Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Land	$ 70,844	$ 58,869
Buildings and improvements	854,915	636,994
Construction in progress	19,469	2,673
Real estate properties, gross	945,228	698,536
Less accumulated depreciation	(177,820)	(163,146)
Real estate properties, net	767,408	535,390
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	59,367	84,250
Investment in preferred stock, at cost	38,132	38,132
Cash and cash equivalents	7,450	9,172
Marketable securities	13,577	12,884
Straight-line rent receivable	16,778	12,370
Equity-method investment and other assets	14,402	12,172
Assets held for sale, net	0	1,611
Total Assets	917,114	705,981
Liabilities and Equity
Debt	391,362	203,250
Real estate purchase liabilities	5,856	4,256
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	7,809	4,301
Dividends Payable	20,489	24,793
Deferred income	1,185	1,334
Total Liabilities	426,701	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	470,892	467,843
Cumulative dividends in excess of net income	(439)	(18,495)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8,970	7,555
Total National Health Investors Stockholders' Equity	479,702	457,182
Noncontrolling interest	10,711	10,865
Total Equity	490,413	468,047
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 917,114	$ 705,981