Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (178,768)	$ (69,368)	$ (101,784)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Equity in (income) loss/gain on wind down of unconsolidated joint ventures	36,553	(772)	35,600
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	8,703	20,410	7,662
Loss on loan guaranty	30,765
Gain on sale of operating property	(8,825)
Amortization of discounts and issuance costs	2,150	2,149	1,586
Depreciation and amortization	2,031	3,289	5,235
(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt/loss on voluntary termination of revolving credit facility	(3,612)	1,802	976
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation		(583)	4,093
Stock-based compensation	8,054	8,074	3,977
Inventory impairments and land option contract abandonments	25,791	19,925	168,149
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(2,220)	211,318	35,667
Inventories	(12,345)	(129,334)	433,075
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(253,547)	(199,205)	(252,620)
Other, net	(2,275)	(1,669)	8,296
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	(347,545)	(133,964)	349,912
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	(67,260)	(15,669)	(19,922)
Proceeds from sale of operating property	80,600
Sales (purchases) of property and equipment, net	(242)	(420)	(1,375)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	13,098	(16,089)	(21,297)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in restricted cash	50,996	(1,185)	1,112
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes			259,737
Payment of senior notes issuance costs			(4,294)
Repayment of senior and senior subordinated notes	(100,000)		(453,105)
Payments on mortgages and land contracts due to land sellers and other loans	(89,461)	(101,154)	(78,983)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	1,796	1,851	3,074
Excess tax benefit associated with exercise of stock options	0	583	0
Payments of cash dividends	(19,240)	(19,223)	(19,097)
Repurchases of common stock	0	(350)	(616)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(155,909)	(119,478)	(292,172)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(490,356)	(269,531)	36,443
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	908,430	1,177,961	1,141,518
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 418,074	$ 908,430	$ 1,177,961