SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (Roberts Properties Residential, L.P.)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Roberts Properties Residential, L.P.
Number of operating partnership units redeemed (in shares)	18,066	0
Number of shares redeemed for operating partnership units	29,756
Number of shares exchanged for operating partnership units	584,385	0
Number of operating partnership units issued in exchange for common shares (in shares)	354,817

The number of units redeemed during the year of each class of partners' capital account. Units represent shares of ownership of the general, limited, and preferred partners.

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The number of shares issued during the period upon the conversion of units. An example of a convertible unit is an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust unit (UPREIT unit).

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