Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$ 71.8	$ 245.1	$ (549.8)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	19.9	18.4	25.7
Amortization of discounts and fees	37.2	30.8	10.9
Stock based compensation expense	14.2	13.3	13.7
Income tax benefit from stock option exercises		(2.8)
Deferred income taxes	0		213.5
Loss (gain) on early retirement of debt, net	10.8	4.9	(3.9)
Gain on sale of marketable securities	(0.1)
Inventory impairments and land option cost write-offs	45.4	64.7	407.7
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in construction in progress and finished homes	(91.4)	156.0	180.0
Decrease (increase) in residential land and lots developed, under development, and held for development	16.9	(11.2)	397.0
Decrease in other assets	28.7	2.5	34.1
Decrease in income taxes receivable	3.6	277.1	383.1
(Increase) decrease in mortgage loans held for sale	(40.3)	(33.0)	131.3
Decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(101.8)	(56.4)	(102.1)
Net cash provided by operating activities	14.9	709.4	1,141.2
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment	(16.3)	(19.2)	(6.2)
Purchases of marketable securities	(300.1)	(328.0)
Proceeds from the sale or maturity of marketable securities	292.5	27.7
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	4.6	1.5	(53.2)
Net cash used in investing activities	(19.3)	(318.0)	(59.4)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from notes payable	30.0	17.8	487.5
Repayment of notes payable	(519.3)	(1,019.9)	(956.2)
Proceeds from stock associated with certain employee benefit plans	3.4	7.6	4.4
Income tax benefit from stock option exercises		2.8
Cash dividends paid	(47.8)	(47.7)	(47.5)
Purchase of treasury stock	(38.6)
Net cash used in financing activities	(572.3)	(1,039.4)	(511.8)
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(576.7)	(648.0)	570.0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,309.3	1,957.3	1,387.3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	732.6	1,309.3	1,957.3
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	66.3	101.8	103.3
Income taxes refunded, net	(1.9)	(485.4)	(603.9)
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:
Notes payable issued for inventory	1.9	2.8
Stock issued under Performance Unit Plan	$ 4.6