Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011	Nov. 30, 2011 ac	Nov. 30, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Additional Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Textual)
Investment in newly created unconsolidated joint venture			$ 75,500,000
Investments In Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Textual) [Abstract]
Loss on Loan Guarantee	14,600,000	22,800,000	30,765,000
Equity in loss of unconsolidated joint ventures including pretax, noncash impairment charges		53,700,000	53,700,000	0	38,500,000
Initial Capital Contribution to Joint Venture			300,000
Impairment charges			0
Anticipated land to be acquired owned by unconsolidated joint venture in acre			600
Annual appreciation on average selling price for homes			5.00%
Fair Value Estimation Assumption Expected Life of Project			15 years
Appreciation on cost for development work			10.00%
Appreciation on home construction cost			1.00%
South Edge [Member]
Additional Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Textual)
Outstanding debt of unconsolidated joint ventures			0	327,856,000
Estimated fair value of share of South Edge Land			75,200,000
Net Payment Obligation			251,900,000
Investment in newly created unconsolidated joint venture			75,200,000
Investments In Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Textual) [Abstract]
Aggregate outstanding secured debt			$ 0	$ 327,856,000