Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013		May 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012		May 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012
Total revenues	$ 548,974				$ 424,504				$ 1,478,599		$ 981,914
Homebuilding:
Revenues	545,800				421,555				1,470,404		974,055
Construction and land costs	(446,381)				(351,356)				(1,232,644)		(836,229)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(63,456)				(59,332)				(192,652)		(173,644)
Operating income (loss)	35,963				10,867				45,108		(35,818)
Interest income	193				117				629		363
Interest expense	(11,326)	[1]			(23,060)	[1]			(41,073)	[1]	(53,815)	[1]
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures									(577)		2,171
Total pretax income (loss)	26,578				(7,439)				10,047		(81,477)
Financial services:
Revenues	3,174				2,949				8,195		7,859
Expenses	(764)				(709)				(2,235)		(2,237)
Income tax benefit	700				10,700				1,800		14,800
Net income (loss)	27,278				3,261				11,847		(66,677)
Earnings Per Share, Basic, in dollars per share	$ 0.32				$ 0.04				$ 0.14		$ (0.86)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, in dollars per share	$ 0.30				$ 0.04				$ 0.14		$ (0.86)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	83,714				77,127				82,261		77,107
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	94,047				77,358				84,289		77,107
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.0250		$ 0.0250	$ 0.0250	$ 0.0250		$ 0.025	$ 0.0625	$ 0.0750		$ 0.1125
Homebuilding [Member]
Total revenues	545,800				421,555				1,470,404		974,055
Homebuilding:
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures	(656)				278				(1,658)		(37)
Total pretax income (loss)	24,174				(11,798)				3,006		(89,307)
Financial services [Member]
Total revenues	3,174				2,949				8,195		7,859
Homebuilding:
Operating income (loss)	2,410				2,240				5,960		5,622
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures	(6)				2,119				1,081		2,208
Total pretax income (loss)	$ 2,404				$ 4,359				$ 7,041		$ 7,830

[1] Amounts for the three months and nine months ended August 31, 2012 include losses on the early extinguishment of debt of $8.3 million and $10.3 million, respectively.