Reportable Segments - Consolidated Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ (39,024)	$ (37,977)
Gain on sale of real estate, net	0	52,507
Reconciliation to Consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net	11,059	10,370
General and administrative	(10,855)	(9,909)
Other expenses	(588)	(427)
Interest and related amortization	(26,073)	(26,393)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	207	1,533
Early debt retirement	(1,054)	0
Consolidated net income	70,724	120,535
Total assets	4,212,464	4,008,877	$ 4,151,275
Capital improvements	48,959	52,441
Property Operations
Reconciliation to Consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net	11,059	10,370
Total assets	3,936,862	3,771,453
Capital improvements	32,605	24,406
Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Reconciliation to Consolidated net income:
Total assets	275,602	237,424
Capital improvements	16,354	28,035
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operations revenues	278,026	256,353
Operations expenses	(132,365)	(117,889)
Income from segment operations	145,661	138,464
Interest income	1,802	1,744
Depreciation and amortization	(39,024)	(37,977)
Gain on sale of real estate, net		52,507
Income (loss) from operations	108,439	154,738
Operating Segments | Property Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operations revenues	262,474	246,016
Operations expenses	(117,898)	(108,970)
Income from segment operations	144,576	137,046
Interest income	1,075	894
Depreciation and amortization	(36,220)	(35,543)
Gain on sale of real estate, net		52,507
Income (loss) from operations	109,431	154,904
Operating Segments | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operations revenues	15,552	10,337
Operations expenses	(14,467)	(8,919)
Income from segment operations	1,085	1,418
Interest income	727	850
Depreciation and amortization	(2,804)	(2,434)
Gain on sale of real estate, net		0
Income (loss) from operations	(992)	(166)
Segment Reconciling Items
Reconciliation to Consolidated net income:
Corporate interest income	5	7
Income from other investments, net	643	986
General and administrative	(10,855)	(9,909)
Other expenses	(588)	(427)
Interest and related amortization	(26,073)	(26,393)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	207	$ 1,533
Early debt retirement	$ (1,054)