Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Rental income from operating leases	$ 414,043		$ 372,913		$ 312,629
Earned income from direct financing leases	1,725		1,955		2,119
Percentage rent	1,074		1,556		1,165
Real estate expense reimbursement from tenants	13,875		13,340		11,817
Interest and other income from real estate transactions	2,296		1,471		2,243
Interest income on commercial mortgage residual interests	1,834		2,290		2,673
Total revenues	434,847		393,525		332,646
Retail operations:
Revenues	0		0		19,008
Operating expenses	0		0		(18,542)
Net	0		0		466
Operating expenses:
General and administrative	32,518		31,095		31,828
Real estate	18,905		18,497		17,425
Depreciation and amortization	116,162		99,274		73,806
Impairment – commercial mortgage residual interests valuation	256		1,185		2,812
Impairment losses and other charges, net of recoveries	760		3,580		3,899
Total operating expenses	168,601		153,631		129,770
Earnings from operations	266,246		239,894		203,342
Other expenses (revenues):
Interest and other income	(357)		(1,493)		(2,232)
Interest expense	85,510		85,822		83,787
Real estate acquisition costs	1,391		1,485		364
Total other expenses (revenues)	86,544		85,814		81,919
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax benefit (expense) and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	179,702		154,080		121,423
Income tax benefit (expense)	75		(74)		6,891
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	0		0		4,074
Earnings from continuing operations	179,777		154,006		132,388
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense	124		5,972		9,549
Earnings before gain on disposition of real estate, net of income tax expense	179,901		159,978		141,937
Gain on disposition of real estate, net of income tax expense	11,269		107		0
Earnings including noncontrolling interests	191,170		160,085		141,937
Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Continuing operations	(569)		223		102
Discontinued operations	0		(163)		(24)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(569)		60		78
Net earnings attributable to NNN	190,601		160,145		142,015
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of Series C preferred shares redeemed	0		0		(3,098)
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	155,167		132,222		121,489
Basic:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.24		$ 1.06		$ 1.04
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00		$ 0.05		$ 0.09
Net earnings (in dollars per share)	$ 1.24		$ 1.11		$ 1.13
Diluted:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.24		$ 1.05		$ 1.02
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00		$ 0.05		$ 0.09
Net earnings (in dollars per share)	$ 1.24		$ 1.10		$ 1.11
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	124,257,558		118,204,148		106,965,156
Diluted (in shares)	124,710,226		119,864,824		109,117,515
Other comprehensive income:
Net earnings attributable to NNN	190,601		160,145		142,015
Amortization of interest rate hedges	1,129		438		231
Fair value forward starting swaps	(6,312)		(3,141)		0
Net gain (loss) – commercial mortgage residual interests	1,038		(438)		1,132
Net gain (loss) – available-for-sale securities	(8)		69		85
Reclassification of noncontrolling interests	0		949		0
Comprehensive income attributable to NNN	186,448		158,022		143,463
Series C Preferred Stock
Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Preferred stock dividends	0	[1]	0	[1]	(1,979)	[1]
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of Series C preferred shares redeemed					(92,000)
Series D Preferred Stock
Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Preferred stock dividends	(19,047)	[2]	(19,047)	[2]	(15,449)	[2]
Series E Preferred Stock
Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Preferred stock dividends	$ (16,387)	[3]	$ (8,876)	[3]	$ 0	[3]

[1] The Series C Preferred Stock was redeemed in March 2012. The dividends paid during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 include accumulated and unpaid dividends through the redemption date.

[2] The Series D Preferred Stock dividends paid during the quarter ended June 30, 2012 include accumulated and unpaid dividends from the issuance date through the declaration date. The Series D Preferred Stock has no maturity date and will remain outstanding unless redeemed.

[3] The Series E Preferred Stock dividends paid during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 include accumulated and unpaid dividends from the issuance date through the declaration date. The Series E Preferred Stock has no maturity date and will remain outstanding unless redeemed.