Derivatives	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Derivatives [Abstract]
Derivatives	Derivatives: In accordance with the guidance on derivatives and hedging, NNN records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. NNN’s objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements or other identified risks. To accomplish this objective, NNN primarily uses treasury locks, forward swaps (“forward hedges”) and interest rate swaps as part of its cash flow hedging strategy. Treasury locks and forward starting swaps are used to hedge forecasted debt issuances. Treasury locks designated as cash flow hedges lock in the yield/price of a treasury security. Forward swaps also lock the associated swap spread. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges hedging the variable cash flows associated with floating rate debt involve the receipt of variable rate amounts in exchange for fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying principal amount. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. NNN discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, the derivative is re-designated as a hedging instrument or management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. When hedge accounting is discontinued, NNN continues to carry the derivative at its fair value on the balance sheet, and recognizes any changes in its fair value in earnings or may choose to cash settle the derivative at that time. In June 2011, NNN terminated its two treasury locks with a total notional amount of $150,000,000 that were hedging the risk of changes in the interest-related cash outflows associated with the potential issuance of long-term debt. The fair value of the treasury locks, designated as cash flow hedges, when terminated was a liability of $5,300,000, of which $5,218,000 was deferred in other comprehensive income. In September 2007, NNN terminated two interest rate hedges with a combined notional amount of $100,000,000 that were hedging the risk of changes in forecasted interest payments on a forecasted issuance of long-term debt. The fair value of the interest rate hedges when terminated was a liability of $3,260,000, of which $3,228,000 was deferred in other comprehensive income. In June 2004, NNN terminated its forward-starting interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $94,000,000 that was hedging the risk of changes in forecasted interest payments on a forecasted issuance of long-term debt. The fair value of the interest rate swaps when terminated was an asset of $4,148,000, which was deferred in other comprehensive income. As of December 31, 2011, $5,924,000 remains in other comprehensive income related to the effective portion of NNN’s previous interest rate hedges. During the year ended December 31, 2011, NNN reclassed $9,000 out of other comprehensive income as an increase to interest expense. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, NNN reclassed $165,000 and $159,000, respectively, out of other comprehensive income as a reduction to interest expense. Over the next 12 months, NNN estimates that an additional $231,000 will be reclassified as an increase in interest expense. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on NNN’s long-term debt. NNN does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes or currently have any derivatives that are not designated as hedges. NNN had no derivative financial instruments outstanding at December 31, 2011.

Derivatives

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Derivatives:

In accordance with the guidance on derivatives and hedging, NNN records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges.

NNN’s objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements or other identified risks. To accomplish this objective, NNN primarily uses treasury locks, forward swaps (“forward hedges”) and interest rate swaps as part of its cash flow hedging strategy. Treasury locks and forward starting swaps are used to hedge forecasted debt issuances. Treasury locks designated as cash flow hedges lock in the yield/price of a treasury security. Forward swaps also lock the associated swap spread. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges hedging the variable cash flows associated with floating rate debt involve the receipt of variable rate amounts in exchange for fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying principal amount.

For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings.

NNN discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, the derivative is re-designated as a hedging instrument or management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. When hedge accounting is discontinued, NNN continues to carry the derivative at its fair value on the balance sheet, and recognizes any changes in its fair value in earnings or may choose to cash settle the derivative at that time.

In June 2011, NNN terminated its two treasury locks with a total notional amount of $150,000,000 that were hedging the risk of changes in the interest-related cash outflows associated with the potential issuance of long-term debt. The fair value of the treasury locks, designated as cash flow hedges, when terminated was a liability of $5,300,000, of which $5,218,000 was deferred in other comprehensive income.

In September 2007, NNN terminated two interest rate hedges with a combined notional amount of $100,000,000 that were hedging the risk of changes in forecasted interest payments on a forecasted issuance of long-term debt. The fair value of the interest rate hedges when terminated was a liability of $3,260,000, of which $3,228,000 was deferred in other comprehensive income.

In June 2004, NNN terminated its forward-starting interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $94,000,000 that was hedging the risk of changes in forecasted interest payments on a forecasted issuance of long-term debt. The fair value of the interest rate swaps when terminated was an asset of $4,148,000, which was deferred in other comprehensive income.

As of December 31, 2011, $5,924,000 remains in other comprehensive income related to the effective portion of NNN’s previous interest rate hedges. During the year ended December 31, 2011, NNN reclassed $9,000 out of other comprehensive income as an increase to interest expense. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, NNN reclassed $165,000 and $159,000, respectively, out of other comprehensive income as a reduction to interest expense. Over the next 12 months, NNN estimates that an additional $231,000 will be reclassified as an increase in interest expense. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on NNN’s long-term debt.

NNN does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes or currently have any derivatives that are not designated as hedges. NNN had no derivative financial instruments outstanding at December 31, 2011.