Commitments and Contingencies (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014 Home community		May 31, 2013		May 31, 2014 Home community		May 31, 2013		Nov. 30, 2013 Home
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Structural warranty provided by the company (in years)					10 years
Minimum warranty on electrical and other building systems (in years)					2 years
Maximum warranty on electrical and other building systems (in years)					5 years
Warranty for other components of a home (in years)					1 year
Payments	$ (11,451,000)		$ (9,284,000)		$ (20,162,000)		$ (18,213,000)
Adjustment to increase warranty liability	4,609,000	[1]	15,873,000	[1]	4,609,000	[1]	17,547,000	[1]
Performance bonds	487,000,000				487,000,000				410,800,000
Letters of credit outstanding	43,800,000				43,800,000				41,500,000
Total deposits	30,300,000				30,300,000
Cash deposits	30,225,000				30,225,000				41,565,000
Letters of credit	100,000				100,000				100,000
Aggregate purchase price of land	928,607,000				928,607,000				1,151,496,000
Water Intrusion [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Receivable	5,600,000				5,600,000
Warranty Liability Associated with Water Intrusion	19,800,000				19,800,000				28,900,000
Number of Homes Affected by Water Intrusion	465				465				710
Additional Number of Affected Homes Associated with Repair Costs	113				126
Number of Affected Homes on which Repairs Were Resolved					371
Accumulated number of affected homes on which repairs were resolved	1,125				1,125
Payments	(8,100,000)		(6,000,000)		(14,100,000)		(11,400,000)
Accumulated Number of Affected Homes	1,590				1,590
Payments made as repair costs for homes with Water Intrusion	(50,800,000)				(50,800,000)
Estimated repair costs for homes with Water Intrusion	70,600,000				70,600,000
Number of Affected Attached Home Communities	3				3
Product Liability Contingency, Third Party Recovery					25,400,000
Product Liability Contingency, Third Party Recovery Included In Warranty Liability					19,800,000				19,400,000
Adjustment to increase warranty liability					6,000,000
Product Liability Contingency, Loss Exposure Not Accrued, Best Estimate					$ 6,000,000
Palm River [Member] | Water Intrusion [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of Affected Attached Home Communities	1				1
Attached Home Communities [Member] | Water Intrusion [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Estimated Repair Costs	64.00%				64.00%

[1] As discussed below, adjustments for the three months and six months ended May 31, 2014 were comprised of a reclassification of estimated minimum probable recoveries to receivables and a reclassification to establish a separate accrual for a water intrusion-related inquiry. These items had no impact on our consolidated statements of operations. Adjustments for the three months and six months ended May 31, 2013 reflected net warranty charges associated with water intrusion-related issues in central and southwest Florida.