Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments in real estate:
Real estate, at cost (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated variable interest entities (''VIEs'') of $78,745 and $$78,745 , respectively)	$ 2,373,912	$ 2,334,488
Operating real estate, at cost	98,690	99,703
Accumulated depreciation (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $16,648 and $16,110, respectively)	(150,207)	(136,068)
Net investments in properties	2,322,395	2,298,123
Net investments in direct financing leases (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $23,900 and $23,921, respectively)	364,078	376,005
Assets held for sale	1,505	1,445
Equity investments in real estate and the Managed REITs	564,092	565,626
Net investments in real estate	3,252,070	3,241,199
Cash (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $10 and $17, respectively)	111,564	123,904
Due from affiliates	34,625	36,002
Goodwill	328,474	329,132
In-place lease, net (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $3,707 and $3,823, respectively)	468,132	447,278
Above-market rent, net (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $2,716 and $2,773, respectively)	267,845	279,885
Other intangible assets, net (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $287 and $297, respectively)	10,484	10,200
Other assets, net (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $4,733 and $4,232, respectively)	136,420	141,442
Total assets	4,609,614	4,609,042
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $30,040 and $30,326, respectively)	1,695,335	1,715,397
Senior credit facility	298,000	253,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $7,656 and $7,659, respectively)	317,520	265,132
Income taxes, net	20,847	24,959
Distributions payable	57,128	45,700
Total liabilities	2,388,830	2,304,188
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	7,404	7,531
Redeemable securities - related party (Note 3)	0	40,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
W. P. Carey stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 per value, 450,000,000 shares authorized; 69,178,667 and 68,901,933 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	69	69
Preferred stock, $0.001 per value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	2,184,387	2,175,820
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(218,191)	(172,182)
Deferred compensation obligation	13,411	8,358
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,414)	(4,649)
Less, treasury stock at cost, 416,408 and 416,408 shares, respectively	(20,270)	(20,270)
Total W. P. Carey stockholders' equity	1,949,992	1,987,146
Noncontrolling interest	263,388	270,177
Total equity	2,213,380	2,257,323
Total liabilities and equity	$ 4,609,614	$ 4,609,042