Earnings From Discontinued Operations (Summary Of Earnings From Discontinued Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Earned income from direct financing leases	$ 618	$ 693	$ 1,246	$ 1,433
Interest and other income from real estate transactions	764	543	1,470	1,164
Total revenues	82,751	61,865	161,350	123,336
General and administrative	7,024	6,568	14,627	13,226
Real estate	4,025	3,919	8,597	7,573
Depreciation and amortization	19,032	13,765	37,140	27,184
Total operating expenses	32,799	24,519	63,082	48,379
Interest expense	19,394	17,512	39,039	35,174
Total other expenses (revenues)	(19,033)	(17,229)	(38,320)	(34,549)
Earnings before gain on disposition of real estate and income tax expense	31,222	20,807	60,413	41,096
Income tax expense	(140)	(210)	(236)	(191)
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to NNN	2,239	568	2,817	1,005
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(29)	(34)	(38)	0
Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Rental income from operating leases	687	1,273	1,571	2,163
Earned income from direct financing leases	0	20	6	40
Interest and other income from real estate transactions	110	165	262	359
Total revenues	797	1,458	1,839	2,562
General and administrative	4	3	7	7
Real estate	192	346	478	621
Depreciation and amortization	35	132	95	263
Impairment losses and other charges	345	0	380	0
Total operating expenses	576	481	960	891
Interest expense	360	340	717	681
Total other expenses (revenues)	360	340	717	681
Earnings before gain on disposition of real estate and income tax expense	(139)	637	162	990
Gain on disposition of real estate	2,438	1	2,752	132
Income tax expense	(60)	(70)	(97)	(117)
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5)	(33)	(17)	(93)
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to NNN	$ 2,234	$ 535	$ 2,800	$ 912