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Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions - Additional Information (Details) | Dec. 31, 2016 ft² Apartments | Sep. 30, 2016 ft² a Apartments | Jun. 30, 2016 a Apartments
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Retreat at West Creek II [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Area of Land | a |  |  | 11.0
Colonial Promenade Craft Farms |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Square footage of real estate property (square foot) | ft² |  | 30 |
Area of Land | a |  | 295,447.00 |
River's Walk [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Area of Land | a |  | 25.0 |
1201 Midtown [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of units in real estate property | 302 |  |
The Denton II [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Area of Land | a |  | 30,000.00 |
CV at Stone Point [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of units in real estate property |  | 192 |
CG at Autumn Park [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of units in real estate property |  | 402 |
Colonial Village at Woodlake [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Square footage of real estate property (square foot) | ft² | 266 |  |
Colonial Village at Tradewinds [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Square footage of real estate property (square foot) | ft² | 284 |  |
Colonial Village at Harbour Club [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Square footage of real estate property (square foot) | ft² | 213 |  |
Colonial Village at Main Park [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Square footage of real estate property (square foot) | ft² | 192 |  |
Lane At Towne Crossing [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Square footage of real estate property (square foot) | ft² | 384 |  |
Cobblestone Square [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of units in real estate property |  |  | 314
Corners at Crystal Lake [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of units in real estate property |  | 240 |
Glen Eagles [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of units in real estate property |  | 310 |
Colonial Village at Greystone [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Square footage of real estate property (square foot) | ft² |  | 408 |
CV at Mill Creek [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of units in real estate property |  | 220 |
Abbington Place [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of units in real estate property |  | 152 |
Colonial Promenade Huntsville [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Area of Land | a |  |  | 1.30
Residences at Fountainhead [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of units in real estate property |  |  | 322
Yale at 6th [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of units in real estate property |  | 352 |
Innovation Apartment Homes [Member] |  |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of units in real estate property |  | 336 |

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