Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net real estate	$ 5,391,209	$ 5,234,961
Cash and cash equivalents	55,751	84,413
Restricted cash	127,037	145,585
Other assets, net	502,271	543,778
Non-recourse property debt	4,337,785	4,413,083
Accrued liabilities and other	287,595	313,611
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized	505,787,260	505,787,260
Common Stock, shares issued	145,917,387	145,563,903
Common Stock, shares outstanding	145,917,387	145,563,903
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P
Net real estate	5,391,209	5,234,961
Cash and cash equivalents	55,751	84,413
Restricted cash	127,037	145,585
Other assets, net	502,271	543,778
Non-recourse property debt	4,337,785	4,413,083
Accrued liabilities and other	287,595	313,611
Common Stock, shares outstanding	153,837,804
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Net real estate	392,245	578,421
Cash and cash equivalents	24,094	23,599
Restricted cash	36,369	38,477
Other assets, net	211,287	220,910
Non-recourse property debt	355,372	477,791
Accrued liabilities and other	140,910	159,607
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P
Net real estate	392,245	578,421
Cash and cash equivalents	24,094	23,599
Restricted cash	36,369	38,477
Other assets, net	211,287	220,910
Non-recourse property debt	355,372	477,791
Accrued liabilities and other	$ 140,910	$ 159,607