Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014	May 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2014		Nov. 30, 2013		Nov. 30, 2012
Total revenues	$ 796,041	$ 589,214	$ 565,007	$ 450,687	$ 618,531	$ 548,974	$ 524,406	$ 405,219	$ 2,400,949		$ 2,097,130		$ 1,560,115
Homebuilding:
Revenues									2,389,643		2,084,978		1,548,432
Construction and land costs									(1,985,651)		(1,737,086)		(1,332,045)
Selling, general and administrative expenses									(288,023)		(255,808)		(236,643)
Operating income (loss)									115,969		92,084		(20,256)
Interest income									443		792		518
Interest expense									(30,750)	[1]	(62,690)	[1]	(69,804)	[1]
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures									1,427		(933)		1,797
Financial services:
Revenues									11,306		12,152		11,683
Expenses									(3,446)		(3,042)		(2,991)
Pretax income (loss)	28,601	28,661	26,924	10,763	28,316	26,578	(4,173)	(12,358)	94,949		38,363		(79,053)
Income tax benefit	824,200								823,400		1,600		20,100
Net income (loss)	852,801	28,361	26,624	10,563	28,116	27,278	(2,973)	(12,458)	918,349		39,963		(58,953)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share, Basic, in dollars per share	$ 9.25	$ 0.31	$ 0.30	$ 0.13	$ 0.33	$ 0.32	$ (0.04)	$ (0.16)	$ 10.26		$ 0.48		$ (0.76)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share, Diluted, in dollars per share	$ 8.36	$ 0.28	$ 0.27	$ 0.12	$ 0.31	$ 0.30	$ (0.04)	$ (0.16)	$ 9.25		$ 0.46		$ (0.76)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic									89,265		82,630		77,106
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted									99,314		91,559		77,106
Homebuilding [Member]
Total revenues									2,389,643		2,084,978		1,548,432
Homebuilding:
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures									741		(2,007)		(394)
Financial services:
Pretax income (loss)									86,403		28,179		(89,936)
Financial services [Member]
Total revenues									11,306		12,152		11,683
Homebuilding:
Operating income (loss)									7,860		9,110		8,692
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures									686		1,074		2,191
Financial services:
Pretax income (loss)									$ 8,546		$ 10,184		$ 10,883

[1] Amounts for the years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012 included losses on the early extinguishment of debt of $10.4 million and $10.3 million, respectively, associated with the purchase and retirement of certain senior notes ahead of their maturity.