Commitments and Contingencies (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014 community Home		Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2014 Home community		Aug. 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	$ (10,633,000)		$ (12,654,000)		$ (30,795,000)		$ (30,867,000)
Adjustment to increase warranty liability	7,546,000	[1]	5,931,000	[1]	12,155,000	[1]	23,478,000	[1]
Performance bonds	500,700,000				500,700,000				410,800,000
Letters of credit outstanding	31,900,000				31,900,000				41,500,000
Total deposits	40,600,000				40,600,000
Cash deposits	40,465,000				40,465,000				41,565,000
Letters of credit	100,000				100,000				100,000
Aggregate purchase price of land	904,129,000				904,129,000				1,151,496,000
Water Intrusion [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Receivable	12,794,000		0		12,794,000		0
Warranty Liability Associated with Water Intrusion	14,700,000				14,700,000				28,900,000
Number of Homes Affected by Water Intrusion	363				363				710
Additional Number of Affected Homes Associated with Repair Costs					136
Number of Affected Homes on which Repairs Were Resolved					483
Accumulated number of affected homes on which repairs were resolved	1,237				1,237
Payments	(7,200,000)		(10,000,000)		(21,300,000)		(21,400,000)
Accumulated Number of Affected Homes	1,600				1,600
Payments made as repair costs for homes with Water Intrusion	(58,000,000)				(58,000,000)
Estimated repair costs for homes with Water Intrusion	72,700,000				72,700,000
Number of Affected Attached Home Communities	3				3
Insurance Recoveries	500,000
Product Liability Contingency, Third Party Recovery					27,000,000
Product Liability Contingency, Third Party Recovery Included In Warranty Liability					14,700,000				19,400,000
Increase (Decrease) in Insurance Settlements Receivable	7,200,000
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 nine months ended August 31, 2014 were primarily 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 nine months ended August 31, 2013 reflected net warranty charges associated with water intrusion-related issues in central and southwest Florida.