Contingencies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Warranty reserves

Changes in our warranty reserves are as follows for the periods presented:

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
(In thousands)	2017			2016
Balance at beginning of period	$	18,091		$	39,131
Accruals for warranties issued (a)	4,212			2,658
Changes in liability related to warranties existing in prior periods (b)	(2,296		)	5,392
Payments made (b)	(4,191		)	(14,872		)
Balance at end of period	$	15,816		$	32,309

^(a) Accruals for warranties issued are a function of the number of home closings in the period, the selling prices of the homes closed and the rates of accrual per home estimated as a percentage of the selling price of the home.

^(b) Changes in liability related to warranties existing and payments made are elevated due to charges and subsequent payments related to water intrusion issues in certain of our communities located in Florida (refer to separate discussion below).