Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014		Nov. 30, 2013		Nov. 30, 2012
Inventories
Homes under construction	$ 928,272		$ 586,439
Land under development	1,710,149		1,066,916
Land held for future development	579,966		645,222
Total	3,218,387		2,298,577
Interest Costs
Capitalized interest at beginning of year	216,681	[1]	217,684	[1]	233,461
Interest incurred	171,541	[2]	149,101	[2]	132,657	[2]
Interest Expense	30,750	[2]	62,690	[2]	69,804	[2]
Interest amortized to construction and land costs	(90,804)		(87,414)		(78,630)
Capitalized interest at end of year	266,668	[1]	216,681	[1]	217,684	[1]
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt	$ 0		$ (10,448)		$ (10,278)

[1] Capitalized interest amounts presented in the table reflect the gross amount of capitalized interest, as inventory impairment charges recognized are not generally allocated to specific components of inventory.

[2] 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.