Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (58,953)	$ (178,768)	$ (69,368)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Equity in (income) loss/(gain) on wind down of unconsolidated joint ventures	(1,797)	36,553	(772)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	3,316	8,703	20,410
Loss on loan guaranty	0	(30,765)	0
Gain on sale of operating property	0	(8,825)	0
Amortization of discounts and issuance costs	3,016	2,150	2,149
Depreciation and amortization	1,622	2,031	3,289
Provision for deferred income taxes	1,152	0	0
Loss (gain) on early extinguishment of debt/loss on voluntary termination of revolving credit facility	10,278	(3,612)	1,802
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	0	(583)
Stock-based compensation	6,713	8,054	8,074
Inventory impairments and land option contract abandonments	28,533	25,791	19,925
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	24,994	(2,220)	211,318
Inventories	30,347	(12,345)	(129,334)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(2,143)	(253,547)	(199,205)
Other, net	(12,461)	(2,275)	(1,669)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	34,617	(347,545)	(133,964)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Return of investments in (contributions to) unconsolidated joint ventures	989	(67,260)	(15,669)
Proceeds from sale of operating property	0	80,600	0
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(1,749)	(242)	(420)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(760)	13,098	(16,089)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in restricted cash	22,119	50,996	(1,185)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	694,831	0	0
Payment of senior notes issuance costs	(12,445)	0	0
Repayment of senior notes	(592,645)	(100,000)	0
Payments on mortgages and land contracts due to land sellers and other loans	(26,298)	(89,461)	(101,154)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	593	1,796	1,851
Excess tax benefit associated with exercise of stock options	0	0	583
Payments of cash dividends	(10,599)	(19,240)	(19,223)
Repurchases of common stock	(1,799)	0	(350)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	73,757	(155,909)	(119,478)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	107,614	(490,356)	(269,531)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	418,074	908,430	1,177,961
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 525,688	$ 418,074	$ 908,430