Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	$ 386,465	$ 525,688
Restricted cash	41,631	42,362
Receivables	72,345	64,821
Inventories	2,229,720	1,706,571
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	126,549	123,674
Other assets	101,247	95,050
Total assets	2,964,841	2,561,698
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Accounts payable	146,147	118,544
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	380,766	340,345
Mortgages and notes payable	1,937,057	1,722,815
Financial services	2,865	3,188
Common stock	115,293	115,178
Paid-in capital	787,388	888,579
Retained earnings	455,867	450,292
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(27,958)	(27,958)
Grantor stock ownership trust, at cost	(114,540)	(115,149)
Treasury stock, at cost	(718,044)	(934,136)
Total stockholders’ equity	498,006	376,806
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,964,841	2,561,698
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	383,314	524,765
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	126,549	123,674
Total assets	2,954,806	2,557,243
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Total Liabilities Homebuilding	2,463,970	2,181,704
Financial services [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	3,151	923
Receivables	1,336	1,859
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	5,496	1,630
Other assets	52	43
Total assets	$ 10,035	$ 4,455