Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	$ 541,206	$ 525,688
Restricted cash	42,322	42,362
Receivables	66,121	64,821
Inventories	2,029,390	1,706,571
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	122,800	123,674
Other assets	103,797	95,050
Total assets	2,912,121	2,561,698
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Accounts payable	117,804	118,544
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	378,149	340,345
Mortgages and notes payable	1,943,275	1,722,815
Financial services	2,077	3,188
Common stock	115,291	115,178
Paid-in capital	785,385	888,579
Retained earnings	430,682	450,292
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(27,958)	(27,958)
Grantor stock ownership trust, at cost	(114,540)	(115,149)
Treasury stock, at cost	(718,044)	(934,136)
Total stockholders’ equity	470,816	376,806
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,912,121	2,561,698
Homebuilding [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	538,571	524,765
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	122,800	123,674
Total assets	2,903,001	2,557,243
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Total Liabilities Homebuilding	2,439,228	2,181,704
Financial services [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,635	923
Receivables	964	1,859
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	5,503	1,630
Other assets	18	43
Total assets	$ 9,120	$ 4,455