Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) single_family_property	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	38,780
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 1,229,017
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	4,761,379
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	715,586
Total Cost, Land	1,229,017
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	5,476,965
Total	6,705,982	$ 5,916,933	$ 3,923,624	$ 507,845
Accumulated Depreciation	(416,044)	$ (206,262)	$ (62,202)	$ (2,132)
Net Cost Basis	$ 6,289,938
Albuquerque
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	212
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 6,445
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	24,231
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	3,422
Total Cost, Land	6,445
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	27,653
Total	34,098
Accumulated Depreciation	(2,309)
Net Cost Basis	$ 31,789
Atlanta
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	2,802
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 87,722
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	307,888
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	61,038
Total Cost, Land	87,722
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	368,926
Total	456,648
Accumulated Depreciation	(26,503)
Net Cost Basis	$ 430,145
Augusta
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	227
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 6,514
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	26,318
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	3,525
Total Cost, Land	6,514
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	29,843
Total	36,357
Accumulated Depreciation	(1,804)
Net Cost Basis	$ 34,553
Austin
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	675
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 15,704
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	72,405
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	13,180
Total Cost, Land	15,704
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	85,585
Total	101,289
Accumulated Depreciation	(6,518)
Net Cost Basis	$ 94,771
Bay Area
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	120
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 8,221
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	23,656
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	1,953
Total Cost, Land	8,221
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	25,609
Total	33,830
Accumulated Depreciation	(2,065)
Net Cost Basis	$ 31,765
Boise
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	289
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 8,016
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	29,531
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	3,578
Total Cost, Land	8,016
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	33,109
Total	41,125
Accumulated Depreciation	(2,617)
Net Cost Basis	$ 38,508
Central Valley
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	174
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 6,750
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	22,309
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	2,443
Total Cost, Land	6,750
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	24,752
Total	31,502
Accumulated Depreciation	(2,543)
Net Cost Basis	$ 28,959
Charleston
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	650
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 23,262
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	82,412
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	10,872
Total Cost, Land	23,262
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	93,284
Total	116,546
Accumulated Depreciation	(6,330)
Net Cost Basis	$ 110,216
Charlotte
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	2,313
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 74,645
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	293,876
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	33,630
Total Cost, Land	74,645
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	327,506
Total	402,151
Accumulated Depreciation	(21,231)
Net Cost Basis	$ 380,920
Cincinnati
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	1,872
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 59,345
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	228,982
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	34,247
Total Cost, Land	59,345
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	263,229
Total	322,574
Accumulated Depreciation	(20,958)
Net Cost Basis	$ 301,616
Colorado Springs
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	23
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 951
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	3,147
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	688
Total Cost, Land	951
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	3,835
Total	4,786
Accumulated Depreciation	(380)
Net Cost Basis	$ 4,406
Columbia
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	297
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 6,850
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	34,549
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	4,089
Total Cost, Land	6,850
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	38,638
Total	45,488
Accumulated Depreciation	(2,890)
Net Cost Basis	$ 42,598
Columbus
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	1,453
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 37,851
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	157,825
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	28,932
Total Cost, Land	37,851
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	186,757
Total	224,608
Accumulated Depreciation	(13,324)
Net Cost Basis	$ 211,284
Dallas-Fort Worth
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	3,210
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 88,581
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	361,558
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	63,663
Total Cost, Land	88,581
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	425,221
Total	513,802
Accumulated Depreciation	(34,222)
Net Cost Basis	$ 479,580
Denver
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	685
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 34,123
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	135,739
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	16,263
Total Cost, Land	34,123
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	152,002
Total	186,125
Accumulated Depreciation	(9,083)
Net Cost Basis	$ 177,042
Fort Myers
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	32
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 749
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	4,691
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	553
Total Cost, Land	749
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	5,244
Total	5,993
Accumulated Depreciation	(537)
Net Cost Basis	$ 5,456
Greater Chicago area, IL and IN
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	2,064
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 63,929
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	255,264
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	51,000
Total Cost, Land	63,929
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	306,264
Total	370,193
Accumulated Depreciation	(24,395)
Net Cost Basis	$ 345,798
Greensboro
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	635
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 18,046
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	81,542
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	8,233
Total Cost, Land	18,046
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	89,775
Total	107,821
Accumulated Depreciation	(6,142)
Net Cost Basis	$ 101,679
Greenville
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	635
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 15,863
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	82,982
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	9,110
Total Cost, Land	15,863
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	92,092
Total	107,955
Accumulated Depreciation	(6,528)
Net Cost Basis	$ 101,427
Houston
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	2,048
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 55,890
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	254,283
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	44,219
Total Cost, Land	55,890
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	298,502
Total	354,392
Accumulated Depreciation	(22,764)
Net Cost Basis	$ 331,628
Indianapolis
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	2,777
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 75,567
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	298,023
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	50,112
Total Cost, Land	75,567
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	348,135
Total	423,702
Accumulated Depreciation	(29,561)
Net Cost Basis	$ 394,141
Inland Empire
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	135
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 11,908
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	20,330
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	1,908
Total Cost, Land	11,908
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	22,238
Total	34,146
Accumulated Depreciation	(1,236)
Net Cost Basis	$ 32,910
Jacksonville
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	1,569
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 42,167
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	165,529
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	31,441
Total Cost, Land	42,167
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	196,970
Total	239,137
Accumulated Depreciation	(15,518)
Net Cost Basis	$ 223,619
Knoxville
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	319
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 10,256
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	49,316
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	4,291
Total Cost, Land	10,256
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	53,607
Total	63,863
Accumulated Depreciation	(4,132)
Net Cost Basis	$ 59,731
Las Vegas
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	966
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 28,840
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	122,184
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	18,272
Total Cost, Land	28,840
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	140,456
Total	169,296
Accumulated Depreciation	(12,712)
Net Cost Basis	$ 156,584
Memphis
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	594
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 17,491
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	65,668
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	9,283
Total Cost, Land	17,491
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	74,951
Total	92,442
Accumulated Depreciation	(3,771)
Net Cost Basis	$ 88,671
Miami
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	342
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 9,134
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	50,330
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	9,077
Total Cost, Land	9,134
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	59,407
Total	68,541
Accumulated Depreciation	(4,985)
Net Cost Basis	$ 63,556
Milwaukee
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	126
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 7,373
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	22,272
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	2,109
Total Cost, Land	7,373
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	24,381
Total	31,754
Accumulated Depreciation	(2,413)
Net Cost Basis	$ 29,341
Nashville
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	1,512
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 57,148
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	231,869
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	25,837
Total Cost, Land	57,148
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	257,706
Total	314,854
Accumulated Depreciation	(20,261)
Net Cost Basis	$ 294,593
Oklahoma City
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	411
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 11,075
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	57,943
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	6,394
Total Cost, Land	11,075
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	64,337
Total	75,412
Accumulated Depreciation	(3,422)
Net Cost Basis	$ 71,990
Orlando
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	1,175
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 32,556
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	143,334
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	21,783
Total Cost, Land	32,556
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	165,117
Total	197,673
Accumulated Depreciation	(12,102)
Net Cost Basis	$ 185,571
Phoenix
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	1,603
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 49,647
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	184,518
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	25,362
Total Cost, Land	49,647
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	209,880
Total	259,527
Accumulated Depreciation	(17,482)
Net Cost Basis	$ 242,045
Portland
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	207
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 14,445
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	24,187
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	1,917
Total Cost, Land	14,445
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	26,104
Total	40,549
Accumulated Depreciation	(2,375)
Net Cost Basis	$ 38,174
Raleigh
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	1,472
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 51,655
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	191,962
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	22,182
Total Cost, Land	51,655
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	214,144
Total	265,799
Accumulated Depreciation	(15,411)
Net Cost Basis	$ 250,388
Salt Lake City
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	1,049
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 58,551
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	149,739
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	22,295
Total Cost, Land	58,551
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	172,034
Total	230,585
Accumulated Depreciation	(13,998)
Net Cost Basis	$ 216,587
San Antonio
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	895
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 25,419
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	95,845
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	15,718
Total Cost, Land	25,419
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	111,563
Total	136,982
Accumulated Depreciation	(7,096)
Net Cost Basis	$ 129,886
Savannah/Hilton Head
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	434
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 12,756
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	50,627
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	5,550
Total Cost, Land	12,756
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	56,177
Total	68,933
Accumulated Depreciation	(3,189)
Net Cost Basis	$ 65,744
Seattle
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	294
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 14,072
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	41,747
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	4,920
Total Cost, Land	14,072
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	46,667
Total	60,739
Accumulated Depreciation	(3,835)
Net Cost Basis	$ 56,904
Tampa
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	1,567
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 55,807
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	210,538
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	28,905
Total Cost, Land	55,807
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	239,443
Total	295,250
Accumulated Depreciation	(19,324)
Net Cost Basis	$ 275,926
Tucson
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	390
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 7,839
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	37,575
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	7,061
Total Cost, Land	7,839
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	44,636
Total	52,475
Accumulated Depreciation	(4,837)
Net Cost Basis	$ 47,638
Winston Salem
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Number of Single-Family Homes \| single_family_property	527
Initial Cost to Company, Land	$ 15,854
Initial Cost to Company, Buildings and Improvements	64,655
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition, Buildings and Improvements	6,531
Total Cost, Land	15,854
Total Cost, Buildings and Improvements	71,186
Total	87,040
Accumulated Depreciation	(5,241)
Net Cost Basis	$ 81,799