Inventory Impairments and Land Option Contract Abandonments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012 community		Aug. 31, 2012 community
Maximum
Unobservable Input
Average selling price	$ 246,200	[1]	$ 497,900	[1]
Deliveries per month	4	[1]	6	[1]
Discount rate	20.00%	[1]	20.00%	[1]
Minimum
Unobservable Input
Average selling price	$ 152,000	[1]	$ 115,200	[1]
Deliveries per month	2	[1]	1	[1]
Discount rate	17.00%	[1]	17.00%	[1]

[1] The ranges of inputs used primarily reflect the underlying variability among the various housing markets where each of the impacted communities or land parcels are located, rather than changes in prevailing market conditions.