Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Land	$ 65,674	$ 58,869
Buildings and improvements	795,455	636,994
Construction in progress	9,954	2,673
Real estate properties, gross	871,083	698,536
Less accumulated depreciation	(172,097)	(163,146)
Real estate properties, net	698,986	535,390
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	65,229	84,250
Investment in preferred stock, at cost	38,132	38,132
Cash and cash equivalents	36,469	9,172
Marketable securities	14,205	12,884
Straight-line rent receivable	15,065	12,370
Equity-method investment and other assets	17,537	12,172
Assets held for sale, net	1,611	1,611
Total Assets	887,234	705,981
Liabilities and Equity
Debt	386,778	203,250
Real estate purchase liabilities	5,856	4,256
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	3,894	4,301
Dividends Payable	20,489	24,793
Deferred income	1,230	1,334
Total Liabilities	418,247	237,934
Commitments and Contingencies
National Health Investors Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 27,876,176 and 27,857,217 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	279	279
Capital in excess of par value	470,639	467,843
Cumulative dividends in excess of net income	(22,695)	(18,495)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	9,982	7,555
Total National Health Investors Stockholders' Equity	458,205	457,182
Noncontrolling interest	10,782	10,865
Total Equity	468,987	468,047
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 887,234	$ 705,981