Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:
Community base rental income	$ 103,157	$ 98,752	$ 305,401	$ 295,185
Rental home income	3,584	3,055	10,576	8,422
Resort base rental income	39,932	36,516	113,868	104,503
Right-to-use annual payments	12,323	12,115	35,889	36,087
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross	3,707	4,494	9,899	9,680
Right-to-use contracts, deferred, net of prior period amortization	(1,856)	(2,788)	(4,446)	(4,680)
Utility And Other Income	16,224	15,499	48,694	48,559
Gross revenues from home sales	5,415	1,660	12,328	5,585
Brokered resale revenues and ancillary services revenues, net	1,395	990	4,122	3,211
Interest income	2,200	2,120	6,173	6,132
Income from other investments, net	1,885	2,651	5,989	5,708
Total revenues	187,966	175,064	548,493	518,392
Expenses:
Property operating and maintenance	61,782	58,586	175,183	168,444
Rental home operating and maintenance	1,950	1,713	5,307	4,407
Real estate taxes	11,584	11,362	35,873	34,729
Sales and marketing, gross	3,842	3,573	9,536	7,848
Sales and marketing, deferred commissions, net	(706)	(1,277)	(1,824)	(2,174)
Property management	10,077	9,358	30,380	28,305
Depreciation on real estate and rental homes	26,460	25,579	81,793	76,525
Amortization of Intangible Assets for Continuing Operations	485	7,394	803	38,659
Cost of home sales	5,137	1,804	11,837	6,485
Home selling expenses	563	325	1,544	1,051
General and administrative	7,606	6,402	21,261	19,317
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	36,530	0	37,911	0
Rent control initiatives and other	521	221	2,377	1,067
Interest and related amortization	29,206	31,508	89,706	93,035
Total expenses	195,037	156,548	501,687	477,698
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	(7,071)	18,516	46,806	40,694
Equity income from unconsolidated joint ventures	439	269	1,624	1,524
Consolidated income from continuing operations	(6,632)	18,785	48,430	42,218
Net income from discontinued operations	982	2,707	7,215	3,226
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	40,586	0	41,544	0
Income allocated to non-controlling interest - discontinued operations	41,568	2,707	48,759	3,226
(Income) loss allocated to non-controlling interests - Common OP Units	(2,753)	(1,503)	7,483	2,891
Net income (loss) available for Common Shares – basic	29,872	16,009	82,755	30,504
Consolidated net income	34,936	21,492	97,189	45,444
Other comprehensive loss:
Adjustment for fair market value of swap	361	(54)	1,233	(466)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	35,297	21,438	98,422	44,978
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends		(3,980)		12,048
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Common Shareholders	30,203	15,960	83,886	30,078
Earnings per Common Share - Basic:
Income from continuing operations	$ (0.10)	$ 0.16	$ 0.46	$ 0.33
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.46	$ 0.03	$ 0.54	$ 0.04
Net income available for Common Shares	$ 0.36	$ 0.19	$ 1.00	$ 0.37
Earnings per Common Share - Fully Diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$ (0.10)	$ 0.16	$ 0.46	$ 0.33
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.46	$ 0.03	$ 0.53	$ 0.04
Net income available for Common Shares	$ 0.36	$ 0.19	$ 0.99	$ 0.37
Distributions declared per Common Share outstanding	$ 0.25	$ 0.219	$ 0.75	$ 0.656
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – basic	83,021	82,380	83,023	82,274
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – fully diluted	91,259	90,894	91,149	90,836
Cumulative SeriesA Eight Point Zero Three Four Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Other comprehensive loss:
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	0	(3,393)	0	11,462
Cumulative Series C Six Point Seven Five Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Other comprehensive loss:
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	(2,311)	(587)	6,951	587
Non-controlling interests - Common OP Units
Other comprehensive loss:
Comprehensive income (loss) allocated to non-controlling interests	$ (2,783)	$ (1,498)	$ 7,585	$ 2,851