Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Consolidated net income	$ 45,444,000	$ 38,641,000
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation expense	79,984,000	60,879,000
Amortization of in-place leases	44,314,000	10,759,000
Amortization of loan costs	4,342,000	3,614,000
Debt premium amortization	(5,274,000)	(441,000)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	(2,394,000)	(2,502,000)
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,399,000	1,633,000
Amortization of stock-related compensation	4,465,000	4,708,000
Revenue recognized from right-to-use contract upfront payments	(5,000,000)	(4,328,000)
Commission expense recognized related to right-to-use contracts	1,701,000	1,413,000
Accrued long term incentive plan compensation	642,000	816,000
Provision for uncollectible rents receivable	471,000	993,000
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Notes receivable activity, net	346,000	(712,000)
Rent and other customer receivables, net	(415,000)	(1,245,000)
Inventory - Retail	702,000	(112,000)
Deferred commission expense	(3,875,000)	(4,908,000)
Escrow deposits and other assets	1,863,000	(18,172,000)
Accrued payroll and other operating expenses, net	12,940,000	20,827,000
Deferred revenue - upfront payments from right-to-use contracts	9,680,000	13,096,000
Deferred revenue - right-to-use annual payments	223,000	(327,000)
Rents received in advance and security deposits	(2,675,000)	(4,341,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	188,883,000	120,291,000
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Real estate acquisition	0	(513,475,000)
Notes receivable acquisition	0	(30,207,000)
Proceeds from short-term investments	0	52,266,000
Net repayments (borrowings) of notes receivable	4,330,000	(1,785,000)
Capital improvements	(53,164,000)	(41,396,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(48,834,000)	(534,597,000)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net proceeds from stock options and employee stock purchase plan	3,682,000	2,950,000
Net proceeds from issuance of Common Stock	0	344,049,000
Distributions to Common Stockholders, Common OP Unitholders, Perpetual Preferred OP Unitholders and Preferred Stockholders	(68,014,000)	(51,660,000)
Stock repurchase and Unit redemption	(43,000)	(216,000)
Principal payments and mortgage debt payoff	(154,706,000)	(68,762,000)
New mortgage notes payable financing proceeds	159,500,000	200,000,000
Term loan financing proceeds	0	200,000,000
Equity issuance costs	(100,000)	0
Debt issuance costs	(2,960,000)	(11,918,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(62,641,000)	614,443,000
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	77,408,000	200,137,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	70,460,000	12,659,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	147,868,000	212,796,000
Supplemental Information:
Cash paid during the period for interest	88,922,000	68,806,000
Non-cash activities (increase/(decrease)):
Manufactured homes acquired with dealer financing	0	830,000
Dealer financing	0	830,000
Capital improvements - used homes acquired by repossessions	3,506,000	361,000
Net repayments of notes receivable - used homes acquired by repossessions	(3,506,000)	(361,000)
Building and other depreciable property - reclassification of rental homes	(3,608,000)	(2,435,000)
Escrow deposits and other assets - reclassification of rental homes	3,608,000	2,435,000
Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock	0	200,000,000
Perpetual Preferred OP Units conversion	0	(200,000,000)
Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock Exchange	(136,144,000)	0
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock Exchange	136,144,000	0
Acquisitions:
Investment in real estate	(6,262,000)	548,785,000
Common Stock issued	0	110,589,000
Series B Subordinated Non-Voting Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Issued	0	84,234,000
Mortgage notes payable	0	348,754,000
Accrued interest payable	0	39,000
Rents and other customer payments received in advance and security deposits	0	3,972,000
Accrued payroll and other operating expenses	0	1,197,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Other Assets Acquired	$ 6,774,000	$ 0