EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations	$ 80,060	$ 155,912
Discontinued operations	(10)	(53)
(Loss) gain on real estate dispositions	48	43,289
Net income	80,098	199,148	$ 1,361,112
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,395	1,021
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 78,703	$ 198,127
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share—weighted average shares (in shares)	356,112	354,410
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options (in shares)	125	452
Restricted stock awards (in shares)	188	164
OP Unitholder Interests (in shares)	2,428	2,546
Denominator for diluted earnings per share—adjusted weighted average shares (in shares)	358,853	357,572
Basic earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations (in usd per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.44
Net income attributable to common stockholders (in usd per share)	0.22	0.56
Diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations (in usd per share)	0.22	0.44
Net income attributable to common stockholders (in usd per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.55