Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Estimated Useful Lives

Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis at rates based on estimated useful lives as follows:

Buildings	25 - 30 years
Building improvements	Lesser of estimated useful life of the improvements or remaining useful life of the building
Information systems	Lesser of estimated useful life of the asset or 5 years
Furniture, fixtures, and computer and office equipment	3 - 7 years
Model and sales office improvements	Lesser of estimated useful life of the asset or estimated useful life of the community
Leasehold improvements	Lesser of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset

Property, plant and equipment consists of (in thousands):

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
	2012			2011
Buildings and improvements	$	2,329		$	2,329
Model and sales office improvements	31,188			36,364
Leasehold improvements	4,456			4,609
Information systems	20,671			19,970
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment	15,528			15,405
Property, plant and equipment, gross	74,172			78,677
Less: Accumulated Depreciation	(55,198		)	(56,064		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	18,974		$	22,613

Other Liabilities

Otherliabilities include the following:

(In thousands)	September 30, 2012		September 30, 2011
Income tax liabilities	$	22,225	$	55,093
Accrued warranty expenses	15,477		17,916
Accrued interest	28,673		39,478
Accrued and deferred compensation	24,612		27,427
Customer deposits	8,830		5,868
Other	47,901		66,405
Total	$	147,718	$	212,187