Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments in real estate:
Real estate, at cost (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated variable interest entities (''VIEs'') of $78,745 and $78,745 , respectively)	$ 2,450,868	$ 2,334,488
Operating real estate, at cost	98,756	99,703
Accumulated depreciation (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $17,181 and $16,110, respectively)	(165,009)	(136,068)
Net investments in properties	2,384,615	2,298,123
Net investments in direct financing leases (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $18,026 and $23,921, respectively)	360,701	376,005
Assets held for sale	21,256	1,445
Equity investments in real estate and the Managed REITs	559,361	565,626
Net investments in real estate	3,325,933	3,241,199
Cash and cash equivalents (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $37 and $17, respectively)	62,765	123,904
Due from affiliates	28,670	36,002
Goodwill	328,011	329,132
In-place lease, net (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $3,600 and $3,823, respectively)	465,931	447,278
Above-market rent, net (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $2,658 and $2,773, respectively)	269,355	279,885
Other intangible assets, net (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $279 and $297, respectively)	12,256	10,200
Other assets, net (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $4,628 and $4,232, respectively)	142,439	141,442
Total assets	4,635,360	4,609,042
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $29,638 and $30,326, respectively)	1,686,155	1,715,397
Senior credit facility	385,000	253,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $7,172 and $7,659, respectively) (Note 3)	272,595	265,132
Income taxes, net	13,458	24,959
Distributions payable	58,036	45,700
Total liabilities	2,415,244	2,304,188
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	7,082	7,531
Redeemable securities - related party (Note 3)	0	40,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
W. P. Carey stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 450,000,000 shares authorized; 69,250,568 and 68,901,933 shares issued, respectively; and 68,217,189 and 68,485,525 shares outstanding, respectively	69	69
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; None issued	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	2,234,450	2,175,820
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(233,107)	(172,182)
Deferred compensation obligation	13,411	8,358
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,984)	(4,649)
Less, treasury stock at cost, 1,033,379 and 416,408 shares, respectively	(60,270)	(20,270)
Total W. P. Carey stockholders' equity	1,951,569	1,987,146
Noncontrolling interests	261,465	270,177
Total equity	2,213,034	2,257,323
Total liabilities and equity	$ 4,635,360	$ 4,609,042