Notes Payable (Details 1) (Homebuilding [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
6.125% senior notes due 2014, net [Member]
Summary of unsecured homebuilding notes payable outstanding
Principal Amount	$ 145.9
Date Issued	Jul. 01, 2004
Date Due	Jan. 15, 2014
Redeemable Prior to Maturity	No
Effective Interest Rate	6.30%	[1]
2% convertible senior notes due 2014, net [Member]
Summary of unsecured homebuilding notes payable outstanding
Principal Amount	500.0	[2]
Date Issued	May 01, 2009	[2]
Date Due	May 15, 2014	[2]
Redeemable Prior to Maturity	No	[2]
Effective Interest Rate	9.90%	[1],[2]
5.625% senior notes due 2014, net [Member]
Summary of unsecured homebuilding notes payable outstanding
Principal Amount	137.9
Date Issued	Sep. 01, 2004
Date Due	Sep. 15, 2014
Redeemable Prior to Maturity	No
Effective Interest Rate	5.80%	[1]
5.25% senior notes due 2015, net [Member]
Summary of unsecured homebuilding notes payable outstanding
Principal Amount	157.7
Date Issued	Feb. 01, 2005
Date Due	Feb. 15, 2015
Redeemable Prior to Maturity	Yes	[3]
Effective Interest Rate	5.40%	[1]
5.625% senior notes due 2016, net [Member]
Summary of unsecured homebuilding notes payable outstanding
Principal Amount	170.2
Date Issued	Dec. 01, 2004
Date Due	Jan. 15, 2016
Redeemable Prior to Maturity	Yes	[3]
Effective Interest Rate	5.80%	[1]
6.5% senior notes due 2016, net [Member]
Summary of unsecured homebuilding notes payable outstanding
Principal Amount	372.7
Date Issued	Apr. 01, 2006
Date Due	Apr. 15, 2016
Redeemable Prior to Maturity	Yes	[3]
Effective Interest Rate	6.60%	[1]
4.75% senior notes due 2017 [Member]
Summary of unsecured homebuilding notes payable outstanding
Principal Amount	350.0
Date Issued	May 01, 2012
Date Due	May 15, 2017
Redeemable Prior to Maturity	Yes	[3]
Effective Interest Rate	5.00%	[1]
3.625% senior notes due 2018 [Member]
Summary of unsecured homebuilding notes payable outstanding
Principal Amount	400.0
Date Issued	Feb. 01, 2013
Date Due	Feb. 15, 2018
Redeemable Prior to Maturity	Yes	[3]
Effective Interest Rate	3.80%	[1]
4.375% senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Summary of unsecured homebuilding notes payable outstanding
Principal Amount	350.0
Date Issued	Sep. 01, 2012
Date Due	Sep. 15, 2022
Redeemable Prior to Maturity	Yes	[3]
Effective Interest Rate	4.50%	[1]
4.75 senior notes due 2023 [Member]
Summary of unsecured homebuilding notes payable outstanding
Principal Amount	300.0
Date Issued	Feb. 01, 2013
Date Due	Feb. 15, 2023
Redeemable Prior to Maturity	Yes	[3]
Effective Interest Rate	4.90%	[1]
5.75% senior notes due 2023 [Member]
Summary of unsecured homebuilding notes payable outstanding
Principal Amount	$ 400.0
Date Issued	Aug. 01, 2013
Date Due	Aug. 15, 2023
Redeemable Prior to Maturity	Yes	[3]
Effective Interest Rate	5.90%	[1]

[1] Interest is payable semi-annually on each of the series of senior and convertible senior notes. The annual effective interest rate is calculated after giving effect to the amortization of the financing costs and any discount associated with the note issuance.

[2] Holders of the 2% convertible senior notes may convert all or any portion of their notes at their option at any time prior to maturity. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment in certain events, which include the payment of cash dividends in excess of $0.0375 per share in any fiscal quarter, but will not be adjusted for accrued interest, including any additional interest. As a result of the cash dividend of $0.15 per share which was paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 (see Note I), the conversion rate of the 2% convertible senior notes increased from 76.5697 to 77.18004 shares of the Company's common stock per $1,000 principal amount of senior notes. The new conversion rate is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $12.96 per share of common stock, compared to the initial conversion price of $13.06 per share. If all of the 2% convertible senior notes due 2014 were converted into the Company's common stock, the Company would issue 38.6 million shares of its common stock as a result of the conversion. If the convertible senior notes are eligible for conversion at maturity, the Company may redeem them with cash, shares of its common stock or a combination thereof at its election. The effective interest rate of the convertible senior notes is 9.9% after giving effect to the amortization of the discount and financing costs.

[3] The Company may redeem the notes in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of their principal amount or the present value of the remaining scheduled payments on the redemption date, plus accrued interest.