Escrow Deposits, Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Escrow deposits, prepaid expenses and other		$ 40,934	$ 40,934		$ 33,964
Investments in joint ventures		52,747	52,747		42,341
Commercial real estate, vehicles and FF&E, net		44,187	44,187		43,608
Land held for development		73,752	73,752		39,079
Homebuilding construction in progress		39,625	39,625		12,859
Total		251,245	251,245		171,851
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Property and land contributions to an unconsolidated joint venture			40,942	$ 0
Cash payments to acquire interest in joint venture			3,800	0
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P.
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total		248,614	248,614		$ 171,851
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Property and land contributions to an unconsolidated joint venture			40,942	0
Cash payments to acquire interest in joint venture			3,800	$ 0
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. | Joint Venture, Single-Family Rental Homes, Southeast
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Aggregate cost	$ 156,300
Joint venture, initial term	5 years
Ownership percentage	20.00%
Property and land contributions to an unconsolidated joint venture		40,900
Cash payments to acquire interest in joint venture		3,800
Distributions received from the joint venture		32,800
Investment in joint venture balance		$ 13,400	$ 13,400