Reportable Segments - Consolidated Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ (37,977)	$ (32,374)
Gain on sale of real estate, net	52,507	0
Reconciliation to Consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net	10,370	13,036
General and administrative	(9,909)	(8,038)
Other expenses	(427)	(343)
Interest and related amortization	(26,393)	(25,703)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	1,533	1,195
Consolidated net income	120,535	64,177
Total assets	4,008,877	3,690,083	$ 3,925,808
Capital improvements	52,441	31,316
Property Operations
Reconciliation to Consolidated net income:
Total assets	3,771,453	3,547,466
Capital improvements	24,406	21,267
Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Reconciliation to Consolidated net income:
Total assets	237,424	142,617
Capital improvements	28,035	10,049
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operations revenues	256,353	243,135
Operations expenses	(117,889)	(116,585)
Income from segment operations	138,464	126,550
Interest income	1,744	1,715
Depreciation and amortization	(37,977)	(32,374)
Gain on sale of real estate, net	52,507
Income (loss) from operations	154,738	95,891
Operating Segments | Property Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operations revenues	246,016	231,016
Operations expenses	(108,970)	(105,512)
Income from segment operations	137,046	125,504
Interest income	894	808
Depreciation and amortization	(35,543)	(29,874)
Gain on sale of real estate, net	52,507
Income (loss) from operations	154,904	96,438
Operating Segments | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operations revenues	10,337	12,119
Operations expenses	(8,919)	(11,073)
Income from segment operations	1,418	1,046
Interest income	850	907
Depreciation and amortization	(2,434)	(2,500)
Gain on sale of real estate, net	0
Income (loss) from operations	(166)	(547)
Segment Reconciling Items
Reconciliation to Consolidated net income:
Corporate interest income	7	235
Income from other investments, net	986	940
General and administrative	(9,909)	(8,038)
Other expenses	(427)	(343)
Interest and related amortization	(26,393)	(25,703)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 1,533	$ 1,195