Related Party Transactions and Arrangements (Revenue from Cole REITs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		$ 30,538	$ 26,780	$ 94,038	$ 77,816
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Credit Facility [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest income		0	306	308	967
Offering-related fees and reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		9,545	5,850	32,850	14,483
Selling commissions [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		5,008	3,328	18,112	8,345
Dealer manager and distribution fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		2,237	1,258	7,292	3,143
Reimbursement revenue [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		2,300	1,264	7,446	2,995
Transaction service fees and reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		3,499	6,636	10,297	20,857
Acquisition fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		2,813	6,233	8,273	14,913
Disposition fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		0	0	0	4,350
Reimbursement revenues [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		686	403	2,024	1,594
Management fees and reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		17,494	13,988	50,583	41,509
Asset and property management fees and leasing fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		53	108	159	332
Advisory and performance fee revenue [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		13,011	10,998	37,621	32,674
Reimbursement revenues [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		$ 4,430	2,882	$ 12,803	8,503
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	600	$ 2,800	1,300
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		$ 500	$ 1,100	$ 1,100	$ 4,700