Financial Instruments and Fair Value Disclosures - (Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis) (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring - Level 3 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Rialto
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recuring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impaired loans receivable, carrying value			$ 0	$ 31,554
Impaired loans receivable, fair value			0	18,885
Impaired loans receivable, total losses, net			0	(12,669)
FDIC Portfolios loans held-for-sale, carrying value	$ 0	$ 20,863	0	26,081
FDIC Portfolios loans held-for-sale, fair value	0	19,237	0	19,237
FDIC Portfolios loans held-for-sale, total losses, net	0	(1,626)	0	(6,844)
REO, net: Upon acquisition/transfer, carrying value	0	1,200	0	31,503
REO, net: Upon acquisition/transfer, fair value	0	1,376	0	30,066
REO, net: Upon acquisition/transfer, total gains (losses)	0	176	0	(1,437)
REO, net: Upon management periodic valuation, carrying value	17,663	35,507	23,629	118,497
REO, net: Upon management periodic valuation, fair value	16,196	22,765	16,196	79,601
REO, net: Upon management periodic valuation, total gains (losses)	(1,467)	(12,742)	(7,433)	(38,896)
Lennar Homebuilding
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recuring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Finished homes and construction in progress, fair value			0	6,659
Finished homes and construction in progress, carrying value			0	2,745
Finished homes and construction in progress, total losses, net			0	(3,914)
Land and land under development, carrying value	25,173	0	91,960	6,771
Land and land under development, fair value	13,373	0	60,059	3,094
Land and land under development, total gains (losses)	$ (11,800)	$ 0	$ (31,901)	$ (3,677)