Note 16 - Supplemental Schedule of Non-cash Investing / Financing Activities - Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Acquisition of real estate interests through proceeds held in escrow		$ 30,970	$ 0
Proceeds deposited in escrow through sale of real estate interests		0	16,842
Disposition of real estate interests through the issuance of mortgage receivables		0	14,700
Disposition of real estate interests by foreclosure of debt		0	7,444
Forgiveness of debt due to foreclosure		0	12,415
Surrender of restricted common stock		3,948	4,290
Dividends payable		126,203	130,263	$ 130,262
Capital expenditures accrual		73,958	84,873
Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interests’ carrying amount	[1]	0	3,918
Decrease in real estate and other assets		0	300,299
Increase in investments in and advances to real estate joint ventures		0	(62,429)
Decrease in mortgages and construction loan payable, other liabilities and noncontrolling interests		$ 0	$ 248,274

[1] During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded an adjustment of $3.9 million to the estimated redemption fair market value of a noncontrolling interest in accordance with the provisions of the respective joint venture agreement and ASC 480 - Accounting for Redeemable Equity Instruments.