Related Party Transactions and Arrangements - Transaction Service Revenue (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 property
Cole REITs [Member] | Acquisition and Disposition Fee Revenue [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number (or more) of properties to earn disposition fees	1
CCPT V [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Threshold for return on stockholders' capital	6.00%
CCPT V [Member] | Acquisition Fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party, percentage	2.00%
CCPT V [Member] | Disposition Fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party, percentage	1.00%
CCPT V [Member] | Performance Fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party, percentage	15.00%
CCIT III [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Threshold for return on stockholders' capital	6.00%
CCIT III [Member] | Acquisition Fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party, percentage	2.00%
CCIT III [Member] | Disposition Fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party, percentage	1.00%
CCIT III [Member] | Performance Fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party, percentage	15.00%
CCIT III [Member] | Financing Coordination Fee [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party, percentage	1.00%
CCIT II [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Threshold for return on stockholders' capital	8.00%
CCIT II [Member] | Acquisition Fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party, percentage	2.00%
CCIT II [Member] | Disposition Fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party, percentage	1.00%
CCIT II [Member] | Performance Fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party, percentage	15.00%
CCPT IV [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Threshold for return on stockholders' capital	8.00%
CCPT IV [Member] | Acquisition Fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party, percentage	2.00%
CCPT IV [Member] | Disposition Fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party, percentage	1.00%
CCPT IV [Member] | Performance Fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party, percentage	15.00%