Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash deposits associated with land option and other similar contracts of unconsolidated VIE's	$ 8,463,000	$ 8,097,000
Aggregate purchase price of land option and other similar contracts of unconsolidated VIE's	327,196,000	122,125,000
Total cash deposits associated with land option and other similar contracts that were not VIE's	17,219,000	12,830,000
Aggregate purchase price of land option and other similar contracts that were not VIE's	298,139,000	222,940,000
Non refundable deposits related to land option and other similar contracts	25,682,000	20,927,000
Aggregate Purchase Price Associated with Land Option and Other Similar Contracts	625,335,000	345,065,000
Preacquisition costs on land option contracts and other similar contracts	25,400,000	31,500,000
Outstanding letters of credit	500,000	1,700,000
Increase in inventories and accrued expenses and other liabilities	$ 4,100,000	$ 23,900,000