Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
ASSETS
Investment property, net	$ 1,625,052	$ 1,518,136
Cash and cash equivalents	61,045	29,508
Inventory of manufactured homes	7,667	7,527
Notes and other receivables	155,559	139,067
Other assets	64,477	59,879
TOTAL ASSETS	1,913,800	1,754,117
LIABILITIES
Debt	1,356,609	1,423,720
Lines of credit	392	29,781
Other liabilities	95,232	87,626
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,452,233	1,541,127
Commitments and contingencies
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000 shares authorized, none issued	34	34
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 90,000 shares authorized (September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, 31,536 and 23,612 shares issued respectively)	377	316
Additional paid-in capital	1,202,913	940,202
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(613)	(696)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(699,955)	(683,734)
Treasury stock, at cost (September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, 1,802 shares)	(63,600)	(63,600)
Total Sun Communities, Inc. stockholders' equity (deficit)	439,156	192,522
Noncontrolling interests:
A-1 preferred OP Units	45,548	45,548
Common OP Units	22,411	20,468
Series A-3 preferred OP units	3,463	0
Common OP units	(25,967)	(24,572)
Consolidated variable interest entities	(633)	(508)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	461,567	212,990
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	$ 1,913,800	$ 1,754,117