Commitments and Contingencies (Narratives) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($) Home claim_filed	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Minimum warranty on electrical and other building systems (in years)			2 years
Maximum warranty on electrical and other building systems (in years)			5 years
Warranty for other components of a home (in years)			1 year
Payments	$ (6,023)	$ (6,267)	$ (17,070)	$ (18,836)
Performance bonds	655,700		655,700		$ 606,700
Letters of credit outstanding	37,700		37,700		37,600
Cash deposits	48,776		48,776		64,702
Aggregate purchase price of land	1,377,349		$ 1,377,349		1,094,087
Warranty for Other Components of Home			1 year
Northern California Townhome Community [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value			$ 100,000
Damages from Product Defects [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Minimum Number of Affected Homes for Construction Defect Claims | Home			2
Structural warranty provided by the company (in years)			10 years
Warranty Obligations [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Structural warranty provided by the company (in years)			10 years
Self Insurance [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Insurance Liabilities		$ 21,700		$ 21,700
Loss Contingency, Receivable	$ 63,200		$ 63,200		$ 71,300
Chapter 558 of the Florida Statutes [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, New Claims Filed, Number | claim_filed			500