Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Aug. 04, 2020
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Sterling Real Estate Trust
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-54295
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	ND
Entity Tax Identification Number	90-0115411
Entity Address, Address Line One	1711 Gold Drive South, Suite 100
Entity Address, City or Town	Fargo
Entity Address, State or Province	ND
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	58103
City Area Code	701
Local Phone Number	353-2720
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares, par value $0.01 per share
No Trading Symbol Flag	true
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		9,739,533.26
Entity Central Index Key	0001412502
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2