Debt (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Principal Outstanding	$ 213,138		$ 218,337
Grove At Carrollton and Grove At Las Cruces [Member]
Face Amount	29,790
Principal Outstanding	29,315		29,408
Stated Interest Rate	6.13%
Interest Rate	6.13%
Maturity Date	Oct. 11, 2016	[1]
Amortization	30 years	[2]
Grove At Huntsville
Face Amount	12,635
Principal Outstanding	0		12,635
Stated Interest Rate	LIBOR + 250 bps
Maturity Date	Jan. 09, 2013	[1]
Mortgage Notes Payable Amortization Terms	Interest only
Grove At Stateboro [Member]
Face Amount	18,100
Principal Outstanding	18,100		18,100
Stated Interest Rate	4.01%
Interest Rate	4.01%
Maturity Date	Jan. 01, 2023	[1]
Amortization	30 years	[2]
Grove At Asheville [Member]
Face Amount	14,800
Principal Outstanding	14,636		14,684
Stated Interest Rate	5.77%
Interest Rate	5.77%
Maturity Date	Apr. 11, 2017	[1]
Amortization	30 years	[2]
Grove At Milledgeville [Member]
Face Amount	16,250
Principal Outstanding	15,991		16,041
Stated Interest Rate	6.12%
Interest Rate	6.12%
Maturity Date	Oct. 01, 2016	[1]
Amortization	30 years	[2]
Grove At Ellensburg [Member]
Face Amount	16,125
Principal Outstanding	16,125		16,125
Stated Interest Rate	5.10%
Interest Rate	5.10%
Maturity Date	Sep. 01, 2018	[1]
Amortization	30 years	[3]
Grove At Nacogdoches [Member]
Face Amount	17,160
Principal Outstanding	17,160		17,160
Stated Interest Rate	5.01%
Interest Rate	5.01%
Maturity Date	Sep. 01, 2018	[1]
Amortization	30 years	[3]
Grove At Greeley [Member]
Face Amount	15,233
Principal Outstanding	15,233		15,233
Stated Interest Rate	4.29%
Interest Rate	4.29%
Maturity Date	Oct. 01, 2018	[1]
Amortization	30 years	[3]
Grove At Clarksville [Member]
Face Amount	16,350
Principal Outstanding	16,350		16,350
Stated Interest Rate	4.03%
Interest Rate	4.03%
Maturity Date	Jul. 01, 2022	[1]
Amortization	30 years	[3],[4]
Grove At Columbia [Member]
Face Amount	23,775
Principal Outstanding	23,496		23,605
Stated Interest Rate	3.83%
Interest Rate	3.83%
Maturity Date	Jul. 01, 2022	[1]
Amortization	30 years	[5]
Grove At Orono [Member]
Face Amount	15,206
Principal Outstanding	14,243		10,506
Stated Interest Rate	LIBOR + 275 bps
Interest Rate	2.95%
Maturity Date	Jun. 30, 2014	[1]
Mortgage Notes Payable Amortization Terms	Interest only
Grove At Aubum [Member]
Face Amount	16,294
Principal Outstanding	13,157		13,157
Stated Interest Rate	LIBOR + 295 bps
Interest Rate	3.15%
Maturity Date	Jul. 22, 2014	[1]
Mortgage Notes Payable Amortization Terms	Interest only
Grove At Flagstaff [Member]
Face Amount	19,842
Principal Outstanding	19,330		15,331
Stated Interest Rate	Prime + 25 bps /LIBOR + 250 bps
Interest Rate	2.78%
Maturity Date	Dec. 09, 2014	[1]
Mortgage Notes Payable Amortization Terms	Interest only
Grove At Muncie [Member]
Face Amount	14,567
Principal Outstanding	1		1
Stated Interest Rate	LIBOR + 225 bps
Interest Rate	2.45%
Maturity Date	Jul. 03, 2015	[1]
Mortgage Notes Payable Amortization Terms	Interest only
Grove At Fort Collins [Member]
Face Amount	19,073
Principal Outstanding	1		1
Stated Interest Rate	LIBOR + 225 bps
Interest Rate	2.45%
Maturity Date	Jul. 13, 2015	[1]
Mortgage Notes Payable Amortization Terms	Interest only
Grove At Pullman [Member]
Face Amount	16,016
Principal Outstanding	$ 0		$ 0
Stated Interest Rate	LIBOR + 220 bps
Interest Rate	2.40%
Maturity Date	Sep. 05, 2015	[1]
Mortgage Notes Payable Amortization Terms	Interest only

[1] For the construction loans, the maturity date is the stated maturity date in the respective loan agreements, which can be extended for an additional one to two years, subject to certain conditions, depending on the loan.

[2] Loans require interest only payments, plus certain reserves and escrows, that are payable monthly for a period of five years. Monthly payments of principal and interest, plus certain reserve and escrow amounts, are due thereafter until maturity when all principal is due.

[3] Interest only for the first two years, followed by 30 year amortization.

[4] Loan requires interest only payments, plus certain reserves and escrows payable monthly through August 2014, thereafter, principal and interest, plus certain reserves and escrows that are payable monthly until maturity.

[5] Loan requires monthly payments of principal and interest, plus certain reserve and escrows, are due thereafter until maturity when all principal is due.