DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013 Discontinued operations item	Sep. 30, 2012 Discontinued operations	Sep. 30, 2013 Discontinued operations item	Sep. 30, 2012 Discontinued operations	Dec. 31, 2012 Discontinued operations item	Mar. 14, 2013 South Bay Manor item	Mar. 29, 2013 Falkland Chase item	Apr. 10, 2013 Castle Club item
Operating results of discontinued operations
Number of apartment communities sold						3		6
Number of Units				669					61	450	158
Sales Price				$ 124,100					$ 11,100	$ 98,000	$ 15,000
Gain on Sale	19,667	45,004	19,667	45,040	19,667	45,004	19,667		5,222	36,511	3,307
Revenues:
Rental income					6,724	2,512	20,510
Property other income					691	351	2,072
Total revenues					7,415	2,863	22,582
Expenses:
Operating and maintenance					2,722	952	8,203
Interest expense					996	1,741	3,158
Depreciation and amortization					1,687	547	5,249
Total expenses					5,405	3,240	16,610
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	2,010	(377)	5,972		2,010	(377)	5,972
Discontinued operations	21,677	44,627	25,639		21,677	44,627	25,639
Debt extinguishment costs and other one-time costs incurred						$ 1,416