Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Amount of self insurance	$ 17,500,000
Annual insurance limit minimum	250,000.00
Annual insurance limit maximum	1,000,000
Amount of Captive Insurance - Aggregate Limit	25,000,000
Amount of Captive Insurance - Individual Claim Limit	250,000
Reinsurance coverage acquired by captive insurance subsidiary	15,000,000
Captive Insurance - Aggregate amount beyond reinsurance coverage	10,000,000
Captive Insurance - Individual claim limit beyond reinsurance coverage	250,000
States with Third Party Reinsurance, Max Aggregate Retentions per Year	4,000,000
Maximum amount deductible under workers compensation insurance policy	500,000
Deductible policy amount per occurrence	500,000
Other Commitments [Abstract]
Outstanding letters of credit	70,100,000
Surety bonds	704,500,000
Rent expense	18,100,000		18,500,000		20,600,000
Letter of credit, other [Member]
Other Commitments [Abstract]
Outstanding letters of credit	8,500,000
Letter of credit, under revolving credit facility [Member]
Other Commitments [Abstract]
Outstanding letters of credit	61,600,000
Restricted cash	73,600,000		47,200,000
Homebuilding [Member]
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Liabilities for various claims, complaints and other legal actions	482,000,000		544,900,000		529,600,000
Construction defect portion of loss contingency accrual	99.00%		99.00%
Expenses related to legal claims	19,300,000		41,200,000		28,100,000
Estimated insurance recoveries related to legal claims	162,100,000		225,000,000
Land and Lot Option Purchase Contracts [Abstract]
Deposits	42,400,000
Purchase Obligation	1,900,000,000
Other Commitments [Abstract]
Restricted cash	77,800,000	[1]	49,300,000	[1]
Homebuilding [Member] | Cash Deposits [Member]
Land and Lot Option Purchase Contracts [Abstract]
Deposits	37,300,000
Homebuilding [Member] | Promissory Notes And Surety Bonds [Member]
Land and Lot Option Purchase Contracts [Abstract]
Deposits	5,100,000
Aggregate Limit [Member]
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Self-insurance limits	15,000,000
Individual Claim Limit [Member]
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Self-insurance limits	250,000.00
Option Contracts Subject to Specific Performance Clauses [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Land and Lot Option Purchase Contracts [Abstract]
Purchase Obligation	$ 20,100,000

[1] The fair value approximates carrying value due to its short-term nature, short maturity or floating interest rate terms, as applicable.