Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2011	May 31, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010
Total revenues	$ 578,201	$ 424,504	$ 302,852	$ 254,558	$ 479,872	$ 367,316	$ 271,738	$ 196,940	$ 1,560,115	$ 1,315,866	$ 1,589,996
Homebuilding:
Revenues									1,548,432	1,305,562	1,581,763
Construction and land costs									(1,317,529)	(1,129,985)	(1,308,288)
Selling, general and administrative expenses									(251,159)	(247,886)	(289,520)
Loss on loan guaranty							(14,600)	(22,800)	0	(30,765)	0
Operating loss									(20,256)	(103,074)	(16,045)
Interest income									518	871	2,098
Interest expense									(69,804)	(49,204)	(68,307)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated joint ventures									(394)	(55,839)	(6,257)
Homebuilding pretax loss									(89,936)	(207,246)	(88,511)
Financial services:
Revenues									11,683	10,304	8,233
Expenses									(2,991)	(3,512)	(3,119)
Equity in income/gain on wind down of unconsolidated joint venture									2,191	19,286	7,029
Financial services pretax income									10,883	26,078	12,143
Total pretax loss	2,424	(7,439)	(28,636)	(45,402)	11,411	(9,649)	(68,804)	(114,126)	(79,053)	(181,168)	(76,368)
Income tax benefit									20,100	2,400	7,000
Net loss	$ 7,724	$ 3,261	$ (24,136)	$ (45,802)	$ 13,911	$ (9,649)	$ (68,504)	$ (114,526)	$ (58,953)	$ (178,768)	$ (69,368)
Basic and diluted loss per share	$ 0.10	$ 0.04	$ (0.31)	$ (0.59)	$ 0.18	$ (0.13)	$ (0.89)	$ (1.49)	$ (0.76)	$ (2.32)	$ (0.90)
Basic and diluted average shares outstanding									77,106	77,043	76,889