Toll Brothers (TOL) 10-Q5 Sep 142014 Q3 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Jul. 31, 2014	Sep. 02, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'TOLL BROTHERS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000794170	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--10-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Jul-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	177,913,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$374,649	$772,972
Marketable securities	12,006	52,508
Restricted cash	22,401	32,036
Inventory	6,593,804	4,650,412
Property, construction and office equipment, net	131,509	131,320
Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	252,516	229,295
Mortgage loans receivable	98,535	113,517
Customer deposits held in escrow	55,820	46,888
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	443,285	403,133
Investments in distressed loans	4,251	36,374
Investments in foreclosed real estate	79,319	72,972
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	263,821	286,032
Total assets	8,331,916	6,827,459
Liabilities:	'	'
Loans Payable	636,126	107,222
Senior notes	2,654,666	2,321,442
Mortgage company warehouse loan	87,830	75,000
Customer deposits	254,187	212,669
Accounts payable	226,734	167,787
Accrued expenses	536,670	522,987
Income taxes payable	128,881	81,188
Total liabilities	4,525,094	3,488,295
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, none issued	0	0
Common stock, 177,892 and 169,353 shares issued at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively	1,779	1,694
Additional paid-in capital	700,337	441,677
Retained earnings	3,100,511	2,892,003
Treasury stock, at cost - 0 shares at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively	-2	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-2,050	-2,387
Total stockholders' equity	3,800,575	3,332,987
Noncontrolling interest	6,247	6,177
Total equity	3,806,822	3,339,164
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	8,331,916	6,827,459
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Mortgage loans receivable	$98,535	$113,517

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, shares issued	177,892	169,353
Treasury stock, at cost	0	0

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Revenues	$1,056,857	$689,160	$2,560,912	$1,629,765
Cost of revenues	817,232	545,089	2,019,262	1,311,039
Selling, general and administrative	109,981	88,870	312,171	246,467
Total	927,213	633,959	2,331,433	1,557,506
Income (loss) from operations	129,644	55,201	229,479	72,259
Other:	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	950	768	38,192	8,844
Other income - net	20,731	12,284	48,373	36,444
Income before income taxes	151,325	68,253	316,044	117,547
Income tax provision (benefit)	53,618	21,658	107,536	41,846
Net income	$97,707	$46,595	$208,508	$75,701
Income per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.55	$0.28	$1.17	$0.45
Diluted	$0.53	$0.26	$1.13	$0.43
Weighted average number of shares:	'	'	'	'
Basic	178,217	169,268	177,591	169,237
Diluted	186,501	178,001	185,944	177,966

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Net income	$97,707	$46,595	$208,508	$75,701
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Change in pension liability	-3	-37	153	-55
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	8	-70	-14	-107
Unrealized income (loss) on derivative held by equity investee	-25	338	198	351
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-20	231	337	189
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$97,687	$46,826	$208,845	$75,890

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Cash flow used in operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$208,508	$75,701
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	16,690	19,137
Stock-based compensation	16,985	14,449
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-221	'
Income from unconsolidated entities	-38,192	-8,844
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	41,580	12,194
Income from distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	-14,024	-10,296
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	24,653	46,440
Deferred tax valuation allowances	-2,655	-3,133
Inventory impairments and write-offs	9,898	1,977
Change in fair value of mortgage loans receivable and derivative instruments	143	534
(Gain) loss on marketable securities	-6	15
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	'	'
Increase in inventory	-352,826	-751,418
Origination of mortgage loans	-546,401	-490,908
Sale of mortgage loans	560,401	502,405
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	9,635	13,860
(Increase) decrease in receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	-7,222	-18,816
Increase in customer deposits	27,157	69,217
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	36,599	72,969
Increase in income taxes payable	47,914	-2,018
Net cash used in operating activities	38,616	-456,535
Cash flow (used in) provided by investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of property and equipment - net	-9,500	-24,184
Purchase of marketable securities	'	-36,202
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	40,243	348,595
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	-93,039	-49,210
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	50,677	50,453
Investment in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	-1,127	-26,155
Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	40,675	15,396
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	-1,489,116	'
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-1,461,187	278,693
Cash flow used in financing activities:	'	'
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes	600,000	400,383
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs for Senior debt	-4,700	'
Proceeds from loans payable	1,870,880	796,791
Payments of Financing Costs for loans payable	-3,005	'
Principal payments of loans payable	-1,417,848	-834,836
Redemption of senior notes	-267,960	-59,068
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	220,365	'
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	26,555	10,365
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	221	'
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	81	33
Purchase of treasury stock	-341	-15,309
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,024,248	298,359
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-398,323	120,517
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	772,972	778,824
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$374,649	$899,341

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies	Jul. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Toll Brothers, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), a Delaware corporation, and those majority-owned subsidiaries it controls. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in 50% or less owned partnerships and affiliates are accounted for using the equity method unless it is determined that we have effective control of the entity, in which case we would consolidate the entity.
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. The October 31, 2013 balance sheet amounts and disclosures included herein have been derived from our October 31, 2013 audited financial statements. Since the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements, we suggest that they be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly our financial position as of July 31, 2014, the results of our operations for the nine-month and three-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, and our cash flows for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-15”), which requires management to evaluate, at each annual and interim reporting period, whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued and provide related disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for us for our fiscal year ending October 31, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings and Disclosures” (“ASU 2014-11”), which requires repurchase-to-maturity transactions to be accounted for as secured borrowings. ASU 2014-11 also requires separate accounting for a transfer of financial assets executed contemporaneously with a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty and requires new disclosures for certain transfers of financial assets. ASU 2014-11 is effective prospectively for us beginning February 1, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2014-11 is not expected to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU also supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, “Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts.” The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price, and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 is effective for us beginning November 1, 2017, and, at that time, we may adopt the new standard under the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity” (“ASU 2014-08”), which changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations while enhancing disclosures in this area. Pursuant to ASU 2014-08, only disposals representing a strategic shift, such as a major line of business, a major geographical area, or a major equity investment, should be presented as a discontinued operation. If the disposal does qualify as a discontinued operation under ASU 2014-08, the entity will be required to provide expanded disclosures. ASU 2014-08 is effective for us beginning November 1, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2014-08 is not expected to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04, “Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors” (“ASU 2014-04”), which clarifies when an in substance repossession or foreclosure of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan has occurred. By doing so, this guidance helps determine when the creditor should derecognize the loan receivable and recognize the real estate property. ASU 2014-04 is effective prospectively for us beginning November 1, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2014-04 is not expected to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 is intended to end inconsistent practices regarding the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is available to reduce the taxable income or tax payable that would result from the disallowance of a tax position. ASU 2013-11 is effective for us beginning November 1, 2014. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 is not expected to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Acquisition

Acquisition	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Acquisition [Abstract]	'
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Acquisition
	On February 4, 2014, we completed our acquisition of Shapell Industries, Inc. (“Shapell”) pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) dated November 6, 2013 with Shapell Investment Properties, Inc. (“SIPI”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we acquired, for cash, all of the equity interests in Shapell from SIPI for an aggregate purchase price of $1.60 billion (the “Acquisition”). We acquired the single-family residential real property development business of Shapell, including a portfolio of approximately 4,950 home sites in California, some of which we have sold and may continue to sell to other builders. This acquisition provides us with a premier California land portfolio including 11 active selling communities, as of the acquisition date, in affluent, high-growth markets: the San Francisco Bay area, metro Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Carlsbad market. As part of the acquisition, we assumed contracts to deliver 126 homes with an aggregate value of approximately $105.3 million.
	We did not acquire apartment and commercial rental properties owned and operated by Shapell (the “Shapell Commercial Properties”) or Shapell’s mortgage lending activities relating to their home building operations. Accordingly, the Purchase Agreement provides that SIPI will indemnify us for any loss arising out of or resulting from, among other things, (i) any liability (other than environmental losses, subject to certain exceptions) related to the Shapell Commercial Properties, and (ii) any liability (other than environmental losses, subject to certain exceptions) to the extent related to Shapell Mortgage, Inc.
	We financed the Acquisition with a combination of $370.0 million of borrowings under our $1.035 billion revolving credit facility, $485.0 million from a term loan facility, as well as with $815.7 million in net proceeds from debt and equity financings completed in November 2013. See Note 6, “Loans Payable, Senior Notes and Mortgage Company Loan Facility” and Note 12, “Stock Issuance and Stock Repurchase Program” for further details. At July 31, 2014, we had repaid the $370.0 million of borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility.
	As a result of the Acquisition, Shapell became our wholly-owned subsidiary. Accordingly, the Shapell results are included in our condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of the Acquisition. For the period from February 5, 2014 to July 31, 2014, revenues and income before income taxes from the Shapell operations, excluding $5.2 million of acquisition-related costs, were $199.6 million and $14.0 million, respectively.
	The Acquisition was accounted for in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, “Business Combinations” (“ASC 805”), and, therefore, the acquired assets and assumed liabilities were recorded by us at their estimated fair values. The following table summarizes the preliminary amounts for acquired assets and liabilities recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date (amounts in thousands):


	Assets acquired and liabilities assumed
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	106,233

	Inventory		1,513,801

	Property, construction and office equipment, net		404

	Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets		10,759

	Total assets acquired		1,631,197


	Customer deposits		(5,429		)
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(30,419		)
	Total liabilities assumed		(35,848		)
	Total net assets acquired		$	1,595,349

	Cash and cash equivalents, customer deposits, and accounts payable were generally stated at historical carrying values given the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. Receivables, prepaid expenses, and other assets and accrued expenses were adjusted to reflect fair values.
	We determined the fair value of inventory on a community-by-community basis primarily using a combination of discounted cash flow models and market comparable land transactions, where available. These estimated cash flows are significantly impacted by estimates related to: (i) expected selling prices, (ii) expected settlement paces, (iii) expected land development and construction timelines, and anticipated land development costs and construction costs, and (iv) overhead costs expected to be incurred in the future. Such estimates must be made for each individual community and may vary significantly between communities. See Note 1 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 14, “Fair Value Disclosures,” in this Form 10-Q for additional discussion of the factors impacting the fair value of inventory.
	We completed the majority of our business combination accounting as of July 31, 2014 and expect to substantially complete the remainder by October 31, 2014. We are in the process of finalizing the fair value estimates for all of the Shapell assets acquired and liabilities assumed and, therefore, the estimates used at July 31, 2014 are subject to change.
	We recorded $6.0 million in acquisition-related costs for the nine month period ended July 31, 2014, which are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations within “Selling, general and administrative.” Such costs were expensed as incurred in accordance with ASC 805. There were minimal acquisition-related costs included in the three month period ended July 31, 2014. There were no acquisition-related costs incurred in the nine and three month periods ended July 31, 2013.
	Supplemental pro forma information
	The following presents unaudited pro forma amounts as if the acquisition had been completed as of November 1, 2012 (amounts in thousands, except per share data):


		Nine months ended July 31,						Three months ended July 31,
		2014				2013		2014		2013
	Revenues	$	2,694,411			$	1,936,833	$	1,056,857	$	791,496

	Net income	250,164				91,069		109,895		51,585

	Income per share – basic	1.41				0.52		0.62		0.29

	Income per share – diluted	1.35				0.5		0.59		0.28

	The unaudited pro forma operating results have been determined after adjusting the operating results of Shapell to reflect the purchase accounting and other acquisition adjustments including interest expense associated with the debt used to fund a portion of the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma results do not reflect any cost savings, operating synergies, or revenue enhancements that we may achieve as a result of the Acquisition, the costs to integrate Shapell’s operations, or the costs necessary to achieve these cost savings, operating synergies, and revenue enhancements. Accordingly, the unaudited pro forma amounts are for comparative purposes only and may not necessarily reflect the results of operations which would have resulted had the Acquisition been completed at the beginning of the applicable period or indicative of the results that will be attained in the future. Certain other adjustments, including those related to conforming accounting policies and interest capitalization, have not been reflected in the supplemental pro forma operating results due to the impracticability of estimating such impacts.

Inventory

Inventory	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory	'
	Inventory
	Inventory at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):


		July 31,			October 31,
		2014			2013
	Land controlled for future communities	$	117,753		$	99,802

	Land owned for future communities	2,322,532			1,287,630

	Operating communities	4,153,519			3,262,980

		$	6,593,804		$	4,650,412

	Operating communities include communities offering homes for sale; communities that have sold all available home sites but have not completed delivery of the homes; communities that were previously offering homes for sale but are temporarily closed due to business conditions or non-availability of improved home sites and that are expected to reopen within twelve months of the end of the fiscal period being reported on; and communities preparing to open for sale. The carrying value attributable to operating communities includes the cost of homes under construction, land and land development costs, the carrying cost of home sites in current and future phases of these communities, and the carrying cost of model homes.
	Communities that were previously offering homes for sale but are temporarily closed due to business conditions that do not have any remaining backlog and are not expected to reopen within twelve months of the end of the fiscal period being reported on have been classified as land owned for future communities. Backlog consists of homes under contract but not yet delivered to our home buyers (“backlog”).
	Information regarding the classification, number and carrying value of these temporarily closed communities, as of the date indicated, is provided in the table below.


		July 31,			October 31,
		2014			2013
	Land owned for future communities:
	Number of communities	19			25

	Carrying value (in thousands)	$	138,786		$	153,498

	Operating communities:
	Number of communities	9			15

	Carrying value (in thousands)	$	54,929		$	88,534


	The amounts we have provided for inventory impairment charges and the expensing of costs that we believed not to be recoverable, for the periods indicated, are shown in the table below (amounts in thousands).


		Nine months ended July 31,						Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Land controlled for future communities	$	2,198		$	837		$	1,192		$	139

	Operating communities	7,700			1,140			4,800			100

		$	9,898		$	1,977		$	5,992		$	239

	See Note 14, “Fair Value Disclosures,” for information regarding the number of operating communities that we tested for potential impairment, the number of operating communities in which we recognized impairment charges, the amount of impairment charges recognized, and the fair values of those communities, net of impairment charges.
	See Note 16, “Commitments and Contingencies,” for information regarding land purchase commitments.
	At July 31, 2014, we evaluated our land purchase contracts to determine if any of the selling entities were variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and, if they were, whether we were the primary beneficiary of any of them. Under these land purchase contracts, we do not possess legal title to the land and our risk is generally limited to deposits paid to the sellers, and the creditors of the sellers generally have no recourse against us. At July 31, 2014, we determined that 71 land purchase contracts, with an aggregate purchase price of $688.9 million, on which we had made aggregate deposits totaling $38.2 million, were VIEs, and that we were not the primary beneficiary of any VIE related to our land purchase contracts. At October 31, 2013, we determined that 87 land purchase contracts, with an aggregate purchase price of $1.12 billion, on which we had made aggregate deposits totaling $51.9 million, were VIEs, and that we were not the primary beneficiary of any VIE related to our land purchase contracts.
	Interest incurred, capitalized and expensed, for the periods indicated, was as follows (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,						Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$	343,077		$	330,581		$	367,135		$	347,549

	Interest incurred	123,267			100,066			40,638			36,015

	Interest expensed to cost of revenues	(91,766		)	(71,905		)	(37,181		)	(28,915		)
	Write-off against other income	(1,876		)	(2,045		)	(836		)	(824		)
	Interest capitalized on investments in unconsolidated entities	(7,098		)	(4,510		)	(2,341		)	(1,638		)
	Previously capitalized interest on investments in unconsolidated entities transferred to inventory	1,811			—			—			—

	Interest capitalized, end of period	$	367,415		$	352,187		$	367,415		$	352,187

	Inventory impairment charges are recognized against all inventory costs of a community, such as land, land improvements, cost of home construction, and capitalized interest. The amounts included in the table directly above reflect the gross amount of capitalized interest without allocation of any impairment charges recognized. We estimate that, had inventory impairment charges been allocated on a pro-rata basis to the individual components of inventory, capitalized interest at July 31, 2014 and 2013 would have been reduced by approximately $35.8 million and $40.5 million, respectively.

Investments_in_and_Advances_to

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Text Block]	'
	Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities
	We have investments in and advances to various unconsolidated entities. These entities include land development joint ventures, home building joint ventures, rental property joint ventures, Toll Brothers Realty Trust and Trust II, and a structured asset joint venture. At July 31, 2014, we had investments in and advances to these unconsolidated entities of $443.3 million and were committed to invest or advance up to an additional $83.0 million to these entities if they require additional funding. Our investments in these entities are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
	More specific information regarding our investments in, advances to, and future commitments to these entities is provided below.
	Land Development Joint Ventures

	We have investments in and advances to a number of joint ventures with unrelated parties to develop land (“Land Development Joint Ventures”). Some of these Land Development Joint Ventures develop land for the sole use of the venture participants, including us, and others develop land for sale to the joint venture participants and to unrelated builders. We recognize our share of earnings from the sale of home sites and other land by the Land Development Joint Ventures to other builders. With regard to home sites we purchase from the Land Development Joint Ventures, we adjust our cost basis in those home sites by our share of the earnings/losses of the joint venture on the home sites we purchase. At July 31, 2014, we had approximately $158.6 million invested in or advanced to the Land Development Joint Ventures and a funding commitment of $35.0 million to four of the Land Development Joint Ventures which would be funded if additional investment in the ventures is required. At July 31, 2014, three of these joint ventures had aggregate loan commitments of $145.0 million and outstanding borrowings against these commitments of $41.3 million.

	At July 31, 2014, we had a purchase commitment to acquire 153 home sites from two of these Land Development Joint Ventures for an aggregate purchase price of $16.3 million. In addition, we expect to purchase approximately 3,750 additional lots from several Land Development Joint Ventures in which we have interests. The purchase price of the lots will be determined at a future date.

	Set forth below is additional information regarding activity in certain Land Development Joint Ventures; such activity is included in the summary information provided above.

	In the third quarter of fiscal 2014, we received approximately 515 home sites from a Land Development Joint Venture in consideration of our previous investment in the joint venture. We have a commitment to this joint venture to fund approximately $19.3 million which represents our share of the major infrastructure improvements related to this community. Contributions to this joint venture related to the improvements will be included in “Inventory” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets when made.
	In the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we entered into a joint venture with an unrelated party to develop a parcel of land in Texas. The joint venture expects to develop a master planned community consisting of up to 6,500 home sites and retail and commercial property. We have a 50% interest in this joint venture. Prior to the formation of the joint venture, we had entered into a land purchase agreement to acquire the land for approximately $79.3 million. We contributed our rights under the purchase agreement to the joint venture and were reimbursed by our joint venture partner for 50% of the costs we incurred prior to the formation of the joint venture. At July 31, 2014, we had an investment of $40.8 million in this joint venture. In May 2014, the joint venture obtained outside financing of $40.0 million to help fund the future development of the property. At July 31, 2014, this joint venture had $1.8 million of borrowings under the loan facility.
	In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we entered into a joint venture with an unrelated party to develop a parcel of land in Maryland. The property consists of 945 acres which the joint venture expects to develop into approximately 1,300 home sites. We have a 50% interest in this joint venture. The current plan is to develop the property and sell approximately 50% of the home sites to each of the members of the joint venture. We made an initial investment of $11.8 million of cash to the joint venture. At July 31, 2014, we had an investment of $11.9 million in this joint venture.
	In the second quarter of fiscal 2013, we entered into a joint venture with an unrelated party to develop a parcel of land in Texas as a master planned community consisting of approximately 2,900 lots. We have a 50% interest in this joint venture. The joint venture expects to develop the property in multiple phases and sell groups of lots to the members of the joint venture and to other home builders. At July 31, 2014, the joint venture owned approximately 2,850 home sites. We made an initial investment of $15.5 million of cash to the joint venture. The joint venture entered into a $25.0 million line of credit with a bank, secured by a deed of trust on the property which can be expanded up to $40.0 million under certain conditions. At July 31, 2014, the joint venture had $23.7 million of borrowings under this line of credit. At July 31, 2014, we had an investment of $26.8 million in this joint venture and were committed to make additional contributions to this joint venture of up to $2.2 million.
	We have a 50% interest in a joint venture that owns and is developing a master planned community in Orange County, California, consisting of over 2,000 home sites. At July 31, 2014, the joint venture owned approximately 1,150 home sites. At July 31, 2014, we had an investment of $77.3 million in this joint venture and were committed to make additional contributions to this joint venture of up to $10.0 million, if needed. The joint venture has an $80.0 million credit facility from a bank to fund the development of the property. At July 31, 2014, the venture had $15.9 million borrowed under the facility.
	Home Building Joint Ventures

	At July 31, 2014, we had an aggregate of $186.1 million of investments in and advances to various joint ventures with unrelated parties to develop approximately 580 luxury for-sale homes. At July 31, 2014, we had $28.0 million of funding commitments to two of these joint ventures.
	Rental Property Joint Ventures
	At July 31, 2014, we had an aggregate of $77.0 million of investments in and advances to several joint ventures with unrelated parties to develop luxury for-rent residential apartments, commercial space, and a hotel (“Rental Property Joint Ventures”). At July 31, 2014, we had $20.0 million of funding commitments to these joint ventures. At July 31, 2014, five of these joint ventures had aggregate loan commitments of $319.8 million and outstanding borrowings against these commitments of $62.3 million. Set forth below is additional information regarding activity in certain Rental Property Joint Ventures; such activity is included in the summary information provided above.
	In the first quarter of 2014, two of our Rental Property Joint Ventures entered into $126.0 million of construction loan agreements to finance construction of multi-family residential apartments in suburban Philadelphia and northern New Jersey. At July 31, 2014, these ventures had $25.8 million borrowings under the new facilities.
	In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we entered into a joint venture with an unrelated party to develop a 287-unit luxury for-rent residential apartment building in the Capitol Riverfront of Washington, D.C. on land that we owned and conveyed to the joint venture. We have a 50% interest in this joint venture. As part of our initial capital contribution, we contributed land and improvements with a fair value of $27.1 million to the joint venture and subsequently received a cash distribution of $12.5 million to align the capital accounts of each of the members of the joint venture. The joint venture entered into a $54.0 million construction loan agreement with a bank to finance the development of this project. At July 31, 2014, the joint venture had $18.1 million borrowed under the construction loan agreement. At July 31, 2014, we had an investment of $14.3 million in this joint venture.
	In the second quarter of fiscal 2013, we entered into a joint venture with an unrelated party to develop a luxury, 38-story for-rent residential apartment building and retail space in Jersey City, New Jersey on land that we owned and conveyed to the joint venture. We have a 50% interest in this joint venture. As part of our initial capital contribution, we contributed land and improvements with a fair value of $28.8 million to the joint venture and subsequently received distributions of $10.2 million and a $1.2 million payment by the joint venture on our behalf to align the capital accounts of each of the members of the joint venture. The joint venture entered into a $120.0 million construction loan agreement with a bank to finance the development of this project. At July 31, 2014, the joint venture had $12.7 million borrowed under the construction loan agreement. At July 31, 2014, we had an investment of $29.5 million in this joint venture.
	Subsequent Event
	In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we entered into a joint venture with an unrelated party to develop a 418-unit for-rent student housing project in College Park, Maryland on land that we were under contract to purchase. We have a 25% interest in this joint venture. We made an initial investment of $11.9 million to the joint venture, which included $3.5 million of land deposits previously funded by us, and our partner made an initial capital contribution of $35.7 million. In addition, we expect to be reimbursed for certain costs incurred prior to the closing of the joint venture. The joint venture obtained construction loan financing of $104.5 million to fund a portion of the cost of the development of the property. We and an affiliate of our partner provided certain guarantees under the construction loan agreement. Each partner has an obligation to fund 50% of any payments made as a result of performing under these guarantees.
	Toll Brothers Realty Trust and Trust II
	In fiscal 2005, we, together with the Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System (“PASERS”), formed Toll Brothers Realty Trust II (“Trust II”) to invest in commercial real estate opportunities. Trust II is owned 50% by us and 50% by an affiliate of PASERS. In December 2013, Trust II sold substantially all of its assets to an unrelated party. As a result of this sale, we realized income of approximately $23.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 representing our share of the gain on the sale. In the three-month period ended April 30, 2014, we recognized an additional gain of $0.6 million from the sale of a property by Trust II. The gain on sale of assets is included in “Income from unconsolidated entities” on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. In December 2013, we received a $20.0 million cash distribution from Trust II. At July 31, 2014, we had an investment of $1.2 million in Trust II. In addition, in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we recognized $2.9 million in previously deferred gains on our initial sales of the properties to Trust II. This gain is included in “Other income - net” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in this Form 10-Q.
	In 1998, prior to the formation of Trust II, we formed Toll Brothers Realty Trust (“Trust”) to invest in commercial real estate opportunities. The Trust is effectively owned one-third by us; one-third by Robert I. Toll, Bruce E. Toll (and members of his family), Douglas C. Yearley, Jr. and former members of our senior management; and one-third by an affiliate of PASERS. As of July 31, 2014, we had a negative investment in the Trust of $0.9 million resulting primarily from a loss recognized by the Trust in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. We provide development, finance and management services to the Trust and recognized fees under the terms of various agreements in the amounts of $1.7 million and $1.7 million in the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $0.6 million and $0.6 million in the three-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, the Trust refinanced the mortgage on one of its properties and distributed $36.0 million of the net proceeds from the refinancing to its partners. We received $12.0 million as our share of the proceeds and recognized this distribution as income in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. This income is included in “Income from unconsolidated entities” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Structured Asset Joint Venture
	Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Gibraltar Capital and Asset Management LLC (“Gibraltar”), we are a 20% participant with two unrelated parties that purchased a 40% interest in an entity that owns and controls a portfolio of loans and real estate (“Structured Asset Joint Venture”). At July 31, 2014, we had an investment of $21.3 million in this Structured Asset Joint Venture.
	Guarantees
	The unconsolidated entities in which we have investments generally finance their activities with a combination of partner equity and debt financing. In some instances, we and our partners have guaranteed debt of certain unconsolidated entities which may include any, or all, of the following: (i) project completion including any cost overruns, in whole or in part; (ii) repayment guarantees, generally covering a percentage of the outstanding loan; (iii) indemnification of the lender as to environmental matters affecting the unconsolidated entity; (iv) a hazardous material indemnity that holds the lender harmless against any obligations for which the lender may incur liability resulting from the threat or presence of any hazardous or toxic substances at or near the property covered by a loan; and (v) indemnification of the lender from “bad boy acts” of the unconsolidated entity.
	In some instances, the guarantees provided in connection with loans to an unconsolidated entity are joint and several. In these situations, we generally have a reimbursement agreement with our partner that provides that neither party is responsible for more than its proportionate share or agreed-upon share of the guarantee; however, if a joint venture partner does not have adequate financial resources to meet its obligations under the reimbursement agreement, we may be liable for more than our proportionate share.
	We believe that, as of July 31, 2014, in the event we become legally obligated to perform under a guarantee of the obligation of an unconsolidated entity due to a triggering event, the collateral should be sufficient to repay a significant portion of the obligation. If it is not, we and our partners would need to contribute additional capital to the venture. At July 31, 2014, the unconsolidated entities that have guarantees related to debt had loan commitments aggregating $464.8 million and had borrowed an aggregate of $103.6 million. The term of these guarantees generally range from 16 months to 41 months. We estimate that the maximum potential exposure under these guarantees, if the full amount of the loan commitments were borrowed, would be $464.8 million before any reimbursement from our partners. Based on the amounts borrowed at July 31, 2014, our maximum potential exposure under these guarantees is estimated to be approximately $103.6 million before any reimbursement from our partners.
	In addition, we have guaranteed approximately $11.2 million of ground lease payments and insurance deductibles for three joint ventures.
	As of July 31, 2014, the estimated aggregate fair value of the guarantees was approximately $2.2 million. We have not made payments under any of the guarantees, nor have we been called upon to do so.
	Variable Interest Entities
	At July 31, 2014, we determined that three of our joint ventures were VIEs under the guidance within ASC 810, “Consolidation.” We have, however, concluded that we were not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs because the power to direct the activities of these VIEs that most significantly impact their performance was shared by us and the VIEs’ other members. Business plans, budgets and other major decisions are required to be unanimously approved by all members. Management and other fees earned by us are nominal and believed to be at market rates, and there is no significant economic disproportionality between us and other members. The information presented below regarding the investments, commitments, and guarantees in unconsolidated entities deemed to be VIEs is also included in the information provided above.
	At July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, our investment in our unconsolidated joint ventures deemed to be VIEs, which are included in “Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, totaled $37.9 million and $22.9 million, respectively. At July 31, 2014, the maximum exposure of loss to our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures that are VIEs is limited to our investment in the unconsolidated VIEs, except with regard to $39.7 million of additional commitments to the VIEs and $9.2 million of guarantees under ground lease agreements. At October 31, 2013, the maximum exposure of loss to our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures that are VIEs is limited to our investment in the unconsolidated VIEs, except with regard to $41.7 million of additional commitments to fund the joint ventures and a $9.6 million guaranty of ground lease payments.
	Joint Venture Condensed Financial Information
	The condensed balance sheets, as of the dates indicated, and the condensed statements of operations and comprehensive income for the periods indicated, for the unconsolidated entities in which we have an investment, aggregated by type of business, are included below (in thousands). The column titled “Rental Property Joint Ventures” includes the Rental Property Joint Ventures and Toll Brothers Realty Trust and Trust II described above.
	Condensed Balance Sheets:


		July 31, 2014
		Land			Home			Rental Property Joint Ventures			Structured			Total
		Development			Building						Asset
		Joint			Joint						Joint
		Ventures			Ventures						Venture
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	34,775		$	26,492		$	36,578		$	15,657		$	113,502

	Inventory	257,370			439,174			388						696,932

	Non-performing loan portfolio										64,236			64,236

	Rental properties							139,395						139,395

	Rental properties under development							211,196						211,196

	Real estate owned (“REO”)										194,272			194,272

	Other assets (1)	25,755			73,053			14,936			155,933			269,677

Total assets	$	317,900		$	538,719		$	402,493		$	430,098		$	1,689,210

Debt (1)	$	47,231		$	9,435		$	283,038		$	155,900		$	495,604

Other liabilities	24,301			43,849			28,340			236			96,726

Members’ equity	246,368			485,435			91,115			109,585			932,503

Noncontrolling interest										164,377			164,377

Total liabilities and equity	$	317,900		$	538,719		$	402,493		$	430,098		$	1,689,210

Company’s net investment in unconsolidated entities (2)	$	158,622		$	186,105		$	77,281		$	21,277		$	443,285




	October 31, 2013
	Land			Home			Rental Property Joint Ventures			Structured			Total
	Development			Building						Asset
	Joint			Joint						Joint
	Ventures			Ventures						Venture
Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,826		$	31,164		$	35,014		$	40,097		$	137,101

Inventory	350,150			338,814			4,998						693,962

Non-performing loan portfolio										107,411			107,411

Rental properties							164,325						164,325

Rental properties under development							133,081						133,081

Real estate owned (“REO”)										202,259			202,259

Other assets (1)	12,700			70,180			18,526			155,921			257,327

Total assets	$	393,676		$	440,158		$	355,944		$	505,688		$	1,695,466

Debt (1)	$	135,200		$	11,977		$	235,226		$	155,900		$	538,303

Other liabilities	21,015			19,636			9,461			379			50,491

Members’ equity	237,461			408,545			111,257			139,764			897,027

Noncontrolling interest										209,645			209,645

Total liabilities and equity	$	393,676		$	440,158		$	355,944		$	505,688		$	1,695,466

Company’s net investment in unconsolidated entities (2)	$	142,448		$	166,271		$	68,711		$	25,703		$	403,133



-1	Included in other assets of the Structured Asset Joint Venture at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 is $155.9 million of restricted cash held in a defeasance account which will be used to repay debt of the Structured Asset Joint Venture.

-2	Differences between our net investment in unconsolidated entities and our underlying equity in the net assets of the entities is primarily a result of the acquisition price of an investment in a land development joint venture in fiscal 2012 which was in excess of our pro-rata share of the underlying equity; impairments related to our investment in unconsolidated entities; a loan made to one of the entities by us; interest capitalized on our investment; and distributions from entities in excess of the carrying amount of our net investment.

Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income:


	For the nine months ended July 31, 2014
	Land Development			Home			Rental Property Joint Ventures			Structured			Total
	Joint			Building						Asset
	Ventures			Joint						Joint
				Ventures						Venture
Revenues	$	129,792		$	39,585		$	24,961		$	6,990		$	201,328

Cost of revenues	68,820			36,264			10,802			10,607			126,493

Other expenses	580			3,727			25,777			1,239			31,323

Total expenses	69,400			39,991			36,579			11,846			157,816

Gain on disposition of loans and REO										14,534			14,534

Income (loss) from operations	60,392			(406		)	(11,618		)	9,678			58,046

Other income	60			91			44,735			2,286			47,172

Net income (loss)	60,452			(315		)	33,117			11,964			105,218

Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest										(7,178		)	(7,178		)

Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	60,452			(315		)	33,117			4,786			98,040

Other comprehensive income							647						647

Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	60,452		$	(315	)	$	33,764		$	4,786		$	98,687

Company’s equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$	456		$	266		$	36,678		$	792		$	38,192



	For the three months ended July 31, 2014
	Land			Home			Rental Property Joint Ventures			Structured			Total
	Development			Building						Asset
	Joint			Joint						Joint
	Ventures			Ventures						Venture
Revenues	$	17,842		$	16,357		$	7,955		$	3,201		$	45,355

Cost of revenues	6,650			14,438			3,411			4,125			28,624

Other expenses	115			1,680			4,219			365			6,379

Total expenses	6,765			16,118			7,630			4,490			35,003

Gain on disposition of loans and REO										8,076			8,076

Income from operations	11,077			239			325			6,787			18,428

Other income (loss)	54			(110		)	1,535			753			2,232

Net income	11,131			129			1,860			7,540			20,660

Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest										(4,524		)	(4,524		)

Net income attributable to controlling interest	11,131			129			1,860			3,016			16,136

Other comprehensive loss							(82		)				(82		)

Total comprehensive income	$	11,131		$	129		$	1,778		$	3,016		$	16,054

Company’s equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities (3)	$	353		$	(60	)	$	55		$	602		$	950



	For the nine months ended July 31, 2013
	Land			Home			Rental Property Joint Ventures			Structured			Total
	Development			Building						Asset
	Joint			Joint						Joint
	Ventures			Ventures						Venture
Revenues	$	36,813		$	31,574		$	29,241		$	27,114		$	124,742

Cost of revenues	17,992			28,017			12,677			25,632			84,318

Other expenses	936			1,866			15,673			2,812			21,287

Total expenses	18,928			29,883			28,350			28,444			105,605

Gain on disposition of loans and REO										47,583			47,583

Income from operations	17,885			1,691			891			46,253			66,720

Other income	8			554			17			235			814

Net income	17,893			2,245			908			46,488			67,534

Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest										(27,893		)	(27,893		)

Net income attributable to controlling interest	17,893			2,245			908			18,595			39,641

Other comprehensive income							1,162						1,162

Total comprehensive income	$	17,893		$	2,245		$	2,070		$	18,595		$	40,803

Company’s equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$	2,853		$	1,466		$	917		$	3,608		$	8,844



	For the three months ended July 31, 2013
	Land			Home			Rental Property Joint Ventures			Structured			Total
	Development			Building						Asset
	Joint			Joint						Joint
	Ventures			Ventures						Venture
Revenues	$	1,791		$	8,817		$	8,937		$	5,400		$	24,945

Cost of revenues	186			8,043			3,667			6,139			18,035

Other expenses	179			712			5,108			494			6,493

Total expenses	365			8,755			8,775			6,633			24,528

Gain on disposition of loans and REO										7,878			7,878

Income from operations	1,426			62			162			6,645			8,295

Other income	3			119			9			80			211

Net income	1,429			181			171			6,725			8,506

Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest										(4,035		)	(4,035		)

Net income attributable to controlling interest	1,429			181			171			2,690			4,471

Other comprehensive income							1,064						1,064

Total comprehensive income	$	1,429		$	181		$	1,235		$	2,690		$	5,535

Company’s equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities (3)	$	57		$	387		$	(213	)	$	537		$	768



-3	Differences between our equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities and the underlying net income of the entities is primarily a result of prior impairments related to our investment in unconsolidated entities, a basis difference of an acquired joint venture interest, distributions from entities in excess of the carrying amount of our net investment, and our share of the entities’ profits related to home sites purchased by us which reduces our cost basis of the home sites acquired.

Investments_in_Distressed_Loan

Investments in Distressed Loans and Foreclosed Real Estate	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Investments in Non-Performing Loan Portfolios and Foreclosed Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Investments in Distressed Loans and Foreclosed Real Estate	'
	Investments in Distressed Loans and Foreclosed Real Estate
	Investments in Distressed Loans
	Investments in distressed loans consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands):


		July 31,			October 31,
		2014			2013
	Unpaid principal balance	$	13,437		$	63,381

	Discount on acquired loans	(9,186		)	(27,007		)
	Carrying value	$	4,251		$	36,374

	Our investments in distressed loans include performing loans and non-performing loans and also include investments in loan participations classified as secured borrowings under ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing.”
	For acquired distressed loans where it is probable that we will collect less than the contractual amounts due under the terms of the loan based, at least in part, on the assessment of the credit quality of the borrowers, the loans are accounted for under ASC 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality” (“ASC 310-30”). Under ASC 310-30, provided we do not presently have the intention to utilize real estate secured by the loans for use in our operations or to significantly improve the collateral for resale, the amount by which the future cash flows expected to be collected at the acquisition date exceeds the estimated fair value of the loan, or accretable yield, is recognized in other income - net over the estimated remaining life of the loan using a level yield methodology. The difference between the contractually required payments of the loan as of the acquisition date and the total cash flows expected to be collected, or nonaccretable difference, is not recognized.
	The accretable yield activity for investments in distressed loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 for the nine-month and three-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,						Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of period	$	6,606		$	17,196		$	2,832		$	11,229

	Additions	554			706						541

	Deletions	(6,204		)	(6,027		)	(2,832		)	(2,418		)
	Accretions	(956		)	(3,510		)				(987		)

	Balance, end of period	$	—		$	8,365		$	—		$	8,365

	Additions primarily represent the reclassification to accretable yield from nonaccretable yield and the impact of impairments. Deletions primarily represent loan dispositions, which include foreclosure of the underlying collateral and resulting removal of the loans from the accretable yield portfolios, and reclassifications from accretable yield to nonaccretable yield. The reclassifications between accretable and nonaccretable yield and the accretion of interest income are based on various estimates regarding loan performance and the value of the underlying real estate securing the loans. As we continue to gather additional information regarding the loans and the underlying collateral, the accretable yield may change. Therefore, the amount of accretable income recorded in the nine-month and three-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 is not necessarily indicative of future results.
	We also acquire distressed loans where we have determined that (1) it is possible to collect all contractual amounts due under the terms of the loan, (2) we expect to utilize the real estate secured by the loans in our operations, or (3) forecasted cash flows cannot be reasonably estimated. For non-performing loans acquired meeting any of these conditions, in accordance with ASC 310-10, “Receivable,” (“ASC 310-10”), the loans are classified as nonaccrual and interest income is not recognized. When a loan is classified as nonaccrual, any subsequent cash receipt is accounted for using the cost recovery method. For performing loans, payments are applied to principal and interest in accordance with the terms of the loan when received. As of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, we had investments in non-performing loans, accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-10, of $4.3 million and $21.4 million, respectively. At October 31, 2013, we had investments in performing loans of $0.8 million. We had no investments in performing loans as of July 31, 2014.
	Foreclosed Real Estate Owned (REO)
	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, the activity in REO (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,						Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of period	$	72,972		$	58,353		$	76,652		$	71,458

	Additions	21,203			20,172			13,167			5,855

	Sales	(13,558		)	(4,713		)	(9,366		)	(3,801		)
	Impairments	(1,046		)	(505		)	(1,044		)	(490		)
	Depreciation	(252		)	(395		)	(90		)	(110		)
	Balance, end of period	$	79,319		$	72,912		$	79,319		$	72,912

	As of July 31, 2014, approximately $2.2 million and $77.1 million of REO was classified as held-for-sale and held-and-used, respectively. As of July 31, 2013, approximately $9.7 million and $63.2 million of REO was classified as held-for-sale and held-and-used, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, we recorded gains of $4.5 million and $3.1 million, respectively, from acquisitions of REO through foreclosure. For the three-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, we recorded gains of $3.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively, from the acquisition of REO through foreclosure.
	General
	Our earnings from Gibraltar’s operations, excluding our investment in the Structured Asset Joint Venture, are included in “Other income - net” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. In the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, we recognized $10.2 million and $5.2 million of earnings (excluding earnings from our investment in the Structured Asset Joint Venture), respectively, from Gibraltar’s operations. In the three-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, we recognized $4.5 million and $4.1 million of earnings (excluding earnings from our investment in the Structured Asset Joint Venture), respectively, from Gibraltar’s operations.

Loans_Payable_Senior_Notes_and

Loans Payable, Senior Notes and Mortgage Company Loan Facility	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Senior Notes Payable	'
	Loans Payable, Senior Notes and Mortgage Company Loan Facility
	Loans Payable
	At July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, loans payable consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):


		July 31,		October 31,
		2014		2013
	Senior unsecured term loan	$	485,000

	Loans payable - other	151,126		$	107,222

		$	636,126	$	107,222

	Credit Facility
	On August 1, 2013, we entered into a $1.035 billion (“Aggregate Credit Commitment”) unsecured, 5-year credit facility (“Credit Facility”) with 15 banks which extends to August 1, 2018. Up to 75% of the Aggregate Credit Commitment is available for letters of credit. The Credit Facility has an accordion feature under which we may, subject to certain conditions set forth in the agreement, increase the Credit Facility up to a maximum aggregate amount of $2.0 billion. We may select interest rates for the Credit Facility equal to (i) the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin or (ii) the lenders’ base rate plus an applicable margin, which in each case is based on our credit rating and leverage ratio. At July 31, 2014, the interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility would have been 2.1% per annum. We are obligated to pay an undrawn commitment fee which is based on the average daily unused amount of the Aggregate Credit Commitment and our credit ratings and leverage ratio. Any proceeds from borrowings under the Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes. We and substantially all of our 100% owned home building subsidiaries are guarantors under the Credit Facility.
	At July 31, 2014, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $94.7 million. As part of the Shapell acquisition, we borrowed $370.0 million under the Credit Facility on February 3, 2014, all of which was repaid as of July 31, 2014.
	Under the terms of the Credit Facility, we are not permitted to allow our maximum leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) to exceed 1.75 to 1.00 and are required to maintain a tangible net worth (as defined in the Credit Facility) of no less
	than approximately $2.50 billion. Under the terms of the Credit Facility, at July 31, 2014, our leverage ratio was approximately 0.77 and our tangible net worth was approximately $3.75 billion. Based upon the minimum tangible net worth requirement at July 31, 2014, our ability to repurchase our common stock was limited to approximately $1.76 billion.
	Senior Unsecured Term Loan
	On February 3, 2014, we entered into a 5-year senior, $485.0 million, unsecured term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) with ten banks. The full amount of the Term Loan Facility was borrowed by us on February 3, 2014. We may select interest rates for the Term Loan Facility equal to (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin, (ii) the base rate (which is defined as the greatest of (a) SunTrust Bank’s prime rate, (b) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5% and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1%) plus an applicable margin or (iii) the federal funds / Euro rate (which is defined as the greater of (a) the sum of the federal funds effective rate plus an applicable margin plus 0.25% and (b) one-month LIBOR), with the applicable margin, in each case, based on our leverage ratio. At July 31, 2014, the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was 1.81% per annum.
	We and substantially all of our 100% owned home building subsidiaries are guarantors under the Term Loan Facility. The Term Loan Facility contains substantially the same financial covenants as our Credit Facility. The Term Loan Facility will mature and amounts owing under it will become due and payable on February 3, 2019.
	364-Day Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility
	On February 4, 2014, we entered into a 364-day senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “364-Day Facility”) with five banks. The 364-Day Facility provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility to be made available to us, from time to time after February 4, 2014 and prior to February 3, 2015, in the amount of $500.0 million. We intend for this facility to remain undrawn and its purpose is to provide us with additional liquidity should unforeseen circumstances arise. We may select interest rates for the 364-Day Facility equal to (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin, (ii) the base rate (which is defined as the greatest of (a) Citibank’s prime rate, (b) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5% and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1%) plus an applicable margin or (iii) the federal funds / Euro rate (which is defined as the greater of (a) the sum of the federal funds effective rate plus an applicable margin plus 0.25% and (b) one-month LIBOR), with the applicable margin, in each case, based on our leverage ratio. We are obligated to pay an undrawn commitment fee.
	We and substantially all of our 100% owned home building subsidiaries, are guarantors under the 364-Day Facility. The 364-Day Facility contains substantially the same financial covenants as our Credit Facility. The 364-Day Facility will terminate and amounts owed under the 364-Day Facility will become due and payable on February 3, 2015.
	At July 31, 2014, we had no outstanding borrowings under the 364-Day Facility.
	Loans Payable - Other
	Our loans payable - other represent purchase money mortgages on properties we acquired that the seller had financed and various revenue bonds that were issued by government entities on behalf of us to finance community infrastructure and our manufacturing facilities. At July 31, 2014, the weighted-average interest rate on loans payable - other was 4.34% per annum.
	Senior Notes
	At July 31, 2014, we, through Toll Brothers Finance Corp, had eight issues of Senior Notes outstanding with an aggregate principal amount of $2.66 billion.
	In March 2014, we repaid the $268.0 million of outstanding 4.95% Senior Notes due March 15, 2014.
	In November 2013, we issued $350.0 million principal amount of 4.0% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “4.0% Senior Notes”) and $250.0 million principal amount of 5.625% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “5.625% Senior Notes”). We received $596.2 million of net proceeds from the issuance of the 4.0% Senior Notes and the 5.625% Senior Notes.
	In September 2013, we repaid the $104.8 million of outstanding 5.95% Senior Notes due September 15, 2013.
	In April 2013, we issued $300.0 million principal amount of 4.375% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “4.375% Senior Notes”) at par. We received $298.1 million of net proceeds from this issuance of 4.375% Senior Notes.
	In May 2013, we issued an additional $100.0 million principal amount of 4.375% Senior Notes at a price equal to 103% of par value. We received $102.3 million of net proceeds from this additional issuance of 4.375% Senior Notes.
	In November 2012, we repaid the $59.1 million of outstanding 6.875% Senior Notes due November 15, 2012.

	Mortgage Company Loan Facility
	In July 2014, TBI Mortgage Company (“TBI Mortgage”), our wholly-owned mortgage subsidiary, amended its Master Repurchase Agreement (the “Repurchase Agreement”) with Comerica Bank. The purpose of the Repurchase Agreement is to finance the origination of mortgage loans by TBI Mortgage and it is accounted for as a secured borrowing under ASC 860. The Repurchase Agreement, as amended, provides for loan purchases of up to $50 million, subject to certain sublimits. In addition, the Repurchase Agreement provides for an accordion feature under which TBI Mortgage may request that the aggregate commitments under the Repurchase Agreement be increased to an amount up to $100 million for a short period of time. The Repurchase Agreement, as amended, expires on July 21, 2015 and bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum, with a minimum rate of 2.00%. At July 31, 2014, the interest rate on the Repurchase Agreement was 2.16% per annum. At July 31, 2014, we had $87.8 million of outstanding borrowings under the Repurchase Agreement.

Accrued_Expenses

Accrued Expenses	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses	'
	Accrued Expenses
	Accrued expenses at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):


		July 31,			October 31,
		2014			2013
	Land, land development and construction	$	130,304		$	152,674

	Compensation and employee benefits	109,753			111,561

	Insurance and litigation	98,503			89,104

	Warranty	54,227			43,819

	Interest	38,406			25,675

	Commitments to unconsolidated entities	2,564			3,804

	Other	102,913			96,350

		$	536,670		$	522,987

	We accrue for expected warranty costs at the time each home is closed and title and possession are transferred to the home buyer. Warranty costs are accrued based upon historical experience. The table below provides, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of the changes in our warranty accrual (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,						Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of period	$	43,819		$	41,706		$	52,579		$	41,109

	Additions - homes closed during the year	12,272			9,053			4,970			3,831

	Addition - Shapell liabilities acquired	11,044						1,800

	Increase (decrease) in accruals for homes closed in prior years	2,003			(342		)	581			136

	Charges incurred	(14,911		)	(8,350		)	(5,703		)	(3,009		)
	Balance, end of period	$	54,227		$	42,067		$	54,227		$	42,067

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, reconciliations of our effective tax rate from the federal statutory tax rate (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,
		2014				2013
		$		%*		$		%*
	Federal tax provision at statutory rate	110,615		35		41,141		35

	State tax provision, net of federal benefit	14,755		4.7		4,890		4.2

	Domestic production activities deduction	(7,059	)	(2.2	)

	Other permanent differences	(4,165	)	(1.3	)

	Reversal of accrual for uncertain tax positions	(9,292	)	(2.9	)	(3,885	)	(3.3	)
	Accrued interest on anticipated tax assessments	1,484		0.5		2,837		2.4

	Increase in unrecognized tax benefits	5,406		1.7

	Valuation allowance – reversed	(2,655	)	(0.8	)	(3,133	)	(2.7	)
	Other	(1,553	)	(0.5	)	(4	)	—

	Income tax provision	107,536		34		41,846		35.6




		Three months ended July 31,
		2014				2013
		$		%*		$		%*
	Federal tax provision at statutory rate	52,964		35		23,888		35

	State tax provision, net of federal benefit	6,904		4.6		2,839		4.2

	Domestic production activities deduction	(2,809	)	(1.9	)

	Other permanent differences	(1,827	)	(1.2	)

	Reversal of accrual for uncertain tax positions	(180	)	(0.1	)	(3,885	)	(5.7	)
	Accrued interest on anticipated tax assessments	358		0.2		854		1.3

	Valuation allowance – reversed	(1,429	)	(0.9	)	(1,856	)	(2.7	)
	Other	(363	)	(0.2	)	(182	)	(0.3	)
	Income tax provision	53,618		35.4		21,658		31.7

	* Due to rounding, amounts may not add.
	We currently operate in 20 states and are subject to various state tax jurisdictions. We estimate our state tax liability based upon the individual taxing authorities’ regulations, estimates of income by taxing jurisdiction, and our ability to utilize certain tax-saving strategies. Based on our estimate of the allocation of income or loss among the various taxing jurisdictions and changes in tax regulations and their impact on our tax strategies, we estimate our rate for the full fiscal year for state income taxes at 7.2% and 6.5% for fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	For state tax purposes, due to past and projected losses in certain jurisdictions where we do not have carryback potential and/or cannot sufficiently forecast future taxable income, we have recognized net cumulative valuation allowances against our state deferred tax assets of $53.1 million and $55.7 million as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively.

StockBased_Benefit_Plans

Stock-Based Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
Stock-Based Benefit Plans	Jul. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	Stock-Based Benefit Plans
	We grant stock options, restricted stock, and various types of restricted stock units to our employees and our non-employee directors. Additionally, we have an employee stock purchase plan that allows employees to purchase our stock at a discount.
	Beginning in fiscal 2012, we changed the mix of stock-based compensation to our employees (other than certain senior executives) by reducing the number of stock options we grant and, in their place, issued non-performance based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) as a form of compensation. We also replaced our stock price-based restricted stock unit (“Stock Price-Based RSUs”) awards for certain senior executives with a performance-based restricted stock (“Performance-Based RSUs”) award program.
	Information regarding the amount of total stock-based compensation expense and tax benefit recognized by us, for the periods indicated, is as follows (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,						Three months ended July 31,
		2014				2013		2014		2013
	Total stock-based compensation expense recognized	$	16,985			$	14,449	$	4,691	$	4,422
	Total stock-based compensation expense recognized	$	16,985			$	14,449	$	4,691	$	4,422
	Income tax benefit recognized	$	6,388			$	5,283	$	1,769	$	1,617
	Income tax benefit recognized	$	6,388			$	5,283	$	1,769	$	1,617
	At July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, the aggregate unamortized value of outstanding stock-based compensation awards was approximately $28.6 million and $19.9 million, respectively.
	Information about our more significant stock-based compensation programs is outlined below.
	Stock Options
	The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a lattice-based option valuation model that uses assumptions noted in the following table. The lattice-based option valuation model incorporates ranges of assumptions for inputs, which are disclosed in the table below. Expected volatilities were based on implied volatilities from traded options on our stock, historical volatility of our stock, and other factors. The expected lives of options granted were derived from the historical exercise patterns and anticipated future patterns and represent the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding; the range given below results from certain groups of employees exhibiting different behaviors. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
	The weighted-average assumptions and the fair value used for stock option grants in fiscal 2014 and 2013 were as follows:


		2014		2013
	Expected volatility	36.44% - 44.71%		44.04% - 48.13%
	Weighted-average volatility	42.71%		46.70%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.45% - 2.71%		0.64% - 1.56%
	Expected life (years)	4.55 - 9.02		4.48 - 8.88
	Dividends	none		none
	Weighted-average grant date fair value per share of options granted	$14.26		$13.05
	Stock compensation expense, related to stock options, for the periods indicated, was as follows (amounts in thousands):


		2014				2013
	Nine months ended July 31,	$	7,335			$	6,276
	Nine months ended July 31,	$	7,335			$	6,276
	Three months ended July 31,	$	1,675			$	1,442
	Three months ended July 31,	$	1,675			$	1,442
	Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
	The Executive Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (“Executive Compensation Committee”) approved awards of Performance-Based RSUs relating to shares of our common stock to certain members of our senior management. The Performance-Based RSUs are based on the attainment of certain performance metrics of our Company in the fiscal year of grant if the performance targets are met. The number of shares underlying the Performance-Based RSUs that will be issued to the recipients may range from 90% to 110% of the base award depending on our actual performance as compared to the target performance goals. The Performance-Based RSUs vest over a four-year period provided the recipients continue to be employed by us or serve on our board of directors (as applicable) as specified in the award document.
	The value of the Performance-Based RSUs was determined to be equal to the estimated number of shares of our common stock to be issued multiplied by the closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on the later of the date the performance goals were approved by the Executive Compensation Committee, or on the date the Performance-Based RSUs were granted (“Valuation Date”). We evaluate the performance goals quarterly and estimate the number of shares underlying the Performance-Based RSUs that are probable of being issued. Information regarding the issuance, valuation assumptions and amortization of the Performance-Based RSUs issued in the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 is provided below.


		2014				2013
	Number of shares underlying Performance-Based RSUs to be issued	287,817				302,511
		287,817				302,511
	Closing price of our common stock on Valuation Date	$	35.16			$	37.78
	Closing price of our common stock on Valuation Date	$	35.16			$	37.78
	Aggregate fair value of Performance-Based RSUs issued (in thousands)	$	10,120			$	11,429
		$	10,120			$	11,429
	Performance-Based RSU expense recognized in the nine months ended July 31, (in thousands)	$	6,886			$	4,662
		$	6,886			$	4,662
	Performance-Based RSU expense recognized in the three months ended July 31, (in thousands)	$	2,433			$	2,074
		$	2,433			$	2,074
	Note: The fiscal 2014 number of shares underlying Performance-Based RSUs to be issued and their aggregate fair value is estimated.
	Information regarding the aggregate number of outstanding Performance-Based RSUs and the aggregate unamortized value of the outstanding Performance-Based RSUs, as of the date indicated, is provided below.


		July 31,				October 31,
		2014				2013
	Aggregate outstanding Performance-Based RSUs	960,505				672,687
	Aggregate outstanding Performance-Based RSUs	960,505				672,687
	Cumulative unamortized value of Performance-Based RSUs (in thousands)	$	11,353			$	8,120
		$	11,353			$	8,120
	Stock Price-Based Restricted Stock Units
	Information regarding the amortization of our Stock Price-Based RSUs, for the periods indicated, is provided below (amounts in thousands):


	2014				2013
Nine months ended July 31,	$	231			$	1,395
Nine months ended July 31,	$	231			$	1,395
Three months ended July 31,	$	—			$	416
Three months ended July 31,	$	—			$	416
Information regarding the aggregate number of outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs and aggregate unamortized value of the outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs, as of the date indicated, is provided below:


	July 31,				October 31,
	2014				2013
Aggregate outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs	—				306,000
Aggregate outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs	—				306,000
Cumulative unamortized value of Stock Price-Based RSUs (in thousands)	$	—			$	231
	$	—			$	231

In December 2013 and 2012, we distributed 306,000 and 200,000 shares, respectively, of stock pursuant to a Stock Price-Based RSU award.

Non-Performance Based Restricted Stock Units
We issued RSUs to various officers, employees and non-employee directors. The value of the RSUs was determined to be equal to the number of shares of our common stock to be issued pursuant to the RSUs, multiplied by the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on the date the RSUs were awarded. Information regarding these RSUs issued in the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:


	2014				2013
Number of RSUs issued	99,336				94,080
Number of RSUs issued	99,336				94,080
Closing price of our common stock on date of issuance	$	35.16			$	32.22
Closing price of our common stock on date of issuance	$	35.16			$	32.22
Aggregate fair value of RSUs issued (in thousands)	$	3,493			$	3,031
Aggregate fair value of RSUs issued (in thousands)	$	3,493			$	3,031
Information regarding the amortization of the RSUs, for the periods indicated, is as follows (amounts in thousands):


	2014				2013
Nine months ended July 31,	$	2,459			$	2,048
Nine months ended July 31,	$	2,459			$	2,048
Three months ended July 31,	$	557			$	464
Three months ended July 31,	$	557			$	464

Information regarding the aggregate number of outstanding RSUs and aggregate unamortized value of the outstanding RSUs, as of the date indicated, is as follows:


	July 31,				October 31,
	2014				2013
Aggregate outstanding RSUs	305,186				225,252
Aggregate outstanding RSUs	305,186				225,252
Cumulative unamortized value of RSUs (in thousands)	$	2,620			$	1,706
Cumulative unamortized value of RSUs (in thousands)	$	2,620			$	1,706

Employee_Retirement_Plans

Employee Retirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Retirement Plans	'
	Employee Retirement Plans
	We have two unfunded supplemental retirement plans (“SRPs”). The table below provides, for the periods indicated, costs recognized and payments made related to our SRPs (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,				Three months ended July 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Service cost	$	358	$	354	$	123	$	118

	Interest cost	955		782		319		261

	Amortization of prior service cost	486		633		164		211

	Amortization of unrecognized losses	9		108		3		36

	Total costs	$	1,808	$	1,877	$	609	$	626

	Benefits paid	$	677	$	677	$	233	$	233

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
	The tables below provide, for the periods indicated, the components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31, 2014
		Employee Retirement Plans			Available-for-Sale Securities			Derivative Instruments			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	(2,112	)	$	(5	)	$	(270	)	$	(2,387	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(247		)	(15		)	324			62

	Gross amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	495			(6		)				489

	Income tax (expense) benefit	(95		)	7			(126		)	(214		)

	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	153			(14		)	198			337

	Balance, end of period	$	(1,959	)	$	(19	)	$	(72	)	$	(2,050	)


		Nine months ended July 31, 2013
		Employee Retirement Plans			Available-for-Sale Securities			Derivative Instruments			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	(4,446	)	$	180		$	(553	)	$	(4,819	)

	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(826		)	(191		)	556			(461		)

	Gross amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	741			15						756

	Income tax benefit (expense)	30			69			(205		)	(106		)

	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(55		)	(107		)	351			189

	Balance, end of period	$	(4,501	)	$	73		$	(202	)	$	(4,630	)



		Three months ended July 31, 2014
		Employee Retirement Plans			Available-for-Sale Securities			Derivative Instruments			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	(1,956	)	$	(27	)	$	(47	)	$	(2,030	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(170		)	14			(41		)	(197		)

	Gross amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	167									167

	Income tax (expense) benefit				(6		)	16			10

	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(3		)	8			(25		)	(20		)

	Balance, end of period	$	(1,959	)	$	(19	)	$	(72	)	$	(2,050	)


		Three months ended July 31, 2013
		Employee Retirement Plans			Available-for-Sale Securities			Derivative Instruments			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	(4,464	)	$	143		$	(540	)	$	(4,861	)

	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(307		)	(262		)	532			(37		)

	Gross amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	247			152						399

	Income tax benefit (expense)	23			40			(194		)	(131		)

	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(37		)	(70		)	338			231

	Balance, end of period	$	(4,501	)	$	73		$	(202	)	$	(4,630	)

	Reclassifications for the amortization of the employee retirement plans are included in “Selling, general and administrative” expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 10, “Employee Retirement Plans” for additional information.
Reclassifications for the realized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities are included in “Other income - net” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Stock_Issuance_and_Stock_Repur

Stock Issuance and Stock Repurchase Program	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Stock Issuance and Stock Repurchase Program

	Stock Issuance

	In November 2013, in anticipation of the Shapell acquisition, we issued 7.2 million shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a price to the public of $32.00 per share. We received $220.4 million of net proceeds from the issuance.
	Stock Repurchase Program
	In March 2003, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 20 million shares of our common stock, par value $0.01, in open market transactions or otherwise, for the purpose of providing shares for our various employee benefit plans.

	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, information about our share repurchase program:


		Nine months ended July 31,				Three months ended July 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Number of shares purchased (in thousands)	10		495		5		490

	Average price per share	$	35.03	$	30.9	$	35.42	$	30.87

	Remaining authorization at July 31 (in thousands)	8,258		8,270		8,258		8,270

Income_Per_Share_Information

Income Per Share Information	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Income per Share Information	'
	Income per Share Information
	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, information pertaining to the calculation of income per share, common stock equivalents, weighted-average number of anti-dilutive options, and shares issued (amounts in thousands except per share amounts):


		Nine months ended July 31,				Three months ended July 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income as reported	$	208,508	$	75,701	$	97,707	$	46,595

	Plus: Interest and costs attributable to 0.5% Exchangeable Senior Notes, net of income tax benefit	1,185		1,208		396		404

	Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	209,693	$	76,909	$	98,103	$	46,999


	Denominator:
	Basic weighted-average shares	177,591		169,237		178,217		169,268

	Common stock equivalents (a)	2,495		2,871		2,426		2,875

	Shares attributable to 0.5% Exchangeable Senior Notes	5,858		5,858		5,858		5,858

	Diluted weighted-average shares	185,944		177,966		186,501		178,001


	Other information:
	Weighted-average number of anti-dilutive options and restricted stock units (b)	1,560		1,159		1,830		1,198

	Shares issued under stock incentive and employee stock purchase plans	1,362		728		138		94


	(a)	Common stock equivalents represent the dilutive effect of outstanding in-the-money stock options using the treasury stock method, Stock Price-Based RSUs whose Target Price criteria have been met but are unpaid, and shares expected to be issued under Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units and Non-Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units.

	(b)	Based upon the average closing price of our common stock on the NYSE for the period.

Fair_Value_Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	9 Months Ended
Fair Value Disclosures	Jul. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	Fair Value Disclosures
	Fair Value Disclosures
	We use ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), to measure the fair value of certain assets and liabilities. ASC 820 provides a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value, and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements.
	The fair value hierarchy is summarized below:


	Level 1:		Fair value determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

	Level 2:		Fair value determined using significant observable inputs, generally either quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities or quoted prices in markets that are not active.

	Level 3:		Fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs, such as pricing models, discounted cash flows, or similar techniques.

	Financial Instruments
	The table below provides, as of the date indicated, a summary of assets (liabilities) related to our financial instruments, measured at fair value on a recurring basis (amounts in thousands):


				Fair value
	Financial Instrument	Fair value		July 31,				October 31, 2013
	Financial Instrument	hierarchy		2014				October 31, 2013
	Corporate Securities	Level 2		$	12,006			$	52,508
	Corporate Securities	Level 2		$	12,006			$	52,508
	Residential Mortgage Loans Held for Sale	Level 2		$	98,535			$	113,517
	Residential Mortgage Loans Held for Sale	Level 2		$	98,535			$	113,517
	Forward Loan Commitments—Residential Mortgage Loans Held for Sale	Level 2		$	343			$	(496	)
		Level 2		$	343			$	(496	)
	Interest Rate Lock Commitments (“IRLCs”)	Level 2		$	(919	)		$	(181	)
	Forward Loan Commitments—IRLCs	Level 2		$	919			$	181
	Forward Loan Commitments—IRLCs	Level 2		$	919			$	181
	At July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximated fair value.
	Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
	The table below provides, as of the date indicated, the aggregate unpaid principal and fair value of mortgage loans held for sale (amounts in thousands):


		Aggregate unpaid				Fair value				Excess
		principal balance				Fair value				Excess
	At July 31, 2014	$	97,896			$	98,535			$	639
	At July 31, 2014	$	97,896			$	98,535			$	639
	At October 31, 2013	$	111,896			$	113,517			$	1,621
	At October 31, 2013	$	111,896			$	113,517			$	1,621
	At the end of the reporting period, we determine the fair value of our mortgage loans held for sale and the forward loan commitments we have entered into as a hedge against the interest rate risk of our mortgage loans using the market approach to determine fair value. The evaluation is based on the current market pricing of mortgage loans with similar terms and values as of the reporting date and by applying such pricing to the mortgage loan portfolio. We recognize the difference between the fair value and the unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans held for sale as a gain or loss. In addition, we recognize the fair value of our forward loan commitments as a gain or loss. These gains and losses are included in “Other income - net.” Interest income on mortgage loans held for sale is calculated based upon the stated interest rate of each loan and is included in “Other income - net.”
	IRLCs represent individual borrower agreements that commit us to lend at a specified price for a specified period as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment contract. These commitments have varying degrees of interest rate risk. We utilize best-efforts forward loan commitments (“Forward Commitments”) to hedge the interest rate risk of the IRLCs and residential mortgage loans held for sale. Forward Commitments represent contracts with third-party investors for the future delivery of loans whereby we agree to make delivery at a specified future date at a specified price. The IRLCs and Forward Commitments are considered derivative financial instruments under ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” which requires derivative financial instruments to be recorded at fair value. We estimate the fair value of such commitments based on the estimated fair value of the underlying mortgage loan and, in the case of IRLCs, the probability that the mortgage loan will fund within the terms of the IRLC. The fair values of IRLCs and forward loan commitments are included in either “Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets” or “Accrued expenses” as appropriate. To manage the risk of non-performance of investors regarding the Forward Commitments, we assess the credit worthiness of the investors on a periodic basis.
	Marketable Securities
	The table below provides, as of the date indicated, the amortized cost, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses, and fair value of marketable securities (amounts in thousands):


		July 31, 2014				October 31, 2013
	Amortized cost	$	12,036			$	52,502
	Amortized cost	$	12,036			$	52,502
	Gross unrealized holding gains					71
	Gross unrealized holding gains					71
	Gross unrealized holding losses	(30		)		(65		)
	Fair value	$	12,006			$	52,508
	Fair value	$	12,006			$	52,508

	The estimated fair values of corporate securities are based on quoted prices provided by brokers. The remaining contractual maturities of marketable securities as of July 31, 2014 ranged from 4 months to 16 months.
	Inventory
	We recognize inventory impairment charges based on the difference in the carrying value of the inventory and our fair value at the time of the evaluation. The fair value of the aforementioned inventory was determined using Level 3 criteria. Estimated fair value is primarily determined by discounting the estimated future cash flow of each community. See Note 1, “Significant Accounting Policies, Inventory” in the audited financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2013 for additional information regarding our methodology on determining fair value. As further discussed in Note 1 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, determining the fair value of a community’s inventory involves a number of variables, many of which are interrelated. If we used a different input for any of the various unobservable inputs used in our impairment analysis, the results of the analysis may have been different, absent any other changes. The table below summarizes, for the periods indicated, the ranges of certain quantitative unobservable inputs utilized in determining the fair value of impaired communities:


		Selling price per unit (in thousands)		Sales pace per year		Discount rate
		Selling price per unit (in thousands)		(in units)		Discount rate
	Three months ended July 31, 2014	$698 - $1,233		22-Oct		15.90%
	Three months ended April 30, 2014	$634 - $760		7-Apr		12.0% - 15.3%
Three months ended January 31, 2014	$388 - $405		21 - 23		16.60%
Three months ended October 31, 2013	$315 - $362		7-Feb		15.00%
Three months ended July 31, 2013	$475 - $500		2		15.00%
Three months ended April 30, 2013	—		—		—%
Three months ended January 31, 2013	$303 - $307		15		15.30%
The table below provides, for the periods indicated, the fair value of operating communities whose carrying value was adjusted and the amount of impairment charges recognized ($ amounts in thousands):


			Impaired operating communities
Three months ended:	Number of		Number of		Fair value of				Impairment charges
	communities tested		communities		communities,
					net of
					impairment charges
Fiscal 2014:
31-Jan	67		1		$	7,131			$	1,300
31-Jan	67		1		$	7,131			$	1,300
30-Apr	65		2		$	6,211			1,600
30-Apr	65		2		$	6,211			1,600
31-Jul	63		1		$	14,122			4,800
31-Jul	63		1		$	14,122			4,800
									$	7,700
									$	7,700
Fiscal 2013:
31-Jan	60		2		$	5,377			$	700
31-Jan	60		2		$	5,377			$	700
30-Apr	79		1		$	749			340
30-Apr	79		1		$	749			340
31-Jul	76		1		$	191			100
31-Jul	76		1		$	191			100
31-Oct	63		2		$	6,798			2,200
31-Oct	63		2		$	6,798			2,200
									$	3,340
									$	3,340
Investments in Distressed Loans and REO
Gibraltar’s investments in distressed loans were recorded at estimated fair value at inception based on the acquisition price as determined by Level 3 inputs and was based on the estimated future cash flows to be generated by the loans discounted at the rates used to value the loans at the acquisition dates. The table below provides, as of the date indicated, the carrying amount and estimated fair value of distressed loans (amounts in thousands):


	July 31, 2014				October 31, 2013
Carrying amount	$	4,251			$	36,374
Carrying amount	$	4,251			$	36,374
Estimated fair value	$	4,251			$	45,355
Estimated fair value	$	4,251			$	45,355
Gibraltar’s REO was recorded at estimated fair value at the time it was acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu actions using Level 3 inputs. The valuation techniques used to estimate fair value are third-party appraisals, broker opinions of value, or internal valuation methodologies (which may include discounted cash flows, capitalization rate analysis, or comparable transactional analysis). Unobservable inputs used in estimating the fair value of REO assets are based upon the best information available under the circumstances and take into consideration the financial condition and operating results of the asset, local market conditions, the availability of capital, interest and inflation rates, and other factors deemed appropriate by management.
Debt
The table below provides, as of the date indicated, the book value and estimated fair value of our debt (amounts in thousands):


			July 31, 2014								October 31, 2013
	Fair value		Book value				Estimated				Book value		Estimated
	hierarchy		Book value				fair value				Book value		fair value
Loans payable (a)	Level 2		$	636,126			$	634,535			$	107,222	$	106,988
Loans payable (a)	Level 2		$	636,126			$	634,535			$	107,222	$	106,988
Senior notes (b)	Level 1		2,657,376				2,831,215				2,325,336		2,458,737
Senior notes (b)	Level 1		2,657,376				2,831,215				2,325,336		2,458,737
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	Level 2		87,830				87,830				75,000		75,000
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	Level 2		87,830				87,830				75,000		75,000
			$	3,381,332			$	3,553,580			$	2,507,558	$	2,640,725
			$	3,381,332			$	3,553,580			$	2,507,558	$	2,640,725


(a)	The estimated fair value of loans payable was based upon interest rates that we believed were available to us for loans with similar terms and remaining maturities as of the applicable valuation date.

(b)	The estimated fair value of our senior notes is based upon their indicated market prices.

(c)	We believe that the carrying value of our mortgage company warehouse loan borrowings approximates their fair value.

Other_Income_Net

Other Income - Net	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other Income - net	'
	Other Income - Net
	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, the components of other income - net (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,					Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Interest income	$	2,111		$	3,713	$	222	$	1,036

	Income from ancillary businesses	6,153			4,452		2,203		1,020

	Gibraltar	10,219			5,184		4,505		4,072

	Management fee income	4,294			1,796		1,840		665

	Retained customer deposits	2,597			1,879		1,287		756

	Land sales, net	21,042			2,968		9,855		2,713

	Income recognized from settlement of litigation				13,229

	Directly expensed interest	(656		)

	Other	2,613			3,223		819		2,022

	Total other income - net	$	48,373		$	36,444	$	20,731	$	12,284

	In the nine month period ended July 31, 2014, land sales, net includes $2.9 million of previously deferred gains on our initial sales of the properties to Trust II as further described in Note 4 - “Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities.”
	In fiscal 2013, we recognized income from the settlement of litigation as the result of three derivative lawsuits brought on our behalf against certain of our officers and directors. The gross settlement of $16.2 million was reduced by the payment of attorney’s fees of $3.0 million. Our insurance carriers paid approximately $9.8 million and certain officers and former officers paid the remainder.
	Income from ancillary businesses includes the activity of our non-core businesses which include our mortgage, title, landscaping, security monitoring, and golf course and country club operations. The table below provides, for the periods indicated, revenues and expenses for our non-core ancillary businesses (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,					Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Revenue	$	70,736		$	64,092	$	26,988	$	24,666

	Expense	$	64,583		$	59,640	$	24,785	$	23,646

	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, revenues and expenses recognized from land sales (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,					Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Revenue	$	174,576		$	20,805	$	76,424	$	9,776

	Expense	$	153,534		$	17,837	$	66,569	$	7,063

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Legal Proceedings
	We are involved in various claims and litigation arising principally in the ordinary course of business. We believe that adequate provision for resolution of all current claims and pending litigation has been made for probable losses, and the disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and liquidity or on our financial condition.
	Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities
	At July 31, 2014, we had investments in and advances to a number of unconsolidated entities, were committed to invest or advance additional funds, and had guaranteed a portion of the indebtedness and/or loan commitments of these entities. See Note 4, “Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities,” for more information regarding our commitments to these entities.
	Land Purchase Commitments
	Generally, our purchase agreements to acquire land parcels do not require us to purchase those land parcels, although we, in some cases, forfeit any deposit balance outstanding if and when we terminate a purchase agreement. If market conditions are weak, approvals needed to develop the land are uncertain, or other factors exist that make the purchase undesirable, we may choose not to acquire the land. Whether an option and purchase agreement is legally terminated or not, we review the amount recorded for the land parcel subject to the option and purchase agreement to determine if the amount is recoverable. While we may not formally terminate the option and purchase agreements for those land parcels that we do not expect to acquire, we write off any non-refundable deposits and costs previously capitalized to such land parcels in the periods that we determine such costs are not recoverable.
	Information regarding our land purchase commitments, excluding the Shapell acquisition, as of the date indicated, is provided in the table below (amounts in thousands):


		July 31, 2014		October 31, 2013
	Aggregate purchase commitments:
	Unrelated parties	$	972,497	$	1,301,987

	Unconsolidated entities that the Company has investments in	16,336		61,738

	Total	$	988,833	$	1,363,725

	Deposits against aggregate purchase commitments	$	87,640	$	76,986

	Additional cash required to acquire land	901,193		1,286,739

	Total	$	988,833	$	1,363,725

	Amount of additional cash required to acquire land in accrued expenses	$	504	$	1,439

	In addition, we expect to purchase approximately 3,750 additional home sites from several joint ventures in which we have interests; the purchase prices of these home sites will be determined at a future date.
	During the three-month period ended July 31, 2014, we received approximately 515 home sites from one of our Land Development Joint Ventures in consideration of our previous investment in the joint venture. We have a commitment to this joint venture to funded approximately $19.3 million representing our share of the land improvements related to these home sites.
	At July 31, 2014, we had purchase commitments to acquire land for apartment developments of approximately $64.3 million, of which we had outstanding deposits in the amount of $4.3 million.
	We have additional land parcels under option that have been excluded from the aforementioned aggregate purchase amounts since we do not believe that we will complete the purchase of these land parcels and no additional funds will be required from us to terminate these contracts.
	Surety Bonds and Letters of Credit
	At July 31, 2014, we had outstanding surety bonds amounting to $585.3 million, primarily related to our obligations to governmental entities to construct improvements in our communities. We estimate that $385.2 million of work remains on these improvements. We have an additional $76.4 million of surety bonds outstanding that guarantee other obligations. We do not believe that it is probable that any outstanding bonds will be drawn upon.
	At July 31, 2014, we had outstanding letters of credit of $97.7 million, including $94.7 million under our Credit Facility and $3.0 million collateralized by restricted cash. These letters of credit were issued to secure our various financial obligations including insurance policy deductibles and other claims, land deposits, and security to complete improvements in communities which we are operating. We do not believe that it is probable that any outstanding letters of credit will be drawn upon.
	Acquisition of Shapell Industries, Inc.
	On February 4, 2014, we completed our previously announced acquisition of Shapell. The Purchase Agreement provides that SIPI will indemnify us for any loss arising out of or resulting from, among other things, (i) any liability (other than environmental losses, subject to certain exceptions) related to the Shapell Commercial Properties, and (ii) any liability (other than environmental losses, subject to certain exceptions) to the extent related to Shapell Mortgage, Inc. See Note 2, “Acquisition” for more information regarding this acquisition.
	Backlog
	At July 31, 2014, we had agreements of sale outstanding to deliver 4,204 homes with an aggregate sales value of $3.10 billion.
	Mortgage Commitments
	Our mortgage subsidiary provides mortgage financing for a portion of our home closings. For those home buyers to whom our mortgage subsidiary provides mortgages, we determine whether the home buyer qualifies for the mortgage based upon information provided by the home buyer and other sources. For those home buyers that qualify, our mortgage subsidiary provides the home buyer with a mortgage commitment that specifies the terms and conditions of a proposed mortgage loan based upon then-current market conditions. Prior to the actual closing of the home and funding of the mortgage, the home buyer will lock in an interest rate based upon the terms of the commitment. At the time of rate lock, our mortgage subsidiary agrees to sell the proposed mortgage loan to one of several outside recognized mortgage financing institutions (“investors”) that is willing to honor the terms and conditions, including interest rate, committed to the home buyer. We believe that these investors have adequate financial resources to honor their commitments to our mortgage subsidiary.
	Information regarding our mortgage commitments, as of the date indicated, is provided in the table below (amounts in thousands):


		July 31,		October 31, 2013
		2014
	Aggregate mortgage loan commitments:
	IRLCs	$	262,365	$	247,995

	Non-IRLCs	642,274		645,288

	Total	$	904,639	$	893,283

	Investor commitments to purchase:
	IRLCs	$	262,365	$	247,995

	Mortgage loans receivable	90,316		107,873

	Total	$	352,681	$	355,868

Information_on_Operating_Segme

Information on Operating Segments	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Information on Operating Segments
	At October 31, 2013, we determined that we operate in two reportable segments: Traditional Home Building and Urban Infill (“City Living”). Amounts reported in the prior period have been reclassified to conform to the current period.
	We have determined that our Traditional Home Building operations operate in four geographic segments: North, Mid-Atlantic, South and West. The states comprising each geographic segment are as follows:
	North: Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York
	Mid-Atlantic: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
	South: Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas
	West: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Washington
	Revenue and income (loss) before income taxes for each of our reportable and geographic segments, for the periods indicated, were as follows (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,								Three months ended July 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Revenues:
	Traditional Home Building:
	North	$	428,415			$	288,024			$	163,530			$	113,457

	Mid-Atlantic	552,362				425,929				202,791				155,819

	South	576,589				411,917				239,902				189,175

	West	889,476				385,730				381,640				144,514

	Traditional Home Building	2,446,842				1,511,600				987,863				602,965

	City Living	114,070				118,165				68,994				86,195

	Total	$	2,560,912			$	1,629,765			$	1,056,857			$	689,160


	Income (loss) before income taxes:
	Traditional Home Building:
	North	$	34,892			$	11,235			$	17,740			$	3,320

	Mid-Atlantic	72,427				50,051				26,518				18,061

	South	77,642				38,978				36,690				21,965

	West	153,371				42,880				73,859				21,825

	Traditional Home Building	338,332				143,144				154,807				65,171

	City Living	35,351				37,241				26,387				28,905

	Corporate and other	(57,639		)		(62,838		)		(29,869		)		(25,823		)
	Total	$	316,044			$	117,547			$	151,325			$	68,253

	“Corporate and other” is comprised principally of general corporate expenses such as the offices of our Executive Officers and the corporate finance, accounting, audit, tax, human resources, risk management, marketing, and legal groups; interest income and income from certain of our ancillary businesses, including Gibraltar; and income from a number of our unconsolidated entities.
	Total assets for each of our reportable and geographic segments, as of the date indicated, are shown in the table below (amounts in thousands).


		July 31,				October 31,
		2014				2013
	Traditional Home Building:
	North	$	1,051,162			$	963,597

	Mid-Atlantic	1,278,640				1,231,438

	South	1,187,030				953,955

	West	2,783,956				1,290,388

	Traditional Home Building	6,300,788				4,439,378

City Living	810,422				674,302

Corporate and other	1,220,706				1,713,779

Total	$	8,331,916			$	6,827,459

“Corporate and other” is comprised principally of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, restricted cash, deferred tax assets and the assets of our Gibraltar investments, manufacturing facilities, and our mortgage subsidiary.
We provided for inventory impairment charges and the expensing of costs that we believed not to be recoverable and recoveries of prior charges for the periods indicated, as shown in the table below; the net carrying value of inventory and investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities for each of our reportable and geographic segments, as of the dates indicated, are also shown in the table below (amounts in thousands):


	Net Carrying Value								Impairments
	At July 31,				At October 31,				Nine months ended July 31,								Three months ended July 31,
	2014				2013				2014				2013				2014		2013
Inventory:
Land controlled for future communities:
Traditional Home Building:
North	$	12,949			$	16,267			$	298			$	832			$	51	$	33

Mid-Atlantic	31,308				29,423				1,065				33				739		16

South	12,895				14,606				704				362				365		1

West	7,608				13,371				131				(390		)		37		89

Traditional Home Building	64,760				73,667				2,198				837				1,192		139

City Living	52,993				26,135

	117,753				99,802				2,198				837				1,192		139


Land owned for future communities:
Traditional Home Building:
North	166,560				135,282

Mid-Atlantic	227,605				308,585

South	304,124				158,457

West	1,347,521				448,125

Traditional Home Building	2,045,810				1,050,449				—				—				—		—

City Living	276,722				237,181

	2,322,532				1,287,630				—				—				—		—


Operating communities:
Traditional Home Building:
North	841,973				785,175				2,900				940						100

Mid-Atlantic	977,246				866,256				4,800								4,800

South	736,266				690,302

West	1,323,941				697,573								200

Traditional Home Building	3,879,426				3,039,306				7,700				1,140				4,800		100

City Living	274,093				223,674

	4,153,519				3,262,980				7,700				1,140				4,800		100

Total	$	6,593,804			$	4,650,412			$	9,898			$	1,977			$	5,992	$	239


Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities:
Traditional Home Building:
Mid-Atlantic	$	11,850			$	11,850

South	98,496				50,452

West	79,142				110,467								$	(1,621	)

Traditional Home Building	189,488				172,769				—				(1,621		)		—		—

City Living	155,239				135,950

Corporate and other	98,558				94,414

Total	$	443,285			$	403,133			$	—			$	(1,621	)		$	—	$	—

Supplemental_Disclosure_to_Con

Supplemental Disclosure to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Disclosure to Statements of Cash Flows	'
	Supplemental Disclosure to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	The following are supplemental disclosures to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):


		2014			2013
	Cash flow information:
	Interest capitalized, net of amount paid	$	183		$	4,248

	Income tax payments	$	37,622		$	1,715

	Income tax refunds				$	1,156

	Non-cash activity:
	Cost of inventory acquired through seller financing or municipal bonds, net	$	88,646		$	37,230

	Financed portion of land sale				$	7,200

	Reduction in inventory for Company's share of earnings in land purchased from unconsolidated entities	$	3,987		$	1,327

	Transfer of investment in REO to inventory				$	764

	Reclassification of deferred income from inventory to accrued liabilities				$	4,545

	Defined benefit plan amendment	$	247		$	826

	Increase in accrued expenses related to Stock Price-Based RSUs paid	$	5,035		$	2,942

	Reduction of investments in unconsolidated entities due to increase/reduction in letters of credit or accrued liabilities				$	74

	Transfer of inventory to investment in unconsolidated entities	$	700		$	27,631

	Transfers of investment in unconsolidated entity to inventory	$	2,704		$	—

	Unrealized gain on derivative held by equity investee	$	324		$	555

	Increase in investments in unconsolidated entities for change in the fair value of debt guarantees	$	658		$	1,460

	Miscellaneous decreases to investments in unconsolidated entities	$	(1,787	)	$	(234	)
	Acquisition of a Business:
	Fair value of assets purchased, excluding cash acquired	$	1,524,964

	Liabilities assumed	$	35,848

	Cash paid, net of cash acquired	$	1,489,116

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa

Supplemental Guarantor Information	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Supplemental Guarantor Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Guarantor Information [Text Block]	'
	Supplemental Guarantor Information
	Our 100% owned subsidiary, Toll Brothers Finance Corp. (the “Subsidiary Issuer”), has issued the following Senior Notes (amounts in thousands):


			Original amount issued and amount outstanding at
			July 31, 2014
	5.15% Senior Notes due 2015		$	300,000

	8.91% Senior Notes due 2017		$	400,000

	6.75% Senior Notes due 2019		$	250,000

	5.875% Senior Notes due 2022		$	419,876

	4.375% Senior Notes due 2023		$	400,000

	0.50% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2032		$	287,500

	4.0% Senior Notes due 2018		$	350,000

	5.625% Senior Notes due 2024		$	250,000

	The obligations of the Subsidiary Issuer to pay principal, premiums, if any, and interest are guaranteed jointly and severally on a senior basis by us and substantially all of our 100% owned home building subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). The guarantees are full and unconditional. Our non-home building subsidiaries and several of our home building subsidiaries (together, the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”) do not guarantee the debt. The Subsidiary Issuer generates no operating revenues and does not have any independent operations other than the financing of our other subsidiaries by lending the proceeds from the above described debt issuances. The indentures under which the Senior Notes were issued provide that any of our subsidiaries that provide a guarantee of the Credit Facility will guarantee the Senior Notes. The indentures further provide that any Guarantor Subsidiary may be released from its guarantee so long as (i) no default or event of default exists or would result from release of such guarantee; (ii) the Guarantor Subsidiary being released has consolidated net worth of less than 5% of the Company’s consolidated net worth as of the end of the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter; (iii) the Guarantor Subsidiaries released from their guarantees in any fiscal year comprise in the aggregate less than 10% (or 15% if and to the extent necessary to permit the cure of a default) of the Company’s consolidated net worth as of the end of the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter; (iv) such release would not have a material adverse effect on the home building business of the Company and its subsidiaries; and (v) the Guarantor Subsidiary is released from its guaranty under the Credit Facility. If there are no guarantors under the Credit Facility, all Guarantor Subsidiaries under the indentures will be released from their guarantees.
	Separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning the Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented because management has determined that such disclosures would not be material to users of these financial statements.
	Supplemental consolidating financial information of Toll Brothers, Inc., the Subsidiary Issuer, the Guarantor Subsidiaries, the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries and the eliminations to arrive at Toll Brothers, Inc. on a consolidated basis is presented below ($ amounts in thousands).
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet at July 31, 2014:


		Toll			Subsidiary		Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
		Brothers,			Issuer		Subsidiaries		Guarantor
		Inc.							Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	—			—		254,510		120,139		—			374,649

	Marketable securities						1,987		10,019					12,006

	Restricted cash	15,207					5,742		1,452					22,401

	Inventory						6,488,310		105,494					6,593,804

	Property, construction and office equipment, net						116,643		14,866					131,509

	Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	6			17,701		132,020		121,759		(18,970	)		252,516

	Mortgage loans held for sale								98,535					98,535

	Customer deposits held in escrow						55,820							55,820

	Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities						151,612		291,673					443,285

	Investments in distressed loans								4,251					4,251

	Investments in foreclosed real estate								79,319					79,319

	Investments in and advances to consolidated entities	3,650,513			2,679,922		4,740				(6,335,175	)		—

	Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	263,821												263,821

		3,929,547			2,697,623		7,211,384		847,507		(6,354,145	)		8,331,916

	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Liabilities:
	Loans payable						636,126							636,126

Senior notes				2,622,968						31,698			2,654,666

Mortgage company warehouse loan								87,830					87,830

Customer deposits						254,187							254,187

Accounts payable						226,668		66					226,734

Accrued expenses				36,634		367,334		152,089		(19,387	)		536,670

Advances from consolidated entities						2,205,157		579,636		(2,784,793	)		—

Income taxes payable	128,881												128,881

Total liabilities	128,881			2,659,602		3,689,472		819,621		(2,772,482	)		4,525,094

Equity:
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,779					48		3,006		(3,054	)		1,779

Additional paid-in capital	700,337			49,400				1,734		(51,134	)		700,337

Retained earnings (deficits)	3,100,511			(11,379	)	3,521,946		16,908		(3,527,475	)		3,100,511

Treasury stock, at cost	(2	)											(2	)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,959	)				(82	)	(9	)				(2,050	)

Total stockholders’ equity	3,800,666			38,021		3,521,912		21,639		(3,581,663	)		3,800,575

Noncontrolling interest								6,247					6,247

Total equity	3,800,666			38,021		3,521,912		27,886		(3,581,663	)		3,806,822

	3,929,547			2,697,623		7,211,384		847,507		(6,354,145	)		8,331,916

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet at October 31, 2013:


	Toll			Subsidiary		Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer		Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.							Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	—			—		670,102		102,870		—			772,972

Marketable securities						42,491		10,017					52,508

Restricted cash	15,182					16,007		847					32,036

Inventory						4,625,252		25,160					4,650,412

Property, construction and office equipment, net						116,809		14,511					131,320

Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	33			15,675		101,321		131,701		(19,435	)		229,295

Mortgage loans held for sale								113,517					113,517

Customer deposits held in escrow						46,888							46,888

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities						175,159		227,974					403,133

Investments in distressed loans								36,374					36,374

Investments in foreclosed real estate								72,972					72,972

Investments in and advances to consolidated entities	3,113,203			2,334,503		4,740				(5,452,446	)		—

Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	286,032												286,032

	3,414,450			2,350,178		5,798,769		735,943		(5,471,881	)		6,827,459

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities:
Loans payable						107,222							107,222

Senior notes				2,282,719						38,723			2,321,442

Mortgage company warehouse loan								75,000					75,000

Customer deposits						212,669							212,669

Accounts payable						167,733		54					167,787

Accrued expenses				25,045		355,590		161,402		(19,050	)		522,987

Advances from consolidated entities						1,627,130		467,929		(2,095,059	)		—

Income taxes payable	81,188												81,188

Total liabilities	81,188			2,307,764		2,470,344		704,385		(2,075,386	)		3,488,295

Equity:
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,694					48		3,006		(3,054	)		1,694

Additional paid-in capital	441,677			49,400				1,734		(51,134	)		441,677

Retained earnings (deficits)	2,892,003			(6,986	)	3,328,629		20,664		(3,342,307	)		2,892,003

Treasury stock, at cost													—

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,112	)				(252	)	(23	)				(2,387	)

Total stockholders’ equity	3,333,262			42,414		3,328,425		25,381		(3,396,495	)		3,332,987

Noncontrolling interest								6,177					6,177

Total equity	3,333,262			42,414		3,328,425		31,558		(3,396,495	)		3,339,164

	3,414,450			2,350,178		5,798,769		735,943		(5,471,881	)		6,827,459





Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine months ended July 31, 2014:


	Toll			Subsidiary		Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer		Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.							Subsidiaries
Revenues						2,587,940		53,075		(80,103	)		2,560,912

Cost of revenues						2,029,097		6,809		(16,644	)		2,019,262

Selling, general and administrative	98			2,762		330,591		40,898		(62,178	)		312,171

	98			2,762		2,359,688		47,707		(78,822	)		2,331,433

Income (loss) from operations	(98	)		(2,762	)	228,252		5,368		(1,281	)		229,479

Other:
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities						38,271		(79	)				38,192

Other income - net	7,033					31,632		13,427		(3,719	)		48,373

Intercompany interest income				111,984						(111,984	)		—

Interest expense				(116,246	)			(738	)	116,984			—

Income from subsidiaries	309,109					10,954				(320,063	)		—

Income (loss) before income taxes	316,044			(7,024	)	309,109		17,978		(320,063	)		316,044

Income tax provision (benefit)	107,536			(2,631	)	115,792		6,734		(119,895	)		107,536

Net income (loss)	208,508			(4,393	)	193,317		11,244		(200,168	)		208,508

Other comprehensive income	153					170		14					337

Total comprehensive income (loss)	208,661			(4,393	)	193,487		11,258		(200,168	)		208,845


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine months ended July 31, 2013:


	Toll			Subsidiary		Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer		Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.							Subsidiaries
Revenues						1,658,184		48,186		(76,605	)		1,629,765

Cost of revenues						1,322,437		7,083		(18,481	)		1,311,039

Selling, general and administrative	151			2,203		267,627		34,244		(57,758	)		246,467

	151			2,203		1,590,064		41,327		(76,239	)		1,557,506

Income (loss) from operations	(151	)		(2,203	)	68,120		6,859		(366	)		72,259

Other:
Income from unconsolidated entities						5,766		3,078					8,844

Other income - net	7,059					26,807		7,460		(4,882	)		36,444

Intercompany interest income				94,055						(94,055	)		—

Interest expense				(98,891	)			(412	)	99,303			—

Income from subsidiaries	110,639					9,946				(120,585	)		—

Income (loss) before income taxes	117,547			(7,039	)	110,639		16,985		(120,585	)		117,547

Income tax provision (benefit)	41,846			(2,757	)	43,326		6,651		(47,220	)		41,846

Net income (loss)	75,701			(4,282	)	67,313		10,334		(73,365	)		75,701

Other comprehensive income (loss)	(55	)				256		(12	)				189

Total comprehensive income (loss)	75,646			(4,282	)	67,569		10,322		(73,365	)		75,890

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended July 31, 2014:


	Toll			Subsidiary		Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer		Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.							Subsidiaries
Revenues						1,067,863		19,808		(30,814	)		1,056,857

Cost of revenues						822,804		2,750		(8,322	)		817,232

Selling, general and administrative	29			897		116,944		14,462		(22,351	)		109,981

	29			897		939,748		17,212		(30,673	)		927,213

Income (loss) from operations	(29	)		(897	)	128,115		2,596		(141	)		129,644

Other:
Income from unconsolidated entities						693		257					950

Other income - net	2,373					13,817		6,219		(1,678	)		20,731

Intercompany interest income				35,877						(35,877	)		—

Interest expense				(37,347	)			(349	)	37,696			—

Income from subsidiaries	148,981					6,356				(155,337	)		—

Income (loss) before income taxes	151,325			(2,367	)	148,981		8,723		(155,337	)		151,325

Income tax provision (benefit)	53,618			(880	)	55,568		3,253		(57,941	)		53,618

Net income (loss)	97,707			(1,487	)	93,413		5,470		(97,396	)		97,707

Other comprehensive (loss) income	(3	)				(19	)	2					(20	)

Total comprehensive income (loss)	97,704			(1,487	)	93,394		5,472		(97,396	)		97,687


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended July 31, 2013:


	Toll			Subsidiary		Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer		Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.							Subsidiaries
Revenues						704,559		18,906		(34,305	)		689,160

Cost of revenues						549,456		2,439		(6,806	)		545,089

Selling, general and administrative	90			801		97,041		13,187		(22,249	)		88,870

	90			801		646,497		15,626		(29,055	)		633,959

Income (loss) from operations	(90	)		(801	)	58,062		3,280		(5,250	)		55,201

Other:
Income from unconsolidated entities						726		42					768

Other income - net	2,374					2,335		4,081		3,494			12,284

Intercompany interest income				33,995						(33,995	)		—

Interest expense				(35,561	)			(190	)	35,751			—

Income from subsidiaries	65,969					4,846				(70,815	)		—

Income (loss) before income taxes	68,253			(2,367	)	65,969		7,213		(70,815	)		68,253

Income tax provision (benefit)	21,658			(927	)	25,833		2,824		(27,730	)		21,658

Net income (loss)	46,595			(1,440	)	40,136		4,389		(43,085	)		46,595

Other comprehensive income (loss)	(37	)				220		48					231

Total comprehensive income (loss)	46,558			(1,440	)	40,356		4,437		(43,085	)		46,826


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2014:


	Toll			Subsidiary		Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer		Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.							Subsidiaries
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	101,864			18,079		(4,242	)	(64,371	)	(12,714	)		38,616

Cash flow used in investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net						(9,145	)	(355	)				(9,500	)

Sale and redemption of marketable securities						40,243							40,243

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities						(15,604	)	(77,435	)				(93,039	)

Return of investments in unconsolidated entities						40,413		10,264					50,677

Investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate								(1,127	)				(1,127	)

Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate								40,675					40,675

Acquisition of a business						(1,489,116	)						(1,489,116	)

Dividend received - intercompany						15,000				(15,000	)		—

Intercompany advances	(348,664	)		(345,419	)					694,083			—

Net cash used in investing activities	(348,664	)		(345,419	)	(1,418,209	)	(27,978	)	679,083			(1,461,187	)

Cash flow provided by financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes				600,000									600,000

Debt issuance costs for senior notes				(4,700	)								(4,700	)

Proceeds from loans payable						1,141,300		729,580					1,870,880

Debt issuance costs for loans payable						(3,005	)						(3,005	)

Principal payments of loans payable						(701,098	)	(716,750	)				(1,417,848	)

Redemption of senior notes				(267,960	)								(267,960	)

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	220,365												220,365

Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	26,555												26,555

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	221												221

Purchase of treasury stock	(341	)											(341	)

Receipts related to noncontrolling interest								81					81

Dividend paid - intercompany								(15,000	)	15,000			—

Intercompany advances						569,662		111,707		(681,369	)		—

Net cash provided by financing activities	246,800			327,340		1,006,859		109,618		(666,369	)		1,024,248

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			—		(415,592	)	17,269		—			(398,323	)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	—			—		670,102		102,870		—			772,972

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	—			—		254,510		120,139		—			374,649

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2013:


	Toll			Subsidiary		Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer		Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.							Subsidiaries
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	77,313			20,938		(541,461	)	(3,430	)	(9,895	)		(456,535	)

Cash flow provided by (used in) investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment — net						(12,646	)	(11,538	)				(24,184	)

Purchase of marketable securities						(25,938	)	(10,264	)				(36,202	)

Sale and redemption of marketable securities						288,332		60,263					348,595

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities						(25,517	)	(23,693	)				(49,210	)

Return of investments in unconsolidated entities						38,811		11,642					50,453

Investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate								(26,155	)				(26,155	)

Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate								15,396					15,396

Intercompany advances	(72,369	)		(362,253	)					434,622			—

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(72,369	)		(362,253	)	263,042		15,651		434,622			278,693

Cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes				400,383									400,383

Proceeds from loans payable								796,791					796,791

Principal payments of loans payable						(31,035	)	(803,801	)				(834,836	)

Redemption of senior notes				(59,068	)								(59,068	)

Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	10,365												10,365

Purchase of treasury stock	(15,309	)											(15,309	)

Receipts related to noncontrolling interest								33					33

Intercompany advances						370,158		54,569		(424,727	)		—

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(4,944	)		341,315		339,123		47,592		(424,727	)		298,359

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			—		60,704		59,813		—			120,517

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	—			—		712,024		66,800		—			778,824

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	—			—		772,728		126,613		—			899,341

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Fair Value Disclosures
	We use ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), to measure the fair value of certain assets and liabilities. ASC 820 provides a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value, and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements.
	The fair value hierarchy is summarized below:


	Level 1:	Fair value determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

	Level 2:	Fair value determined using significant observable inputs, generally either quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities or quoted prices in markets that are not active.

	Level 3:	Fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs, such as pricing models, discounted cash flows, or similar techniques.
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Toll Brothers, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), a Delaware corporation, and those majority-owned subsidiaries it controls. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in 50% or less owned partnerships and affiliates are accounted for using the equity method unless it is determined that we have effective control of the entity, in which case we would consolidate the entity.
Consolidation Policy	'
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. The October 31, 2013 balance sheet amounts and disclosures included herein have been derived from our October 31, 2013 audited financial statements. Since the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements, we suggest that they be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly our financial position as of July 31, 2014, the results of our operations for the nine-month and three-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, and our cash flows for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-15”), which requires management to evaluate, at each annual and interim reporting period, whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued and provide related disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for us for our fiscal year ending October 31, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings and Disclosures” (“ASU 2014-11”), which requires repurchase-to-maturity transactions to be accounted for as secured borrowings. ASU 2014-11 also requires separate accounting for a transfer of financial assets executed contemporaneously with a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty and requires new disclosures for certain transfers of financial assets. ASU 2014-11 is effective prospectively for us beginning February 1, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2014-11 is not expected to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU also supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, “Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts.” The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price, and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 is effective for us beginning November 1, 2017, and, at that time, we may adopt the new standard under the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity” (“ASU 2014-08”), which changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations while enhancing disclosures in this area. Pursuant to ASU 2014-08, only disposals representing a strategic shift, such as a major line of business, a major geographical area, or a major equity investment, should be presented as a discontinued operation. If the disposal does qualify as a discontinued operation under ASU 2014-08, the entity will be required to provide expanded disclosures. ASU 2014-08 is effective for us beginning November 1, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2014-08 is not expected to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04, “Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors” (“ASU 2014-04”), which clarifies when an in substance repossession or foreclosure of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan has occurred. By doing so, this guidance helps determine when the creditor should derecognize the loan receivable and recognize the real estate property. ASU 2014-04 is effective prospectively for us beginning November 1, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2014-04 is not expected to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 is intended to end inconsistent practices regarding the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is available to reduce the taxable income or tax payable that would result from the disallowance of a tax position. ASU 2013-11 is effective for us beginning November 1, 2014. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 is not expected to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Acquisition_Tables

Acquisition (Tables) (Shapell [Member])	9 Months Ended
Acquisition (Tables) (Shapell [Member])	Jul. 31, 2014
Shapell [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the preliminary amounts for acquired assets and liabilities recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date (amounts in thousands):


	Assets acquired and liabilities assumed
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	106,233
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	106,233
	Inventory		1,513,801
	Inventory		1,513,801
	Property, construction and office equipment, net		404
	Property, construction and office equipment, net		404
	Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets		10,759
	Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets		10,759
	Total assets acquired		1,631,197
	Total assets acquired		1,631,197

	Customer deposits		(5,429		)
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(30,419		)
	Total liabilities assumed		(35,848		)
	Total net assets acquired		$	1,595,349
	Total net assets acquired		$	1,595,349
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The following presents unaudited pro forma amounts as if the acquisition had been completed as of November 1, 2012 (amounts in thousands, except per share data):


		Nine months ended July 31,						Three months ended July 31,
		2014				2013		2014		2013
	Revenues	$	2,694,411			$	1,936,833	$	1,056,857	$	791,496
	Revenues	$	2,694,411			$	1,936,833	$	1,056,857	$	791,496
	Net income	250,164				91,069		109,895		51,585
	Net income	250,164				91,069		109,895		51,585
	Income per share – basic	1.41				0.52		0.62		0.29
	Income per share – basic	1.41				0.52		0.62		0.29
	Income per share – diluted	1.35				0.5		0.59		0.28
	Income per share – diluted	1.35				0.5		0.59		0.28

Inventory_Tables

Inventory (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory	'
	Inventory at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):


		July 31,			October 31,
		2014			2013
	Land controlled for future communities	$	117,753		$	99,802

	Land owned for future communities	2,322,532			1,287,630

	Operating communities	4,153,519			3,262,980

		$	6,593,804		$	4,650,412

Temporarily Closed communities	'
	Information regarding the classification, number and carrying value of these temporarily closed communities, as of the date indicated, is provided in the table below.


		July 31,			October 31,
		2014			2013
	Land owned for future communities:
	Number of communities	19			25

	Carrying value (in thousands)	$	138,786		$	153,498

	Operating communities:
	Number of communities	9			15

	Carrying value (in thousands)	$	54,929		$	88,534

Inventory impairment charges and expensing of costs that it is believed not to be recoverable	'
	The amounts we have provided for inventory impairment charges and the expensing of costs that we believed not to be recoverable, for the periods indicated, are shown in the table below (amounts in thousands).


		Nine months ended July 31,						Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Land controlled for future communities	$	2,198		$	837		$	1,192		$	139

	Operating communities	7,700			1,140			4,800			100

		$	9,898		$	1,977		$	5,992		$	239

Interest incurred, capitalized and expensed	'
	Interest incurred, capitalized and expensed, for the periods indicated, was as follows (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,						Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$	343,077		$	330,581		$	367,135		$	347,549

	Interest incurred	123,267			100,066			40,638			36,015

	Interest expensed to cost of revenues	(91,766		)	(71,905		)	(37,181		)	(28,915		)
	Write-off against other income	(1,876		)	(2,045		)	(836		)	(824		)
	Interest capitalized on investments in unconsolidated entities	(7,098		)	(4,510		)	(2,341		)	(1,638		)
	Previously capitalized interest on investments in unconsolidated entities transferred to inventory	1,811			—			—			—

	Interest capitalized, end of period	$	367,415		$	352,187		$	367,415		$	352,187

Investments_in_and_Advances_to1

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Abstract]	'
Condensed balance sheet aggregated by type of business	'
	Condensed Balance Sheets:


		July 31, 2014
		Land			Home				Rental Property Joint Ventures				Structured				Total
		Development			Building								Asset
		Joint			Joint								Joint
		Ventures			Ventures								Venture
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	34,775		$	26,492			$	36,578			$	15,657			$	113,502

	Inventory	257,370			439,174				388								696,932

	Non-performing loan portfolio												64,236				64,236

	Rental properties								139,395								139,395

	Rental properties under development								211,196								211,196

	Real estate owned (“REO”)												194,272				194,272

	Other assets (1)	25,755			73,053				14,936				155,933				269,677

	Total assets	$	317,900		$	538,719			$	402,493			$	430,098			$	1,689,210

	Debt (1)	$	47,231		$	9,435			$	283,038			$	155,900			$	495,604

	Other liabilities	24,301			43,849				28,340				236				96,726

	Members’ equity	246,368			485,435				91,115				109,585				932,503

	Noncontrolling interest												164,377				164,377

	Total liabilities and equity	$	317,900		$	538,719			$	402,493			$	430,098			$	1,689,210

	Company’s net investment in unconsolidated entities (2)	$	158,622		$	186,105			$	77,281			$	21,277			$	443,285




		October 31, 2013
		Land			Home				Rental Property Joint Ventures				Structured				Total
		Development			Building								Asset
		Joint			Joint								Joint
		Ventures			Ventures								Venture
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,826		$	31,164			$	35,014			$	40,097			$	137,101

	Inventory	350,150			338,814				4,998								693,962

	Non-performing loan portfolio												107,411				107,411

	Rental properties								164,325								164,325

	Rental properties under development								133,081								133,081

	Real estate owned (“REO”)												202,259				202,259

	Other assets (1)	12,700			70,180				18,526				155,921				257,327

	Total assets	$	393,676		$	440,158			$	355,944			$	505,688			$	1,695,466

	Debt (1)	$	135,200		$	11,977			$	235,226			$	155,900			$	538,303

	Other liabilities	21,015			19,636				9,461				379				50,491

Members’ equity	237,461			408,545				111,257				139,764				897,027

Noncontrolling interest												209,645				209,645

Total liabilities and equity	$	393,676		$	440,158			$	355,944			$	505,688			$	1,695,466

Company’s net investment in unconsolidated entities (2)	$	142,448		$	166,271			$	68,711			$	25,703			$	403,133



-1	Included in other assets of the Structured Asset Joint Venture at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 is $155.9 million of restricted cash held in a defeasance account which will be used to repay debt of the Structured Asset Joint Venture.

-2	Differences between our net investment in unconsolidated entities and our underlying equity in the net assets of the entities is primarily a result of the acquisition price of an investment in a land development joint venture in fiscal 2012 which was in excess of our pro-rata share of the underlying equity; impairments related to our investment in unconsolidated entities; a loan made to one of the entities by us; interest capitalized on our investment; and distributions from entities in excess of the carrying amount of our net investment.
Condensed statements of operations aggregate by type of business	'
	Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income:


		For the nine months ended July 31, 2014
		Land Development			Home				Rental Property Joint Ventures				Structured				Total
		Joint			Building								Asset
		Ventures			Joint								Joint
					Ventures								Venture
	Revenues	$	129,792		$	39,585			$	24,961			$	6,990			$	201,328

	Cost of revenues	68,820			36,264				10,802				10,607				126,493

	Other expenses	580			3,727				25,777				1,239				31,323

	Total expenses	69,400			39,991				36,579				11,846				157,816

	Gain on disposition of loans and REO												14,534				14,534

	Income (loss) from operations	60,392			(406		)		(11,618		)		9,678				58,046

	Other income	60			91				44,735				2,286				47,172

	Net income (loss)	60,452			(315		)		33,117				11,964				105,218

	Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest												(7,178		)		(7,178		)

	Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	60,452			(315		)		33,117				4,786				98,040

	Other comprehensive income								647								647

	Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	60,452		$	(315	)		$	33,764			$	4,786			$	98,687

	Company’s equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$	456		$	266			$	36,678			$	792			$	38,192



		For the three months ended July 31, 2014
		Land			Home				Rental Property Joint Ventures				Structured				Total
		Development			Building								Asset
		Joint			Joint								Joint
		Ventures			Ventures								Venture
	Revenues	$	17,842		$	16,357			$	7,955			$	3,201			$	45,355

	Cost of revenues	6,650			14,438				3,411				4,125				28,624

	Other expenses	115			1,680				4,219				365				6,379

	Total expenses	6,765			16,118				7,630				4,490				35,003

	Gain on disposition of loans and REO												8,076				8,076

	Income from operations	11,077			239				325				6,787				18,428

	Other income (loss)	54			(110		)		1,535				753				2,232

	Net income	11,131			129				1,860				7,540				20,660

	Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest												(4,524		)		(4,524		)

	Net income attributable to controlling interest	11,131			129				1,860				3,016				16,136

	Other comprehensive loss								(82		)						(82		)

Total comprehensive income	$	11,131		$	129			$	1,778			$	3,016			$	16,054

Company’s equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities (3)	$	353		$	(60	)		$	55			$	602			$	950



	For the nine months ended July 31, 2013
	Land			Home				Rental Property Joint Ventures				Structured				Total
	Development			Building								Asset
	Joint			Joint								Joint
	Ventures			Ventures								Venture
Revenues	$	36,813		$	31,574			$	29,241			$	27,114			$	124,742

Cost of revenues	17,992			28,017				12,677				25,632				84,318

Other expenses	936			1,866				15,673				2,812				21,287

Total expenses	18,928			29,883				28,350				28,444				105,605

Gain on disposition of loans and REO												47,583				47,583

Income from operations	17,885			1,691				891				46,253				66,720

Other income	8			554				17				235				814

Net income	17,893			2,245				908				46,488				67,534

Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest												(27,893		)		(27,893		)

Net income attributable to controlling interest	17,893			2,245				908				18,595				39,641

Other comprehensive income								1,162								1,162

Total comprehensive income	$	17,893		$	2,245			$	2,070			$	18,595			$	40,803

Company’s equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$	2,853		$	1,466			$	917			$	3,608			$	8,844



	For the three months ended July 31, 2013
	Land			Home				Rental Property Joint Ventures				Structured				Total
	Development			Building								Asset
	Joint			Joint								Joint
	Ventures			Ventures								Venture
Revenues	$	1,791		$	8,817			$	8,937			$	5,400			$	24,945

Cost of revenues	186			8,043				3,667				6,139				18,035

Other expenses	179			712				5,108				494				6,493

Total expenses	365			8,755				8,775				6,633				24,528

Gain on disposition of loans and REO												7,878				7,878

Income from operations	1,426			62				162				6,645				8,295

Other income	3			119				9				80				211

Net income	1,429			181				171				6,725				8,506

Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest												(4,035		)		(4,035		)

Net income attributable to controlling interest	1,429			181				171				2,690				4,471

Other comprehensive income								1,064								1,064

Total comprehensive income	$	1,429		$	181			$	1,235			$	2,690			$	5,535

Company’s equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities (3)	$	57		$	387			$	(213	)		$	537			$	768



-3	Differences between our equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities and the underlying net income of the entities is primarily a result of prior impairments related to our investment in unconsolidated entities, a basis difference of an acquired joint venture interest, distributions from entities in excess of the carrying amount of our net investment, and our share of the entities’ profits related to home sites purchased by us which reduces our cost basis of the home sites acquired.

Investments_in_Distressed_Loan1

Investments in Distressed Loans and Foreclosed Real Estate (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Investments in Non-Performing Loan Portfolios and Foreclosed Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Investment in non-performing loan portfolios	'
	Investments in distressed loans consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands):


		July 31,			October 31,
		2014			2013
	Unpaid principal balance	$	13,437		$	63,381

	Discount on acquired loans	(9,186		)	(27,007		)
	Carrying value	$	4,251		$	36,374

Activity in accretable yield for investment in non-performing loan portfolios	'
	The accretable yield activity for investments in distressed loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 for the nine-month and three-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,						Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of period	$	6,606		$	17,196		$	2,832		$	11,229

	Additions	554			706						541

	Deletions	(6,204		)	(6,027		)	(2,832		)	(2,418		)
	Accretions	(956		)	(3,510		)				(987		)

	Balance, end of period	$	—		$	8,365		$	—		$	8,365

Schedule of Changes in Real Estate Owned [Table Text Block]	'


		Nine months ended July 31,						Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of period	$	72,972		$	58,353		$	76,652		$	71,458

	Additions	21,203			20,172			13,167			5,855

	Sales	(13,558		)	(4,713		)	(9,366		)	(3,801		)
	Impairments	(1,046		)	(505		)	(1,044		)	(490		)
	Depreciation	(252		)	(395		)	(90		)	(110		)
	Balance, end of period	$	79,319		$	72,912		$	79,319		$	72,912

Loans_Payable_Senior_Notes_and1

Loans Payable, Senior Notes and Mortgage Company Loan Facility Loans Payable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Debt [Text Block]	'
	At July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, loans payable consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):


		July 31,		October 31,
		2014		2013
	Senior unsecured term loan	$	485,000

	Loans payable - other	151,126		$	107,222

		$	636,126	$	107,222

Accrued_Expenses_Tables

Accrued Expenses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued expenses	'
	Accrued expenses at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):


		July 31,			October 31,
		2014			2013
	Land, land development and construction	$	130,304		$	152,674

	Compensation and employee benefits	109,753			111,561

	Insurance and litigation	98,503			89,104

	Warranty	54,227			43,819

	Interest	38,406			25,675

	Commitments to unconsolidated entities	2,564			3,804

	Other	102,913			96,350

		$	536,670		$	522,987

Changes in the warranty accrual	'
	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of the changes in our warranty accrual (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,						Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of period	$	43,819		$	41,706		$	52,579		$	41,109

	Additions - homes closed during the year	12,272			9,053			4,970			3,831

	Addition - Shapell liabilities acquired	11,044						1,800

	Increase (decrease) in accruals for homes closed in prior years	2,003			(342		)	581			136

	Charges incurred	(14,911		)	(8,350		)	(5,703		)	(3,009		)
	Balance, end of period	$	54,227		$	42,067		$	54,227		$	42,067

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Company's effective tax rate from federal statutory rate	'
	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, reconciliations of our effective tax rate from the federal statutory tax rate (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,
		2014				2013
		$		%*		$		%*
	Federal tax provision at statutory rate	110,615		35		41,141		35

	State tax provision, net of federal benefit	14,755		4.7		4,890		4.2

	Domestic production activities deduction	(7,059	)	(2.2	)

	Other permanent differences	(4,165	)	(1.3	)

	Reversal of accrual for uncertain tax positions	(9,292	)	(2.9	)	(3,885	)	(3.3	)
	Accrued interest on anticipated tax assessments	1,484		0.5		2,837		2.4

	Increase in unrecognized tax benefits	5,406		1.7

	Valuation allowance – reversed	(2,655	)	(0.8	)	(3,133	)	(2.7	)
	Other	(1,553	)	(0.5	)	(4	)	—

	Income tax provision	107,536		34		41,846		35.6




		Three months ended July 31,
		2014				2013
		$		%*		$		%*
	Federal tax provision at statutory rate	52,964		35		23,888		35

	State tax provision, net of federal benefit	6,904		4.6		2,839		4.2

	Domestic production activities deduction	(2,809	)	(1.9	)

	Other permanent differences	(1,827	)	(1.2	)

	Reversal of accrual for uncertain tax positions	(180	)	(0.1	)	(3,885	)	(5.7	)
	Accrued interest on anticipated tax assessments	358		0.2		854		1.3

	Valuation allowance – reversed	(1,429	)	(0.9	)	(1,856	)	(2.7	)
	Other	(363	)	(0.2	)	(182	)	(0.3	)
	Income tax provision	53,618		35.4		21,658		31.7

	* Due to rounding, amounts may not add.

StockBased_Benefit_Plans_Table

Stock-Based Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Stock-Based Benefit Plans (Tables)	Jul. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-based compensation expense recognized	'
	Information regarding the amount of total stock-based compensation expense and tax benefit recognized by us, for the periods indicated, is as follows (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,					Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Total stock-based compensation expense recognized	$	16,985		$	14,449	$	4,691	$	4,422
	Total stock-based compensation expense recognized	$	16,985		$	14,449	$	4,691	$	4,422
	Income tax benefit recognized	$	6,388		$	5,283	$	1,769	$	1,617
	Income tax benefit recognized	$	6,388		$	5,283	$	1,769	$	1,617
Weighted-average assumptions and the fair value used for stock option grants	'
	The weighted-average assumptions and the fair value used for stock option grants in fiscal 2014 and 2013 were as follows:


		2014		2013
	Expected volatility	36.44% - 44.71%		44.04% - 48.13%
	Weighted-average volatility	42.71%		46.70%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.45% - 2.71%		0.64% - 1.56%
	Expected life (years)	4.55 - 9.02		4.48 - 8.88
	Dividends	none		none
	Weighted-average grant date fair value per share of options granted	$14.26		$13.05
Stock based compensation expense recognized for stock options [Table Text Block]	'
	Stock compensation expense, related to stock options, for the periods indicated, was as follows (amounts in thousands):


		2014			2013
	Nine months ended July 31,	$	7,335		$	6,276
	Nine months ended July 31,	$	7,335		$	6,276
	Three months ended July 31,	$	1,675		$	1,442
	Three months ended July 31,	$	1,675		$	1,442
Performance-based restricted stock units	'
	We evaluate the performance goals quarterly and estimate the number of shares underlying the Performance-Based RSUs that are probable of being issued. Information regarding the issuance, valuation assumptions and amortization of the Performance-Based RSUs issued in the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 is provided below.


		2014			2013
	Number of shares underlying Performance-Based RSUs to be issued	287,817			302,511
		287,817			302,511
	Closing price of our common stock on Valuation Date	$	35.16		$	37.78
	Closing price of our common stock on Valuation Date	$	35.16		$	37.78
	Aggregate fair value of Performance-Based RSUs issued (in thousands)	$	10,120		$	11,429
		$	10,120		$	11,429
	Performance-Based RSU expense recognized in the nine months ended July 31, (in thousands)	$	6,886		$	4,662
		$	6,886		$	4,662
	Performance-Based RSU expense recognized in the three months ended July 31, (in thousands)	$	2,433		$	2,074
		$	2,433		$	2,074
	Note: The fiscal 2014 number of shares underlying Performance-Based RSUs to be issued and their aggregate fair value is estimated.
	Information regarding the aggregate number of outstanding Performance-Based RSUs and the aggregate unamortized value of the outstanding Performance-Based RSUs, as of the date indicated, is provided below.


		July 31,			October 31,
		2014			2013
	Aggregate outstanding Performance-Based RSUs	960,505			672,687
	Aggregate outstanding Performance-Based RSUs	960,505			672,687
	Cumulative unamortized value of Performance-Based RSUs (in thousands)	$	11,353		$	8,120
		$	11,353		$	8,120
Stock price-based restricted stock units	'
	Information regarding the amortization of our Stock Price-Based RSUs, for the periods indicated, is provided below (amounts in thousands):


		2014			2013
	Nine months ended July 31,	$	231		$	1,395
	Nine months ended July 31,	$	231		$	1,395
	Three months ended July 31,	$	—		$	416
	Three months ended July 31,	$	—		$	416
	Information regarding the aggregate number of outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs and aggregate unamortized value of the outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs, as of the date indicated, is provided below:


		July 31,			October 31,
		2014			2013
	Aggregate outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs	—			306,000
	Aggregate outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs	—			306,000
	Cumulative unamortized value of Stock Price-Based RSUs (in thousands)	$	—		$	231
		$	—		$	231
Non-performance based restricted stock units	'
	Information regarding these RSUs issued in the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:


		2014			2013
	Number of RSUs issued	99,336			94,080
	Number of RSUs issued	99,336			94,080
	Closing price of our common stock on date of issuance	$	35.16		$	32.22
	Closing price of our common stock on date of issuance	$	35.16		$	32.22
	Aggregate fair value of RSUs issued (in thousands)	$	3,493		$	3,031
	Aggregate fair value of RSUs issued (in thousands)	$	3,493		$	3,031
	Information regarding the amortization of the RSUs, for the periods indicated, is as follows (amounts in thousands):


		2014			2013
	Nine months ended July 31,	$	2,459		$	2,048
	Nine months ended July 31,	$	2,459		$	2,048
	Three months ended July 31,	$	557		$	464
	Three months ended July 31,	$	557		$	464

	Information regarding the aggregate number of outstanding RSUs and aggregate unamortized value of the outstanding RSUs, as of the date indicated, is as follows:


		July 31,			October 31,
		2014			2013
	Aggregate outstanding RSUs	305,186			225,252
	Aggregate outstanding RSUs	305,186			225,252
	Cumulative unamortized value of RSUs (in thousands)	$	2,620		$	1,706
	Cumulative unamortized value of RSUs (in thousands)	$	2,620		$	1,706

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Tabl

Employee Retirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Costs and payments related to supplemental retirement plans	'
	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, costs recognized and payments made related to our SRPs (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,				Three months ended July 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Service cost	$	358	$	354	$	123	$	118

	Interest cost	955		782		319		261

	Amortization of prior service cost	486		633		164		211

	Amortization of unrecognized losses	9		108		3		36

	Total costs	$	1,808	$	1,877	$	609	$	626

	Benefits paid	$	677	$	677	$	233	$	233

Accumulated_Other_Comprensive_

Accumulated Other Comprensive (Loss) Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Table Text Block]	'
	The tables below provide, for the periods indicated, the components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31, 2014
		Employee Retirement Plans			Available-for-Sale Securities			Derivative Instruments			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	(2,112	)	$	(5	)	$	(270	)	$	(2,387	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(247		)	(15		)	324			62

	Gross amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	495			(6		)				489

	Income tax (expense) benefit	(95		)	7			(126		)	(214		)

	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	153			(14		)	198			337

	Balance, end of period	$	(1,959	)	$	(19	)	$	(72	)	$	(2,050	)


		Nine months ended July 31, 2013
		Employee Retirement Plans			Available-for-Sale Securities			Derivative Instruments			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	(4,446	)	$	180		$	(553	)	$	(4,819	)

	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(826		)	(191		)	556			(461		)

	Gross amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	741			15						756

	Income tax benefit (expense)	30			69			(205		)	(106		)

	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(55		)	(107		)	351			189

	Balance, end of period	$	(4,501	)	$	73		$	(202	)	$	(4,630	)



		Three months ended July 31, 2014
		Employee Retirement Plans			Available-for-Sale Securities			Derivative Instruments			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	(1,956	)	$	(27	)	$	(47	)	$	(2,030	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(170		)	14			(41		)	(197		)

	Gross amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	167									167

	Income tax (expense) benefit				(6		)	16			10

	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(3		)	8			(25		)	(20		)

	Balance, end of period	$	(1,959	)	$	(19	)	$	(72	)	$	(2,050	)


		Three months ended July 31, 2013
		Employee Retirement Plans			Available-for-Sale Securities			Derivative Instruments			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	(4,464	)	$	143		$	(540	)	$	(4,861	)

	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(307		)	(262		)	532			(37		)

	Gross amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	247			152						399

	Income tax benefit (expense)	23			40			(194		)	(131		)

	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(37		)	(70		)	338			231

	Balance, end of period	$	(4,501	)	$	73		$	(202	)	$	(4,630	)

Stock_Issuance_and_Stock_Repur1

Stock Issuance and Stock Repurchase Program (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]	'
Stock repurchase program	'
	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, information about our share repurchase program:


		Nine months ended July 31,				Three months ended July 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Number of shares purchased (in thousands)	10		495		5		490

	Average price per share	$	35.03	$	30.9	$	35.42	$	30.87

	Remaining authorization at July 31 (in thousands)	8,258		8,270		8,258		8,270

Income_Per_Share_Information_T

Income Per Share Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Calculation of income per share	'
	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, information pertaining to the calculation of income per share, common stock equivalents, weighted-average number of anti-dilutive options, and shares issued (amounts in thousands except per share amounts):


		Nine months ended July 31,				Three months ended July 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income as reported	$	208,508	$	75,701	$	97,707	$	46,595

	Plus: Interest and costs attributable to 0.5% Exchangeable Senior Notes, net of income tax benefit	1,185		1,208		396		404

	Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	209,693	$	76,909	$	98,103	$	46,999


	Denominator:
	Basic weighted-average shares	177,591		169,237		178,217		169,268

	Common stock equivalents (a)	2,495		2,871		2,426		2,875

	Shares attributable to 0.5% Exchangeable Senior Notes	5,858		5,858		5,858		5,858

	Diluted weighted-average shares	185,944		177,966		186,501		178,001


	Other information:
	Weighted-average number of anti-dilutive options and restricted stock units (b)	1,560		1,159		1,830		1,198

	Shares issued under stock incentive and employee stock purchase plans	1,362		728		138		94


	(a)	Common stock equivalents represent the dilutive effect of outstanding in-the-money stock options using the treasury stock method, Stock Price-Based RSUs whose Target Price criteria have been met but are unpaid, and shares expected to be issued under Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units and Non-Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units.

	(b)	Based upon the average closing price of our common stock on the NYSE for the period.

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Tables

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	Jul. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Summary of assets and (liabilities), measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	The table below provides, as of the date indicated, a summary of assets (liabilities) related to our financial instruments, measured at fair value on a recurring basis (amounts in thousands):


				Fair value
	Financial Instrument	Fair value		July 31,				October 31, 2013
	Financial Instrument	hierarchy		2014				October 31, 2013
	Corporate Securities	Level 2		$	12,006			$	52,508
	Corporate Securities	Level 2		$	12,006			$	52,508
	Residential Mortgage Loans Held for Sale	Level 2		$	98,535			$	113,517
	Residential Mortgage Loans Held for Sale	Level 2		$	98,535			$	113,517
	Forward Loan Commitments—Residential Mortgage Loans Held for Sale	Level 2		$	343			$	(496	)
		Level 2		$	343			$	(496	)
	Interest Rate Lock Commitments (“IRLCs”)	Level 2		$	(919	)		$	(181	)
	Forward Loan Commitments—IRLCs	Level 2		$	919			$	181
	Forward Loan Commitments—IRLCs	Level 2		$	919			$	181
Aggregate unpaid principal and fair value of mortgage loans held for sale	'
	The table below provides, as of the date indicated, the aggregate unpaid principal and fair value of mortgage loans held for sale (amounts in thousands):


		Aggregate unpaid				Fair value				Excess
		principal balance				Fair value				Excess
	At July 31, 2014	$	97,896			$	98,535			$	639
	At July 31, 2014	$	97,896			$	98,535			$	639
	At October 31, 2013	$	111,896			$	113,517			$	1,621
	At October 31, 2013	$	111,896			$	113,517			$	1,621
Summary of amortized cost gross unrealized holding gains and losses	'
	The table below provides, as of the date indicated, the amortized cost, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses, and fair value of marketable securities (amounts in thousands):


		July 31, 2014				October 31, 2013
	Amortized cost	$	12,036			$	52,502
	Amortized cost	$	12,036			$	52,502
	Gross unrealized holding gains					71
	Gross unrealized holding gains					71
	Gross unrealized holding losses	(30		)		(65		)
	Fair value	$	12,006			$	52,508
	Fair value	$	12,006			$	52,508
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	The table below summarizes, for the periods indicated, the ranges of certain quantitative unobservable inputs utilized in determining the fair value of impaired communities:


		Selling price per unit (in thousands)		Sales pace per year		Discount rate
		Selling price per unit (in thousands)		(in units)		Discount rate
	Three months ended July 31, 2014	$698 - $1,233		22-Oct		15.90%
	Three months ended April 30, 2014	$634 - $760		7-Apr		12.0% - 15.3%
	Three months ended January 31, 2014	$388 - $405		21 - 23		16.60%
	Three months ended October 31, 2013	$315 - $362		7-Feb		15.00%
	Three months ended July 31, 2013	$475 - $500		2		15.00%
	Three months ended April 30, 2013	—		—		—%
	Three months ended January 31, 2013	$303 - $307		15		15.30%
Fair value of inventory adjusted for impairment	'
	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, the fair value of operating communities whose carrying value was adjusted and the amount of impairment charges recognized ($ amounts in thousands):


				Impaired operating communities
	Three months ended:	Number of		Number of		Fair value of				Impairment charges
		communities tested		communities		communities,
						net of
						impairment charges
	Fiscal 2014:
	31-Jan	67		1		$	7,131			$	1,300
	31-Jan	67		1		$	7,131			$	1,300
	30-Apr	65		2		$	6,211			1,600
	30-Apr	65		2		$	6,211			1,600
	31-Jul	63		1		$	14,122			4,800
	31-Jul	63		1		$	14,122			4,800
										$	7,700
										$	7,700
	Fiscal 2013:
	31-Jan	60		2		$	5,377			$	700
	31-Jan	60		2		$	5,377			$	700
	30-Apr	79		1		$	749			340
	30-Apr	79		1		$	749			340
	31-Jul	76		1		$	191			100
	31-Jul	76		1		$	191			100
	31-Oct	63		2		$	6,798			2,200
	31-Oct	63		2		$	6,798			2,200
										$	3,340
										$	3,340
Carrying value and estimated fair value of distressed loan portfolio	'
	The table below provides, as of the date indicated, the carrying amount and estimated fair value of distressed loans (amounts in thousands):


		July 31, 2014				October 31, 2013
	Carrying amount	$	4,251			$	36,374
	Carrying amount	$	4,251			$	36,374
	Estimated fair value	$	4,251			$	45,355
	Estimated fair value	$	4,251			$	45,355
Book value and estimated fair value of the Company's debt	'
	The table below provides, as of the date indicated, the book value and estimated fair value of our debt (amounts in thousands):


				July 31, 2014								October 31, 2013
		Fair value		Book value				Estimated				Book value		Estimated
		hierarchy		Book value				fair value				Book value		fair value
	Loans payable (a)	Level 2		$	636,126			$	634,535			$	107,222	$	106,988
	Loans payable (a)	Level 2		$	636,126			$	634,535			$	107,222	$	106,988
	Senior notes (b)	Level 1		2,657,376				2,831,215				2,325,336		2,458,737
	Senior notes (b)	Level 1		2,657,376				2,831,215				2,325,336		2,458,737
	Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	Level 2		87,830				87,830				75,000		75,000
	Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	Level 2		87,830				87,830				75,000		75,000
				$	3,381,332			$	3,553,580			$	2,507,558	$	2,640,725
				$	3,381,332			$	3,553,580			$	2,507,558	$	2,640,725


	(a)	The estimated fair value of loans payable was based upon interest rates that we believed were available to us for loans with similar terms and remaining maturities as of the applicable valuation date.

	(b)	The estimated fair value of our senior notes is based upon their indicated market prices.

	(c)	We believe that the carrying value of our mortgage company warehouse loan borrowings approximates their fair value.

Other_Income_Net_Tables

Other Income - Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other Income - net	'
	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, the components of other income - net (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,					Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Interest income	$	2,111		$	3,713	$	222	$	1,036

	Income from ancillary businesses	6,153			4,452		2,203		1,020

	Gibraltar	10,219			5,184		4,505		4,072

	Management fee income	4,294			1,796		1,840		665

	Retained customer deposits	2,597			1,879		1,287		756

	Land sales, net	21,042			2,968		9,855		2,713

	Income recognized from settlement of litigation				13,229

	Directly expensed interest	(656		)

	Other	2,613			3,223		819		2,022

	Total other income - net	$	48,373		$	36,444	$	20,731	$	12,284

Revenues and expenses of non-core ancillary businesses	'
	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, revenues and expenses for our non-core ancillary businesses (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,					Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Revenue	$	70,736		$	64,092	$	26,988	$	24,666

	Expense	$	64,583		$	59,640	$	24,785	$	23,646

Schedule of revenues and expenses from land sales [Table Text Block]	'
	The table below provides, for the periods indicated, revenues and expenses recognized from land sales (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,					Three months ended July 31,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Revenue	$	174,576		$	20,805	$	76,424	$	9,776

	Expense	$	153,534		$	17,837	$	66,569	$	7,063

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Company land purchase commitments	'
	Information regarding our land purchase commitments, excluding the Shapell acquisition, as of the date indicated, is provided in the table below (amounts in thousands):


		July 31, 2014		October 31, 2013
	Aggregate purchase commitments:
	Unrelated parties	$	972,497	$	1,301,987

	Unconsolidated entities that the Company has investments in	16,336		61,738

	Total	$	988,833	$	1,363,725

	Deposits against aggregate purchase commitments	$	87,640	$	76,986

	Additional cash required to acquire land	901,193		1,286,739

	Total	$	988,833	$	1,363,725

	Amount of additional cash required to acquire land in accrued expenses	$	504	$	1,439

Company mortgage commitments	'
	Information regarding our mortgage commitments, as of the date indicated, is provided in the table below (amounts in thousands):


		July 31,		October 31, 2013
		2014
	Aggregate mortgage loan commitments:
	IRLCs	$	262,365	$	247,995

	Non-IRLCs	642,274		645,288

	Total	$	904,639	$	893,283

	Investor commitments to purchase:
	IRLCs	$	262,365	$	247,995

	Mortgage loans receivable	90,316		107,873

	Total	$	352,681	$	355,868

Information_on_Operating_Segme1

Information on Operating Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Revenue and income (loss) before income taxes and total assets	'
	Revenue and income (loss) before income taxes for each of our reportable and geographic segments, for the periods indicated, were as follows (amounts in thousands):


		Nine months ended July 31,								Three months ended July 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Revenues:
	Traditional Home Building:
	North	$	428,415			$	288,024			$	163,530			$	113,457

	Mid-Atlantic	552,362				425,929				202,791				155,819

	South	576,589				411,917				239,902				189,175

	West	889,476				385,730				381,640				144,514

	Traditional Home Building	2,446,842				1,511,600				987,863				602,965

	City Living	114,070				118,165				68,994				86,195

	Total	$	2,560,912			$	1,629,765			$	1,056,857			$	689,160


	Income (loss) before income taxes:
	Traditional Home Building:
	North	$	34,892			$	11,235			$	17,740			$	3,320

	Mid-Atlantic	72,427				50,051				26,518				18,061

	South	77,642				38,978				36,690				21,965

	West	153,371				42,880				73,859				21,825

	Traditional Home Building	338,332				143,144				154,807				65,171

	City Living	35,351				37,241				26,387				28,905

	Corporate and other	(57,639		)		(62,838		)		(29,869		)		(25,823		)
	Total	$	316,044			$	117,547			$	151,325			$	68,253

	“Corporate and other” is comprised principally of general corporate expenses such as the offices of our Executive Officers and the corporate finance, accounting, audit, tax, human resources, risk management, marketing, and legal groups; interest income and income from certain of our ancillary businesses, including Gibraltar; and income from a number of our unconsolidated entities.
	Total assets for each of our reportable and geographic segments, as of the date indicated, are shown in the table below (amounts in thousands).


		July 31,				October 31,
		2014				2013
	Traditional Home Building:
	North	$	1,051,162			$	963,597

	Mid-Atlantic	1,278,640				1,231,438

	South	1,187,030				953,955

	West	2,783,956				1,290,388

	Traditional Home Building	6,300,788				4,439,378

	City Living	810,422				674,302

	Corporate and other	1,220,706				1,713,779

	Total	$	8,331,916			$	6,827,459

	“Corporate and other” is comprised principally of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, restricted cash, deferred tax assets and the assets of our Gibraltar investments, manufacturing facilities, and our mortgage subsidiary.
Inventory impairment charges, net carrying value of investing, and write-downs of investments	'
	We provided for inventory impairment charges and the expensing of costs that we believed not to be recoverable and recoveries of prior charges for the periods indicated, as shown in the table below; the net carrying value of inventory and investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities for each of our reportable and geographic segments, as of the dates indicated, are also shown in the table below (amounts in thousands):


		Net Carrying Value								Impairments
		At July 31,				At October 31,				Nine months ended July 31,								Three months ended July 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013				2014			2013
	Inventory:
	Land controlled for future communities:
	Traditional Home Building:
	North	$	12,949			$	16,267			$	298			$	832			$	51		$	33

	Mid-Atlantic	31,308				29,423				1,065				33				739			16

	South	12,895				14,606				704				362				365			1

	West	7,608				13,371				131				(390		)		37			89

	Traditional Home Building	64,760				73,667				2,198				837				1,192			139

	City Living	52,993				26,135

		117,753				99,802				2,198				837				1,192			139


	Land owned for future communities:
	Traditional Home Building:
	North	166,560				135,282

	Mid-Atlantic	227,605				308,585

	South	304,124				158,457

	West	1,347,521				448,125

	Traditional Home Building	2,045,810				1,050,449				—				—				—			—

	City Living	276,722				237,181

		2,322,532				1,287,630				—				—				—			—


	Operating communities:
	Traditional Home Building:
	North	841,973				785,175				2,900				940							100

	Mid-Atlantic	977,246				866,256				4,800								4,800

	South	736,266				690,302

	West	1,323,941				697,573								200

	Traditional Home Building	3,879,426				3,039,306				7,700				1,140				4,800			100

	City Living	274,093				223,674

		4,153,519				3,262,980				7,700				1,140				4,800			100

	Total	$	6,593,804			$	4,650,412			$	9,898			$	1,977			$	5,992		$	239


	Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities:
	Traditional Home Building:
	Mid-Atlantic	$	11,850			$	11,850

South	98,496				50,452

West	79,142				110,467								$	(1,621	)

Traditional Home Building	189,488				172,769				—				(1,621		)		—			—

City Living	155,239				135,950

Corporate and other	98,558				94,414

Total	$	443,285			$	403,133			$	—			$	(1,621	)		$	—		$	—

Supplemental_Disclosure_to_Con1

Supplemental Disclosure to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Supplemental disclosures to the statements of cash flows	'
	The following are supplemental disclosures to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):


		2014			2013
	Cash flow information:
	Interest capitalized, net of amount paid	$	183		$	4,248

	Income tax payments	$	37,622		$	1,715

	Income tax refunds				$	1,156

	Non-cash activity:
	Cost of inventory acquired through seller financing or municipal bonds, net	$	88,646		$	37,230

	Financed portion of land sale				$	7,200

	Reduction in inventory for Company's share of earnings in land purchased from unconsolidated entities	$	3,987		$	1,327

	Transfer of investment in REO to inventory				$	764

	Reclassification of deferred income from inventory to accrued liabilities				$	4,545

	Defined benefit plan amendment	$	247		$	826

	Increase in accrued expenses related to Stock Price-Based RSUs paid	$	5,035		$	2,942

	Reduction of investments in unconsolidated entities due to increase/reduction in letters of credit or accrued liabilities				$	74

	Transfer of inventory to investment in unconsolidated entities	$	700		$	27,631

	Transfers of investment in unconsolidated entity to inventory	$	2,704		$	—

	Unrealized gain on derivative held by equity investee	$	324		$	555

	Increase in investments in unconsolidated entities for change in the fair value of debt guarantees	$	658		$	1,460

	Miscellaneous decreases to investments in unconsolidated entities	$	(1,787	)	$	(234	)
	Acquisition of a Business:
	Fair value of assets purchased, excluding cash acquired	$	1,524,964

	Liabilities assumed	$	35,848

	Cash paid, net of cash acquired	$	1,489,116

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa1

Supplemental Guarantor Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Supplemental Guarantor Information [Abstract]	'
Senior Notes issued by Subsidiary Issuer [Table Text Block]	'
	Our 100% owned subsidiary, Toll Brothers Finance Corp. (the “Subsidiary Issuer”), has issued the following Senior Notes (amounts in thousands):


			Original amount issued and amount outstanding at
			July 31, 2014
	5.15% Senior Notes due 2015		$	300,000

	8.91% Senior Notes due 2017		$	400,000

	6.75% Senior Notes due 2019		$	250,000

	5.875% Senior Notes due 2022		$	419,876

	4.375% Senior Notes due 2023		$	400,000

	0.50% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2032		$	287,500

	4.0% Senior Notes due 2018		$	350,000

	5.625% Senior Notes due 2024		$	250,000

Supplemental Consolidated Financial Information	'
	Supplemental consolidating financial information of Toll Brothers, Inc., the Subsidiary Issuer, the Guarantor Subsidiaries, the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries and the eliminations to arrive at Toll Brothers, Inc. on a consolidated basis is presented below ($ amounts in thousands).
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet at July 31, 2014:


		Toll			Subsidiary			Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
		Brothers,			Issuer			Subsidiaries		Guarantor
		Inc.								Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	—			—			254,510		120,139		—			374,649

	Marketable securities							1,987		10,019					12,006

	Restricted cash	15,207						5,742		1,452					22,401

	Inventory							6,488,310		105,494					6,593,804

	Property, construction and office equipment, net							116,643		14,866					131,509

	Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	6			17,701			132,020		121,759		(18,970	)		252,516

	Mortgage loans held for sale									98,535					98,535

	Customer deposits held in escrow							55,820							55,820

	Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities							151,612		291,673					443,285

	Investments in distressed loans									4,251					4,251

	Investments in foreclosed real estate									79,319					79,319

	Investments in and advances to consolidated entities	3,650,513			2,679,922			4,740				(6,335,175	)		—

	Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	263,821													263,821

		3,929,547			2,697,623			7,211,384		847,507		(6,354,145	)		8,331,916

	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Liabilities:
	Loans payable							636,126							636,126

	Senior notes				2,622,968							31,698			2,654,666

	Mortgage company warehouse loan									87,830					87,830

	Customer deposits							254,187							254,187

	Accounts payable							226,668		66					226,734

	Accrued expenses				36,634			367,334		152,089		(19,387	)		536,670

	Advances from consolidated entities							2,205,157		579,636		(2,784,793	)		—

	Income taxes payable	128,881													128,881

	Total liabilities	128,881			2,659,602			3,689,472		819,621		(2,772,482	)		4,525,094

	Equity:
	Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock	1,779						48		3,006		(3,054	)		1,779

	Additional paid-in capital	700,337			49,400					1,734		(51,134	)		700,337

	Retained earnings (deficits)	3,100,511			(11,379	)		3,521,946		16,908		(3,527,475	)		3,100,511

Treasury stock, at cost	(2	)												(2	)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,959	)					(82	)	(9	)				(2,050	)

Total stockholders’ equity	3,800,666			38,021			3,521,912		21,639		(3,581,663	)		3,800,575

Noncontrolling interest									6,247					6,247

Total equity	3,800,666			38,021			3,521,912		27,886		(3,581,663	)		3,806,822

	3,929,547			2,697,623			7,211,384		847,507		(6,354,145	)		8,331,916

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet at October 31, 2013:


	Toll			Subsidiary			Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer			Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.								Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	—			—			670,102		102,870		—			772,972

Marketable securities							42,491		10,017					52,508

Restricted cash	15,182						16,007		847					32,036

Inventory							4,625,252		25,160					4,650,412

Property, construction and office equipment, net							116,809		14,511					131,320

Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	33			15,675			101,321		131,701		(19,435	)		229,295

Mortgage loans held for sale									113,517					113,517

Customer deposits held in escrow							46,888							46,888

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities							175,159		227,974					403,133

Investments in distressed loans									36,374					36,374

Investments in foreclosed real estate									72,972					72,972

Investments in and advances to consolidated entities	3,113,203			2,334,503			4,740				(5,452,446	)		—

Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	286,032													286,032

	3,414,450			2,350,178			5,798,769		735,943		(5,471,881	)		6,827,459

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities:
Loans payable							107,222							107,222

Senior notes				2,282,719							38,723			2,321,442

Mortgage company warehouse loan									75,000					75,000

Customer deposits							212,669							212,669

Accounts payable							167,733		54					167,787

Accrued expenses				25,045			355,590		161,402		(19,050	)		522,987

Advances from consolidated entities							1,627,130		467,929		(2,095,059	)		—

Income taxes payable	81,188													81,188

Total liabilities	81,188			2,307,764			2,470,344		704,385		(2,075,386	)		3,488,295

Equity:
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,694						48		3,006		(3,054	)		1,694

Additional paid-in capital	441,677			49,400					1,734		(51,134	)		441,677

Retained earnings (deficits)	2,892,003			(6,986	)		3,328,629		20,664		(3,342,307	)		2,892,003

Treasury stock, at cost														—

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,112	)					(252	)	(23	)				(2,387	)

Total stockholders’ equity	3,333,262			42,414			3,328,425		25,381		(3,396,495	)		3,332,987

Noncontrolling interest									6,177					6,177

Total equity	3,333,262			42,414			3,328,425		31,558		(3,396,495	)		3,339,164

	3,414,450			2,350,178			5,798,769		735,943		(5,471,881	)		6,827,459





Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine months ended July 31, 2014:


	Toll			Subsidiary			Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer			Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.								Subsidiaries
Revenues							2,587,940		53,075		(80,103	)		2,560,912

Cost of revenues							2,029,097		6,809		(16,644	)		2,019,262

Selling, general and administrative	98			2,762			330,591		40,898		(62,178	)		312,171

	98			2,762			2,359,688		47,707		(78,822	)		2,331,433

Income (loss) from operations	(98	)		(2,762	)		228,252		5,368		(1,281	)		229,479

Other:
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities							38,271		(79	)				38,192

Other income - net	7,033						31,632		13,427		(3,719	)		48,373

Intercompany interest income				111,984							(111,984	)		—

Interest expense				(116,246	)				(738	)	116,984			—

Income from subsidiaries	309,109						10,954				(320,063	)		—

Income (loss) before income taxes	316,044			(7,024	)		309,109		17,978		(320,063	)		316,044

Income tax provision (benefit)	107,536			(2,631	)		115,792		6,734		(119,895	)		107,536

Net income (loss)	208,508			(4,393	)		193,317		11,244		(200,168	)		208,508

Other comprehensive income	153						170		14					337

Total comprehensive income (loss)	208,661			(4,393	)		193,487		11,258		(200,168	)		208,845


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine months ended July 31, 2013:


	Toll			Subsidiary			Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer			Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.								Subsidiaries
Revenues							1,658,184		48,186		(76,605	)		1,629,765

Cost of revenues							1,322,437		7,083		(18,481	)		1,311,039

Selling, general and administrative	151			2,203			267,627		34,244		(57,758	)		246,467

	151			2,203			1,590,064		41,327		(76,239	)		1,557,506

Income (loss) from operations	(151	)		(2,203	)		68,120		6,859		(366	)		72,259

Other:
Income from unconsolidated entities							5,766		3,078					8,844

Other income - net	7,059						26,807		7,460		(4,882	)		36,444

Intercompany interest income				94,055							(94,055	)		—

Interest expense				(98,891	)				(412	)	99,303			—

Income from subsidiaries	110,639						9,946				(120,585	)		—

Income (loss) before income taxes	117,547			(7,039	)		110,639		16,985		(120,585	)		117,547

Income tax provision (benefit)	41,846			(2,757	)		43,326		6,651		(47,220	)		41,846

Net income (loss)	75,701			(4,282	)		67,313		10,334		(73,365	)		75,701

Other comprehensive income (loss)	(55	)					256		(12	)				189

Total comprehensive income (loss)	75,646			(4,282	)		67,569		10,322		(73,365	)		75,890

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended July 31, 2014:


	Toll			Subsidiary			Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer			Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.								Subsidiaries
Revenues							1,067,863		19,808		(30,814	)		1,056,857

Cost of revenues							822,804		2,750		(8,322	)		817,232

Selling, general and administrative	29			897			116,944		14,462		(22,351	)		109,981

	29			897			939,748		17,212		(30,673	)		927,213

Income (loss) from operations	(29	)		(897	)		128,115		2,596		(141	)		129,644

Other:
Income from unconsolidated entities							693		257					950

Other income - net	2,373						13,817		6,219		(1,678	)		20,731

Intercompany interest income				35,877							(35,877	)		—

Interest expense				(37,347	)				(349	)	37,696			—

Income from subsidiaries	148,981						6,356				(155,337	)		—

Income (loss) before income taxes	151,325			(2,367	)		148,981		8,723		(155,337	)		151,325

Income tax provision (benefit)	53,618			(880	)		55,568		3,253		(57,941	)		53,618

Net income (loss)	97,707			(1,487	)		93,413		5,470		(97,396	)		97,707

Other comprehensive (loss) income	(3	)					(19	)	2					(20	)

Total comprehensive income (loss)	97,704			(1,487	)		93,394		5,472		(97,396	)		97,687


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended July 31, 2013:


	Toll			Subsidiary			Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer			Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.								Subsidiaries
Revenues							704,559		18,906		(34,305	)		689,160

Cost of revenues							549,456		2,439		(6,806	)		545,089

Selling, general and administrative	90			801			97,041		13,187		(22,249	)		88,870

	90			801			646,497		15,626		(29,055	)		633,959

Income (loss) from operations	(90	)		(801	)		58,062		3,280		(5,250	)		55,201

Other:
Income from unconsolidated entities							726		42					768

Other income - net	2,374						2,335		4,081		3,494			12,284

Intercompany interest income				33,995							(33,995	)		—

Interest expense				(35,561	)				(190	)	35,751			—

Income from subsidiaries	65,969						4,846				(70,815	)		—

Income (loss) before income taxes	68,253			(2,367	)		65,969		7,213		(70,815	)		68,253

Income tax provision (benefit)	21,658			(927	)		25,833		2,824		(27,730	)		21,658

Net income (loss)	46,595			(1,440	)		40,136		4,389		(43,085	)		46,595

Other comprehensive income (loss)	(37	)					220		48					231

Total comprehensive income (loss)	46,558			(1,440	)		40,356		4,437		(43,085	)		46,826


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2014:


	Toll			Subsidiary			Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer			Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.								Subsidiaries
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	101,864			18,079			(4,242	)	(64,371	)	(12,714	)		38,616

Cash flow used in investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment - net							(9,145	)	(355	)				(9,500	)

Sale and redemption of marketable securities							40,243							40,243

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities							(15,604	)	(77,435	)				(93,039	)

Return of investments in unconsolidated entities							40,413		10,264					50,677

Investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate									(1,127	)				(1,127	)

Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate									40,675					40,675

Acquisition of a business							(1,489,116	)						(1,489,116	)

Dividend received - intercompany							15,000				(15,000	)		—

Intercompany advances	(348,664	)		(345,419	)						694,083			—

Net cash used in investing activities	(348,664	)		(345,419	)		(1,418,209	)	(27,978	)	679,083			(1,461,187	)

Cash flow provided by financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes				600,000										600,000

Debt issuance costs for senior notes				(4,700	)									(4,700	)

Proceeds from loans payable							1,141,300		729,580					1,870,880

Debt issuance costs for loans payable							(3,005	)						(3,005	)

Principal payments of loans payable							(701,098	)	(716,750	)				(1,417,848	)

Redemption of senior notes				(267,960	)									(267,960	)

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	220,365													220,365

Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	26,555													26,555

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	221													221

Purchase of treasury stock	(341	)												(341	)

Receipts related to noncontrolling interest									81					81

Dividend paid - intercompany									(15,000	)	15,000			—

Intercompany advances							569,662		111,707		(681,369	)		—

Net cash provided by financing activities	246,800			327,340			1,006,859		109,618		(666,369	)		1,024,248

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(415,592	)	17,269		—			(398,323	)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	—			—			670,102		102,870		—			772,972

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	—			—			254,510		120,139		—			374,649

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2013:


	Toll			Subsidiary			Guarantor		Non-		Eliminations			Consolidated
	Brothers,			Issuer			Subsidiaries		Guarantor
	Inc.								Subsidiaries
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	77,313			20,938			(541,461	)	(3,430	)	(9,895	)		(456,535	)

Cash flow provided by (used in) investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment — net							(12,646	)	(11,538	)				(24,184	)

Purchase of marketable securities							(25,938	)	(10,264	)				(36,202	)

Sale and redemption of marketable securities							288,332		60,263					348,595

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities							(25,517	)	(23,693	)				(49,210	)

Return of investments in unconsolidated entities							38,811		11,642					50,453

Investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate									(26,155	)				(26,155	)

Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate									15,396					15,396

Intercompany advances	(72,369	)		(362,253	)						434,622			—

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(72,369	)		(362,253	)		263,042		15,651		434,622			278,693

Cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes				400,383										400,383

Proceeds from loans payable									796,791					796,791

Principal payments of loans payable							(31,035	)	(803,801	)				(834,836	)

Redemption of senior notes				(59,068	)									(59,068	)

Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	10,365													10,365

Purchase of treasury stock	(15,309	)												(15,309	)

Receipts related to noncontrolling interest									33					33

Intercompany advances							370,158		54,569		(424,727	)		—

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(4,944	)		341,315			339,123		47,592		(424,727	)		298,359

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			—			60,704		59,813		—			120,517

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	—			—			712,024		66,800		—			778,824

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	—			—			772,728		126,613		—			899,341

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	9 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	Jul. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Percentage Investment in Partnerships and Affiliates up to which Accounted as Equity Method Investment	50.00%
Condition for accounting in investments as per equity method	'Investments in 50% or less owned partnerships and affiliates are accounted for using the equity method unless it is determined that we have effective control of the entity, in which case we would consolidate the entity.

Acquisition_Schedule_of_Assets

Acquisition (Schedule of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013	Feb. 04, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Shapell [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents	'	$106,233
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory	'	1,513,801
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	'	404
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets	'	10,759
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets	'	1,631,197
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other	'	-5,429
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities	'	-30,419
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities	'	35,848
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net	'	$1,595,349

Acquisition_Acquisition_Pro_Fo

Acquisition Acquisition (Pro Forma Information) (Details) (Shapell [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Shapell [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue	$1,056,857	$791,496	$2,694,411	$1,936,833
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)	$109,895	$51,585	$250,164	$91,069
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic	$0.62	$0.29	$1.41	$0.52
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$0.59	$0.28	$1.35	$0.50

Acquisition_Acquisition_Detail

Acquisition Acquisition (Detail Textuals) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Feb. 04, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Feb. 03, 2014

Shapell [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Five year term note [Member]

Shapell [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition

4-Feb-14

Business Acquisition, Name of Acquired Entity

'Shapell Industries, Inc.

Business Acquisition, Date of Acquisition Agreement

6-Nov-13

Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross

$1,600,000,000

Number of home sites included in acquisition

4,950

Business acquisition, number of selling communities

Number of Homes to be Delivered

4,204

126

Sales Value of Outstanding Deliver Homes

3,100,000,000

105,300,000

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

370,000,000

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

1,035,000,000

Long-term Debt

485,000,000

Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities

815,700,000

Repayments of Lines of Credit

370,000,000

Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs

5,200,000

6,000,000

Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual

199,600,000

Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual

$14,000,000

Inventory_Details

Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Total Inventory	'	'
Inventory	$6,593,804	$4,650,412
Land controlled for future communities [Member]	'	'
Total Inventory	'	'
Inventory	117,753	99,802
Land owned for future communities [Member]	'	'
Total Inventory	'	'
Inventory	2,322,532	1,287,630
Operating communities [Member]	'	'
Total Inventory	'	'
Inventory	$4,153,519	$3,262,980

Inventory_Details_1

Inventory (Details 1) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Land owned for future communities [Member]	'	'
Temporarily Closed communities	'	'
Number of Communities (in ones)	19	25
Carrying Value	$138,786	$153,498
Operating communities [Member]	'	'
Temporarily Closed communities	'	'
Number of Communities (in ones)	9	15
Carrying Value	$54,929	$88,534

Inventory_Details_2

Inventory (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended							9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Inventory [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory Write-down	$5,992	'	'	'	$239	'	'	$9,898	$1,977	'
Land controlled for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Inventory [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory Write-down	1,192	'	'	'	139	'	'	2,198	837	'
Land Owned for Future Communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Inventory [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory Write-down	0	'	'	'	0	'	'	0	0	'
Operating communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Inventory [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory Write-down	$4,800	$1,600	$1,300	$2,200	$100	$340	$700	$7,700	$1,140	$3,340

Inventory_Details_3

Inventory (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$367,135	$347,549	$343,077	$330,581
Interest incurred	40,638	36,015	123,267	100,066
Interest expensed to cost of revenues	-37,181	-28,915	-91,766	-71,905
Write-off against other income	-836	-824	-1,876	-2,045
Capitalized interest on investments in unconsolidated entities	-2,341	-1,638	-7,098	-4,510
Previously capitalized interest in unconsolidated entities transferred to inventory	0	0	1,811	0
Interest capitalized, end of period	$367,415	$352,187	$367,415	$352,187

Inventory_Details_Textual

Inventory (Details Textual) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013
Inventory (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of VIE Land Purchase Contracts (in ones)	71	87	'
Aggregate purchase price of VIE lands	$688,893	$1,124,288	'
Deposits for purchase of lands with VIE entities	38,181	51,921	'
Reduction in Capitalized Interest	$35,840	'	$40,500

Investments_in_and_Advances_to2

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Condensed Balance Sheets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$113,502	$137,101
Inventory	696,932	693,962
Non-performing loan portfolio	64,236	107,411
Rental properties	139,395	164,325
Rental properties under development	211,196	133,081
Real estate owned ("REO")	194,272	202,259
Other assets	269,677	257,327
Total assets	1,689,210	1,695,466
Debt	495,604	538,303
Other liabilities	96,726	50,491
Member's equity	932,503	897,027
Non-controlling interest	164,377	209,645
Total liabilities and equity	1,689,210	1,695,466
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	443,285	403,133
Restricted cash	22,401	32,036
Development Joint Ventures, Total [Member]	'	'
Condensed Balance Sheets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	34,775	30,826
Inventory	257,370	350,150
Non-performing loan portfolio	'	'
Rental properties	'	'
Rental properties under development	'	'
Real estate owned ("REO")	'	'
Other assets	25,755	12,700
Total assets	317,900	393,676
Debt	47,231	135,200
Other liabilities	24,301	21,015
Member's equity	246,368	237,461
Non-controlling interest	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	317,900	393,676
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	158,622	142,448
Homebuilding Joint Ventures, Total [Member]	'	'
Condensed Balance Sheets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	26,492	31,164
Inventory	439,174	338,814
Non-performing loan portfolio	'	'
Rental properties	'	'
Rental properties under development	'	'
Real estate owned ("REO")	'	'
Other assets	73,053	70,180
Total assets	538,719	440,158
Debt	9,435	11,977
Other liabilities	43,849	19,636
Member's equity	485,435	408,545
Non-controlling interest	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	538,719	440,158
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	186,105	166,271
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]	'	'
Condensed Balance Sheets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	36,578	35,014
Inventory	388	4,998
Non-performing loan portfolio	'	'
Rental properties	139,395	164,325
Rental properties under development	211,196	133,081
Real estate owned ("REO")	'	'
Other assets	14,936	18,526
Total assets	402,493	355,944
Debt	283,038	235,226
Other liabilities	28,340	9,461
Member's equity	91,115	111,257
Non-controlling interest	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	402,493	355,944
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	77,281	68,711
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]	'	'
Condensed Balance Sheets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	15,657	40,097
Inventory	'	'
Non-performing loan portfolio	64,236	107,411
Rental properties	'	'
Rental properties under development	'	'
Real estate owned ("REO")	194,272	202,259
Other assets	155,933	155,921
Total assets	430,098	505,688
Debt	155,900	155,900
Other liabilities	236	379
Member's equity	109,585	139,764
Non-controlling interest	164,377	209,645
Total liabilities and equity	430,098	505,688
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	21,277	25,703
Restricted cash	$155,921	$155,921

Investments_in_and_Advances_to3

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Condensed Statements of Operations:	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$45,355	$24,945	$201,328	$124,742
Cost of revenues	28,624	18,035	126,493	84,318
Other expenses	6,379	6,493	31,323	21,287
Total expenses	35,003	24,528	157,816	105,605
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	-8,076	-7,878	-14,534	-47,583
Income (loss) from operations	18,428	8,295	58,046	66,720
Other income	2,232	211	47,172	814
Net income (loss)	20,660	8,506	105,218	67,534
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-4,524	-4,035	-7,178	-27,893
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	16,136	4,471	98,040	39,641
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-82	1,064	647	1,162
Total comprehensive income	16,054	5,535	98,687	40,803
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	950	768	38,192	8,844
Development Joint Ventures, Total [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Statements of Operations:	'	'	'	'
Revenues	17,842	1,791	129,792	36,813
Cost of revenues	6,650	186	68,820	17,992
Other expenses	115	179	580	936
Total expenses	6,765	365	69,400	18,928
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	11,077	1,426	60,392	17,885
Other income	54	3	60	8
Net income (loss)	11,131	1,429	60,452	17,893
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	11,131	1,429	60,452	17,893
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Total comprehensive income	11,131	1,429	60,452	17,893
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	353	57	456	2,853
Homebuilding Joint Ventures, Total [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Statements of Operations:	'	'	'	'
Revenues	16,357	8,817	39,585	31,574
Cost of revenues	14,438	8,043	36,264	28,017
Other expenses	1,680	712	3,727	1,866
Total expenses	16,118	8,755	39,991	29,883
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	239	62	-406	1,691
Other income	-110	119	91	554
Net income (loss)	129	181	-315	2,245
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	129	181	-315	2,245
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Total comprehensive income	129	181	-315	2,245
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	-60	387	266	1,466
Rental Joint Ventures, including Trusts i and II [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Statements of Operations:	'	'	'	'
Revenues	7,955	8,937	24,961	29,241
Cost of revenues	3,411	3,667	10,802	12,677
Other expenses	4,219	5,108	25,777	15,673
Total expenses	7,630	8,775	36,579	28,350
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	325	162	-11,618	891
Other income	1,535	9	44,735	17
Net income (loss)	1,860	171	33,117	908
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	1,860	171	33,117	908
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-82	1,064	647	1,162
Total comprehensive income	1,778	1,235	33,764	2,070
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	55	-213	36,678	917
Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Statements of Operations:	'	'	'	'
Revenues	3,201	5,400	6,990	27,114
Cost of revenues	4,125	6,139	10,607	25,632
Other expenses	365	494	1,239	2,812
Total expenses	4,490	6,633	11,846	28,444
Loss/ Gain on disposition of loans and REO	-8,076	-7,878	-14,534	-47,583
Income (loss) from operations	6,787	6,645	9,678	46,253
Other income	753	80	2,286	235
Net income (loss)	7,540	6,725	11,964	46,488
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-4,524	-4,035	-7,178	-27,893
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	3,016	2,690	4,786	18,595
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Total comprehensive income	3,016	2,690	4,786	18,595
Company's equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities (3)	$602	$537	$792	$3,608

Investments_in_and_Advances_to4

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Details Textual) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Aug. 11, 2014

Development Joint Ventures, Total [Member]

Development Joint Venture (five) [Member]

Development Joint Venture (two) [Member]

Development Joint Venture (three) [Member]

Development Joint Venture (four) [Member]

Corporate Joint Venture [Member]

Homebuilding Joint Ventures, Total [Member]

Rental Joint Ventures, excluding Trusts i and II [Member]

Rental Joint Ventures, JVs with new borrowings [Member]

Retail Joint Venture - two [Member]

Retail Joint Venture, one [Member]

Trust I [Member]

Trust II [Member]

Structured Asset Joint Venture [Member]

Joint Ventures, variable interest entities [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Rental Joint Venture - three [Member]

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Entities (Textual) [Abstract]

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities

$443,285,000

$403,133,000

$158,622,000

$142,448,000

$26,819,000

$40,811,000

$11,850,000

$77,300,000

$186,105,000

$166,271,000

$77,000,000

$14,300,000

$29,500,000

($900,000)

$1,200,000

$21,277,000

$25,703,000

$37,900,000

$22,900,000

$11,900,000

Contribution of Property

3,500,000

Limited Partners' Contributed Capital

35,700,000

Funding Commitments

82,962,000

35,000,000

19,300,000

2,200,000

10,000,000

28,000,000

20,000,000

39,700,000

41,700,000

Number of lots committed to purchase

153

Number of JV with Purchase Commitments

Aggregate Purchase Commitments Unconsolidated Entities that the Company has Investments in

16,336,000

61,738,000

Percentage ownership held by company

50.00%

33.30%

50.00%

25.00%

Number of joint venture with funding commitments

Number of joint ventures with loan commitments

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

145,000,000

25,000,000

40,000,000

80,000,000

319,800,000

126,000,000

54,000,000

120,000,000

104,500,000

Guarantee funding percentage

50.00%

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

41,300,000

23,700,000

1,800,000

15,900,000

62,300,000

25,800,000

18,100,000

12,712,000

Number of Units in Real Estate Property

580

287

418

Number of acres owned by venture

945

Number of floors in apartment building

Maximum amount of line of credit commitment

40,000,000

Owned by Third Party

50.00%

33.30%

50.00%

Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments

950,000

768,000

38,192,000

8,844,000

353,000

57,000

456,000

2,853,000

-60,000

387,000

266,000

1,466,000

12,000,000

600,000

23,500,000

602,000

537,000

792,000

3,608,000

Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions

41,580,000

12,194,000

12,500,000

10,200,000

20,000,000

Land sales, net

76,424,000

9,776,000

174,576,000

20,805,000

2,900,000

Percent owned by Company's Management

33.30%

Transfer of Inventory to Investment

700,000

27,631,000

27,100,000

28,800,000

Aggregate Purchase Commitments Unrelated Parties

972,497,000

1,301,987,000

79,300,000

Venture payment to align capital accounts

1,200,000

Contribution of cash to joint venture

15,480,000

11,800,000

unimproved lots controlled by JV

2,850

2,900

6,500

1,300

1,150

2,000

Number of lots to be acquired from joint venture

3,750

Number of lots acquired from joint venture

515

Management fee income

1,840,000

665,000

4,294,000

1,796,000

600,000

1,700,000

Partners' Capital Account, Distributions

36,000,000

Joint Venture Description

'Investments in 50% or less owned partnerships and affiliates are accounted for using the equity method unless it is determined that we have effective control of the entity, in which case we would consolidate the entity.

'we are a 20% participant with two unrelated parties that purchased a 40% interest in an entity that owns and controls a portfolio of loans and real estate

Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted

464,800,000

Guarantor Obligations, Term

'P16M

'P41M

Maxiumum guarantor obigation for borrowings by JVs

103,600,000

Ground lease and other, guarantee

11,200,000

9,197,000

9,563,000

Number of JVs, ground lease and other

Guarantees, Fair Value Disclosure

2,240,000

Total joint venture loan commitments subject to guarantees

464,750,000

Borrowed against Loan Commitments

$103,600,000

variable interest entity, number of entities, not primary beneficiary

Investments_in_Distressed_Loan2

Investments in Distressed Loans and Foreclosed Real Estate (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Investment in non-performing loan portfolios	'	'	'	'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	$13,437	'	$13,437	'	$63,381
Discount on acquired loans	-9,186	'	-9,186	'	-27,007
Investments in distressed loans	4,251	'	4,251	'	36,374
Activity in accretable yield for investment in non-performing loan portfolios	'	'	'	'	'
Begining balance	2,832	11,229	6,606	17,196	'
Additions	'	541	554	706	'
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Accretable Yield, Disposals of Loans	-2,832	-2,418	-6,204	-6,027	'
Accretions	'	-987	-956	-3,510	'
Ending balance	0	8,365	0	8,365	'
Schedule of changes in real estate owned [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	76,652	71,458	72,972	58,353	'
Real Estate Owned Additions	13,167	5,855	21,203	20,172	'
Real Estate Owned, Sales	-9,366	-3,801	-13,558	-4,713	'
Real Estate Owned, Impairments	1,044	490	-1,046	-505	'
Real Estate Held And Used Depreciation	-90	-110	-252	-395	'
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	$79,319	$72,912	$79,319	$72,912	'

Investments_in_Distressed_Loan3

Investments in Distressed Loans and Foreclosed Real Estate (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	$79,319,000	$72,912,000	$79,319,000	$72,912,000	$76,652,000	$72,972,000	$71,458,000	$58,353,000
Investments in Non-Performing Loan Portfolios and Foreclosed Real Estate (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investment in performing loans	0	'	0	'	'	800,000	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	4,300,000	'	4,300,000	'	'	21,400,000	'	'
Gains (losses) upon acquisition of REO	3,000,000	1,600,000	4,500,000	3,100,000	'	'	'	'
Income from Gibraltar	4,505,000	4,072,000	10,219,000	5,184,000	'	'	'	'
Assets Held-for-sale [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	2,200,000	'	2,200,000	'	'	9,700,000	'	'
real estate held and used [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	$77,100,000	'	$77,100,000	'	'	$63,200,000	'	'

Loans_Payable_Senior_Notes_and2

Loans Payable, Senior Notes and Mortgage Company Loan Facility Loans Payable (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$485,000	'
Other Loans Payable	151,126	107,222
Loans Payable	$636,126	$107,222

Loans_Payable_Senior_Notes_and3

Loans Payable, Senior Notes and Mortgage Company Loan Facility Credit Facility (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Feb. 03, 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$97,700,000	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,035,000,000	'
Line of Credit Facility, term of contract	'5 years	'
Line of Credit Facility, Number of Banks included	15	'
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	1-Aug-18	'
Line of credit facility, available for letters of credit	0.75	'
Mortgage Loan Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity Increased	2,000,000,000	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	2.10%	'
Maximum Permissible Leverage Ratio	'1.75 to 1.00	'
Minimum Net Worth Required for Compliance	2,500,000,000	'
Existing Leverage Ratio	'0.766	'
Tangible Net Worth	3,750,000,000	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0	'
Ability to repurchase common stock	1,760,000,000	'
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	94,700,000	'
Shapell [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	'	370,000,000
Repayments of Lines of Credit	$370,000,000	'

Loans_Payable_Senior_Notes_and4

Loans Payable, Senior Notes and Mortgage Company Loan Facility Term Loan Facility and 364-Day Facility (Details Textual 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Feb. 03, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Feb. 04, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Feb. 03, 2014
		Five year term note [Member]	Five year term note [Member]	three hundred sixty four day senior uncedured revolving credit facility [Member]	three hundred sixty four day senior uncedured revolving credit facility [Member]	Subsidiary Issuer [Member]	Shapell [Member]
							Five year term note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Period	'	'5 years	'	'	'	'	'
Interest above fed funds rate	0.50%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term Debt	'	'	'	'	'	'	$485,000,000
Number of banks included in Credit Facility	'	'	10	'	5	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, term of contract	'	'	'	'364 days	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	'	'	'	0	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	'	'	'	'	$500,000,000	'	'
Percent of interest above Libor	1.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percent interest added when euro rate option selected	0.25%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	'	1.81%	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'

Senior_Notes_Payable_Details_T

Senior Notes Payable (Details Textual 2) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Nov. 12, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Nov. 13, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

13-May-13

Jul. 31, 2013

Apr. 03, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2012

debtissuances

Senior Notes Issued for Cash [Member]

Four Point Nine Fine Percent Senior Notes Due two thousand and fourteen [Member]

Four percent Senior Notes due two thousand and eighteen [Member]

five point six two five percent Senior notes due twenty twenty four [Member]

Five Point Nine Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Thousand and Thirteen [Member]

4.375% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]

four point three seven five percent Senior Notes due 2023 second tranche [Member]

Six Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Thousand and Twelve [Member]

Senior Note Payable (Textual) [Abstract]

Number of issuances of senior debt

Issued Senior Notes

$2,654,666

$2,321,442

$2,657,400

$300,000

$100,000

Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt

600,000

400,383

350,000

250,000

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

4.95%

4.00%

5.63%

5.95%

4.38%

6.88%

percentage above par, senior debt issued

103.00%

Proceeds from Debt, Net of Issuance Costs

596,200

102,300

298,100

Repayments of Senior Debt

$267,960

$59,068

$268,000

$104,800

$59,100

Loans_Payable_Senior_Notes_and5

Loans Payable, Senior Notes and Mortgage Company Loan Facility Mortgage Company Loan Facility (Details Textual 3) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014
	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Mortgage Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	'	'	$50,000,000
Mortgage Loan Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity Increased	'	'	100,000,000
Interest Rate on Loan Commitments in Addition to Libor	'	'	2.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	'	'	2.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	'	'	2.16%
Mortgage company warehouse loan	$87,830,000	$75,000,000	$87,830,000

Loans_Payable_Senior_Notes_and6

Loans Payable, Senior Notes and Mortgage Company Loan Facility Loans Payable - Other (Details Textual 4) (Loans Payable [Member])	Jul. 31, 2014
Loans Payable [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.34%

Accrued_Expenses_Details

Accrued Expenses (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Accrued expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Land, land development and construction	$130,304	'	$152,674	'	'	'
Compensation and employee benefits	109,753	'	111,561	'	'	'
Insurance and litigation	98,503	'	89,104	'	'	'
Warranty	54,227	52,579	43,819	42,067	41,109	41,706
Interest	38,406	'	25,675	'	'	'
Due to Affiliate	2,564	'	3,804	'	'	'
Other	102,913	'	96,350	'	'	'
Accrued expenses, Total	$536,670	'	$522,987	'	'	'

Accrued_Expenses_Details_1

Accrued Expenses (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Changes in the warranty accrual	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of year	$52,579	$41,109	$43,819	$41,706
Additions - homes closed during the year	4,970	3,831	12,272	9,053
Product Warranty Accrual Acquired	1,800	'	11,044	'
Increase (decrease) to accruals for homes closed in prior periods	581	136	2,003	-342
Charges incurred	-5,703	-3,009	-14,911	-8,350
Balance, end of year	$54,227	$42,067	$54,227	$42,067

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Reconciliation of Company's effective tax rate from federal statutory rate	'	'	'	'
Federal tax (benefit) provision at statutory rate	$52,964	$23,888	$110,615	$41,141
State taxes, net of federal benefit	6,904	2,839	14,755	4,890
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deduction, Qualified Production Activity, Amount	-2,809	'	-7,059	'
Other permanent differences, Deduction, Amount	-1,827	'	-4,165	'
Effective rate reconciliation reversal of accrual for uncertain tax positions	-180	-3,885	-9,292	-3,885
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Expense	358	854	1,484	2,837
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease)	'	'	5,406	'
Valuation allowance - reversed	-1,429	-1,856	-2,655	-3,133
Other	-363	-182	-1,553	-4
Income tax provision (benefit)	$53,618	$21,658	$107,536	$41,846
Federal tax (benefit) provision at statutory rate, percentage	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State taxes net of federal benefit, percentage	4.60%	4.20%	4.70%	4.20%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deduction, Qualified Production Activity, Percent	-1.90%	'	-2.20%	'
Other permanent differences, rate reconciliation, deduction, percent	-1.20%	'	-1.30%	'
Effective rate reconciliation reversal of accrual for uncertain tax positions, percent	-0.10%	-5.70%	-2.90%	-3.30%
Accrued interest on anticipated tax assessments, percentage	0.20%	1.30%	0.50%	2.40%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Increase In Unrecognized Tax Benefit	'	'	1.70%	'
Valuation allowance - reversed, percentage	-0.90%	-2.70%	-0.80%	-2.70%
Other, percentage	-0.20%	-0.30%	-0.50%	0.00%
Tax provision (benefit), percentage	35.40%	31.70%	34.00%	35.60%

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of states	20	'	'
State taxes before federal benefit, percentage	7.20%	6.50%	'
Recognized cumulative valuation allowances against state deferred tax assets	$53.10	'	$55.70

StockBased_Benefit_Plans_Detai

Stock-Based Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock based expense recognized	$4,691	$4,422	$16,985	$14,449
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$1,769	$1,617	$6,388	$5,283

StockBased_Benefit_Plans_Detai1

Stock-Based Benefit Plans (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Stock-Based Benefit Plans (Details 1) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Volatility Rate	'	'	42.71%	46.70%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Payments	'	'	$0	$0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	$14.26	$13.05
Stock based expense recognized	4,691,000	4,422,000	16,985,000	14,449,000
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock based expense recognized	$1,675,000	$1,442,000	$7,335,000	$6,276,000
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	'	'	44.71%	48.13%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	'	'	2.71%	1.56%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	'	'	'9 years 0 months 8 days	'8 years 10 months 16 days
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	'	'	36.44%	44.04%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	'	'	1.45%	0.64%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	'	'	'4 years 6 months 20 days	'4 years 5 months 22 days

StockBased_Benefit_Plans_Detai2

Stock-Based Benefit Plans (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Dec. 20, 2013	Jan. 29, 2013
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock based expense recognized	$4,691	$4,422	$16,985	$14,449	'	'	'
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock and stock units, shares	'	'	287,817	'	302,511	'	'
Closing price of the Company's common stock on date of issuance	'	'	'	'	'	$35.16	$37.78
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	'	'	10,120	'	11,429	'	'
Stock based expense recognized	2,433	2,074	6,886	4,662	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	960,505	'	960,505	'	672,687	'	'
Unamortized value of RSUs	$11,353	'	$11,353	'	$8,120	'	'

StockBased_Benefit_Plans_Detai3

Stock-Based Benefit Plans (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Stock Price-Based RSUs issued	'	'	'	'	'
Stock based expense recognized	$4,691	$4,422	$16,985	$14,449	'
Stock Price Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Price-Based RSUs issued	'	'	'	'	'
Stock based expense recognized	0	416	231	1,395	'
Aggregate outstanding RSUs	0	'	0	'	306,000
Unamortized value of RSUs	$0	'	$0	'	$231

StockBased_Benefit_Plans_Detai4

Stock-Based Benefit Plans (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Dec. 20, 2013	Dec. 17, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock based expense recognized	$4,691	$4,422	$16,985	$14,449	'	'	'
Non-Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock units issued	'	'	99,336	'	94,080	'	'
Closing Price of Company Common Stock at Issuance Date	'	'	'	'	'	$35.16	$32.22
Fair value of restricted stock units issued	'	'	3,493	'	3,031	'	'
Stock based expense recognized	557	464	2,459	2,048	'	'	'
Summary of aggregate number and unamortized value of outstanding stock price based RSUs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate outstanding RSUs	305,186	'	305,186	'	225,252	'	'
Unamortized value of RSUs	$2,620	'	$2,620	'	$1,706	'	'

StockBased_Benefit_Plans_Detai5

Stock-Based Benefit Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]	Stock Price Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]	Stock Price Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Gross shares distributed related to restricted stock	'	'	'	306,000	200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'	'	'4 years	'	'
Stock Based Benefit Plans (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Minimum percentage of units issued to the recipients of the base award	90.00%	'	'	'	'
Maximum percentage of units issued to the recipients of the base award	110.00%	'	'	'	'
Stock Based Benefit Plans (Additional Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate unamortized value of outstanding stock based compensation awards	$28.60	$19.90	'	'	'

Employee_Retirement_Plans_Deta

Employee Retirement Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of Unfunded Defined Benefit Retirement Plans	'	'	2	'
Costs and payments related to supplemental retirement plans	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$123	$118	$358	$354
Interest cost	319	261	955	782
Amortization of prior service obligation	164	211	486	633
Amortization of unrecognized losses	3	36	9	108
Total costs	609	626	1,808	1,877
Benefits paid	$233	$233	$677	$677

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	($2,030)	($4,861)	($2,387)	($4,819)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-197	-37	62	-461
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Before Tax	167	399	489	756
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	10	-131	-214	-106
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	-20	231	337	189
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-2,050	-4,630	-2,050	-4,630
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-1,956	-4,464	-2,112	-4,446
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-170	-307	-247	-826
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Before Tax	167	247	495	741
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	'	23	-95	30
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	-3	-37	153	-55
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-1,959	-4,501	-1,959	-4,501
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-27	143	-5	180
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	14	-262	-15	-191
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Before Tax	'	152	-6	15
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	-6	40	7	69
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	8	-70	-14	-107
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-19	73	-19	73
Derivative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-47	-540	-270	-553
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-41	532	324	556
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Before Tax	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	16	-194	-126	-205
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	-25	338	198	351
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	($72)	($202)	($72)	($202)

Stock_Issuance_and_Stock_Repur2

Stock Issuance and Stock Repurchase Program (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Nov. 07, 2013	Mar. 31, 2003
Share Repurchase Program	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares purchased	5,000	'	490,000	10,000	495,000	'	'
Average price per share	$35.42	'	$30.87	$35.03	$30.90	'	'
Remaining authorization at July 31:	8,258,000	'	8,270,000	8,258,000	8,270,000	'	'
Stock Issuance and Stock Repurchase Program (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	'	7,200,000	'	'	'	'	'
Par value of common stock repurchased	'	'	'	'	'	$0.01	$0.01
Sale of Stock, Price Per Share	'	'	'	'	'	$32	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	'	'	'	$220,365	'	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,000,000

Income_Per_Share_Information_D

Income Per Share Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Sep. 05, 2012
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Zero Point Five Percent Exchangeable Senior Notes Due Two Thousand and Thirty Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net Income Attributable to Parent	$97,707	$46,595	$208,508	$75,701	'
Interest on Convertible Debt, Net of Tax	396	404	1,185	1,208	'
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted	$98,103	$46,999	$209,693	$76,909	'
Basic weighted-average shares	178,217	169,268	177,591	169,237	'
Common stock equivalents	2,426	2,875	2,495	2,871	'
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Conversion of Debt Securities	5,858	5,858	5,858	5,858	'
Diluted weighted-average shares	186,501	178,001	185,944	177,966	'
Weighted-Average Number of Anti-Dilutive Options and RSU's	1,830	1,198	1,560	1,159	'
Shares Issued under Stock Incentive and Employee Stock Purchase Plans	138	94	1,362	728	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	'	'	'	0.50%

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Level_4

Fair Value Disclosures (Level 4 FV of Fin Instr) (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Summary of assets and (liabilities), measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net	$98,535	$113,517
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Summary of assets and (liabilities), measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net	98,535	113,517
Forward Loan Commitments - Residential Mortgage Loans Held for Sale [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Summary of assets and (liabilities), measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Fair value of commitments	343	-496
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Summary of assets and (liabilities), measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Fair value of commitments	-919	-181
Forward Loan Commitments [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Summary of assets and (liabilities), measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Fair value of commitments	919	181
Corporate Securities [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Summary of assets and (liabilities), measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Fair value of securities	$12,006	$52,508

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Level_41

Fair Value Disclosures (Level 4 loan UPB vs FV) (Details 1) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Aggregate unpaid principal and fair value of mortgage loans held for sale	'	'
Aggregate unpaid principal balance	$97,896	$111,896
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net	98,535	113,517
Excess	639	1,621
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Aggregate unpaid principal and fair value of mortgage loans held for sale	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net	$98,535	$113,517

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Level_42

Fair Value Disclosures (Level 4 marketable securities) (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
Marketable Securities Maturities Term Minimum	'4 months	'
Marketable Securities Maturities Term Maximum	'16 months	'
Summary of amortized cost gross unrealized holding gains and losses	'	'
Amortized cost	$12,036	$52,502
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated Investments	'	71
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated Investments	-30	-65
Fair value	$12,006	$52,508

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Fair_Va

Fair Value Disclosures Fair Value Disclosures (Level 4 Inv Impair inputs) (Details 3) (Details) (Operating communities [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value inputs, assets, quantitative information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Average selling price	$698	$634	$388	$315	$475	$0	$303
Sales pace (in ones)	10	4	21	2	2	0	15
Discount rate	15.90%	12.00%	16.60%	15.00%	15.00%	0.00%	15.30%
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value inputs, assets, quantitative information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Average selling price	$1,233	$760	$405	$362	$500	$0	$307
Sales pace (in ones)	22	7	23	7	2	0	15
Discount rate	15.90%	15.30%	16.60%	15.00%	15.00%	0.00%	15.30%

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Level_43

Fair Value Disclosures (Level 4 inventory fv) (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended							9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Statement of Inventory [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of Operating Communities Tested	63	65	67	63	76	79	60	'	'	'
Number of Communities Impaired	1	2	1	2	1	1	2	'	'	'
Fair Value of the Impaired Inventory	$14,122	$6,211	$7,131	$6,798	$191	$749	$5,377	'	'	'
Inventory Write-down	5,992	'	'	'	239	'	'	9,898	1,977	'
Operating communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Statement of Inventory [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory Write-down	$4,800	$1,600	$1,300	$2,200	$100	$340	$700	$7,700	$1,140	$3,340

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Level_44

Fair Value Disclosures (Level 4 Gibraltar) (Details 5) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Carrying value and estimated fair value of distressed loans	'	'
Investments in distressed loans	$4,251	$36,374
Investment in distressed loans, fair value	$4,251	$45,355

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Level_45

Fair Value Disclosures (Level 4 debt fv) (Details 6) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Book value and estimated fair value of the Company's debt	'	'
Loans payable (a)	$636,126	$107,222
Senior notes	2,654,666	2,321,442
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	87,830	75,000
Book value [Member]	'	'
Book value and estimated fair value of the Company's debt	'	'
Loans payable (a)	636,126	107,222
Senior notes	2,657,376	2,325,336
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	87,830	75,000
Total debt	3,381,332	2,507,558
Estimate fair value [Member]	'	'
Book value and estimated fair value of the Company's debt	'	'
Loans payable (a)	634,535	106,988
Senior notes	2,831,215	2,458,737
Mortgage company warehouse loan (c)	87,830	75,000
Total debt	$3,553,580	$2,640,725

Other_Income_Net_Details

Other Income - Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest income	$222	$1,036	$2,111	$3,713
Income from Ancillary Businesses	2,203	1,020	6,153	4,452
Gibraltar	4,505	4,072	10,219	5,184
Management fee income	1,840	665	4,294	1,796
Retained customer deposits	1,287	756	2,597	1,879
Net Proceeds from Land Sales	9,855	2,713	21,042	2,968
IncomeRecognizedDueToSettlementOfLitigation	'	'	'	13,229
Interest Expenses	'	'	-656	'
Other misc income	819	2,022	2,613	3,223
Total other income - net	20,731	12,284	48,373	36,444
Revenues and expenses of non-core ancillary businesses	'	'	'	'
Other Nonoperating Income	26,988	24,666	70,736	64,092
Expense	24,785	23,646	64,583	59,640
Revenues and expenses from land sales [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Land Sales	76,424	9,776	174,576	20,805
Costs of Real Estate Services and Land Sales	$66,569	$7,063	$153,534	$17,837

Other_Income_Net_Details_Textu

Other Income - Net (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Other Income - Net (Details Textual) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Land Sales	$76,424,000	$9,776,000	$174,576,000	$20,805,000
Number of derivative lawsuits	'	'	'	3
Litigation Settlement, Amount	'	'	'	16,200,000
Legal Fees	'	'	'	3,000,000
Amount paid by insurance carriers for litigation	'	'	'	9,800,000
Trust Two [Member]	'	'	'	'
Land Sales	'	'	$2,900,000	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Company's land purchase commitments	'	'
Aggregate purchase commitments unrelated parties	$972,497	$1,301,987
Aggregate Purchase Commitments Unconsolidated Entities that the Company has Investments in	16,336	61,738
Total	988,833	1,363,725
Deposits against aggregate purchase commitments	87,640	76,986
Additional cash required to acquire land	901,193	1,286,739
Total	988,833	1,363,725
Amount of Additional Cash Required to Acquire Land Included in Accrued Expenses	$504	$1,439

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 1) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Company's mortgage commitments	'	'
Aggregate mortgage loan commitments	$904,639	$893,283
Investor commitments to purchase	352,681	355,868
Mortgage loans receivable [Member]	'	'
Company's mortgage commitments	'	'
Investor commitments to purchase	90,316	107,873
Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member]	'	'
Company's mortgage commitments	'	'
Aggregate mortgage loan commitments	262,365	247,995
Investor commitments to purchase	262,365	247,995
Non IRLC [Member]	'	'
Company's mortgage commitments	'	'
Aggregate mortgage loan commitments	$642,274	$645,288

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies (Additional Textual) [Abstract]	'
Outstanding letter of credit	$97,700,000
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Number of lots to be acquired from joint venture	3,750
Funding Commitments	82,962,000
Purchase commitments to acquire land for apartment development	64,300,000
Deposits on purchase commitment to acquire land for apartment development	4,289,000
Outstanding surety bonds	585,300,000
Amount of work remains on improvements in the Company's various communities	385,200,000
Additional outstanding surety bonds	76,400,000
Number of homes to be delivered	4,204
Aggregate sales value of outstanding homes to be delivered	3,100,000,000
Development Joint Venture (five) [Member]	'
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Number of lots acquired from joint venture	515
Funding Commitments	19,300,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'
Commitments and Contingencies (Additional Textual) [Abstract]	'
Outstanding letter of credit	94,700,000
Collateralized by restricted cash [Member]	'
Commitments and Contingencies (Additional Textual) [Abstract]	'
Outstanding letter of credit	$3,000,000

Information_on_Operating_Segme2

Information on Operating Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$1,056,857	$689,160	$2,560,912	$1,629,765	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	151,325	68,253	316,044	117,547	'
Total assets	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	8,331,916	'	8,331,916	'	6,827,459
North [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	163,530	113,457	428,415	288,024	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	17,740	3,320	34,892	11,235	'
Total assets	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	1,051,162	'	1,051,162	'	963,597
Mid-Atlantic [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	202,791	155,819	552,362	425,929	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	26,518	18,061	72,427	50,051	'
Total assets	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	1,278,640	'	1,278,640	'	1,231,438
South [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	239,902	189,175	576,589	411,917	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	36,690	21,965	77,642	38,978	'
Total assets	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	1,187,030	'	1,187,030	'	953,955
West [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	381,640	144,514	889,476	385,730	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	73,859	21,825	153,371	42,880	'
Total assets	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	2,783,956	'	2,783,956	'	1,290,388
Traditional Homebuilding [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	987,863	602,965	2,446,842	1,511,600	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	154,807	65,171	338,332	143,144	'
Total assets	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	6,300,788	'	6,300,788	'	4,439,378
City Living [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	68,994	86,195	114,070	118,165	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	26,387	28,905	35,351	37,241	'
Total assets	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	810,422	'	810,422	'	674,302
Corporate and other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	-29,869	-25,823	-57,639	-62,838	'
Total assets	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	$1,220,706	'	$1,220,706	'	$1,713,779

Information_on_Operating_Segme3

Information on Operating Segments (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended							9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	$6,593,804	'	'	$4,650,412	'	'	'	$6,593,804	'	$4,650,412
Inventory impairments and write-offs	5,992	'	'	'	239	'	'	9,898	1,977	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	443,285	'	'	403,133	'	'	'	443,285	'	403,133
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities	0	'	'	'	0	'	'	0	-1,621	'
Land controlled for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	117,753	'	'	99,802	'	'	'	117,753	'	99,802
Inventory impairments and write-offs	1,192	'	'	'	139	'	'	2,198	837	'
Land owned for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	2,322,532	'	'	1,287,630	'	'	'	2,322,532	'	1,287,630
Inventory impairments and write-offs	0	'	'	'	0	'	'	0	0	'
Operating communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	4,153,519	'	'	3,262,980	'	'	'	4,153,519	'	3,262,980
Inventory impairments and write-offs	4,800	1,600	1,300	2,200	100	340	700	7,700	1,140	3,340
North [Member] \| Land controlled for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	12,949	'	'	16,267	'	'	'	12,949	'	16,267
Inventory impairments and write-offs	51	'	'	'	33	'	'	298	832	'
North [Member] \| Land owned for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	166,560	'	'	135,282	'	'	'	166,560	'	135,282
Inventory impairments and write-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
North [Member] \| Operating communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	841,973	'	'	785,175	'	'	'	841,973	'	785,175
Inventory impairments and write-offs	'	'	'	'	100	'	'	2,900	940	'
Mid-Atlantic [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	11,850	'	'	11,850	'	'	'	11,850	'	11,850
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Mid-Atlantic [Member] \| Land controlled for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	31,308	'	'	29,423	'	'	'	31,308	'	29,423
Inventory impairments and write-offs	739	'	'	'	16	'	'	1,065	33	'
Mid-Atlantic [Member] \| Land owned for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	227,605	'	'	308,585	'	'	'	227,605	'	308,585
Inventory impairments and write-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Mid-Atlantic [Member] \| Operating communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	977,246	'	'	866,256	'	'	'	977,246	'	866,256
Inventory impairments and write-offs	4,800	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,800	'	'
South [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	98,496	'	'	50,452	'	'	'	98,496	'	50,452
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
South [Member] \| Land controlled for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	12,895	'	'	14,606	'	'	'	12,895	'	14,606
Inventory impairments and write-offs	365	'	'	'	1	'	'	704	362	'
South [Member] \| Land owned for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	304,124	'	'	158,457	'	'	'	304,124	'	158,457
Inventory impairments and write-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
South [Member] \| Operating communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	736,266	'	'	690,302	'	'	'	736,266	'	690,302
Inventory impairments and write-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
West [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	79,142	'	'	110,467	'	'	'	79,142	'	110,467
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,621	'
West [Member] \| Land controlled for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	7,608	'	'	13,371	'	'	'	7,608	'	13,371
Inventory impairments and write-offs	37	'	'	'	89	'	'	131	-390	'
West [Member] \| Land owned for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	1,347,521	'	'	448,125	'	'	'	1,347,521	'	448,125
Inventory impairments and write-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
West [Member] \| Operating communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	1,323,941	'	'	697,573	'	'	'	1,323,941	'	697,573
Inventory impairments and write-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	200	'
Traditional Homebuilding [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	189,488	'	'	172,769	'	'	'	189,488	'	172,769
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities	0	'	'	'	0	'	'	0	-1,621	'
Traditional Homebuilding [Member] \| Land controlled for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	64,760	'	'	73,667	'	'	'	64,760	'	73,667
Inventory impairments and write-offs	1,192	'	'	'	139	'	'	2,198	837	'
Traditional Homebuilding [Member] \| Land owned for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	2,045,810	'	'	1,050,449	'	'	'	2,045,810	'	1,050,449
Inventory impairments and write-offs	0	'	'	'	0	'	'	0	0	'
Traditional Homebuilding [Member] \| Operating communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	3,879,426	'	'	3,039,306	'	'	'	3,879,426	'	3,039,306
Inventory impairments and write-offs	4,800	'	'	'	100	'	'	7,700	1,140	'
City Living [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	155,239	'	'	135,950	'	'	'	155,239	'	135,950
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
City Living [Member] \| Land controlled for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	52,993	'	'	26,135	'	'	'	52,993	'	26,135
Inventory impairments and write-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
City Living [Member] \| Land owned for future communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	276,722	'	'	237,181	'	'	'	276,722	'	237,181
Inventory impairments and write-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
City Living [Member] \| Operating communities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	274,093	'	'	223,674	'	'	'	274,093	'	223,674
Inventory impairments and write-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Corporate and other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	98,558	'	'	94,414	'	'	'	98,558	'	94,414
(Recovery) impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Information_on_Operating_Segme4

Information on Operating Segments Information on Operating Segments Textual (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Information on Operating Segments [Abstract]	'
Number of Operating Segments	2
Number of Geographic Segments	4

Supplemental_Disclosure_to_Con2

Supplemental Disclosure to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Shapell [Member]
Business Combination, recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, assets excluding cash	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities	'	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	1,489,116	'	1,489,116
Cash flow information:	'	'	'
Interest Capitalized Net of Amounts Paid	183	4,248	'
Income tax payment	37,622	1,715	'
Income tax refunds	'	1,156	'
Non-cash activity:	'	'	'
Cost of inventory acquired through seller financing municipal bonds or recorded due to VIE criteria, net	88,646	37,230	'
Financed portion of land sale	'	7,200	'
Reduction in inventory, share of equity earnings, land purchase from JV	3,987	1,327	'
Increase in inventory due to transfer from REO	'	764	'
Deferred income relcassed from inventory to accrued liabilities, non-cash	'	4,545	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments	247	826	'
Non cash increase in accrued expenses related to RSU pay out	5,035	2,942	'
Increase (reduction) of investments in unconsolidated entities due to increase/reduction in letters of credit or accrued liabilities	'	74	'
Non cash transfer of inventory to investment in unconsolidated entities	700	27,631	'
Non cash transfer of investment in unconsolidated investments to inventory	2,704	0	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, before Tax	324	555	'
Change in fair value of debt guarantees	658	1,460	'
Miscellaneous increases (decreases) to investments in unconsolidated entities	($1,787)	($234)	'

Supplemental_Disclosure_to_Con3

Supplemental Disclosure to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Acquisition of Business (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Feb. 04, 2014
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Shapell [Member]	Shapell [Member]
Business Combination, recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, assets excluding cash	'	'	'	$1,524,964
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities	'	'	'	35,848
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$1,489,116	'	$1,489,116	'

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa2

Supplemental Guarantor Information (Level 4 Senior Note table) (Details) (USD $)

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jun. 02, 2005

Jul. 31, 2014

Apr. 13, 2009

Jul. 31, 2014

Sep. 22, 2009

Jul. 31, 2014

Feb. 07, 2012

Jul. 31, 2014

Apr. 03, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Sep. 05, 2012

Jul. 31, 2014

Nov. 12, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Nov. 13, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Senior Notes Due 2015 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2022 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty-Two [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]

Supplemental Guarantor Information (Textual) [Abstract]

Issued Senior Notes

$300,000

$400,000

$250,000

$419,876

$400,000

$287,500

$350,000

$250,000

Senior notes

$2,654,666

$2,321,442

$300,000

$400,000

$250,000

$419,876

$400,000

$287,500

$350,000

$250,000

Interest rate on notes

5.15%

8.91%

6.75%

5.88%

4.38%

0.50%

4.00%

5.63%

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa3

Supplemental Guarantor Information (Level 4 BS) (Details 1) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$374,649	'	$772,972	$899,341	'	$778,824
Marketable securities	12,006	'	52,508	'	'	'
Restricted cash	22,401	'	32,036	'	'	'
Inventory	6,593,804	'	4,650,412	'	'	'
Property, construction and office equipment, net	131,509	'	131,320	'	'	'
Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	252,516	'	229,295	'	'	'
Mortgage loans receivable	98,535	'	113,517	'	'	'
Customer deposits held in escrow	55,820	'	46,888	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	443,285	'	403,133	'	'	'
Investments in distressed loans	4,251	'	36,374	'	'	'
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	79,319	76,652	72,972	72,912	71,458	58,353
Investments in and advances to consolidated entities	0	'	0	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	263,821	'	286,032	'	'	'
Total assets	8,331,916	'	6,827,459	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loans Payable	636,126	'	107,222	'	'	'
Senior notes	2,654,666	'	2,321,442	'	'	'
Mortgage company warehouse loan	87,830	'	75,000	'	'	'
Customer deposits	254,187	'	212,669	'	'	'
Accounts payable	226,734	'	167,787	'	'	'
Accrued expenses	536,670	'	522,987	'	'	'
Advances from Affiliiate	0	'	0	'	'	'
Income taxes payable	128,881	'	81,188	'	'	'
Total liabilities	4,525,094	'	3,488,295	'	'	'
Equity:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock	1,779	'	1,694	'	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	700,337	'	441,677	'	'	'
Retained earnings	3,100,511	'	2,892,003	'	'	'
Treasury stock, at cost - 0 shares at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively	-2	'	0	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-2,050	-2,030	-2,387	-4,630	-4,861	-4,819
Total stockholders' equity	3,800,575	'	3,332,987	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	6,247	'	6,177	'	'	'
Total equity	3,806,822	'	3,339,164	'	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	8,331,916	'	6,827,459	'	'	'
Toll Brothers Inc. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	'	0	0	'	0
Marketable securities	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted cash	15,207	'	15,182	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property, construction and office equipment, net	'	'	'	'	'	'
Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	6	'	33	'	'	'
Mortgage loans receivable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Customer deposits held in escrow	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in distressed loans	'	'	'	'	'	'
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to consolidated entities	3,650,513	'	3,113,203	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	263,821	'	286,032	'	'	'
Total assets	3,929,547	'	3,414,450	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loans Payable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior notes	'	'	'	'	'	'
Mortgage company warehouse loan	'	'	'	'	'	'
Customer deposits	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Advances from Affiliiate	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income taxes payable	128,881	'	81,188	'	'	'
Total liabilities	128,881	'	81,188	'	'	'
Equity:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock	1,779	'	1,694	'	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	700,337	'	441,677	'	'	'
Retained earnings	3,100,511	'	2,892,003	'	'	'
Treasury stock, at cost - 0 shares at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively	-2	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,959	'	-2,112	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	3,800,666	'	3,333,262	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total equity	3,800,666	'	3,333,262	'	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,929,547	'	3,414,450	'	'	'
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	'	0	0	'	0
Marketable securities	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted cash	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property, construction and office equipment, net	'	'	'	'	'	'
Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	17,701	'	15,675	'	'	'
Mortgage loans receivable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Customer deposits held in escrow	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in distressed loans	'	'	'	'	'	'
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to consolidated entities	2,679,922	'	2,334,503	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	2,697,623	'	2,350,178	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loans Payable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior notes	2,622,968	'	2,282,719	'	'	'
Mortgage company warehouse loan	'	'	'	'	'	'
Customer deposits	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued expenses	36,634	'	25,045	'	'	'
Advances from Affiliiate	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income taxes payable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities	2,659,602	'	2,307,764	'	'	'
Equity:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock	'	'	'	'	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	49,400	'	49,400	'	'	'
Retained earnings	-11,379	'	-6,986	'	'	'
Treasury stock, at cost - 0 shares at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	38,021	'	42,414	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total equity	38,021	'	42,414	'	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,697,623	'	2,350,178	'	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	254,510	'	670,102	772,728	'	712,024
Marketable securities	1,987	'	42,491	'	'	'
Restricted cash	5,742	'	16,007	'	'	'
Inventory	6,488,310	'	4,625,252	'	'	'
Property, construction and office equipment, net	116,643	'	116,809	'	'	'
Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	132,020	'	101,321	'	'	'
Mortgage loans receivable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Customer deposits held in escrow	55,820	'	46,888	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	151,612	'	175,159	'	'	'
Investments in distressed loans	'	'	'	'	'	'
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to consolidated entities	4,740	'	4,740	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	7,211,384	'	5,798,769	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loans Payable	636,126	'	107,222	'	'	'
Senior notes	'	'	'	'	'	'
Mortgage company warehouse loan	'	'	'	'	'	'
Customer deposits	254,187	'	212,669	'	'	'
Accounts payable	226,668	'	167,733	'	'	'
Accrued expenses	367,334	'	355,590	'	'	'
Advances from Affiliiate	2,205,157	'	1,627,130	'	'	'
Income taxes payable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities	3,689,472	'	2,470,344	'	'	'
Equity:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock	48	'	48	'	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	'	'	'	'	'	'
Retained earnings	3,521,946	'	3,328,629	'	'	'
Treasury stock, at cost - 0 shares at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-82	'	-252	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	3,521,912	'	3,328,425	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total equity	3,521,912	'	3,328,425	'	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	7,211,384	'	5,798,769	'	'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	120,139	'	102,870	126,613	'	66,800
Marketable securities	10,019	'	10,017	'	'	'
Restricted cash	1,452	'	847	'	'	'
Inventory	105,494	'	25,160	'	'	'
Property, construction and office equipment, net	14,866	'	14,511	'	'	'
Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	121,759	'	131,701	'	'	'
Mortgage loans receivable	98,535	'	113,517	'	'	'
Customer deposits held in escrow	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	291,673	'	227,974	'	'	'
Investments in distressed loans	4,251	'	36,374	'	'	'
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	79,319	'	72,972	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to consolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	847,507	'	735,943	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loans Payable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior notes	'	'	'	'	'	'
Mortgage company warehouse loan	87,830	'	75,000	'	'	'
Customer deposits	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	66	'	54	'	'	'
Accrued expenses	152,089	'	161,402	'	'	'
Advances from Affiliiate	579,636	'	467,929	'	'	'
Income taxes payable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities	819,621	'	704,385	'	'	'
Equity:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock	3,006	'	3,006	'	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	1,734	'	1,734	'	'	'
Retained earnings	16,908	'	20,664	'	'	'
Treasury stock, at cost - 0 shares at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-9	'	-23	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	21,639	'	25,381	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	6,247	'	6,177	'	'	'
Total equity	27,886	'	31,558	'	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	847,507	'	735,943	'	'	'
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	'	0	0	'	0
Marketable securities	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted cash	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property, construction and office equipment, net	'	'	'	'	'	'
Receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets	-18,970	'	-19,435	'	'	'
Mortgage loans receivable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Customer deposits held in escrow	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in distressed loans	'	'	'	'	'	'
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to consolidated entities	-6,335,175	'	-5,452,446	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	-6,354,145	'	-5,471,881	'	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loans Payable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior notes	31,698	'	38,723	'	'	'
Mortgage company warehouse loan	'	'	'	'	'	'
Customer deposits	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued expenses	-19,387	'	-19,050	'	'	'
Advances from Affiliiate	-2,784,793	'	-2,095,059	'	'	'
Income taxes payable	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities	-2,772,482	'	-2,075,386	'	'	'
Equity:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock	-3,054	'	-3,054	'	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	-51,134	'	-51,134	'	'	'
Retained earnings	-3,527,475	'	-3,342,307	'	'	'
Treasury stock, at cost - 0 shares at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	-3,581,663	'	-3,396,495	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total equity	-3,581,663	'	-3,396,495	'	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	($6,354,145)	'	($5,471,881)	'	'	'

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa4

Supplemental Guarantor Information (Level 4 IS) (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$1,056,857	$689,160	$2,560,912	$1,629,765
Cost of revenues	817,232	545,089	2,019,262	1,311,039
Selling, general and administrative	109,981	88,870	312,171	246,467
Total	927,213	633,959	2,331,433	1,557,506
Income (loss) from operations	129,644	55,201	229,479	72,259
Other [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	950	768	38,192	8,844
Other income - net	20,731	12,284	48,373	36,444
Intercompany interest income	0	0	0	0
Interest Expense	0	0	0	0
Income from subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	151,325	68,253	316,044	117,547
Income tax provision (benefit)	53,618	21,658	107,536	41,846
Net income	97,707	46,595	208,508	75,701
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-20	231	337	189
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	97,687	46,826	208,845	75,890
Toll Brothers Inc. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative	29	90	98	151
Total	29	90	98	151
Income (loss) from operations	-29	-90	-98	-151
Other [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	'	'	'	'
Other income - net	2,373	2,374	7,033	7,059
Intercompany interest income	'	'	'	'
Interest Expense	'	'	'	'
Income from subsidiaries	148,981	65,969	309,109	110,639
Income before income taxes	151,325	68,253	316,044	117,547
Income tax provision (benefit)	53,618	21,658	107,536	41,846
Net income	97,707	46,595	208,508	75,701
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-3	-37	153	-55
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	97,704	46,558	208,661	75,646
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative	897	801	2,762	2,203
Total	897	801	2,762	2,203
Income (loss) from operations	-897	-801	-2,762	-2,203
Other [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	'	'	'	'
Other income - net	'	'	'	'
Intercompany interest income	35,877	33,995	111,984	94,055
Interest Expense	-37,347	-35,561	-116,246	-98,891
Income from subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	-2,367	-2,367	-7,024	-7,039
Income tax provision (benefit)	-880	-927	-2,631	-2,757
Net income	-1,487	-1,440	-4,393	-4,282
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	-1,487	-1,440	-4,393	-4,282
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'	'	'	'
Revenues	1,067,863	704,559	2,587,940	1,658,184
Cost of revenues	822,804	549,456	2,029,097	1,322,437
Selling, general and administrative	116,944	97,041	330,591	267,627
Total	939,748	646,497	2,359,688	1,590,064
Income (loss) from operations	128,115	58,062	228,252	68,120
Other [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	693	726	38,271	5,766
Other income - net	13,817	2,335	31,632	26,807
Intercompany interest income	'	'	'	'
Interest Expense	'	'	'	'
Income from subsidiaries	6,356	4,846	10,954	9,946
Income before income taxes	148,981	65,969	309,109	110,639
Income tax provision (benefit)	55,568	25,833	115,792	43,326
Net income	93,413	40,136	193,317	67,313
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-19	220	170	256
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	93,394	40,356	193,487	67,569
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'	'	'	'
Revenues	19,808	18,906	53,075	48,186
Cost of revenues	2,750	2,439	6,809	7,083
Selling, general and administrative	14,462	13,187	40,898	34,244
Total	17,212	15,626	47,707	41,327
Income (loss) from operations	2,596	3,280	5,368	6,859
Other [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	257	42	-79	3,078
Other income - net	6,219	4,081	13,427	7,460
Intercompany interest income	'	'	'	'
Interest Expense	-349	-190	-738	-412
Income from subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	8,723	7,213	17,978	16,985
Income tax provision (benefit)	3,253	2,824	6,734	6,651
Net income	5,470	4,389	11,244	10,334
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2	48	14	-12
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	5,472	4,437	11,258	10,322
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'	'	'	'
Revenues	-30,814	-34,305	-80,103	-76,605
Cost of revenues	-8,322	-6,806	-16,644	-18,481
Selling, general and administrative	-22,351	-22,249	-62,178	-57,758
Total	-30,673	-29,055	-78,822	-76,239
Income (loss) from operations	-141	-5,250	-1,281	-366
Other [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	'	'	'	'
Other income - net	-1,678	3,494	-3,719	-4,882
Intercompany interest income	-35,877	-33,995	-111,984	-94,055
Interest Expense	37,696	35,751	116,984	99,303
Income from subsidiaries	-155,337	-70,815	-320,063	-120,585
Income before income taxes	-155,337	-70,815	-320,063	-120,585
Income tax provision (benefit)	-57,941	-27,730	-119,895	-47,220
Net income	-97,396	-43,085	-200,168	-73,365
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	($97,396)	($43,085)	($200,168)	($73,365)

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa5

Supplemental Guarantor Information (Level 4 CF) (Details 3) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Cash flow used in operating activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$38,616	($456,535)
Cash flow from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of property and equipment - net	-9,500	-24,184
Purchase of marketable securities	'	-36,202
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	40,243	348,595
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	-93,039	-49,210
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	50,677	50,453
Investment in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	-1,127	-26,155
Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	40,675	15,396
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	-1,489,116	'
Proceeds from Dividends Received	0	'
Intercompany investing advances (to) from consolidated entities	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-1,461,187	278,693
Cash flow from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	600,000	400,383
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs for Senior debt	-4,700	'
Proceeds from loans payable	1,870,880	796,791
Payments of Financing Costs for loans payable	-3,005	'
Principal payments of loans payable	-1,417,848	-834,836
Redemption of senior notes	-267,960	-59,068
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	220,365	'
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	26,555	10,365
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	221	'
Purchase of treasury stock	-341	-15,309
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	81	33
Payments of Dividends	0	'
Intercompany financing advances (to) from consolidated entities	0	'
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,024,248	298,359
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-398,323	120,517
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	772,972	778,824
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	374,649	899,341
Toll Brothers Inc. [Member]	'	'
Cash flow used in operating activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	101,864	77,313
Cash flow from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of property and equipment - net	'	'
Purchase of marketable securities	'	'
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	'	'
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	'	'
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	'	'
Investment in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	'	'
Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	'	'
Proceeds from Dividends Received	'	'
Intercompany investing advances (to) from consolidated entities	-348,664	-72,369
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-348,664	-72,369
Cash flow from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	'	'
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs for Senior debt	'	'
Proceeds from loans payable	'	'
Payments of Financing Costs for loans payable	'	'
Principal payments of loans payable	'	'
Redemption of senior notes	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	220,365	'
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	26,555	10,365
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	221	'
Purchase of treasury stock	-341	-15,309
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	'	'
Payments of Dividends	'	'
Intercompany financing advances (to) from consolidated entities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	246,800	-4,944
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	0	0
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]	'	'
Cash flow used in operating activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	18,079	20,938
Cash flow from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of property and equipment - net	'	'
Purchase of marketable securities	'	'
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	'	'
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	'	'
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	'	'
Investment in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	'	'
Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	'	'
Proceeds from Dividends Received	'	'
Intercompany investing advances (to) from consolidated entities	-345,419	-362,253
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-345,419	-362,253
Cash flow from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	600,000	400,383
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs for Senior debt	-4,700	'
Proceeds from loans payable	'	'
Payments of Financing Costs for loans payable	'	'
Principal payments of loans payable	'	'
Redemption of senior notes	-267,960	-59,068
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	'	'
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	'	'
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	'	'
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	'	'
Payments of Dividends	'	'
Intercompany financing advances (to) from consolidated entities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	327,340	341,315
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	0	0
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Cash flow used in operating activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-4,242	-541,461
Cash flow from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of property and equipment - net	-9,145	-12,646
Purchase of marketable securities	'	-25,938
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	40,243	288,332
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	-15,604	-25,517
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	40,413	38,811
Investment in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	'	'
Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	-1,489,116	'
Proceeds from Dividends Received	15,000	'
Intercompany investing advances (to) from consolidated entities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-1,418,209	263,042
Cash flow from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	'	'
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs for Senior debt	'	'
Proceeds from loans payable	1,141,300	'
Payments of Financing Costs for loans payable	-3,005	'
Principal payments of loans payable	-701,098	-31,035
Redemption of senior notes	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	'	'
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	'	'
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	'	'
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	'	'
Payments of Dividends	'	'
Intercompany financing advances (to) from consolidated entities	569,662	370,158
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,006,859	339,123
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-415,592	60,704
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	670,102	712,024
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	254,510	772,728
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Cash flow used in operating activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-64,371	-3,430
Cash flow from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of property and equipment - net	-355	-11,538
Purchase of marketable securities	'	-10,264
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	'	60,263
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	-77,435	-23,693
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	10,264	11,642
Investment in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	-1,127	-26,155
Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	40,675	15,396
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	'	'
Proceeds from Dividends Received	'	'
Intercompany investing advances (to) from consolidated entities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-27,978	15,651
Cash flow from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	'	'
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs for Senior debt	'	'
Proceeds from loans payable	729,580	796,791
Payments of Financing Costs for loans payable	'	'
Principal payments of loans payable	-716,750	-803,801
Redemption of senior notes	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	'	'
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	'	'
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	'	'
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	81	33
Payments of Dividends	-15,000	'
Intercompany financing advances (to) from consolidated entities	111,707	54,569
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	109,618	47,592
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	17,269	59,813
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	102,870	66,800
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	120,139	126,613
Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Cash flow used in operating activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-12,714	-9,895
Cash flow from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of property and equipment - net	'	'
Purchase of marketable securities	'	'
Sale and redemption of marketable securities	'	'
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated entities	'	'
Return of investments in unconsolidated entities	'	'
Investment in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	'	'
Return of investments in distressed loans and foreclosed real estate	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	'	'
Proceeds from Dividends Received	-15,000	'
Intercompany investing advances (to) from consolidated entities	694,083	434,622
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	679,083	434,622
Cash flow from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	'	'
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs for Senior debt	'	'
Proceeds from loans payable	'	'
Payments of Financing Costs for loans payable	'	'
Principal payments of loans payable	'	'
Redemption of senior notes	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	'	'
Proceeds from stock-based benefit plans	'	'
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	'	'
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	'	'
Payments of Dividends	15,000	'
Intercompany financing advances (to) from consolidated entities	-681,369	-424,727
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-666,369	-424,727
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$0	$0

Supplemental_Guarantor_Informa6

Supplemental Guarantor Information Supplemental Guarantor Information (Level 4 Textuals) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Entity Information [Line Items]	'
Supplemental Guarantor Information, guarantor subsidiary release provisions	'The indentures further provide that any Guarantor Subsidiary may be released from its guarantee so long as (i) no default or event of default exists or would result from release of such guarantee; (ii) the Guarantor Subsidiary being released has consolidated net worth of less than 5% of the Companybs consolidated net worth as of the end of the Companybs most recent fiscal quarter; (iii) the Guarantor Subsidiaries released from their guarantees in any fiscal year comprise in the aggregate less than 10% (or 15% if and to the extent necessary to permit the cure of a default) of the Companybs consolidated net worth as of the end of the Companybs most recent fiscal quarter; (iv) such release would not have a material adverse effect on the home building business of the Company and its subsidiaries; and (v) the Guarantor Subsidiary is released from its guaranty under the Credit Facility. If there are no guarantors under the Credit Facility, all Guarantor Subsidiaries under the indentures will be released from their guarantees.
Supplemental Guarantor Information, consolidated net worth of released guarantor subsidiary	5.00%
supplemental guarantor information, consolidated net worth of all released guarantor subsidiaries	10.00%
supplemental guarantor information, consolidated net worth, all released guarantor subs, default cure	15.00%
Subsidiary of Common Parent [Member]	'
Entity Information [Line Items]	'
Subsidiary of Company, Ownership Percentage by Parent	100.00%
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'
Entity Information [Line Items]	'
Subsidiary of Company, Ownership Percentage by Parent	100.00%