Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013		Feb. 29, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 405,219		$ 254,558
Homebuilding:
Revenues	402,816		251,895
Construction and land costs	(343,265)		(231,832)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(59,097)		(51,212)
Operating income (loss)	454		(31,149)
Interest income	204		135
Interest expense	(15,240)	[1]	(16,286)	[1]
Equity in loss of unconsolidated joint ventures	(435)		(72)
Homebuilding pretax loss	(15,017)		(47,372)
Financial services:
Revenues	2,403		2,663
Expenses	(835)		(835)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint venture	1,091		142
Financial services pretax income	2,659		1,970
Total pretax loss	(12,358)		(45,402)
Income tax expense	(100)		(400)
Net loss	$ (12,458)		$ (45,802)
Basic and diluted loss per share	$ (0.16)		$ (0.59)
Basic and diluted average shares outstanding	79,401		77,090
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.0250		$ 0.0625

[1] Amounts for the three months ended February 29, 2012 include a $2.0 million loss on the early extinguishment of debt.