CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011
Real estate investments
Property owned	$ 1,844,654	$ 1,770,798
Less accumulated depreciation	(351,174)	(328,952)
	1,493,480	1,441,846
Development in progress	14,124	9,693
Unimproved land	6,558	6,550
Mortgage loans receivable, net of allowance of $3 and $3, respectively	155	156
Total real estate investments	1,514,317	1,458,245
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents	32,697	41,191
Other investments	628	625
Receivable arising from straight-lining of rents, net of allowance of $1,097 and $996, respectively	20,905	18,933
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $311 and $317, respectively	8,243	5,646
Real estate deposits	451	329
Prepaid and other assets	1,718	2,351
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $45,407 and $42,154, respectively	50,322	49,832
Tax, insurance, and other escrow	11,315	15,268
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,448 and $1,231, respectively	1,986	1,704
Goodwill	1,127	1,127
Deferred charges and leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $15,558 and $13,675, respectively	21,255	20,112
TOTAL ASSETS	1,664,964	1,615,363
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	39,002	37,879
Revolving line of credit	47,000	30,000
Mortgages payable	1,039,625	993,803
Other	1,164	8,404
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,126,791	1,070,086
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 6)
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - CONSOLIDATED REAL ESTATE ENTITIES	1,005	987
Investors Real Estate Trust shareholders' equity
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest (Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, no par value, 1,150,000 shares issued and outstanding at October 31, 2011 and April 30, 2011, aggregate liquidation preference of $28,750,000)	27,317	27,317
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest (Unlimited authorization, no par value, 83,681,912 shares issued and outstanding at October 31, 2011, and 80,523,265 shares issued and outstanding at April 30, 2011)	643,022	621,936
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(260,535)	(237,563)
Total Investors Real Estate Trust shareholders' equity	409,804	411,690
Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership (19,534,288 units at October 31, 2011 and 20,067,350 units at April 30, 2011)	116,550	123,627
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	10,814	8,973
Total equity	537,168	544,290
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 1,664,964	$ 1,615,363