Related Party Transactions and Arrangements - Schedule of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	$ 26,890	$ 31,311
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Credit Facility [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest income	124	308
Offering-related fees and reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	4,316	12,391
Selling commissions [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	2,177	7,041
Dealer manager and distribution fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	1,253	2,640
Reimbursement revenue [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	886	2,710
Transaction service fees and reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	4,006	2,384
Acquisition fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	3,272	1,702
Reimbursement revenues [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	734	682
Management fees and reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	18,444	16,228
Asset and property management fees and leasing fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	53	55
Advisory and performance fee revenue [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	13,624	12,050
Reimbursement revenues [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	$ 4,767	$ 4,123
Selling commissions allowable [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Selling commissions reallowed	100.00%	100.00%
Selling commissions allowable [Member] | Cole REITs [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	$ 500	$ 1,000
Revenue from Managed Real Estate Investment Trusts, Excluding Fees from Real Estate Programs [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	$ 400	$ 200