Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2012	Feb. 28, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 254,558	$ 196,940
Homebuilding:
Revenues	251,895	195,301
Construction and land costs	(227,358)	(170,796)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(55,686)	(49,605)
Loss on loan guaranty		(22,758)
Operating loss	(31,149)	(47,858)
Interest income	135	383
Interest expense	(16,286)	(11,439)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated joint ventures	(72)	(55,837)
Homebuilding pretax loss	(47,372)	(114,751)
Financial services:
Revenues	2,663	1,639
Expenses	(835)	(865)
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint venture	142	(149)
Financial services pretax income	1,970	625
Total pretax loss	(45,402)	(114,126)
Income tax expense	(400)	(400)
Net loss	$ (45,802)	$ (114,526)
Basic and diluted loss per share	$ (0.59)	$ (1.49)
Basic and diluted average shares outstanding	77,090	76,974
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.0625	$ 0.0625