Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets:
Unsecured loans receivable, net	$ 21,862	$ 38,542
Liabilities:
Redeemable OP unitholder interests	172,016	156,660
Government-sponsored pooled loan investments
Assets:
Marketable debt securities	63,115	21,454
Carrying amount
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	55,348	94,816
Secured loans receivable, net	766,641	354,775
Unsecured loans receivable, net	21,862	38,542
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt, gross	10,872,371	9,320,477
Derivative instruments and other liabilities	2,743	11,230
Redeemable OP unitholder interests	159,134	111,607
Carrying amount \| Government-sponsored pooled loan investments
Assets:
Marketable debt securities	63,115	21,454
Carrying amount \| Marketable securities
Assets:
Marketable debt securities	76,046	0
Fair value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	55,348	94,816
Secured loans receivable, net	774,789	355,223
Unsecured loans receivable, net	23,164	40,473
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt, gross	11,197,131	9,405,259
Derivative instruments and other liabilities	2,743	11,230
Redeemable OP unitholder interests	159,134	111,607
Fair value \| Government-sponsored pooled loan investments
Assets:
Marketable debt securities	63,115	21,454
Fair value \| Marketable securities
Assets:
Marketable debt securities	$ 76,046	$ 0

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Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (aa)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27232-111563

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

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- Definition

Fair value portion of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash Equivalents

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016

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- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Carrying amount, attributable to parent and noncontrolling interests, of an entity's issued and outstanding stock which is not included within permanent equity. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. Includes stock with a put option held by an ESOP and stock redeemable by a holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.27(b))

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- Definition

Derivative instrument obligations meeting the definition of a liability which the entity is a party to and other liabilities not separately disclosed by the entity as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

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Fair value as of the balance sheet date of secured loans receivable, net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder.

+ References

No definition available.

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For an unclassified balance sheet, an unsecured amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date, net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the note. The note also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. This amount does not include amounts related to receivables held-for-sale.

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No definition available.

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