Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013		Feb. 28, 2013	May 31, 2012		Feb. 29, 2012	May 31, 2013		May 31, 2012
Total revenues	$ 524,406			$ 302,852			$ 929,625		$ 557,410
Homebuilding:
Revenues	521,788			300,605			924,604		552,500
Construction and land costs	(442,998)			(253,041)			(786,263)		(484,873)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(70,099)			(63,100)			(129,196)		(114,312)
Operating income (loss)	8,691			(15,536)			9,145		(46,685)
Interest income	232			111			436		246
Interest expense	(14,507)	[1]		(14,469)	[1]		(29,747)	[1]	(30,755)	[1]
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures							85		(226)
Total pretax income (loss)	(4,173)			(28,636)			(16,531)		(74,038)
Financial services:
Revenues	2,618			2,247			5,021		4,910
Expenses	(636)			(693)			(1,471)		(1,528)
Income tax benefit	1,200			4,500			1,100		4,100
Net loss	(2,973)			(24,136)			(15,431)		(69,938)
Basic and diluted loss per share	$ (0.04)			$ (0.31)			$ (0.19)		$ (0.91)
Basic and diluted average shares outstanding	83,605			77,105			81,526		77,097
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.0250		$ 0.0250	$ 0.0250		$ 0.0625	$ 0.0500		$ 0.0875
Homebuilding [Member]
Total revenues	521,788			300,605			924,604		552,500
Homebuilding:
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures	(567)			(243)			(1,002)		(315)
Total pretax income (loss)	(6,151)			(30,137)			(21,168)		(77,509)
Financial services [Member]
Total revenues	2,618			2,247			5,021		4,910
Homebuilding:
Operating income (loss)	1,982			1,554			3,550		3,382
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures	(4)			(53)			1,087		89
Total pretax income (loss)	$ 1,978			$ 1,501			$ 4,637		$ 3,471

[1] Amounts for the six months ended May 31, 2012 include a $2.0 million loss on the early extinguishment of debt.