Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended						3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2014		Nov. 30, 2013		Nov. 30, 2012		Aug. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Impairment of Real Estate	$ 34,200,000	$ 3,400,000	$ 400,000		$ 37,628,000		$ 391,000		$ 28,107,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net					7,700,000		6,500,000		5,500,000
Minimum warranty on electrical and other building systems					2 years
Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Payments					39,458,000		45,338,000		19,701,000
Insurance Recoveries									26,500,000
Product Liability Contingency, Loss Exposure Not Accrued, Best Estimate					3,000,000
Maximum Warranty on Electrical Heating Cooling Plumbing and Other Building Systems					5 years
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Structural warranty provided by the company					10 years
Warranty for other components of a home					1 year
Company's warranty liability	45,196,000		48,704,000		45,196,000		48,704,000		47,822,000					47,822,000	67,693,000
Company's estimated liabilities for construction defect	86,574,000		92,214,000		86,574,000		92,214,000		93,349,000					93,349,000	94,823,000
Expenses associated with self-insurance					13,491,000	[1]	8,239,000	[1]	7,894,000	[1]
Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting, Increase (Decrease)				11,200,000	(17,471,000)	[2]	(31,959,000)	[2]	8,586,000	[2]
Performance bonds	541,600,000		410,800,000		541,600,000		410,800,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	26,700,000		41,500,000		26,700,000		41,500,000
Deposits under Land Option and Other Similar Contracts	33,200,000				33,200,000
Non refundable deposits related to land option and other similar contracts	33,059,000		41,565,000		33,059,000		41,565,000
Letters of credit	100,000		100,000		100,000		100,000
Aggregate Purchase Price Associated with Land Option and Other Similar Contracts	958,470,000		1,151,496,000		958,470,000		1,151,496,000
Water Intrusion [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Product Liability Accrual, Component Amount	9,400,000		28,900,000		9,400,000		28,900,000
Number of Affected Homes on which Repairs Were Resolved					536
Number of Affected Homes	324		710		324		710
Accumulated Number of Affected Homes	1,614				1,614
Accumulated Number of affected homes on which repairs were resolved.	1,290		754		1,290		754
Cumulative Payments Made As Repair Costs For Affected Homes	63,300,000				63,300,000
Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Payments					26,600,000		32,700,000
Estimated Repair Costs for Affected Homes	72,700,000				72,700,000
Number of Affected Attached Home Communities	3				3
Insurance Recoveries					900,000
Additional Number of Affected Homes Associated with Repair Costs					150		687
Product Liability Contingency, Third Party Recovery					26,600,000
Product Liability Contingency, Third Party Recovery Included In Warranty Liability					9,400,000		19,400,000
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Receivable	18,110,000		0		18,110,000		0		0					0
Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting, Increase (Decrease)			$ (8,500,000)								$ (5,900,000)	$ (15,900,000)	$ (1,600,000)	$ (2,600,000)
Palm River [Member] | Water Intrusion [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of Affected Attached Home Communities	1				1
Attached Home Communities [Member] | Water Intrusion [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Estimated Repair Costs	64.00%				64.00%

[1] a)These expenses are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and are largely offset by contributions from subcontractors participating in the wrap-up policy.

[2] (b)Adjustments in 2014 were primarily comprised of reclassifications of estimated minimum probable recoveries to receivables and a reclassification to establish a separate accrual for a water intrusion-related inquiry from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Florida (the “Attorney General’s Office”). These items had no impact on our consolidated statements of operations. Adjustments in 2013 were comprised of charges associated with water intrusion-related issues in central and southwest Florida. In 2012, favorable warranty adjustments were partly offset by similar water intrusion-related charges.