Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$ 48,004	$ 43,035
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	42,466	38,838
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,269	1,359
Net gains on condominiuum sales activities	(22,175)	(15,434)
Other, net	790	691
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	(955)	(6,941)
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated entities	1,205	1,802
Deferred compensation	21	63
Stock-based compensation	1,768	1,427
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness		301
Changes in assets, decrease (increase) in:
Other assets	(1,946)	(1,774)
Changes in liabilities, increase (decrease) in:
Accrued interest payable	(641)	104
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,326	4,798
Security deposits and prepaid rents	223	(251)
Net cash provided by operating activities	74,355	68,018
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Development and construction of real estate assets	(79,078)	(64,959)
Acquisition of communities	(48,399)
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	57,623	39,981
Capitalized interest	(2,096)	(3,000)
Property capital expenditures	(16,990)	(12,313)
Corporate additions and improvements	(656)	(445)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities		7,016
Note receivable collections and other investments	962	760
Net cash used in investing activities	(88,634)	(32,960)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Lines of credit proceeds		94,899
Lines of credit repayments		(229,899)
Proceeds from indebtedness		230,000
Payments on indebtedness	(1,860)	(97,861)
Payments of financing costs and other	(292)	(5,152)
Proceeds from sales of common stock		18,625
Proceeds from employee stock purchase and stock options plans	1,439	18,365
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - real estate entities	(114)	(118)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - common unitholders	(72)	(67)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(27,263)	(23,462)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(30,006)	3,486
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(44,285)	38,544
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	118,698	13,084
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	74,413	51,628
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	48,004	43,035
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	42,466	38,838
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,269	1,359
Net gains on condominiuum sales activities	(22,175)	(15,434)
Other, net	790	691
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	(955)	(6,941)
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated entities	1,205	1,802
Deferred compensation	21	63
Stock-based compensation	1,768	1,427
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness		301
Changes in assets, decrease (increase) in:
Other assets	(1,946)	(1,774)
Changes in liabilities, increase (decrease) in:
Accrued interest payable	(641)	104
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,326	4,798
Security deposits and prepaid rents	223	(251)
Net cash provided by operating activities	74,355	68,018
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Development and construction of real estate assets	(79,078)	(64,959)
Acquisition of communities	(48,399)
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	57,623	39,981
Capitalized interest	(2,096)	(3,000)
Property capital expenditures	(16,990)	(12,313)
Corporate additions and improvements	(656)	(445)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities		7,016
Note receivable collections and other investments	962	760
Net cash used in investing activities	(88,634)	(32,960)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Lines of credit proceeds		94,899
Lines of credit repayments		(229,899)
Proceeds from indebtedness		230,000
Payments on indebtedness	(1,860)	(97,861)
Payments of financing costs and other	(292)	(5,152)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase and stock options plans	1,439	36,990
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - real estate entities	(114)	(118)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - common unitholders	(72)	(67)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(27,263)	(23,462)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(30,006)	3,486
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(44,285)	38,544
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	118,698	13,084
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 74,413	$ 51,628