Supplemental Disclosure to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
Summary of cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 593,000	$ 560,341	$ 358,768	$ 532,523
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	1,134	22,486	13,037
Income taxes paid	3,307	3,612	1,619
Income taxes refunded	550	11	1,728
Supplemental disclosures of noncash activities:
Increase (decrease) in consolidated inventories not owned	(59,413)	106,807	(5,755)
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Inventory Acquired	99,108	20,291	61,553
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Incremental Compensation Cost	0	0	6,455
Homebuilding [Member]
Summary of cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period:
Cash and cash equivalents	592,086	559,042	356,366
Financial services [Member]
Summary of cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period:
Cash and cash equivalents	914	1,299	2,402
Inspirada Builders LLC [Member]
Supplemental disclosures of noncash activities:
Increase in Inventories Due to Distribution of Land From Equity Method Investments	4,277	12,705	90,115
Increase in Inventory and Inventory-Related Obligations Associated with TIFE	0	0	33,197
Water Intrusion [Member]
Summary of cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period:
Loss Contingency, Receivable	$ 2,151	$ 7,238	$ 18,110