Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Real estate assets:
Land	$ 358,429		$ 333,846
Buildings and improvements	2,966,313		2,879,289
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	94,975		92,170
Capital improvements in progress	75,552		53,790
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost, Total	3,495,269		3,359,095
Less accumulated depreciation	(990,936)		(961,724)
Real Estate Investment Property, Net, Total	2,504,333		2,397,371
Land held for future development	1,306		1,306
Commercial properties, net	7,865		8,125
Investments in real estate joint ventures	6,202		17,006
Real estate assets, net	2,519,706		2,423,808
Cash and cash equivalents	22,341		57,317
Restricted cash	1,038		1,362
Deferred financing costs, net	14,859		14,680
Other assets	28,542		29,195
Goodwill	4,106		4,106
Assets held for sale	8,496		0
Total assets	2,599,088		2,530,468
Liabilities:
Secured notes payable	1,226,421		1,514,755
Unsecured notes payable	363,000		135,000
Accounts payable	5,582		2,091
Fair market value of interest rate swaps	27,648		33,095
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	89,941		91,718
Security deposits	6,586		6,310
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale	9,250		0
Total liabilities	1,728,428		1,782,969
Redeemable stock	4,697		4,037
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 40,940,360 and 38,959,338 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	410	[1]	389	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	1,494,172		1,375,623
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(624,304)		(621,833)
Accumulated other comprehensive losses	(30,891)		(35,848)
Total MAA shareholders' equity	839,387		718,331
Noncontrolling interest	26,576		25,131
Total equity	865,963		743,462
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,599,088		$ 2,530,468

[1] Number of shares issued and outstanding represent total shares of common stock regardless of classification on the consolidated balance sheet. The number of shares classified as redeemable stock on the consolidated balance sheet for June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are 68,837 and 65,771, respectively.