Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 Property	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Property	Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	164		164
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 17,004	$ 15,228	$ 38,104	$ 29,679
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	49,113		49,113
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	16,391	14,563	36,695	28,352
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	42,698	13,597	43,574	23,698
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	613	665	1,409	1,327
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,326	647	1,355	1,163
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 44,024	$ 14,244	$ 44,929	$ 24,861
Greenwood Forest [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	188		188
Savannahs At James Landing [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	256		256
High Ridge [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	160		160
Paddock Club Jacksonville [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	440		440
Marsh Oaks [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	120		120
Fountain Lake [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	113		113
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Name [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	4	9	4	9