Note 8 - Other Real Estate Investments (Details) - Preferred Equity Investments - Income Statement Disclosures (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Note 8 - Other Real Estate Investments (Details) - Preferred Equity Investments - Income Statement Disclosures [Line Items]
Revenues from rental property	$ 255,749,000	[1]	$ 246,555,000	[1]	$ 237,432,000	[1]	$ 219,152,000	[1]	$ 217,363,000	[1]	$ 205,300,000	[1]	$ 203,080,000	[1]	$ 199,467,000	[1]	$ 958,888,000		$ 825,210,000		$ 755,851,000
Operating expenses																	(683,582,000)		(612,061,000)		(560,457,000)
Interest expense																	(203,759,000)		(212,240,000)		(223,736,000)
Depreciation and amortization																	(258,074,000)		(224,713,000)		(214,827,000)
Impairment charges (a)																	(217,858,000)		(190,218,000)		(59,569,000)
Other expense, net																	(8,544,000)		1,195,000		(6,949,000)
Income from continuing operations																	310,315,000		249,466,000		232,916,000
Discontinued Operations:
Net income																	435,880,000		241,353,000		280,275,000
Preferred Equity Investments [Member]
Note 8 - Other Real Estate Investments (Details) - Preferred Equity Investments - Income Statement Disclosures [Line Items]
Revenues from rental property																	146,000,000		159,500,000		195,000,000
Operating expenses																	(47,000,000)		(34,800,000)		(44,700,000)
Interest expense																	(47,100,000)		(55,200,000)		(72,000,000)
Depreciation and amortization																	(19,200,000)		(24,000,000)		(33,700,000)
Impairment charges (a)																		[2]		[2]	(2,700,000)	[2]
Other expense, net																	(7,200,000)		(7,100,000)		(8,300,000)
Income from continuing operations																	25,500,000		38,400,000		33,600,000
Discontinued Operations:
Gain on disposition of properties																	31,500,000		20,800,000		17,500,000
Net income																	$ 57,000,000		$ 59,200,000		$ 51,100,000

[1] All periods have been adjusted to reflect the impact of operating properties sold during 2014 and 2013, which are reflected in the caption Discontinued operations on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.

[2] Represents an impairment charge against one master leased pool due to decline in fair market value.