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Inventory Impairments and Land Option Contract Abandonments (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2013
property
Aug. 31, 2012
property
Aug. 31, 2013
property
Aug. 31, 2012
property
Nov. 30, 2012
property
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]          
Number of land parcels or communities evaluated for recoverability 16 33 54 109  
Pretax, noncash inventory impairment charges $ 0 $ 6,400,000 $ 0 $ 22,900,000 $ 28,100,000
Number of land parcels or communities associated with non cash inventory impairment charges   4   11  
Aggregate carrying value of inventory impacted by pretax, noncash inventory impairment charges 306,700,000   306,700,000   307,200,000
Number of communities and various other land parcels impacted by pretax, noncash inventory impairment charges 42   42   46
Land option contract abandonment charges 0 0 284,000 0  
Remaining useful life in addition to specified useful lives (in years)     1 year    
Specified period of remaining useful lives (in years)     10 years    
Expected Realization Period of Inventory (in years)     5 years    
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
          
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]          
Post impairment fair value   $ 3,200,000   $ 30,600,000 $ 39,900,000