Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 39,963	$ (58,953)	$ (178,768)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	(933)	1,797	(36,553)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,949	3,316	8,703
Loss on loan guaranty	0	0	(30,765)
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	0	0	8,825
Amortization of discounts and issuance costs	5,347	3,016	2,150
Depreciation and amortization	1,857	1,622	2,031
Provision for deferred income taxes	0	1,152	0
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	(10,448)	(10,278)	3,612
Stock-based compensation	5,699	6,713	8,054
Inventory impairments and land option contract abandonments	3,581	28,533	25,791
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(11,153)	24,994	(2,220)
Inventories	(563,189)	30,347	(12,345)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	59,763	(2,143)	(253,547)
Other, net	1,316	(12,461)	(2,275)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(443,486)	34,617	(347,545)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Return of investments in (contributions to) unconsolidated joint ventures	(14,359)	989	(67,260)
Proceeds from sale of operating property	0	0	80,600
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(2,391)	(1,749)	(242)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(16,750)	(760)	13,098
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in restricted cash	456	22,119	50,996
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	680,000	694,831	0
Payment of senior notes issuance costs	(16,525)	(12,445)	0
Repayments of Long-term Debt	225,394	592,645	100,000
Payments on mortgages and land contracts due to land sellers and other loans	(66,296)	(26,298)	(89,461)
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity	109,503	0	0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	2,181	593	1,796
Payments of cash dividends	(8,366)	(10,599)	(19,240)
Repurchases of common stock	(8,488)	(1,799)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	467,071	73,757	(155,909)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	6,835	107,614	(490,356)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	525,688	418,074	908,430
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 532,523	$ 525,688	$ 418,074