Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$ 21,865	$ 3,013
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	19,341	18,752
Amortization of deferred financing costs	661	647
Gains on sales of real estate assets, net	(6,904)	(744)
Other, net	350	584
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	(6,446)	(209)
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated entities	1,183	484
Deferred compensation	43	22
Stock-based compensation	717	677
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness	301
Changes in assets, decrease in:
Other assets	110	893
Changes in liabilities, increase (decrease) in:
Accrued interest payable	5,409	5,282
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(4,555)	(3,375)
Security deposits and prepaid rents	(345)	(566)
Net cash provided by operating activities	31,730	25,460
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Construction and acquisition of real estate assets	(26,468)	(14,404)
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	17,581	14,175
Capitalized interest	(1,321)	(432)
Property capital expenditures	(5,029)	(3,558)
Corporate additions and improvements	(79)	(150)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	7,016
Net cash used in investing activities	(8,300)	(4,369)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Lines of credit proceeds	77,891	10,975
Lines of credit repayments	(207,968)	(6,965)
Proceeds from indebtedness	100,000
Payments on indebtedness	(1,103)	(489)
Payments of financing costs and other	(5,083)	(3,972)
Proceeds from sales of common stock	13,982	15,500
Proceeds from employee stock purchase and stock options plans	7,977	11,265
Redemption of preferred stock		(49,633)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - real estate entities	(61)	(66)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - common unitholders	(34)	(34)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(922)	(1,689)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(11,658)	(9,780)
Net cash used in financing activities	(26,979)	(34,888)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(3,549)	(13,797)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	13,084	22,089
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	9,535	8,292
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	21,865	3,013
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	19,341	18,752
Amortization of deferred financing costs	661	647
Gains on sales of real estate assets, net	(6,904)	(744)
Other, net	350	584
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	(6,446)	(209)
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated entities	1,183	484
Deferred compensation	43	22
Stock-based compensation	717	677
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness	301
Changes in assets, decrease in:
Other assets	110	893
Changes in liabilities, increase (decrease) in:
Accrued interest payable	5,409	5,282
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(4,555)	(3,375)
Security deposits and prepaid rents	(345)	(566)
Net cash provided by operating activities	31,730	25,460
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Construction and acquisition of real estate assets	(26,468)	(14,404)
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	17,581	14,175
Capitalized interest	(1,321)	(432)
Property capital expenditures	(5,029)	(3,558)
Corporate additions and improvements	(79)	(150)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	7,016
Net cash used in investing activities	(8,300)	(4,369)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Lines of credit proceeds	77,891	10,975
Lines of credit repayments	(207,968)	(6,965)
Proceeds from indebtedness	100,000
Payments on indebtedness	(1,103)	(489)
Payments of financing costs and other	(5,083)	(3,972)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase and stock options plans	21,959	26,765
Redemption of preferred stock		(49,633)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - real estate entities	(61)	(66)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - common unitholders	(34)	(34)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(922)	(1,689)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(11,658)	(9,780)
Net cash used in financing activities	(26,979)	(34,888)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(3,549)	(13,797)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	13,084	22,089
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 9,535	$ 8,292