Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Real estate assets:
Land	$ 396,734	$ 386,670
Buildings and improvements	3,237,281	3,170,413
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	100,513	98,044
Capital improvements in progress	47,662	52,455
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost, Total	3,782,190	3,707,582
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,051,801)	(1,027,618)
Real Estate Investment Property, Net, Total	2,730,389	2,679,964
Land held for future development	5,450	1,205
Commercial properties, net	7,880	8,065
Investments in real estate joint ventures	3,178	4,837
Real estate assets, net	2,746,897	2,694,071
Cash and cash equivalents	8,792	9,075
Restricted cash	12,989	808
Deferred financing costs, net	12,492	13,842
Other assets	43,060	29,166
Goodwill	4,106	4,106
Assets held for sale	5,881	0
Total assets	2,834,217	2,751,068
Liabilities:
Secured notes payable	1,106,541	1,190,848
Unsecured notes payable	585,000	483,000
Accounts payable	10,085	4,586
Fair market value of interest rate swaps	11,907	21,423
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	96,284	94,719
Security deposits	6,934	6,669
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale	148	0
Total liabilities	1,816,899	1,801,245
Redeemable stock	5,521	4,713
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	427	422
Additional paid-in capital	1,569,090	1,542,999
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(582,884)	(603,315)
Accumulated other comprehensive losses	(6,336)	(26,054)
Total MAA shareholders' equity	980,297	914,052
Noncontrolling interest	31,500	31,058
Total equity	1,011,797	945,110
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,834,217	$ 2,751,068