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Real Estate Disposition Activities (Details 2) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
home
community
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of income from discontinued operations      
Gross sales price $ 280,550,000 $ 292,965,000 $ 198,600,000
Number of communities sold 4    
Number of communities held for sale 1    
South Clark (Land)
      
Summary of income from discontinued operations      
Gross sales price 12,300,000    
Net proceeds 10,849,000    
Waterford, Avalon Arlintgon Heights, Avalon Wildreed and Avalon Highgrove
      
Summary of income from discontinued operations      
Apartment homes 1,578 1,038 1,007
Net proceeds 274,018,000 287,358,000 194,009,000
Waterford
      
Summary of income from discontinued operations      
Apartment homes 544    
Gross sales price 86,500,000    
Net proceeds 84,488,000    
Avalon Arlington Heights
      
Summary of income from discontinued operations      
Apartment homes 409    
Gross sales price 87,250,000    
Net proceeds 86,888,000    
Avalon Wildreed
      
Summary of income from discontinued operations      
Apartment homes 234    
Gross sales price 35,000,000    
Net proceeds 33,994,000    
Avalon HighGrove
      
Summary of income from discontinued operations      
Apartment homes 391    
Gross sales price 59,500,000    
Net proceeds $ 57,799,000