CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$ 43,035	$ 12,847
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	38,838	37,560
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,359	1,368
Gains on sales of real estate assets, net	(15,434)	(6,176)
Other, net	691	665
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	(6,941)	(555)
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated entities	1,802	1,080
Deferred compensation	63	48
Stock-based compensation	1,427	1,278
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness	301
Changes in assets, decrease in:
Other assets	(1,774)	(450)
Changes in liabilities, increase (decrease) in:
Accrued interest payable	104	(50)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,798	1,065
Security deposits and prepaid rents	(251)	(251)
Net cash provided by operating activities	68,018	48,429
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Construction and acquisition of real estate assets	(64,959)	(36,965)
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	39,981	32,765
Capitalized interest	(3,000)	(1,006)
Property capital expenditures	(12,313)	(10,812)
Corporate additions and improvements	(445)	(486)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	7,016
Note receivable collections and other investments	760	434
Net cash used in investing activities	(32,960)	(16,070)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Lines of credit proceeds	94,899	24,523
Lines of credit repayments	(229,899)	(24,523)
Proceeds from indebtedness	230,000
Payments on indebtedness	(97,861)	(1,371)
Payments of financing costs and other	(5,152)	(3,972)
Proceeds from sales of common stock	18,625	38,233
Proceeds from employee stock purchase and stock options plans	18,365	13,785
Redemption of preferred stock		(49,633)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - real estate entities	(118)	(133)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - common unitholders	(67)	(68)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(1,844)	(2,611)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(23,462)	(19,723)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	3,486	(25,493)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	38,544	6,866
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	13,084	22,089
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	51,628	28,955
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	43,035	12,847
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	38,838	37,560
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,359	1,368
Gains on sales of real estate assets, net	(15,434)	(6,176)
Other, net	691	665
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	(6,941)	(555)
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated entities	1,802	1,080
Deferred compensation	63	48
Stock-based compensation	1,427	1,278
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness	301
Changes in assets, decrease in:
Other assets	(1,774)	(450)
Changes in liabilities, increase (decrease) in:
Accrued interest payable	104	(50)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,798	1,065
Security deposits and prepaid rents	(251)	(251)
Net cash provided by operating activities	68,018	48,429
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Construction and acquisition of real estate assets	(64,959)	(36,965)
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	39,981	32,765
Capitalized interest	(3,000)	(1,006)
Property capital expenditures	(12,313)	(10,812)
Corporate additions and improvements	(445)	(486)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	7,016
Note receivable collections and other investments	760	434
Net cash used in investing activities	(32,960)	(16,070)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Lines of credit proceeds	94,899	24,523
Lines of credit repayments	(229,899)	(24,523)
Proceeds from indebtedness	230,000
Payments on indebtedness	(97,861)	(1,371)
Payments of financing costs and other	(5,152)	(3,972)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase and stock options plans	36,990	52,018
Redemption of preferred stock		(49,633)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - real estate entities	(118)	(133)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - common unitholders	(67)	(68)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(1,844)	(2,611)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(23,462)	(19,723)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	3,486	(25,493)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	38,544	6,866
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	13,084	22,089
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 51,628	$ 28,955