Revenue earned by providing property management, construction, development, and other services to joint ventures.

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- Definition

Number of apartment units in properties acquired during the period by our discretionary funds (unconsolidated joint ventures).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Number of apartment units in property disposed of or held for sale during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Total number of apartment units associated with the property or properties acquired during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Number of development properties sold to our discretionary investment vehicles (the "Funds") during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Number of joint ventures accounted for under equity method investments.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Number Of Joint Ventures Sold

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Number of operating properties sold during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Number of multifamily properties acquired by our discretionary funds (unconsolidated joint ventures) during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Number of unconsolidated equity method investments acquired during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The cash inflow from the sale of a development property including reimbursement of previously written-off third-party development costs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of cash paid to acquire the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 51

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

Percentage of voting equity interests acquired in the business combination.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

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- Definition

The aggregate revenue from building and real estate development, which may include improvements (such as drainage, utilities, grading and subdividing) to a parcel of land, and general contracting services during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

Reference 2: 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))

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- Definition

This item represents the amount of net sales proceeds received on disposal of an equity method investment.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 35

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- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

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- Definition

This item represents the amount of gain (loss) arising from the disposal of an equity method investment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The difference between the sale price or salvage price and the book value of a property, plant, and equipment asset that was sold or retired during the reporting period. This element refers to the gain (loss).

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

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- Definition

The cash inflow from the sale of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

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-Glossary Investing Activities

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- Definition

The cash outflow from the repayments of a long-term debt originally issued by another party but is assumed by the entity.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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- Definition

The fair value of transfer of mortgage payable in noncash investing or financing activities.

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Investments In Joint Ventures (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures accounted for under equity method investments						17
Equity method investment ownership percentage					20.00%	20.00%
Fees earned for property and asset management, construction, development, and other services to joint ventures						$ 9,300,000	$ 6,200,000	$ 6,800,000
Fees earned on third-party construction projects						700,000	2,000,000	1,200,000
Number of joint ventures sold				3
Number of operating properties sold	1				4
Proceeds from sale of unconsolidated joint ventures				19,300,000
Gain on sale of unconsolidated joint venture interests				1,100,000		1,136,000
Number of development properties sold		1	1
Number of multifamily properties acquired	1					18
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired					80.00%	80.00%
Mortgage debt assumed							188,119,000
Houston, Texas [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Number of units in multifamily properties acquired						2,846
Atlanta, Georgia [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Number of units in multifamily properties acquired						234
Tampa, Florida [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Number of units in multifamily properties acquired						450
Austin, Texas [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Number of units in multifamily properties acquired						768
Proceeds from sale of property		3,100,000
Gain on sale of properties		100,000
San Antonio, Texas [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Number of units in multifamily properties acquired						528
Dallas, Texas [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Number of units in multifamily properties acquired						1,250
Washington, D.C. [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage			20.00%
Proceeds from sale of development property with reimbursement			9,400,000
Gain on sale of properties			4,700,000
Louisville, Kentucky [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Gain on sale of unconsolidated joint venture interests					6,400,000
Number of apartment units in property disposed					1,194
Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Southern California [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	80.00%
Number of unconsolidated equity method investments acquired	12
Purchase remaining interest	99,500,000
Repayments of Assumed Debt	272,600,000
Minimum [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage					15.00%	15.00%
Maximum [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage					50.00%	50.00%
Acquisition [Member] \| Raleigh, North Carolina [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Number of units in multifamily properties acquired	350
Acquisition [Member] \| Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Southern California [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Number of apartment units in wholly owned property acquired	4,034