Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2011	May 31, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Aug. 31, 2010	May 31, 2010	Feb. 28, 2010	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 479,872	$ 367,316	$ 271,738	$ 196,940	$ 450,963	$ 501,003	$ 374,052	$ 263,978	$ 1,315,866	$ 1,589,996	$ 1,824,850
Homebuilding:
Revenues									1,305,562	1,581,763	1,816,415
Construction and land costs									(1,129,985)	(1,308,288)	(1,749,911)
Selling, general and administrative expenses									(247,886)	(289,520)	(303,024)
Loss on loan guaranty			(14,600)	(22,800)					(30,765)
Operating loss									(103,074)	(16,045)	(236,520)
Interest income									871	2,098	7,515
Interest expense									(49,204)	(68,307)	(51,763)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated joint ventures									(55,839)	(6,257)	(49,615)
Homebuilding pretax loss									(207,246)	(88,511)	(330,383)
Financial services:
Revenues									10,304	8,233	8,435
Expenses									(3,512)	(3,119)	(3,251)
Equity in income/gain on wind down of unconsolidated joint venture									19,286	7,029	14,015
Financial services pretax income									26,078	12,143	19,199
Total pretax loss	11,411	(9,649)	(68,804)	(114,126)	15,442	(6,697)	(30,609)	(54,504)	(181,168)	(76,368)	(311,184)
Income tax benefit									2,400	7,000	209,400
Net loss	$ 13,911	$ (9,649)	$ (68,504)	$ (114,526)	$ 17,442	$ (1,397)	$ (30,709)	$ (54,704)	$ (178,768)	$ (69,368)	$ (101,784)
Basic and diluted loss per share	$ 0.18	$ (0.13)	$ (0.89)	$ (1.49)	$ 0.23	$ (0.02)	$ (0.40)	$ (0.71)	$ (2.32)	$ (0.90)	$ (1.33)
Basic and diluted average shares outstanding									77,043	76,889	76,660