Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013		Nov. 30, 2012		Nov. 30, 2011
Total revenues	$ 618,531	$ 548,974	$ 524,406	$ 405,219	$ 578,201	$ 424,504	$ 302,852	$ 254,558	$ 2,097,130		$ 1,560,115		$ 1,315,866
Homebuilding:
Revenues									2,084,978		1,548,432		1,305,562
Construction and land costs									(1,737,086)		(1,332,045)		(1,157,280)
Selling, general and administrative expenses									(255,808)		(236,643)		(220,591)
Loss on loan guaranty									0		0		(30,765)
Operating income (loss)									92,084		(20,256)		(103,074)
Interest income									792		518		871
Interest Expense									62,690	[1]	69,804	[1]	49,204	[1]
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures									(933)		1,797		(36,553)
Financial services:
Revenues									12,152		11,683		10,304
Expenses									(3,042)		(2,991)		(3,512)
Pretax income (loss)	28,316	26,578	(4,173)	(12,358)	2,424	(7,439)	(28,636)	(45,402)	38,363		(79,053)		(181,168)
Income tax benefit									1,600		20,100		2,400
Net income (loss)	28,116	27,278	(2,973)	(12,458)	7,724	3,261	(24,136)	(45,802)	39,963		(58,953)		(178,768)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share, Basic, in dollars per share	$ 0.33	$ 0.32	$ (0.04)	$ (0.16)	$ 0.10	$ 0.04	$ (0.31)	$ (0.59)	$ 0.48		$ (0.76)		$ (2.32)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share, Diluted, in dollars per share	$ 0.31	$ 0.30	$ (0.04)	$ (0.16)	$ 0.10	$ 0.04	$ (0.31)	$ (0.59)	$ 0.46		$ (0.76)		$ (2.32)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic									82,630		77,106		77,043
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted									91,559		77,106		77,043
Financial services [Member]
Total revenues									12,152		11,683		10,304
Homebuilding:
Operating income (loss)									9,110		8,692		6,792
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures									1,074		2,191		19,286
Financial services:
Pretax income (loss)									10,184		10,883		26,078
Homebuilding [Member]
Total revenues									2,084,978		1,548,432		1,305,562
Homebuilding:
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures									(2,007)		(394)		(55,839)
Financial services:
Pretax income (loss)									$ 28,179		$ (89,936)		$ (207,246)

[1] Amounts for the years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012 included losses on the early extinguishment of debt of $10.4 million and $10.3 million, respectively. Amounts for the year ended November 30, 2011 included a gain on the early extinguishment of secured debt of $3.6 million