Lennar Multifamily (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 04, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated entities				$ 209,820	$ 80,177
Lennar Multifamily
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-recourse debt with completion guarantees		$ 628,200		628,200			$ 466,700
General contractor revenue		71,600	$ 34,500	156,500	101,600
General contractor costs		69,100	33,900	151,400	99,000
Investments in unconsolidated entities		304,032		304,032			250,876
Lennar Multifamily | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary | Equity Commitments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Obligations related to VIEs		321,200		321,200			378,300
Lennar Multifamily | Lennar Multifamily Venture
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Additional equity commitments during period				850,000		$ 1,100,000
Total equity commitments		2,000,000		2,000,000
Equity commitments		504,000		504,000
Equity commitments called during period				432,400
Equity commitment called				147,600
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated entities				90,500
Equity commitments called		707,900		707,900
Funds contributed by the company		182,800		182,800
Investments in unconsolidated entities		170,900		170,900			122,500
Lennar Multifamily | Unconsolidated entities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Fee income		10,000	$ 4,600	27,400	$ 13,000
Lennar Multifamily | Financial Letters of Credit
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding		$ 36,800		$ 36,800			$ 37,900
Subsequent Event [Member] | Lennar Multifamily | Lennar Multifamily Venture
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Additional equity commitments during period	$ 250,000
Total equity commitments	$ 2,200,000