Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Cost of sales:
Inventory impairments and land option cost write-offs	$ 45.4	$ 64.7	$ 407.7
Gross profit:
Loss (gain) on early retirement of debt, net	10.8	4.9	(3.9)
Income (loss) before income taxes	12.1	99.5	(556.8)
Income tax benefit	(59.7)	(145.6)	(7.0)
Net income (loss)	71.8	245.1	(549.8)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax:
Unrealized (loss) gain related to available-for-sale securities	(0.2)	0.3
Comprehensive income (loss)	71.6	245.4	(549.8)
Basic net income (loss) per common share	$ 0.23	$ 0.77	$ (1.73)
Net income (loss) per common share assuming dilution	$ 0.23	$ 0.77	$ (1.73)
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.15
Homebuilding [Member]
Revenues:
Home sales	3,542.3	4,302.3	3,563.6
Land/lot sales	7.3	7.4	40.3
Total revenues	3,549.6	4,309.7	3,603.9
Cost of sales:
Home sales	2,971.0	3,558.3	3,096.1
Land/lot sales	6.9	4.6	34.9
Inventory impairments and land option cost write-offs	45.4	64.7	407.7
Total cost of sales	3,023.3	3,627.6	3,538.7
Gross profit:
Home sales	571.3	744.0	467.5
Land/lot sales	0.4	2.8	5.4
Inventory impairments and land option cost write-offs	(45.4)	(64.7)	(407.7)
Gross profit	526.3	682.1	65.2
Selling, general and administrative expense	480.0	523.2	523.0
Interest expense	50.5	86.3	100.2
Loss (gain) on early retirement of debt, net	10.8	4.9	(3.9)
Other (income)	(8.0)	(10.4)	(12.8)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(7.0)	78.1	(541.3)
Financial Services [Member]
Gross profit:
Revenues, net of recourse and reinsurance expense	87.2	90.5	53.7
General and administrative expense	76.3	77.2	78.1
Interest expense	1.4	1.9	1.5
Interest and other (income)	(9.6)	(10.0)	(10.4)
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ 19.1	$ 21.4	$ (15.5)