
Net income	698,000	717,000	931,000	9,818,000	3,236,000	1,093,000	1,913,000	1,700,000	12,164,000	7,942,000	11,996,000
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-54,000	-162,000	-98,000	-193,000	-39,000	-182,000	-43,000	-229,000	-507,000	-493,000	-645,000
Net income attributable to common equity	644,000	555,000	833,000	9,625,000	3,197,000	911,000	1,870,000	1,471,000	11,657,000	7,449,000	11,351,000
Number of reportable segments									2
Gain on sale of discontinued operations										3,500,000	9,493,000
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, tax effect											1,965,000
Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue									42,843,000	41,373,000	42,063,000
Real estate operating expenses									19,420,000	18,127,000	17,968,000
Operating income									23,423,000	23,246,000	24,095,000
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Segment NOI									23,423,000	23,246,000	24,095,000
Commercial [Member]
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Number of properties	10				10				10	10	10
Commercial [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue									22,424,000	22,876,000	23,383,000
Real estate operating expenses									9,663,000	9,235,000	9,526,000
Operating income									12,761,000	13,641,000	13,857,000
Residential [Member]
Reportable Segments
Recurring capital improvements									-549,000	-681,000	-697,000
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Number of properties	7				6				7	6	6
Residential [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue									20,419,000	18,497,000	18,680,000
Real estate operating expenses									9,757,000	8,892,000	8,442,000
Operating income									$10,662,000	$9,605,000	$10,238,000

Share_repurchases_Details

Share repurchases (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 04, 2014	Dec. 17, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Dec. 04, 2013
Share repurchases [Abstract]
Number of shares authorized to repurchase	100,572			24,400
Number of shares repurchased		20,400	120,972
Shares repurchased, value	$1,855,553	$357,000	$2,213,000
Stock repurchased price (per share)	$18.45	$17.50

Subsequent_events_Details

Subsequent events (Details) (USD $)	2 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate		3.81%
Provident Bank Mortgage [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Loan amount	$16,200,000
Provident Bank Mortgage [Member] | Mortgages [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Loan amount	$16,200,000
Basis points, interest rate	1.25%
Fixed interest rate	3.75%

Selected_quarterly_financial_d2

Selected quarterly financial data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012
Selected quarterly financial data (unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue	$10,793	$10,433	$10,632	$10,572	$10,659	$10,384	$9,907	$10,387	$42,430	$41,337
Expenses	10,095	9,716	9,742	9,454	9,578	9,339	9,403	9,417	39,007	37,737
Income from continuing operations	698	717	890	1,118	1,081	1,045	504	970	3,423	3,600		4,008
Income from discontinued operations			41	8,700	2,155	48	1,409	730	8,741	4,342
Net income	698	717	931	9,818	3,236	1,093	1,913	1,700	12,164	7,942		11,996
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	-54	-162	-98	-193	-39	-182	-43	-229	-507	-493		-645
Net income attributable to common equity	644	555	833	9,625	3,197	911	1,870	1,471	11,657	7,449		11,351
Basic & diluted earnings per share:
Continuing operations	$0.10	$0.08	$0.11	$0.13	$0.15	$0.12	$0.07	$0.11	$0.42	$0.45		$0.49
Discontinued operations			$0.01	$1.26	$0.31	$0.01	$0.20	$0.10	$1.27	$0.62		$1.15
Net income attributable to common equity	$0.10	$0.08	$0.12	$1.39	$0.46	$0.13	$0.27	$0.21	$1.69	$1.07		$1.64
Dividends per share	$0.30	$0.30	$0.30	$0.30	$0.66	$0.30	$0.30	$0.30	$1.20	$1.56		$1.10
Income tax adjustment on gain on sale of discontinued operation								-720		-720	[1]
Per share effect of adjustment								$0.10
Gain on sale of discontinued operations (net of tax of $1,965 in fiscal 2012)				8,734	2,168		1,377		8,734	3,545		7,528
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, per share effect					$0.31		$0.20
Expenses related to Regency acquisition		648							648
Expenses related to Regency acquisition, per share		$0.09
Deferred rents - straight lining	298								93	12		-17
Straight line rent expense per share	$0.04
G-Mart lease termination expenses	($73)								($371)
G-Mart lease termination expenses, per share	($0.01)
[1]	Income tax adjustment relating to fiscal 2012 gain on sale of discontinued operation.

SCHEDULE_XI_REAL_ESTATE_AND_AC1

SCHEDULE XI - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Schedule of Properties) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances	$246,552,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land	66,631,000
Buildings and Improvements	152,703,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	13,158,000
Improvements	121,540,000
Carrying Costs
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	79,789,000
Buildings and Improvements	274,243,000
Total	354,032,000	292,769,000	283,703,000
Accumulated Depreciation	81,569,000	75,226,000	69,619,000
Real estate:
Balance, beginning of year	292,769,000	283,703,000	285,137,000
Buildings and improvements	62,340,000	9,903,000	4,267,000
Deferred project cost write-off			-3,726,000
Sale of discontinued operation	-1,077,000	-837,000	-1,975,000
Balance, end of year	354,032,000	292,769,000	283,703,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, beginning of year	75,226,000	69,619,000	64,976,000
Additions - Charged to operating expenses	6,346,000	6,244,000	6,215,000
Sale of discontinued operation		-631,000	-1,561,000
Adjustments/Deletions	-3,000	-6,000	-11,000
Balance, end of year	81,569,000	75,226,000	69,619,000
Hammel Gardens, Maywood, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances	8,374,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land	312,000
Buildings and Improvements	728,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements	1,272,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	312,000
Buildings and Improvements	2,000,000
Total	2,312,000
Accumulated Depreciation	1,564,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	2,312,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	1,564,000
Hammel Gardens, Maywood, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	7 years
Hammel Gardens, Maywood, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	40 years
Steuben Arms, River Edge, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances	11,037,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land	364,000
Buildings and Improvements	1,773,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements	1,573,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	364,000
Buildings and Improvements	3,346,000
Total	3,710,000
Accumulated Depreciation	2,768,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	3,710,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	2,768,000
Steuben Arms, River Edge, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	7 years
Steuben Arms, River Edge, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	40 years
Berdan Court, Wayne, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances	18,686,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land	250,000
Buildings and Improvements	2,206,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements	4,221,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	250,000
Buildings and Improvements	6,427,000
Total	6,677,000
Accumulated Depreciation	5,024,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	6,677,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	5,024,000
Berdan Court, Wayne, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	7 years
Berdan Court, Wayne, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	40 years
Westwood Hills, Westwood, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances	21,974,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land	3,849,000
Buildings and Improvements	11,546,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements	2,674,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	3,849,000
Buildings and Improvements	14,220,000
Total	18,069,000
Accumulated Depreciation	7,671,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	18,069,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	7,671,000
Westwood Hills, Westwood, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	7 years
Westwood Hills, Westwood, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	40 years
Pierre Towers, Hackensack, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances	31,198,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land	8,390,000
Buildings and Improvements	37,486,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	19,000
Improvements	7,932,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	8,409,000
Buildings and Improvements	45,418,000
Total	53,827,000
Accumulated Depreciation	12,281,000
Cost for Federal income tax purposes	40,900,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	53,827,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	12,281,000
Pierre Towers, Hackensack, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	7 years
Pierre Towers, Hackensack, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	40 years
Boulders - Rockaway, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances	18,030,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land	1,683,000
Buildings and Improvements
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	3,335,000
Improvements	16,274,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	5,018,000
Buildings and Improvements	16,274,000
Total	21,292,000
Accumulated Depreciation	4,212,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	21,292,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	4,212,000
Boulders - Rockaway, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	7 years
Boulders - Rockaway, NJ [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	40 years
Regency Club - Middletown, NY [Member] | Residential Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land	2,833,000
Buildings and Improvements	17,792,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements	85,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	2,833,000
Buildings and Improvements	17,877,000
Total	20,710,000
Accumulated Depreciation	149,000
Cost for Federal income tax purposes	12,600,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	20,710,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	149,000
Regency Club - Middletown, NY [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	7 years
Regency Club - Middletown, NY [Member] | Residential Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	40 years
Damascus Shopping Center, Damascus, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances	19,326,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land	2,950,000
Buildings and Improvements	6,987,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	6,296,000
Improvements	17,425,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	9,246,000
Buildings and Improvements	24,412,000
Total	33,658,000
Accumulated Depreciation	4,014,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	33,658,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	4,014,000
Damascus Shopping Center, Damascus, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	15 years
Damascus Shopping Center, Damascus, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	39 years
Franklin Crossing, Franklin Lakes, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land	29,000
Buildings and Improvements
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	3,382,000
Improvements	7,999,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	3,411,000
Buildings and Improvements	7,999,000
Total	11,410,000
Accumulated Depreciation	3,756,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	11,410,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	3,756,000
Franklin Crossing, Franklin Lakes, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	10 years
Franklin Crossing, Franklin Lakes, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	50 years
Glen Rock, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land	12,000
Buildings and Improvements	36,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements	213,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	12,000
Buildings and Improvements	249,000
Total	261,000
Accumulated Depreciation	204,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	261,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	204,000
Glen Rock, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	10 years
Glen Rock, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	31 years 6 months
Pathmark Super Center, Patchogue, NY [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances	5,376,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land	2,128,000
Buildings and Improvements	8,818,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements	-21,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	2,128,000
Buildings and Improvements	8,797,000
Total	10,925,000
Accumulated Depreciation	3,773,000
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	39 years
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	10,925,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	3,773,000
Westridge Square S/C, Frederick, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances	22,000,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land	9,135,000
Buildings and Improvements	19,159,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	-1,000
Improvements	4,196,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	9,134,000
Buildings and Improvements	23,355,000
Total	32,489,000
Accumulated Depreciation	15,292,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	32,489,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	15,292,000
Westridge Square S/C, Frederick, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	15 years
Westridge Square S/C, Frederick, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	31 years 6 months
Westwood Plaza, Westwood, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances	21,884,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land	6,889,000
Buildings and Improvements	6,416,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements	2,487,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	6,889,000
Buildings and Improvements	8,903,000
Total	15,792,000
Accumulated Depreciation	7,417,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	15,792,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	7,417,000
Westwood Plaza, Westwood, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	15 years
Westwood Plaza, Westwood, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	31 years 6 months
Preakness S/C, Wayne, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances	25,978,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land	9,280,000
Buildings and Improvements	24,217,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements	1,685,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	9,280,000
Buildings and Improvements	25,902,000
Total	35,182,000
Accumulated Depreciation	8,524,000
Cost for Federal income tax purposes	35,400,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	35,182,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	8,524,000
Preakness S/C, Wayne, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	15 years
Preakness S/C, Wayne, NJ [Member] | Retail Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	31 years 6 months
The Rotunda, Baltimore, MD [Member] | Retail Properties [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances	42,689,000
Initial Cost to Company
Land	16,263,000
Buildings and Improvements	14,634,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	232,000
Improvements	53,525,000
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	16,495,000
Buildings and Improvements	68,159,000
Total	84,654,000
Accumulated Depreciation	4,682,000
Life on Which Depreciation is Computed	40 years
Cost for Federal income tax purposes	71,600,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	84,654,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	4,682,000
Rockaway, NJ [Member] | Land Leased [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land	114,000
Buildings and Improvements
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	51,000
Improvements
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	165,000
Buildings and Improvements
Total	165,000
Accumulated Depreciation
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	165,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year
Rochelle Park, NJ [Member] | Land Leased [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land	1,640,000
Buildings and Improvements	905,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land
Improvements
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,640,000
Buildings and Improvements	905,000
Total	2,545,000
Accumulated Depreciation	238,000
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	2,545,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year	238,000
Franklin Lakes, NJ [Member] | Vacant Land [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land	224,000
Buildings and Improvements
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	-156,000
Improvements
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	68,000
Buildings and Improvements
Total	68,000
Accumulated Depreciation
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	68,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year
Wayne, NJ [Member] | Vacant Land [Member]
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Encumbrances
Initial Cost to Company
Land	286,000
Buildings and Improvements
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements
Gross Amount at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	286,000
Buildings and Improvements
Total	286,000
Accumulated Depreciation
Real estate:
Balance, end of year	286,000
Accumulated depreciation:
Balance, end of year