Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Self-Insurance Liability [Table Text Block]

The changes in our self-insurance liability are as follows (in thousands):

	Years Ended November 30,
	2013			2012			2011
Balance at beginning of year	$	93,349		$	94,823		$	95,665
Self-insurance expense (a)	8,239			7,894			7,220
Payments, net of recoveries (b)	(9,374		)	(10,168		)	(8,062		)
Adjustments	—			800			—
Balance at end of year	$	92,214		$	93,349		$	94,823

(a) These expenses are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and largely offset by contributions from subcontractors participating in the wrap-up policy.

(b) Recoveries are reflected at the time we receive funds from subcontractors and/or their insurers.

Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]

The changes in our warranty liability are as follows (in thousands):

	Years Ended November 30,
	2013			2012			2011
Balance at beginning of year	$	47,822		$	67,693		$	93,988
Warranties issued (a)	14,261			8,416			4,852
Payments	(45,338		)	(19,701		)	(25,024		)
Adjustments (b)	31,959			(8,586		)	(6,123		)
Balance at end of year	$	48,704		$	47,822		$	67,693

(a) The year-over-year increase in the expense associated with warranties issued in 2013 and 2012 reflected higher housing revenues in each of those years. Additionally, in 2013, we increased the warranty accrual rate per home based on our historical claims experience.

(b) Adjustments in 2013 were comprised of charges associated with water intrusion-related issues in central and southwest Florida, while in 2012, favorable warranty adjustments were partly offset by such water intrusion-related charges. In 2011, favorable warranty adjustments were partly offset by the impact of our consolidation of a previously unconsolidated joint venture.

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]

The future minimum rental payments under operating leases, which primarily consist of office leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year, are as follows (in thousands):

Years Ending November 30,
2014	$	7,158
2015	5,276
2016	3,224
2017	1,649
2018	1,098
Thereafter	387
Total minimum lease payments	$	18,792