CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$ 62,244	$ 48,004
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	42,596	42,466
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,265	1,269
Net gains on sales of real estate assets	(36,902)	(22,175)
Other, net	205	811
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	(986)	(955)
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated entities	1,082	1,205
Stock-based compensation	1,939	1,768
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness	4,287
Changes in assets, decrease (increase) in:
Other assets	(1,472)	(1,946)
Changes in liabilities, increase (decrease) in:
Accrued interest payable	(588)	(641)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	5,866	4,326
Security deposits and prepaid rents	(1,814)	223
Net cash provided by operating activities	77,722	74,355
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Development and construction of real estate assets	(34,440)	(79,078)
Acquisition of communities		(48,399)
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	73,264	57,623
Capitalized interest	(1,601)	(2,096)
Property capital expenditures	(14,272)	(16,990)
Corporate additions and improvements	(1,687)	(656)
Other investments	(458)	962
Net cash (provided by) used in investing activities	20,806	(88,634)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Lines of credit proceeds	80,213
Lines of credit repayments	(80,213)
Payments on indebtedness	(121,974)	(1,860)
Payments of financing costs and other	(4,291)	(292)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase and stock options plans	2,278	1,439
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - real estate entities	(68)	(114)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - common unitholders	(93)	(72)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(37,445)	(27,263)
Net cash used in financing activities	(163,437)	(30,006)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(64,909)	(44,285)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	82,110	118,698
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	17,201	74,413
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	62,244	48,004
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	42,596	42,466
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,265	1,269
Net gains on sales of real estate assets	(36,902)	(22,175)
Other, net	205	811
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	(986)	(955)
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated entities	1,082	1,205
Stock-based compensation	1,939	1,768
Net loss on extinguishment of indebtedness	4,287
Changes in assets, decrease (increase) in:
Other assets	(1,472)	(1,946)
Changes in liabilities, increase (decrease) in:
Accrued interest payable	(588)	(641)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	5,866	4,326
Security deposits and prepaid rents	(1,814)	223
Net cash provided by operating activities	77,722	74,355
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Development and construction of real estate assets	(34,440)	(79,078)
Acquisition of communities		(48,399)
Proceeds from sales of real estate assets	73,264	57,623
Capitalized interest	(1,601)	(2,096)
Property capital expenditures	(14,272)	(16,990)
Corporate additions and improvements	(1,687)	(656)
Other investments	(458)	962
Net cash (provided by) used in investing activities	20,806	(88,634)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Lines of credit proceeds	80,213
Lines of credit repayments	(80,213)
Payments on indebtedness	(121,974)	(1,860)
Payments of financing costs and other	(4,291)	(292)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase and stock options plans	2,278	1,439
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - real estate entities	(68)	(114)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - common unitholders	(93)	(72)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(37,445)	(27,263)
Net cash used in financing activities	(163,437)	(30,006)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(64,909)	(44,285)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	82,110	118,698
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 17,201	$ 74,413