Equity Investment in Real Estate and the Managed REITs (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Investments in REITs
Equity earnings from equity investments in the Managed REITs	$ 2,584	$ 187	$ 3,668	$ 5,683
Other-than- temporary impairment charges on our special member interest in CPA:16-Global operating partnership	(6,554)	(2,244)	(12,082)	(5,776)
Distributions of Available Cash	7,323	7,352	23,891	21,789
Deferred revenue earned	2,123	2,123	6,369	6,369
Equity income from the Managed REIT's	5,476	7,418	21,846	28,065
Equity in net earnings from other equity investments	3,704	3,059	30,531	24,743
Total net income from equity investments in real estate and the Managed REIT's	$ 9,180	$ 10,477	$ 52,377	$ 52,808

This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 32

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This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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This element represents the undistributed income (or loss) of equity method investments, net of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporations; such investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

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Amount of deferred revenue recognized in the period arising from the Company's Special Interest in the operating partnership of an affiliate.

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This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its affiliates to which the equity method of accounting is applied.

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The income earned from investments in real estate investment trusts.

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Income from other equity investments excluding REITs.

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