Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Real estate assets
Land	$ 314,683	$ 327,270
Building and improvements	2,308,487	2,408,906
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	299,287	291,027
Construction in progress	70,878	74,064
Land held for future investment	41,689	61,768
Real estate assets, total	3,035,024	3,163,035
Less: accumulated depreciation	(916,555)	(913,018)
For-sale condominiums	0	1,122
Total real estate assets	2,118,469	2,251,139
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated real estate entities	4,095	4,056
Cash and cash equivalents	160,520	82,110
Restricted cash	3,558	4,712
Deferred financing costs, net	5,648	8,495
Other assets	31,304	31,165
Total assets	2,323,594	2,381,677
Liabilities and equity
Indebtedness	893,170	1,098,734
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	77,219	73,431
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	16,654	16,687
Dividends and distributions payable	21,833	17,928
Accrued interest payable	8,060	5,157
Security deposits and prepaid rents	10,024	10,888
Total liabilities	1,026,960	1,222,825
Redeemable common units	6,190	6,121
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 20,000 authorized: 8 1/2% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Shares, liquidation preference $50 per share, 868 shares issued and outstanding	9	9
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000 authorized: 54,632 and 54,629 shares issued and 54,461 and 54,191 shares outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	546	546
Additional paid-in-capital	1,114,498	1,111,861
Accumulated earnings	191,142	66,138
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,740)	(3,419)
Stockholders Equity Subtotal Before Treasury Stock	1,303,455	1,175,135
Less common stock in treasury, at cost, 254 and 519 shares at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	(13,011)	(22,188)
Total Company shareholders' equity	1,290,444	1,152,947
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated property partnerships	0	(216)
Total equity	1,290,444	1,152,731
Total liabilities and equity	2,323,594	2,381,677
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]
Real estate assets
Land	314,683	327,270
Building and improvements	2,308,487	2,408,906
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	299,287	291,027
Construction in progress	70,878	74,064
Land held for future investment	41,689	61,768
Real estate assets, total	3,035,024	3,163,035
Less: accumulated depreciation	(916,555)	(913,018)
For-sale condominiums	0	1,122
Total real estate assets	2,118,469	2,251,139
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated real estate entities	4,095	4,056
Cash and cash equivalents	160,520	82,110
Restricted cash	3,558	4,712
Deferred financing costs, net	5,648	8,495
Other assets	31,304	31,165
Total assets	2,323,594	2,381,677
Liabilities and equity
Indebtedness	893,170	1,098,734
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	77,219	73,431
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	16,654	16,687
Dividends and distributions payable	21,833	17,928
Accrued interest payable	8,060	5,157
Security deposits and prepaid rents	10,024	10,888
Total liabilities	1,026,960	1,222,825
Redeemable common units	6,190	6,121
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Preferred units	43,392	43,392
General partner	14,085	12,715
Limited partners	1,235,707	1,100,259
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,740)	(3,419)
Total Company shareholders' equity	1,290,444	1,152,947
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated property partnerships	0	(216)
Total equity	1,290,444	1,152,731
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,323,594	$ 2,381,677