Earnings From Discontinued Operations (Summary Of Earnings From Discontinued Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Earned income from direct financing leases	$ 608	$ 639	$ 1,854	$ 2,072
Interest and other income from real estate transactions	512	381	1,982	1,534
Total revenues	85,013	66,626	244,856	188,729
General and administrative	8,652	7,036	23,278	20,261
Real estate	3,878	4,434	12,437	11,983
Depreciation and amortization	17,465	14,777	54,253	41,707
Impairment losses and other charges	8,663	431	9,043	431
Total operating expenses	37,256	26,247	99,982	74,347
Interest expense	22,866	20,086	61,905	55,260
Total other expenses (revenues)	21,672	19,629	59,992	54,177
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax benefit (expense) and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	26,085	21,589	85,347	61,732
Income tax expense	7,426	(68)	7,190	(258)
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to NNN	710	978	4,679	2,936
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	25	24	63	24
Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Rental income from operating leases	1,011	2,163	4,072	5,547
Earned income from direct financing leases	0	19	6	59
Interest and other income from real estate transactions	138	144	417	514
Total revenues	1,149	2,326	4,495	6,120
General and administrative	3	4	11	11
Real estate	269	283	785	929
Depreciation and amortization	78	248	525	766
Impairment losses and other charges	1,402	431	1,747	431
Total operating expenses	1,752	966	3,068	2,137
Interest expense	356	345	1,072	1,025
Total other expenses (revenues)	356	345	1,072	1,025
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax benefit (expense) and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	(959)	1,015	355	2,958
Gain on disposition of real estate	1,694	8	4,446	140
Income tax expense	(25)	(45)	(122)	(162)
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7)	4	(24)	(89)
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to NNN	$ 703	$ 982	$ 4,655	$ 2,847