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Significant Transactions During the Second Quarter of 2016 and Subsequent Events (Details) | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
May 31, 2016 USD ($) apartment | Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($) unit $ / shares shares | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payments to acquire preferred equity investments |  |  |  |  |  | $ 96,698,000 | $ 97,512,000 |
Excess of redemption value of preferred stock over the carrying value |  |  | $ 0 |  | $ 0 | $ 2,541,000 | $ 0 |
Unsecured Bonds 3.375% [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, face amount |  | $ 450,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, interest rate, stated percent |  | 3.375% |  |  |  |  |  |
Series H Preferred Stock [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, stated interest percentage |  | 7.125% |  |  |  | 7.125% |  | 7.125%
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) | shares |  | 2,950,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) | shares |  | 2,950,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative redeemable preferred stock redemption price per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares |  | $ 25.00 |  |  |  |  |  |
Redemption of Series H Preferred Stock |  | $ 73,800,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Excess of redemption value of preferred stock over the carrying value |  |  |  | $ 2,500,000 |  |  |  |
BEXAWE, LLC [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred equity investment, ownership (as a percentage) |  | 50.00% |  |  |  |  |  |
Canyon Creek [Member] | BEXAWE, LLC [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of units sold (in number of units) | unit |  | 200 |  |  |  |  |  |
Sales of real estate |  | $ 53,500,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain on sale of properties |  | 5,600,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of secured debt |  | $ 26,300,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
624 Yale Apartments [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payments to acquire preferred equity investments | $ 23,700,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of units acquired (in number of units) | apartment | 206 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, stated interest percentage | 10.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, dividend rate, initial measurement period (in months) | 30 months |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, contingent return rate (as a percent) | 8.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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- Definition The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of real estate or properties that were intended to be sold or held for capital appreciation or rental income. This element refers to the gain (loss) included in earnings and not to the cash proceeds of the sale. This element is a noncash adjustment to net income when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method. + 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 cash outflow to repay long-term debt that is wholly or partially secured by collateral. Excludes repayments of tax exempt secured debt. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3291-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Financing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228 + Details
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- Definition Revenue from the sale of commercial, industrial, or residential property during the period. This element is more likely than not relevant to an entity for which real estate operations are a principal activity. If real estate operations are not a principal activity, the reporting entity would likely use a gain (loss) on sale of property, plant, or equipment type element. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(e)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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