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Contingencies (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Warranty reserves
Changes in our warranty reserves are as follows for the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
March 31,
(In thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Balance at beginning of period
$
27,227

 
$
11,911

 
$
16,084

 
$
11,663

Accruals for warranties issued (a)
1,630

 
1,047

 
3,155

 
2,170

Changes in liability related to warranties existing in prior periods (b)
6,524

 
1,480

 
20,754

 
3,223

Payments made
(6,587
)
 
(1,877
)
 
(11,199
)
 
(4,495
)
Balance at end of period
$
28,794

 
$
12,561

 
$
28,794

 
$
12,561


(a) Accruals for warranties issued is a function of the number of home closings in the period, the average selling prices of the homes and the rates of accrual per home estimated as a percentage of the selling price of the home. The increase in the amount of accrual in the current three-month and six-month periods compared to the comparable prior-year periods is due to an increase in the average selling prices of homes closed in the respective periods, as well as increases in certain divisions' accrual rates.
(b) Changes in liability related to warranties existing in prior periods increased in the current three-month and six-month periods primarily due to charges related to water intrusion issues in certain of our communities located in Florida.