Mortgages and Notes Payable (Schedule Mortgages and Notes Payable) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable	$ 1,727,679	$ 1,583,571
Mortgages and Land Contracts Due to Land Sellers and Other Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages and notes payable	57,510	24,984
Senior Notes due 2014 at 5 3/4%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, rate	5.75%	5.75%
Mortgages and notes payable	75,898	249,647
Senior Notes due 2015 at 5 7/8%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, rate	5.875%	5.875%
Mortgages and notes payable	101,980	299,273
Senior Notes due 2015 at 6 1/4%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, rate	6.25%	6.25%
Mortgages and notes payable	236,819	449,795
Senior Notes due 2017 at 9.10%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, rate	9.10%	9.10%
Mortgages and notes payable	261,284	260,865
Senior Notes due 2018 at 7 1/4%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, rate	7.25%	7.25%
Mortgages and notes payable	299,098	299,007
Senior Notes due 2020 at 8.00%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, rate	8.00%	8.00%
Mortgages and notes payable	345,090	0
Senior Notes due 2022 at 7.50%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, rate	7.50%	7.50%
Mortgages and notes payable	$ 350,000	$ 0