Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011	Nov. 30, 2012 joint_venture	Nov. 30, 2011 acre joint_venture	Nov. 30, 2010
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in loss of unconsolidated joint ventures including pretax, noncash impairment charges		$ 53,700,000	$ 0	$ 53,700,000	$ 0
Loss on loan guaranty	14,600,000	22,800,000	0	30,765,000	0
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures			123,674,000	127,926,000
Anticipated land to be acquired owned by unconsolidated joint venture in acre				600
Number of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures			8	8
Initial capital contribution to joint venture				300,000
Fair value estimation assumption expected life of project				15 years
Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures with Debt
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures			0	0
South Edge
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net payment obligation				251,900,000
Estimated fair value of share of land in joint venture				75,200,000
Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures with Inspirada Builders LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures			$ 71,000,000	$ 75,500,000