Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Buildings and improvements	$ 6,593,894	$ 6,372,683
Land	2,006,360	1,968,433
Total real estate	8,600,254	8,341,116
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,849,046)	(2,633,242)
Net real estate ($741,662 and $775,668 related to VIEs)	5,751,208	5,707,874
Cash and cash equivalents ($44,043 and $43,286 related to VIEs)	102,515	91,066
Restricted cash ($45,975 and $43,913 related to VIEs)	158,649	184,626
Accounts receivable, net ($10,022 and $8,434 related to VIEs)	36,540	41,796
Notes receivable	103,288	111,205
Investment in unconsolidated real estate partnerships ($22,504 and $29,301 related to VIEs)	38,249	47,790
Other assets	328,464	339,403
Assets held for sale	46,475	348,102
Total assets	6,565,388	6,871,862
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Non-recourse property debt ($617,717 and $621,203 related to VIEs)	4,871,981	4,870,426
Revolving credit facility borrowings	66,200	0
Total indebtedness	4,938,181	4,870,426
Accounts payable	28,488	32,607
Accrued liabilities and other ($59,000 and $79,573 related to VIEs)	235,881	283,247
Deferred income	133,054	139,606
Liabilities related to assets held for sale	46,729	317,918
Total liabilities	5,382,333	5,643,804
Preferred noncontrolling interests in Aimco Operating Partnership	80,077	83,384
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)	0	0
Equity:
Perpetual Preferred Stock	68,114	657,114
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 480,887,260 shares authorized, 145,554,888 and 120,916,294 shares issued/outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	1,456	1,209
Additional paid-in capital	3,714,674	3,098,333
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,397)	(6,860)
Distributions in excess of earnings	(2,902,175)	(2,841,467)
Total Aimco equity	875,672	908,329
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships	264,286	270,666
Common noncontrolling interests in Aimco Operating Partnership	(36,980)	(34,321)
Total equity	1,102,978	1,144,674
Total liabilities and equity	6,565,388	6,871,862
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P
ASSETS
Buildings and improvements	6,593,894	6,372,683
Land	2,006,360	1,968,433
Total real estate	8,600,254	8,341,116
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,849,046)	(2,633,242)
Net real estate ($741,662 and $775,668 related to VIEs)	5,751,208	5,707,874
Cash and cash equivalents ($44,043 and $43,286 related to VIEs)	102,515	91,066
Restricted cash ($45,975 and $43,913 related to VIEs)	158,649	184,626
Accounts receivable, net ($10,022 and $8,434 related to VIEs)	36,540	41,796
Notes receivable	103,288	111,205
Investment in unconsolidated real estate partnerships ($22,504 and $29,301 related to VIEs)	38,249	47,790
Other assets	328,464	339,403
Assets held for sale	46,475	348,102
Total assets	6,565,388	6,871,862
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Non-recourse property debt ($617,717 and $621,203 related to VIEs)	4,871,981	4,870,426
Revolving credit facility borrowings	66,200	0
Total indebtedness	4,938,181	4,870,426
Accounts payable	28,488	32,607
Accrued liabilities and other ($59,000 and $79,573 related to VIEs)	235,881	283,247
Deferred income	133,054	139,606
Liabilities related to assets held for sale	46,729	317,918
Total liabilities	5,382,333	5,643,804
Redeemable preferred units	80,077	83,384
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)	0	0
Equity:
Preferred units	68,114	657,114
General Partner and Special Limited Partner	807,558	251,215
Limited Partners	(36,980)	(34,321)
Partners' capital attributable to the Aimco Operating Partnership	838,692	874,008
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships	264,286	270,666
Total partners' capital	1,102,978	1,144,674
Total liabilities and equity	$ 6,565,388	$ 6,871,862