Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 462.7	$ 956.3	$ 71.8
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and Amortization	22.7	18.8	19.9
Amortization of discounts and fees	39.7	40.4	37.2
Stock based compensation expense	19.0	18.1	14.2
Income tax benefit from stock option exercises	(6.7)	0	0
Deferred income taxes	130.9	(709.5)	0
(Gain) loss on early retirement of debt, net	0	(0.1)	10.8
Gain on sale of marketable securities	(0.2)	(0.2)	(0.1)
Inventory impairments and land option charges	31.1	6.2	45.4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in construction in progress and finished homes	(815.3)	(275.4)	(91.4)
(Increase) decrease in residential land and lots - developed, under development, and held for development	(1,235.6)	(371.0)	16.9
(Increase) decrease in other assets	16.5	(37.4)	32.7
(Increase) decrease in income taxes receivable	14.4	(2.0)	3.6
Increase in mortgage loans held for sale	(49.8)	(51.2)	(40.3)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	139.5	113.6	(101.8)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(1,231.1)	(293.4)	18.9
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment	(58.0)	(33.6)	(16.3)
Purchases of marketable securities	(28.9)	(240.8)	(300.1)
Proceeds from the sale or maturity of marketable securities	325.4	232.8	292.5
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(28.5)	(0.2)	4.6
Net principal increase of other mortgage loans and real estate owned	(2.5)	(4.7)	(4.0)
Purchases of debt securities collateralized by residential real estate	(18.6)	0	0
Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Other Investments	1.4	0	0
Payments related to acquisition of a business	(9.4)	(96.5)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	180.9	(143.0)	(23.3)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from notes payable	1,307.9	765.9	30.0
Repayment of notes payable	(345.1)	(17.5)	(519.3)
Proceeds from stock associated with certain employee benefit plans	29.7	50.9	3.4
Income tax benefit from stock option exercises	6.7	0	0
Cash dividends paid	(60.2)	(47.8)	(47.8)
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	(38.6)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	939.0	751.5	(572.3)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(111.2)	315.1	(576.7)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,047.7	732.6	1,309.3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	936.5	1,047.7	732.6
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	5.6	19.5	66.3
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	34.8	6.1	(1.9)
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:
Notes payable issued for inventory	11.4	4.1	1.9
Stock issued under Performance Unit Plan	3.9	3.1	4.6
Accrual for holdback payment related to acquisition	$ 0	$ 9.4	$ 0