Mortgages and Notes Payable (Schedule Mortgages and Notes Payable) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Jan. 29, 2013 Convertible senior notes due February 1, 2019 at 1.375%	May 31, 2013 Mortgages and land contracts due to land sellers and other loans	Nov. 30, 2012 Mortgages and land contracts due to land sellers and other loans	May 31, 2013 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due February 1, 2014 at 5 3/4%	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due February 1, 2014 at 5 3/4%	May 31, 2013 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due January 15, 2015 at 5 7/8%	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due January 15, 2015 at 5 7/8%	May 31, 2013 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due June 15, 2015 at 6 1/4%	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due June 15, 2015 at 6 1/4%	May 31, 2013 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due September 15, 2017 at 9.10%	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due September 15, 2017 at 9.10%	May 31, 2013 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due June 15, 2018 at 7 1/4%	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due June 15, 2018 at 7 1/4%	May 31, 2013 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due March 15, 2020 at 8.00%	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due March 15, 2020 at 8.00%	Feb. 07, 2012 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due March 15, 2020 at 8.00%	May 31, 2013 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due September 15, 2022 at 7.50%	Nov. 30, 2012 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due September 15, 2022 at 7.50%	Jul. 31, 2012 Senior Notes [Member] Senior notes due September 15, 2022 at 7.50%	May 31, 2013 Convertible Notes Payable [Member] Convertible senior notes due February 1, 2019 at 1.375%	Nov. 30, 2012 Convertible Notes Payable [Member] Convertible senior notes due February 1, 2019 at 1.375%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, rate			1.375%			5.75%	5.75%	5.875%	5.875%	6.25%	6.25%	9.10%	9.10%	7.25%	7.25%	8.00%	8.00%	8.00%	7.50%	7.50%	7.50%	1.375%
Mortgages and notes payable	$ 1,943,275	$ 1,722,815		$ 42,081	$ 52,311	$ 75,935	$ 75,911	$ 102,038	$ 101,999	$ 236,841	$ 236,826	$ 261,732	$ 261,430	$ 299,194	$ 299,129	$ 345,454	$ 345,209		$ 350,000	$ 350,000		$ 230,000