Mortgages and Notes Payable (Schedule of Mortages and Notes Payable) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2012 Mortgages and land contracts due to land sellers and other loans (6% to 7% at November 30, 2012 and 2011)	Nov. 30, 2011 Mortgages and land contracts due to land sellers and other loans (6% to 7% at November 30, 2012 and 2011)	Nov. 30, 2012 Mortgages and land contracts due to land sellers and other loans (6% to 7% at November 30, 2012 and 2011) Minimum	Nov. 30, 2011 Mortgages and land contracts due to land sellers and other loans (6% to 7% at November 30, 2012 and 2011) Minimum	Nov. 30, 2012 Mortgages and land contracts due to land sellers and other loans (6% to 7% at November 30, 2012 and 2011) Maximum	Nov. 30, 2011 Mortgages and land contracts due to land sellers and other loans (6% to 7% at November 30, 2012 and 2011) Maximum	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior notes due February 1, 2014 at 5 3/4%	Nov. 30, 2011 Senior notes due February 1, 2014 at 5 3/4%	Jan. 28, 2004 Senior notes due February 1, 2014 at 5 3/4%	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior notes due January 15, 2015 at 5 7/8%	Nov. 30, 2011 Senior notes due January 15, 2015 at 5 7/8%	Dec. 15, 2004 Senior notes due January 15, 2015 at 5 7/8%	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior notes due June 15, 2015 at 6 1/4%	Nov. 30, 2011 Senior notes due June 15, 2015 at 6 1/4%	Jun. 02, 2005 Senior notes due June 15, 2015 at 6 1/4%	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior notes due September 15, 2017 at 9.10%	Nov. 30, 2011 Senior notes due September 15, 2017 at 9.10%	Jul. 30, 2009 Senior notes due September 15, 2017 at 9.10%	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior notes due June 15, 2018 at 7 1/4%	Nov. 30, 2011 Senior notes due June 15, 2018 at 7 1/4%	Apr. 03, 2006 Senior notes due June 15, 2018 at 7 1/4%	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior notes due March 15, 2020 at 8.00%	Feb. 07, 2012 Senior notes due March 15, 2020 at 8.00%	Nov. 30, 2011 Senior notes due March 15, 2020 at 8.00%	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior notes due September 15, 2022 at 7.50%	Jul. 31, 2012 Senior notes due September 15, 2022 at 7.50%	Nov. 30, 2011 Senior notes due September 15, 2022 at 7.50%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, rate					6.00%	6.00%	7.00%	7.00%	5.75%	5.75%	5.75%	5.88%	5.88%	5.875%	6.25%	6.25%	6.25%	9.10%	9.10%	9.10%	7.25%	7.25%	7.25%	8.00%	8.00%		7.50%	7.50%
Mortgages and notes payable	$ 1,722,815	$ 1,583,571	$ 52,311	$ 24,984					$ 75,911	$ 249,647		$ 101,999	$ 299,273		$ 236,826	$ 449,795		$ 261,430	$ 260,865		$ 299,129	$ 299,007		$ 345,209		$ 0	$ 350,000		$ 0