Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Earnings including noncontrolling interests	$ 43,841	$ 33,903
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	28,012	23,805
Impairment charges	459	2,851
Impairment – commercial mortgage residual interests valuation	158	0
Amortization of notes payable discount	302	1,356
Amortization of debt costs	656	907
Amortization of mortgages payable premium	(15)	(14)
Amortization of deferred interest rate hedges	135	60
Gain on disposition of real estate	(1,963)	(505)
Performance incentive plan expense	2,338	2,310
Performance incentive plan payment	(2,808)	(2,139)
Noncontrolling interest distributions	(1,208)	0
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations:
Additions to held for sale real estate	0	(1,029)
Decrease in real estate leased to others using the direct financing method	328	400
Decrease (increase) in mortgages, notes and accrued interest receivable	(137)	286
Decrease (increase) in receivables	417	(148)
Increase in accrued rental income	(549)	(727)
Decrease in other assets	742	61
Increase in accrued interest payable	10,854	10,603
Decrease in other liabilities	(3,249)	(2,264)
Other	291	(893)
Net cash provided by operating activities	78,604	68,823
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from the disposition of real estate	12,301	4,627
Additions to real estate:
Accounted for using the operating method	(89,862)	(51,431)
Increase in mortgages and notes receivable	(3,245)	(739)
Principal payments on mortgages and notes receivable	214	1,339
Payment of lease costs	(1,084)	(255)
Other	(16)	(93)
Net cash used in investing activities	(81,692)	(46,552)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit payable	251,000	186,500
Repayment of line of credit payable	(205,900)	(301,300)
Repayment of mortgages payable	(279)	(260)
Repayment of notes payable – convertible	0	(20,565)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	21,144	166,067
Stock issuance costs	(304)	(2,264)
Payment of common stock dividends	(49,273)	(44,321)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	7,529	(20,905)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	4,441	1,366
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,485	2,076
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	5,926	3,442
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized	8,781	9,297
Taxes paid	27	19
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Issued 371,134 and 298,896 shares of restricted and unrestricted common stock in 2014 and 2013, respectively, pursuant to NNN’s performance incentive plan	10,345	7,904
Issued 3,985 and 4,292 shares of common stock in 2014 and 2013, respectively, to directors pursuant to NNN’s performance incentive plan	132	137
Issued 4,162 and 3,227 shares of common stock in 2014 and 2013, respectively, pursuant to NNN’s Deferred Director Fee Plan	66	38
Change in other comprehensive income	2,439	815
Note receivable accepted in connection with real estate transactions	70	0
Series D Depositary Share
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of Series D and Series E preferred stock dividends	(4,762)	(4,762)
Series E Depositary Share
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of Series D and Series E preferred stock dividends	$ (4,097)	$ 0