Financial Services (Schedule of Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Revenues
Insurance commissions	$ 1,887	$ 1,840	$ 4,677	$ 4,594
Title services	836	657	2,165	1,535
Marketing services fees	450	450	1,350	1,725
Interest income	1	2	3	5
Total	3,174	2,949	8,195	7,859
Expenses
General and administrative	(764)	(709)	(2,235)	(2,237)
Operating income (loss)	35,963	10,867	45,108	(35,818)
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 [Member]
Expenses
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