Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended						3 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	Aug. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2014		Nov. 30, 2013		Nov. 30, 2012		Nov. 30, 2012
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Impairment of Real Estate	$ 34,200,000	$ 3,400,000			$ 400,000					$ 37,628,000		$ 391,000		$ 28,107,000
Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal												1,100,000		2,100,000
Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting, Increase (Decrease)									11,200,000	(17,471,000)	[1]	(31,959,000)	[1]	8,586,000	[1]
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount	825,200,000											(20,700,000)		32,300,000
Revenues	796,041,000	589,214,000	565,007,000	450,687,000	618,531,000	548,974,000	524,406,000	405,219,000		2,400,949,000		2,097,130,000		1,560,115,000
Gross profits	114,765,000	108,931,000	107,595,000	80,561,000	113,282,000	101,829,000	80,772,000	61,119,000
Pretax income (loss)	28,601,000	28,661,000	26,924,000	10,763,000	28,316,000	26,578,000	(4,173,000)	(12,358,000)		94,949,000		38,363,000		(79,053,000)
Net income (loss)	852,801,000	28,361,000	26,624,000	10,563,000	28,116,000	27,278,000	(2,973,000)	(12,458,000)		918,349,000		39,963,000		(58,953,000)
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)
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)
Land Option Contract Abandonment [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss on Contract Termination		1,000,000	400,000	400,000	2,900,000		300,000			1,803,000		3,190,000		426,000
Water Intrusion [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting, Increase (Decrease)					(8,500,000)	(5,900,000)	(15,900,000)	(1,600,000)								(2,600,000)
Estancia Coastal Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual, Carrying Value, Period Increase (Decrease)					8,200,000
Crown Farm Investor, LLC [Domain]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal				$ 3,200,000

[1] (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.