Single-Family Properties - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) property	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) property	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) property	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) property	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease
Proceeds from the sale of real estate properties			$ 47,757,000	$ 68,618,000
Proceeds from sale of land	$ 300,000		800,000
Gain (loss) on land sold	100,000		200,000
Single Family Homes
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease
Real estate investment properties unrecorded deed	4,000,000		4,000,000		$ 44,200,000
Depreciation expense	$ 75,200,000	$ 71,200,000	$ 224,700,000	$ 208,900,000
Number of real estate properties sold | property	95	107	311	738
Proceeds from the sale of real estate properties	$ 17,400,000	$ 14,400,000	$ 47,000,000	$ 54,200,000
Net gain (loss) on sale of single-family properties and other	$ 3,400,000	1,900,000	$ 8,800,000	3,100,000
Note receivable		7,000,000		7,000,000
Discount of note receivable		$ 1,500,000		$ 1,500,000