Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Earnings including noncontrolling interests	$ 42,123	$ 37,948
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Performance incentive plan expense	3,297	2,712
Stock option expense - tax effect		122
Depreciation and amortization	27,678	24,192
Impairment - commercial mortgage residual interests valuation	396	3,848
Amortization of notes payable discount	3,335	3,130
Amortization of deferred interest rate hedges	(85)	(82)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	(213)	(214)
Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliate	286	286
Gain on disposition of real estate, Investment Portfolio	(30)	(377)
Gain on disposition of real estate, Inventory Portfolio	(102)	(941)
Income tax valuation allowance		265
Other	82	(67)
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations:
Additions to real estate, Inventory Portfolio	(212)	(335)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate, Inventory Portfolio	1,058	42,817
Decrease in real estate leased to others using the direct financing method	802	753
Increase in work in process	(575)	(324)
Increase in mortgages, notes and accrued interest receivable	(88)	(39)
Decrease (increase) in receivables	998	(1,680)
Decrease (increase) in commercial mortgage residual interests	(127)	1,284
Decrease (increase) accrued rental income	149	(91)
Decrease (increase) in other assets	(19)	74
Decrease in accrued interest payable	(57)	(7)
Decrease in other liabilities	(1,631)	(3,167)
Increase in tax liability	794	216
Net cash provided by operating activities	77,859	110,323
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from the disposition of real estate, Investment Portfolio	807	5,704
Additions to real estate, Investment Portfolio:
Accounted for using the operating method	(111,673)	(23,003)
Accounted for using the direct financing method	(1,747)
Increase in mortgages and notes receivable	(4,090)	(8,362)
Principal payments on mortgages and notes	2,107	9,358
Payment of lease costs	(672)	(686)
Other	402	(1,610)
Net cash used in investing activities	(114,866)	(18,599)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit payable	328,800
Repayment of line of credit payable	(270,600)
Payment of interest rate hedge	(5,300)
Payment of debt costs	(2,920)
Repayment of mortgages payable	(541)	(533)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	56,391	11,832
Payment of Series C preferred stock dividends	(3,392)	(3,392)
Payment of common stock dividends	(63,887)	(62,174)
Noncontrolling interest contributions	41	11
Noncontrolling interest distributions	(45)	(861)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	38,547	(55,117)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,540	36,607
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,048	15,225
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	3,588	51,832
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized	33,230	31,054
Taxes paid (received)	(487)	305
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Issued 139.351 and 392,474 shares of restricted and unrestricted common stock in 2011 and 2010, respectively, pursuant to NNN's performance incentive plan	3,407	7,490
Issued 4,623 and 5,372 shares of common stock in 2011 and 2010, respectively, to directors pursuant to NNN's performance incentive plan	118	118
Issued 13,879 and 12,528 shares of common stock in 2011 and 2010, respectively, pursuant to NNN's Deferred Director Fee Plan	245	186
Surrender of 4,494 shares of restricted stock in 2011	94
Change in lease classification (direct financing lease to operating lease)	2,243
Change in other comprehensive income	(4,730)	58
Mortgage receivable accepted in connection with real estate transactions		5,950
Mortgages payable assumed in connection with real estate transactions		5,432
Real estate acquired in connection with mortgage receivable foreclosure		$ 4,350