Related Party Transactions and Arrangements (Revenue from Cole REITs) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) real_estate_program	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) real_estate_program	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) real_estate_program	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) real_estate_program
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		$ 32,486	$ 26,782	$ 64,027	$ 54,684
Number of real estate programs excluded from related party revenues | real_estate_program		1,031	1,031	1,031	1,031
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Credit Facility [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest income		$ 0	$ 253	$ 308	$ 661
Offering-related fees and reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		10,914	5,516	23,305	8,633
Securities commissions [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		6,063	3,243	13,104	5,018
Dealer manager and distribution fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		2,415	1,168	5,055	1,884
Reimbursement revenue [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		2,436	1,105	5,146	1,731
Transaction service fees and reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		4,476	7,036	6,860	17,296
Acquisition fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		3,758	4,192	5,460	8,680
Disposition fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		62	2,224	62	7,425
Reimbursement revenues [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		656	620	1,338	1,191
Management fees and reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		17,096	13,977	33,554	28,094
Asset and property management fees and leasing fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		286	371	571	797
Advisory and performance fee revenue [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		12,560	10,503	24,610	21,676
Reimbursement revenues [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		$ 4,250	3,103	$ 8,373	5,621
Selling commissions allowable [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Selling commissions reallowed		100.00%		100.00%
Dealer manager fees reimbursement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		$ 900	500	$ 1,900	700
Disposition fee revenue [Member] | CCIT [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	$ 4,400
Revenue from Managed Real Estate Investment Trusts, Excluding Fees from Real Estate Programs [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		$ 200	$ 2,400	$ 400	$ 3,500