Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$ 65,357	$ 21,675
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	59,172	56,383
Amortization of deferred financing costs	2,026	2,085
Gains on sales of real estate assets, net	(25,695)	(8,757)
Other, net	857	1,269
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	(7,416)	(790)
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated entities	2,436	1,419
Deferred compensation	85	73
Stock-based compensation	2,094	1,873
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness	301
Changes in assets, decrease (increase) in:
Other assets	(2,168)	448
Changes in liabilities, increase (decrease) in:
Accrued interest payable	4,001	5,204
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	3,340	2,357
Security deposits and prepaid rents	(625)	(168)
Net cash provided by operating activities	103,765	83,071
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Construction and acquisition of real estate assets	(169,515)	(55,287)
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	64,043	46,080
Capitalized interest	(4,414)	(1,892)
Property capital expenditures	(20,410)	(18,675)
Corporate additions and improvements	(521)	(926)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	7,454
Note receivable collections and other investments	797	434
Net cash used in investing activities	(122,566)	(30,266)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Lines of credit proceeds	94,899	24,523
Lines of credit repayments	(229,899)	(24,523)
Proceeds from indebtedness	300,000
Payments on indebtedness	(98,951)	(2,397)
Payments of financing costs and other	(5,159)	(3,984)
Proceeds from sales of common stock	25,457	91,722
Proceeds from employee stock purchase and stock options plans	23,626	16,152
Redemption of preferred stock		(49,633)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - real estate entities	(176)	(200)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - common unitholders	(103)	(100)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(2,766)	(3,533)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(36,989)	(29,814)
Net cash provided by financing activities	69,939	18,213
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	51,138	71,018
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	13,084	22,089
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	64,222	93,107
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	65,357	21,675
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	59,172	56,383
Amortization of deferred financing costs	2,026	2,085
Gains on sales of real estate assets, net	(25,695)	(8,757)
Other, net	857	1,269
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	(7,416)	(790)
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated entities	2,436	1,419
Deferred compensation	85	73
Stock-based compensation	2,094	1,873
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness	301
Changes in assets, decrease (increase) in:
Other assets	(2,168)	448
Changes in liabilities, increase (decrease) in:
Accrued interest payable	4,001	5,204
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	3,340	2,357
Security deposits and prepaid rents	(625)	(168)
Net cash provided by operating activities	103,765	83,071
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Construction and acquisition of real estate assets	(169,515)	(55,287)
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	64,043	46,080
Capitalized interest	(4,414)	(1,892)
Property capital expenditures	(20,410)	(18,675)
Corporate additions and improvements	(521)	(926)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	7,454
Note receivable collections and other investments	797	434
Net cash used in investing activities	(122,566)	(30,266)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Lines of credit proceeds	94,899	24,523
Lines of credit repayments	(229,899)	(24,523)
Proceeds from indebtedness	300,000
Payments on indebtedness	(98,951)	(2,397)
Payments of financing costs and other	(5,159)	(3,984)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase and stock options plans	49,083	107,874
Redemption of preferred stock		(49,633)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - real estate entities	(176)	(200)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - common unitholders	(103)	(100)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(2,766)	(3,533)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(36,989)	(29,814)
Net cash provided by financing activities	69,939	18,213
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	51,138	71,018
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	13,084	22,089
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 64,222	$ 93,107