Interest - Schedule of Capitalized Interest (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Real Estate Inventory, Capitalized Interest Costs [Roll Forward]
Capitalized interest in inventory, beginning of period	$ 47,242	$ 47,624	$ 45,973	$ 36,884
Interest incurred	31,235	32,872	95,950	98,175
Capitalized interest impaired	(222)	(380)	(275)	(1,789)
Interest expense not qualified for capitalization and included as other expense	17,233	17,707	55,147	55,688
Capitalized interest amortized to house construction and land sales expenses	(15,649)	(11,179)	(41,128)	(26,352)
Capitalized interest in inventory, end of period	$ 45,373	$ 51,230	$ 45,373	$ 51,230