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Real Estate Disposition Activities (Details) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) community land_parcel home | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Summary of income from discontinued operations |  |
Gain on sale of communities | $ 87,949 | $ 51,430
Number of land parcels sold | land_parcel | 2 |
Number of owned communities under construction | community | 24 |
Gain on sale of other real estate | $ 366 | $ 0
Number of communities held for sale | community | 0 |
Avalon Pines [Member] |  |
Summary of income from discontinued operations |  |
Apartment homes | home | 450 |
Proceeds from sale of real estate | $ 140,000 |
Gain on sale of communities | 87,949 |
Other Real Estate Sales [Member] |  |
Summary of income from discontinued operations |  |
Proceeds from sale of real estate | 22,286 |
Gain on sale of other real estate | $ 366 |
Development Communities [Member] | Avalon Newcastle Commons I [Member] |  |
Summary of income from discontinued operations |  |
Number of owned communities under construction | community | 1 |

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- Definition Number of owned communities (or where a direct or indirect interest is owned) that are under construction. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of other assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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- Definition The net gain (loss) resulting from sales and other disposals of real estate owned for investment purposes. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.14(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 + Details
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- Definition Cash received for the sale of real estate that is not part of an investing activity during the current period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
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