Sun Communities (SUI) 10-Q 30 Jul 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - Jun. 30, 2015 - shares	Total
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	SUI
Entity Registrant Name	SUN COMMUNITIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	912,593
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	53,782,595
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Investment property, net	$ 3,716,141	$ 2,568,164
Cash and cash equivalents	11,930	83,459
Inventory of manufactured homes	10,246	8,860
Notes and other receivables, net	188,036	174,857
Other assets	106,496	102,352
TOTAL ASSETS	4,032,849	2,937,692
LIABILITIES
Secured debt	2,343,821	1,826,293
Lines of credit	37,742	5,794
Other liabilities	235,508	165,453
TOTAL LIABILITIES	$ 2,617,071	$ 1,997,540
Commitments and contingencies
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value. Issued and outstanding: 6,365 shares at June 30, 2015 and 483 shares at December 31, 2014	$ 190,079	$ 13,610
Series A-4 preferred OP units	24,155	18,722
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Series A Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value. Issued and outstanding: 3,400 shares at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014	34	34
Common Stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized: 90,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 53,783 shares at June 30, 2015 and 48,573 shares at December 31, 2014	538	486
Additional paid-in capital	2,038,229	1,741,154
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(911,628)	(863,545)
Total Sun Communities, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,127,173	878,129
Noncontrolling interests:
Common and preferred OP units	75,356	30,107
Consolidated variable interest entities	(985)	(416)
Total noncontrolling interests	74,371	29,691
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	1,201,544	907,820
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 4,032,849	$ 2,937,692

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entities, Consolidated, Investment Property, net	$ 92,687	$ 94,230
Variable Interest Entities, Consolidated, Debt	$ 64,968	$ 65,849
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Series A-4 preferred stock, shares issued and outstanding	6,365	483
Series A and Series A-4 preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000	10,000
Series A preferred stock, par or stated value per share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Series A preferred stock, shares issued and outstanding	3,400	3,400
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	90,000	90,000
Common stock, shares issued and outstanding	53,498	48,573

Consolidated Statements Of Oper

Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
REVENUES
Income from real property	$ 125,833	$ 86,105	$ 245,358	$ 173,602
Revenue from home sales	18,734	14,813	35,568	24,936
Rental home revenue	11,495	9,733	22,624	19,135
Sales Revenue, Services, Other	5,254	4,254	8,445	6,690
Interest income	3,893	3,526	7,877	6,880
Brokerage commissions and other income, net	729	95	1,266	382
Total revenues	165,938	118,526	321,138	231,625
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Property operating and maintenance	34,507	25,193	63,721	48,382
Real estate taxes	8,796	6,079	17,511	12,088
Cost of home sales	13,702	11,100	26,259	18,948
Rental home operating and maintenance	5,479	5,213	11,084	10,464
Other Cost and Expense, Operating	4,149	3,139	6,695	5,057
General and administrative - real property	10,486	8,393	20,316	16,206
General and administrative - home sales and rentals	3,957	3,119	7,445	5,618
Transaction costs	2,037	1,104	11,486	1,864
Depreciation and amortization	41,411	30,045	85,412	58,934
Repayments of Debt	2,800	0	2,800	0
Interest	26,751	17,940	52,140	35,530
Interest on mandatorily redeemable debt	787	806	1,639	1,609
Total expenses	154,862	112,131	306,508	214,700
Income before other gains and losses	11,076	6,395	14,630	16,925
Gain on dispositions of properties, net	(13)	885	8,756	885
Provision for state income taxes	(77)	(70)	(152)	(139)
Distributions from affiliate	7,500	400	7,500	800
Net income	18,486	7,610	30,734	18,471
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	622	664	1,253	1,336
Less: Preferred return to Series A-3 preferred OP units	46	46	91	91
Less: Preferred return to Series A-4 preferred OP units	353	0	706	0
Less: Preferred return to Series C preferred OP units	340	0	340	0
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	743	458	1,007	1,242
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	16,382	6,442	27,337	15,802
Less: Preferred stock distributions	4,088	1,514	8,174	3,028
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$ 12,294	$ 4,928	$ 19,163	$ 12,774
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	52,846	40,331	52,672	38,413
Diluted	53,237	40,546	53,060	38,631
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.23	$ 0.12	$ 0.36	$ 0.33
Diluted	$ 0.23	$ 0.12	$ 0.36	$ 0.33

Consolidated Statements Of Comp

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net income	$ 18,486	$ 7,610	$ 30,734	$ 18,471
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps	0	0	0	97
Total comprehensive income	18,486	7,610	30,734	18,568
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	743	458	1,007	1,250
Comprehensive income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	$ 17,743	$ 7,152	$ 29,727	$ 17,318

Consolidated Statement Of Stock

Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings	Noncontrolling Interests	Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)	Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 907,820	$ 486	$ 1,741,154	$ (863,545)	$ 29,691	$ 907,820	$ 34
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock from exercise of options, net		0	71	0	0	71	0
Issuance, conversion of OP units and associated costs of common stock, net		52	293,764	0	49,113	342,929	0
Stock-Based Compensation Amortization And Forfeitures		0	3,240	96	0	3,336	0
Net income	30,734	0	0	29,727	867	30,594	0
Distributions		0	0	(77,906)	(5,300)	83,206	0
Balance at Jun. 30, 2015	$ 1,201,544	$ 538	$ 2,038,229	$ (911,628)	$ 74,371	$ 1,201,544	$ 34

Consolidated Statements Of Cash

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 30,734	$ 18,471
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on dispositions of assets	3,539	2,514
Gain on dispositions of properties, net	(8,756)	(885)
Share-based compensation	3,336	2,223
Depreciation and amortization	85,499	59,302
Amortization of Below Market Lease	(2,374)	0
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)	(5,478)	0
Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts	857	567
Distributions from affiliate	(7,500)	(800)
Change in notes receivable from financed sales of inventory homes, net of repayments	3,137	7,401
Change in inventory, other assets and other receivables, net	(8,986)	(2,269)
Change in accounts payable and other liabilities	11,737	10,419
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	92,393	77,113
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in properties	(94,327)	(84,036)
Acquisition of properties	(237,395)	(137,376)
Payments for deposits on acquisitions	925	0
Proceeds related to affiliate dividend distribution	7,500	800
Proceeds related to the disposition of land	0	221
Proceeds related to disposition of assets and depreciated homes, net	2,864	4,697
Proceeds from Sale of Property Held-for-sale	17,282	15,298
Issuance of notes and other receivables	556	1,487
Repayments of notes and other receivables	(705)	(5,114)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(304,852)	(196,769)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity	36,858	213,802
Net proceeds from stock option exercise	71	127
Distributions to stockholders, OP unit holders, and preferred OP unit holders	(80,141)	(56,156)
Borrowings on lines of credit	57,985	213,922
Payments on lines of credit	(26,036)	(356,844)
Proceeds from issuance of other debt	265,134	114,666
Payments on other debt	(114,091)	(8,178)
Proceeds received from return of prepaid deferred financing costs	5,032	2,384
Payments for deferred financing costs	(3,882)	(1,200)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES	140,930	122,523
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(71,529)	2,867
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	83,459	4,753
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	11,930	7,620
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	47,019	28,148
Cash paid for interest on mandatorily redeemable debt	1,642	1,609
Cash paid for state income taxes	200	292
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps	0	97
Reduction in secured borrowing balance	8,079	10,515
Change in distributions declared and outstanding	3,771	4,034
Conversion of Series A-1 preferred OP units	3,788	1,707
Settlement of membership interest	180	0
Noncash investing and financing activities at the date of acquisition:
Acquisitions - Series A-4 preferred OP units issued	1,000	0
Acquisitions - Series A-4 Preferred Stock issued	175,613	0
Acquisitions - Common stock and OP units issued	278,953	0
Stock issued during period, value, Series C preferred OP units	33,154	0
Acquisitions - debt assumed	$ 377,666	$ 0

Consolidated Statements Of Cas8

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 464	$ 678

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	Basis of Presentation The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Sun Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and all wholly-owned or majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, including Sun Communities Operating Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), SunChamp LLC (“SunChamp”), and Sun Home Services, Inc. (“SHS”), have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Certain information and footnote disclosures required for annual financial statements have been condensed or excluded pursuant to SEC rules and regulations. Accordingly, the interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, including adjustments of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial statements. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods' financial statements in order to conform to current period presentation. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015 (the “ 2014 Annual Report”). These statements have been prepared on a basis that is substantially consistent with the accounting principles applied in our 2014 Annual Report. Reference in this report to Sun Communities, Inc., “we”, “our”, “us” and the “Company” refer to Sun Communities, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Real Estate Acquisitions and Di

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions	Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions Green Courte First Phase During the fourth quarter of 2014, we completed the first phase of the acquisition of the Green Courte properties. We acquired 32 manufactured housing ("MH") communities with over 9,000 developed sites in 11 states. Included in the total consideration paid for the first phase was the issuance of 361,797 shares of common stock, 501,130 common OP units, 483,317 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock and 669,449 Series A-4 preferred OP units. Second Phase In January 2015, we completed the final closing of the acquisition of the Green Courte properties. We acquired the remaining 26 communities comprised of over 10,000 sites. Included in the total consideration paid for the second phase was the issuance of 4,377,073 shares of common stock and 5,847,234 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock. The following tables summarize the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition dates and the consideration paid (in thousands): At Acquisition Date First Phase (1) Second Phase (1) Total Investment in property $ 656,543 $ 818,109 $ 1,474,652 Notes receivable 5,189 850 6,039 Other (liabilities) assets (1,705 ) 7,405 5,700 In-place leases and other intangible assets 12,870 15,460 28,330 Below market lease intangible (10,820 ) (54,580 ) (65,400 ) Assumed debt (199,300 ) (201,466 ) (400,766 ) Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed $ 462,777 $ 585,778 $ 1,048,555 Consideration Common OP units (2) $ 24,064 $ — $ 24,064 Series A-4 preferred OP units (3) 18,852 1,000 19,852 Common stock 20,427 259,133 279,560 Series A-4 preferred stock (3) 13,697 175,527 189,224 Consideration from new mortgages 100,700 90,794 191,494 Cash consideration transferred 285,037 59,324 344,361 Total consideration transferred $ 462,777 $ 585,778 $ 1,048,555 (1) The purchase price allocations for the first and second closings are preliminary and may be adjusted as final costs and final valuations are determined. (2) To estimate the fair value of the common OP units at the valuation date, we utilized the market approach, observing public price of our common stock. (3) To estimate the fair value of the Series A-4 preferred OP units and the Series A-4 Preferred Stock at the valuation date, we utilized an income approach. Under this approach, we used the Binomial Lattice Method. 2 . Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions, continued The amount of revenue and net income included in the consolidated statements of operations related to the Green Courte properties for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 is set forth in the following table (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue $ 34,436 $ 68,471 Net income $ 7,153 $ 9,266 Other Acquisitions In May 2015, we acquired La Hacienda RV Resort ("La Hacienda"), a RV resort with 241 sites located in Austin, Texas. We also acquired Lakeside Crossing, a MH community with 419 sites and expansion potential of nearly 300 sites, located near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In April 2015, we completed the previously announced Berger acquisition of six MH communities with over 3,130 developed sites and expansion potential of approximately 380 sites. Included in the total consideration paid was 371,808 common OP units and 340,206 newly created Series C Preferred Units. In March 2015, we acquired Meadowlands Gibraltar ("Meadowlands"), a MH community with 321 sites located in Gibraltar, Michigan. The following tables summarize the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date and the consideration paid for the acquisition completed in 2015 (in thousands): At Acquisition Date Meadowlands (1) Berger (1) Lakeside Crossing (1) La Hacienda (1) Total Investment in property $ 8,313 $ 268,026 $ 35,438 $ 25,895 $ 337,672 Inventory of manufactured homes 285 — — — 285 In-place leases and other intangible assets 270 5,040 520 1,380 7,210 Below market lease intangible — (7,840 ) (3,440 ) — (11,280 ) Assumed debt (6,318 ) (169,882 ) — — (176,200 ) Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed $ 2,550 $ 95,344 $ 32,518 $ 27,275 $ 157,687 Consideration Common OP units $ — $ 19,650 $ — $ — $ 19,650 Series C preferred OP units — 33,154 — — 33,154 Note payable 2,377 — — — 2,377 Cash consideration transferred 173 42,540 32,518 27,275 102,506 Total consideration transferred $ 2,550 $ 95,344 $ 32,518 $ 27,275 $ 157,687 (1) The purchase price allocations for Meadowlands, Berger, Lakeside Crossing and La Hacienda are preliminary and may be adjusted as final costs and final valuations are determined. 2 . Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions, continued The amount of revenue and net income included in the consolidated statements of operations related to the acquisitions above (excluding Green Courte) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 is set forth in the following table (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue $ 6,677 $ 6,712 Net income $ 804 $ 812 The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the results of our operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 as if the properties were acquired on January 1, 2014. The unaudited pro forma results reflect certain adjustments for items that are not expected to have a continuing impact, such as adjustments for transaction costs incurred, management fees and purchase accounting. The information presented below has been prepared for comparative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of either future results of operations or the results of operations that would have actually occurred had the acquisitions been consummated on January 1, 2014 (in thousands, except per-share data). Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (unaudited) (unaudited) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Total revenues $ 166,451 $ 152,030 $ 328,155 $ 298,743 Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders $ 14,262 $ 10,693 $ 43,724 $ 20,559 Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic $ 0.27 $ 0.27 $ 0.83 $ 0.54 Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted $ 0.27 $ 0.26 $ 0.82 $ 0.51 Transaction costs of approximately $2.0 million and $1.1 million and $11.5 million and $1.9 million have been incurred for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and are presented as “Transaction costs” in our consolidated statements of operations. Dispositions During January 2015, we completed the sale of Valley Brook, a MH community located in Indiana. Pursuant to Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity" ("ASU 2014-08"), the disposal of the community does not qualify for presentation as a discontinued operation, as the sale does not have a major impact on our operations and financial results and does not represent a strategic shift. Additionally, the community is not considered an individually significant component and therefore does not qualify for presentation as a discontinued operation. A gain of $8.8 million is recorded in "Gain on disposition of properties, net" in our consolidated statements of operations.

Investment Property

Investment Property	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Real Estate Investment Property, Net [Abstract]
Investment Property	Investment Property The following table sets forth certain information regarding investment property (in thousands): June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Land $ 438,675 $ 309,386 Land improvements and buildings 3,491,999 2,471,436 Rental homes and improvements 522,548 477,554 Furniture, fixtures, and equipment 96,366 81,586 Land held for future development 23,659 23,955 Investment property 4,573,247 3,363,917 Accumulated depreciation (857,106 ) (795,753 ) Investment property, net $ 3,716,141 $ 2,568,164 Land improvements and buildings consist primarily of infrastructure, roads, landscaping, clubhouses, maintenance buildings and amenities. See Note 2 , "Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions", for details on recent acquisitions and dispositions.

Transfers Of Financial Assets

Transfers Of Financial Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Transfers and Servicing [Abstract]
Transfers Of Financial Assets	Transfers of Financial Assets We completed various transactions with an unrelated entity involving our notes receivable under which we received cash proceeds in exchange for relinquishing our right, title and interest in certain notes receivable. We have no further obligations or rights with respect to the control, management, administration, servicing, or collection of the installment notes. However, we are subject to certain recourse provisions requiring us to purchase the underlying homes collateralizing such notes, in the event of a note default and subsequent repossession of the home by the unrelated entity. The recourse provisions are considered to be a form of continuing involvement, and therefore these transferred loans did not meet the requirements for sale accounting. We continue to recognize these transferred loans on our balance sheet and refer to them as collateralized receivables. The proceeds from the transfer have been recognized as a secured borrowing. In the event of note default, and subsequent repossession of a manufactured home by the unrelated entity, the terms of the agreement require us to repurchase the manufactured home. Default is defined as the failure to repay the installment note according to contractual terms. The repurchase price is calculated as a percentage of the outstanding principal balance of the collateralized receivable, plus any outstanding late fees, accrued interest, legal fees, and escrow advances associated with the installment note. The percentage used to determine the repurchase price of the outstanding principal balance on the installment note is based on the number of payments made on the note. In general, the repurchase price is determined as follows: Number of Payments Repurchase % Fewer than or equal to 15 100 % Greater than 15 but less than 64 90 % Equal to or greater than 64 but less than 120 65 % 120 or more 50 % The transferred assets have been classified as collateralized receivables in Notes and Other Receivables (see Note 5 ), and the cash proceeds received from these transactions have been classified as a secured borrowing in Debt (see Note 9 ) within the consolidated balance sheets. The balance of the collateralized receivables was $133.1 million (net of allowance of $0.6 million ) and $123.0 million (net of allowance of $0.7 million ) as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The outstanding balance on the secured borrowing was $133.7 million and $123.7 million as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The balances of the collateralized receivables and secured borrowings fluctuate. The balances increase as additional notes receivable are transferred and exchanged for cash proceeds. The balances are reduced as the related collateralized receivables are collected from the customers, or as the underlying collateral is repurchased. The change in the aggregate gross principal balance of the collateralized receivables is as follows (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Beginning balance $ 123,650 Financed sales of manufactured homes 18,175 Principal payments and payoffs from our customers (3,857 ) Principal reduction from repurchased homes (4,222 ) Total activity 10,096 Ending balance $ 133,746 The collateralized receivables earn interest income, and the secured borrowings accrue interest expense at the same interest rates. The amount of interest income and expense recognized was $3.3 million and $2.9 million and $6.3 million and $5.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.

Notes And Other Receivables

Notes And Other Receivables	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Long-term Notes and Loans, by Type, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]
Notes And Other Receivables	Notes and Other Receivables The following table sets forth certain information regarding notes and other receivables (in thousands): June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net $ 24,023 $ 25,884 Collateralized receivables, net (see Note 4) 133,133 122,962 Other receivables, net 30,880 26,011 Total notes and other receivables, net $ 188,036 $ 174,857 Installment Notes Receivable on Manufactured Homes The installment notes of $24.0 million (net of allowance of $0.1 million ) and $25.9 million (net of allowance of $0.1 million ) as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, are collateralized by manufactured homes. The notes represent financing provided by us to purchasers of manufactured homes primarily located in our communities and require monthly principal and interest payments. The notes have a net weighted average interest rate and maturity of 8.7% and 10.2 years as of June 30, 2015 , and 8.7% and 10.4 years as of December 31, 2014 . The change in the aggregate gross principal balance of the installment notes is as follows (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Beginning balance $ 26,024 Financed sales of manufactured homes 472 Acquired notes (see Note 2) 850 Principal payments and payoffs from our customers (2,278 ) Principal reduction from repossessed homes (894 ) Total activity (1,850 ) Ending balance $ 24,174 Collateralized Receivables Collateralized receivables represent notes receivable that were transferred to a third party, but did not meet the requirements for sale accounting (see Note 4 ). The receivables have a balance of $133.1 million (net of allowance of $0.6 million ) and $123.0 million (net of allowance of $0.7 million ) as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The receivables have a weighted average interest rate and maturity of 10.3% and 15.0 years as of June 30, 2015 , and 10.4% and 14.6 years as of December 31, 2014 . Allowance for Losses for Collateralized and Installment Notes Receivable The following table sets forth the allowance for collateralized and installment notes receivable as of June 30, 2015 (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Beginning balance $ (828 ) Lower of cost or market write-downs 127 Increase to reserve balance (64 ) Total activity 63 Ending balance $ (765 ) 5 . Notes and Other Receivables, continued Other Receivables As of June 30, 2015 , other receivables were comprised of amounts due from residents for rent and water and sewer usage of $5.3 million (net of allowance of $1.1 million ), home sale proceeds of $8.1 million , insurance receivables of $0.8 million , insurance settlement of $4.5 million , rebates and other receivables of $10.0 million and a note receivable of $2.2 million . The $2.2 million note bears interest at 8.0% for the first two years and in year three is indexed to 7.87% plus the one year Federal Reserve treasury constant maturity date for the remainder of the loan. The note is secured by the senior mortgage on one MH community and a deed of land, and is due on December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2014 , other receivables were comprised of amounts due from residents for rent and water and sewer usage of $4.9 million (net of allowance of $1.0 million ), home sale proceeds of $7.4 million , insurance receivables of $1.0 million , insurance settlement of $3.7 million , rebates and other receivables of $6.8 million and a note receivable of $2.2 million . In April 2015, a $40.2 million note was repaid in conjunction with the acquisition of the six MH communities acquired (see Note 2). The note bore interest at 9.6% per annum and was secured by certain assets of the principals of the seller.

Intangibles

Intangibles	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	Intangible Assets Our intangible assets include in-place leases from acquisitions, franchise fees and other intangible assets. These intangible assets are recorded within Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The accumulated amortization and gross carrying amounts are as follows (in thousands): June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Intangible Asset Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization In-place leases 7 years $ 63,101 $ (15,786 ) $ 41,511 $ (12,107 ) Franchise fees and other intangible assets 15 years 1,864 (364 ) 764 (106 ) Total $ 64,965 $ (16,150 ) $ 42,275 $ (12,213 ) During 2015, in connection with our acquisitions, we purchased in-place leases and other intangible assets valued at approximately $22.7 million with a useful life of seven years. The aggregate net amortization expenses related to the intangible assets are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Intangible Asset 2015 2014 2015 2014 In-place leases $ 1,780 $ 891 $ 3,679 $ 1,782 Franchise fees 129 8 258 38 Total $ 1,909 $ 899 $ 3,937 $ 1,820

Investment In Affiliates

Investment In Affiliates	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investment In Affiliates	Investment in Affiliates Origen Financial Services, LLC (“OFS LLC”) At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , we had a 22.9% ownership interest in OFS LLC, an entity formed to originate manufactured housing installment contracts. We have suspended equity accounting as the carrying value of our investment is zero . Origen Financial, Inc. (“Origen”) Through Sun OFI, LLC, a taxable REIT subsidiary, we own 5,000,000 shares of common stock of Origen which approximates an ownership interest of 19% . We had suspended equity accounting for this investment as the carrying value of our investment was zero . In January 2015, Origen completed the sale of substantially all of its assets to an affiliate of GoldenTree Asset Management LP and has announced its intention to dissolve and liquidate. During the second quarter of 2015, and as disclosed in a press release on March 30, 2015, Origen made an initial distribution of $1.50 per share to its stockholders of record as of April 13, 2015, retaining approximately $6.2 million for expected dissolution and wind down costs and expenses and contingencies. Depending on the actual cost of estimated wind down expenses, Origen may make one or more additional interim distributions of excess cash to stockholders prior to completing liquidation. Upon completion of liquidation, Origen will distribute remaining cash, if any, to stockholders. During the three months ended June 30, 2015, we received an initial distribution of $7.5 million from Origen.

Consolidated Variable Interest

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract]
DisclosureOfVariableInterestEntities [Text Block]	Consolidated Variable Interest Entities Variable interest entities ("VIEs") that are consolidated include Rudgate Village SPE, LLC, Rudgate Clinton SPE, LLC, Rudgate Clinton Estates SPE, LLC (the “Rudgate Borrowers”) and Wildwood Village Mobile Home Park ("Wildwood"). We evaluated our arrangements with these properties under the guidance set forth in FASB ASC Topic 810, Consolidation. We concluded that the Rudgate Borrowers and Wildwood qualify as VIEs as we are the primary beneficiary and hold controlling financial interests in these entities due to our power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities, as well as our obligation to absorb the most significant losses and our rights to receive significant benefits from these entities. As such, the transactions and accounts of these VIEs are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities included in our consolidated balance sheets after appropriate eliminations (in thousands): June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 ASSETS Investment property, net $ 92,687 $ 94,230 Other assets 4,296 4,400 Total Assets $ 96,983 $ 98,630 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Debt $ 64,968 $ 65,849 Other liabilities 17,043 10,442 Noncontrolling interests (985 ) (416 ) Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 81,026 $ 75,875 Investment property, net and other assets related to the consolidated VIEs comprised approximately 2.4% and 3.4% of our consolidated total assets and debt and other liabilities comprised approximately 3.0% and 3.8% of our consolidated total liabilities at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. Noncontrolling interest related to the consolidated VIEs comprised less than 1.0% of our consolidated total equity at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 .

Debt And Lines Of Credit

Debt And Lines Of Credit	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Debt and Lines of Credit The following table sets forth certain information regarding debt (in thousands): Principal Outstanding Weighted Average Years to Maturity Weighted Average Interest Rates June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Collateralized term loans - FNMA $ 801,670 $ 492,800 6.3 7.1 4.6 % 4.0 % Collateralized term loans - FMCC 197,418 152,462 9.5 9.9 4.0 % 4.0 % Collateralized term loans - Life Companies 420,659 204,638 12.7 10.9 4.1 % 4.3 % Collateralized term loans - CMBS 744,425 806,840 5.3 5.4 5.3 % 5.3 % Preferred OP units 45,903 45,903 6.5 6.8 6.9 % 6.9 % Secured Borrowing 133,746 123,650 15.3 14.6 10.3 % 10.4 % Total debt $ 2,343,821 $ 1,826,293 7.9 7.5 5.1 % 5.1 % Collateralized Term Loans In January 2015, in relation to the acquisition of the Green Courte properties (see Note 2), we refinanced approximately $90.8 million of mortgage debt on 10 of the communities (resulting in proceeds of $112.3 million ) at a weighted average interest rate of 3.87% per annum and a weighted average term of 14.1 years . We also assumed approximately $201.4 million of mortgage debt at a weighted average interest rate of 5.74% and a weighted average remaining term of 6.3 years . In March 2015, in relation to the acquisition of Meadowlands (see Note 2), we assumed a $6.3 million mortgage with an interest rate of 6.5% and a remaining term of 6.5 years . Also, in relation to this acquisition, we entered into a note with the seller for $2.4 million that bears no interest but is payable in three equal yearly installments beginning in March 2016. In April 2015, in relation to the acquisition of the Berger properties (see Note 2), we assumed debt with a fair market value of $169.9 million on the communities with a weighted average interest rate of 5.17% and a weighted average remaining term of 6.3 years . In May 2015, we defeased a total of $70.6 million aggregate principal amount of collateralized term loans with an interest rate of 5.32% that were due to mature on July 1, 2016, releasing 10 communities. As a result of the transaction we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $2.8 million that is reflected in our consolidated statement of operations. The collateralized term loans totaling $2.2 billion as of June 30, 2015 , are secured by 168 properties comprised of 59,451 sites representing approximately $2.6 billion of net book value. Preferred OP Units Included in Preferred OP units is $34.7 million of Aspen preferred OP units issued by the Operating Partnership which are convertible into 509,676 shares of the Company's common stock based on a conversion price of $68 per share with a redemption date of January 1, 2024. The current preferred distribution rate is 6.5% . Secured Borrowing See Note 4 , "Transfers of Financial Assets", for additional information regarding our collateralized receivables and secured borrowing transactions. Lines of Credit We have a senior secured revolving credit facility with Citibank, N.A. and certain other lenders in the amount of $350.0 million (the "Facility"). The Facility has a four year term ending May 15, 2017 , which can be extended for one additional year at our option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions as defined in the credit agreement. The credit agreement also provides for, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, additional commitments in an amount not to exceed $250.0 million . The Facility 9 . Debt and Lines of Credit, continued bears interest at a floating rate based on the Eurodollar rate plus a margin that is determined based on our leverage ratio calculated in accordance with the credit agreement, which can range from 1.65% to 2.90% . Based on our calculation of the leverage ratio as of June 30, 2015 , the margin was 1.70% . We had $33.1 million outstanding as of June 30, 2015 , with an effective interest rate of 2.71% , and no amount outstanding as of December 31, 2014 under the Facility. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , approximately $3.2 million of availability was used to back standby letters of credit. The Facility is secured by a first priority lien on all of our equity interests in each entity that owns all or a portion of the properties constituting the borrowing base and collateral assignments of our senior and junior debt positions in certain borrowing base properties. We have a $12.0 million manufactured home floor plan facility renewable indefinitely until our lender provides us a twelve month notice of their intent to terminate the agreement. The interest rate is 100 basis points over the greater of the prime rate as quoted in the Wall Street Journal on the first business day of each month or 6.0% . At June 30, 2015 , the effective interest rate was 7.0% . The outstanding balance was $4.6 million and $5.8 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. Covenants The most restrictive of our debt agreements place limitations on secured borrowings and contain minimum fixed charge coverage, leverage, distribution and net worth requirements. At June 30, 2015 , we were in compliance with all covenants.

Equity Transactions

Equity Transactions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Equity Transactions	Equity and Mezzanine Securities In June 2015, we issued to GCP Fund III Ancillary Holding, LLC (i) 25,664 shares of common stock at an issuance price of $50.00 per share or $1,283,200 in the aggregate, and (ii) 34,219 shares of 6.50% Series A-4 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock at an issuance price of $25.00 per share, or $855,475 in the aggregate. All of these common shares and preferred shares were issued for cash consideration pursuant to the terms of a Subscription Agreement, dated July 30, 2014 , as amended, among the Company, Green Court Real Estate Partners III, LLC, and certain other parties. The parties have agreed that no additional securities are issuable under the Subscription Agreement. Also in June 2015, we entered into an At the Market Offering Sales Agreement (the "Sales Agreement") with BMO Capital Markets Corp., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (collectively, the "Sales Agents"). Pursuant to the Sales Agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $250.0 million , from time to time through the Sales Agents. Each Sales Agent is entitled to compensation in an agreed amount not to exceed 2.0% of the gross sales price per share for any shares sold through it from time to time under the Sales Agreement. Concurrently, the At the Market Offering Sales Agreement dated May 10, 2012, as amended among the Company, the Partnership, BMO Capital Markets Corp. and Liquidnet, Inc., was terminated. In the three months ended June 30, 2015, we issued 26,200 common shares under the Sales Agreement, at a sales price of $65.15 for net proceeds of $1.7 million . Prior to the termination of the At the Market Offering Sales Agreement dated May 10, 2012, in the three months ended March 31, 2015, 342,011 shares of common stock were issued at the prevailing market price of our common stock at the time of each sale with a weighted average sale price of $63.94 , and we received net proceeds of approximately $21.5 million . In April 2015, in connection with the Berger acquisition, we issued 371,808 common OP units at an issuance price of $61.00 per share and 340,206 newly created Series C preferred OP units at an issuance price of $100.00 per share. The Series C preferred OP unit holders receive a preferred return of 4.0% per year from the closing until the second anniversary of the date of issuance, 4.5% per year during the following three years, and 5.0% per year thereafter. At the holder’s option, each Series C preferred OP unit will be exchangeable into 1.11 shares of the Company’s common stock and holders of Series C preferred OP units do not have any voting or consent rights. In January 2015, in connection with the Green Courte second closing, we issued 4,377,073 shares of common stock at an issuance price of $50.00 per share and 5,847,234 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock at an issuance price of $25.00 per share. The Series A-4 Preferred Stock holders receive a preferred return of 6.5% . In addition, one of the Green Courte Partners funds purchased 150,000 shares of our common stock and 200,000 Series A-4 preferred OP units for an aggregate purchase price of $12.5 million . 10 . Equity and Mezzanine Securities, continued If certain change of control transactions occur or if our common stock ceases to be listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system, then at any time after November 26, 2019, we or the holders of shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock and Series A-4 preferred OP units may cause all or any of those shares or units to be redeemed for cash at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the greater of (x) the amount that the redeemed shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock and Series A-4 preferred OP units would have received in such transaction if they had been converted into shares of our common stock immediately prior to such transaction, or (y) $25.00 per share, plus (ii) any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon to, but not including, the redemption date. The Series A-4 preferred OP units are inclusive of its pro-rata share of net income of $0.1 million and distributions of $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 . In November 2004, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of our common stock. We have 400,000 common shares remaining in the repurchase program. No common shares were repurchased during the six months ended June 30, 2015 or 2014 . There is no expiration date specified for the buyback program. Common OP unit holders can convert their common OP units into an equivalent number of shares of common stock at any time. During the six months ended June 30, 2015 , there were 17,500 common OP units converted to shares of common stock. No such units were converted during the six months ended June 30, 2014 . Subject to certain limitations, Series A-1 preferred OP unit holders may convert their Series A-1 preferred OP units to shares of our common stock at any time. During the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, holders of Series A-1 preferred OP units converted 37,885 units into 92,398 shares of common stock, and 17,075 units into 41,645 shares of common stock, respectively. Cash distributions of $0.65 per share were declared for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 . On July 17, 2015, cash payments of approximately $36.9 million for aggregate distributions were made to common stockholders, common OP unit holders and restricted stockholders of record as of June 30, 2015. Cash distributions of $0.4453 per share were declared on the Company's Series A cumulative redeemable preferred stock for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 . On July 15, 2015, cash payments of approximately $1.5 million for aggregate distributions were made to Series A cumulative redeemable preferred stockholders of record as of July 1, 2015. In addition, cash distributions of $0.4062 per share were declared on the Company's Series A-4 Preferred Stock for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 . On June 30, 2015, cash payments of approximately $2.6 million were made to Series A-4 Preferred Stock holders of record as of June 19, 2015.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation In May 2015, we granted 25,000 shares of restricted stock to an executive officer under our Sun Communities, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan ("2009 Equity Plan"). The shares had a fair value of $62.94 per share and will vest as follows: May 19, 2018: 35% ; May 19, 2019: 35% ; May 19, 2020: 20% ; May 19, 2021: 5% ; and May 19, 2022: 5% . The fair value was determined by using the closing share price of our common stock on the date the shares were issued. In April 2015, we granted 145,000 shares of restricted stock to our executive officers under our 2009 Equity Plan. The shares had a fair value of $63.81 per share. Half of the shares are subject to time vesting as follows: April 14, 2018: 20% ; April 14, 2019: 30% ; April 14, 2020: 35% ; April 14, 2021: 10% ; and April 14, 2022: 5% . The remaining 72,500 shares are subject to market and performance conditions which vest over time through April 2020. Share-based compensation for restricted stock awards with performance conditions is measured based on an estimate of shares expected to vest. We estimate the fair value of share-based compensation for restricted stock with market conditions using a Monte Carlo simulation. In February 2015, we granted 19,800 shares of restricted stock to our non-employee directors under our First Amended and Restated 2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan. The awards vest on February 11, 2018, and had a fair value of $65.87 per share. The fair value was determined by using the closing share price of our common stock on the date the shares were issued. In January 2015, we granted 1,000 shares of restricted stock to key employees under our 2009 Equity Plan. The restricted shares had a fair value of $65.48 per share and will vest as follows: January 8, 2018: 35% ; January 8, 2019: 35% ; January 8, 2020: 20% ; January 8, 2021: 5% ; and January 8, 2022: 5% . The fair value was determined by using the closing share price of our common stock on the date the shares were issued. During the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, 4,084 and 4,904 shares of common stock, respectively, were issued in connection with the exercise of stock options, and the net proceeds received during both periods were $0.1 million . 11 . Share-Based Compensation, continued The vesting requirements for 50,040 restricted shares granted to our executives and employees were satisfied during the six months ended June 30, 2015 .

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Segment Reporting We group our operating segments into reportable segments that provide similar products and services. Each operating segment has discrete financial information evaluated regularly by the Company's chief operating decision maker in evaluating and assessing performance. We have two reportable segments: (i) Real Property Operations and (ii) Home Sales and Rentals. The Real Property Operations segment owns, operates, and develops MH communities and RV communities and is in the business of acquiring, operating, and expanding MH and RV communities. The Home Sales and Rentals segment offers manufactured home sales and leasing services to tenants and prospective tenants of our communities. Transactions between our segments are eliminated in consolidation. Transient RV revenue is included in Real Property Operations’ revenues and is expected to approximate $35.8 million annually. This transient revenue was recognized 24.5% and 19.2% in the first and second quarters, respectively, and is expected to be recognized 42.6% in the third quarter and 13.7% in the fourth quarter of 2015. In 2014, transient revenue was $31.6 million and was recognized 25.3% in the first quarter, 18.3% in the second quarter, 43.3% in the third quarter and 13.1% in the fourth quarter. A presentation of segment financial information is summarized as follows (amounts in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Revenues $ 131,087 $ 30,229 $ 161,316 $ 90,359 $ 24,546 $ 114,905 Operating expenses/Cost of sales 47,449 19,184 66,633 34,411 16,313 50,724 Net operating income/Gross profit 83,638 11,045 94,683 55,948 8,233 64,181 Adjustments to arrive at net income (loss): Interest and other income, net 4,584 38 4,622 3,621 — 3,621 General and administrative (10,486 ) (3,957 ) (14,443 ) (8,393 ) (3,119 ) (11,512 ) Transaction costs (2,037 ) — (2,037 ) (1,104 ) — (1,104 ) Depreciation and amortization (28,142 ) (13,269 ) (41,411 ) (18,713 ) (11,332 ) (30,045 ) Extinguishment of debt (2,800 ) — — (2,800 ) — — — Interest (26,746 ) (5 ) (26,751 ) (17,933 ) (7 ) (17,940 ) Interest on mandatorily redeemable debt (787 ) — (787 ) (806 ) — (806 ) (Loss) gain on disposition of properties, net (2 ) (11 ) (13 ) (647 ) 1,532 885 Distributions from affiliate 7,500 — 7,500 400 — 400 Provision for state income taxes (52 ) (25 ) (77 ) (69 ) (1 ) (70 ) Net income (loss) 24,670 (6,184 ) 18,486 12,304 (4,694 ) 7,610 Less: Preferred return to A-1 preferred OP units 622 — 622 664 — 664 Less: Preferred return to A-3 preferred OP units 46 — 46 46 — 46 Less: Preferred return to A-4 preferred OP units 353 — 353 — — — Less: Preferred return to Series C preferred OP units 340 — 340 — — — Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,261 (518 ) 743 797 (339 ) 458 Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. 22,048 (5,666 ) 16,382 10,797 (4,355 ) 6,442 Less: Preferred stock distributions 4,088 — 4,088 1,514 — 1,514 Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders $ 17,960 $ (5,666 ) $ 12,294 $ 9,283 $ (4,355 ) $ 4,928 12 . Segment Reporting, continued Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Revenues $ 253,803 $ 58,192 $ 311,995 $ 180,292 $ 44,071 $ 224,363 Operating expenses/Cost of sales 87,924 37,346 125,270 65,527 29,412 94,939 Net operating income/Gross profit 165,879 20,846 186,725 114,765 14,659 129,424 Adjustments to arrive at net income (loss): Interest and other income, net 9,105 38 9,143 7,262 — 7,262 General and administrative (20,316 ) (7,445 ) (27,761 ) (16,206 ) (5,618 ) (21,824 ) Transaction costs (11,486 ) — (11,486 ) (1,856 ) (8 ) (1,864 ) Depreciation and amortization (59,639 ) (25,773 ) (85,412 ) (37,069 ) (21,865 ) (58,934 ) Extinguishment of debt (2,800 ) — (2,800 ) — — — Interest (52,133 ) (7 ) (52,140 ) (35,521 ) (9 ) (35,530 ) Interest on mandatorily redeemable debt (1,639 ) — (1,639 ) (1,609 ) — (1,609 ) Gain (loss) on disposition of properties, net 9,477 (721 ) 8,756 (647 ) 1,532 885 Distributions from affiliate 7,500 — 7,500 800 — 800 Provision for state income taxes (101 ) (51 ) (152 ) (138 ) (1 ) (139 ) Net income (loss) 43,847 (13,113 ) 30,734 29,781 (11,310 ) 18,471 Less: Preferred return to A-1 preferred OP units 1,253 — 1,253 1,336 — 1,336 Less: Preferred return to A-3 preferred OP units 91 — 91 91 — 91 Less: Preferred return to A-4 preferred OP units 706 — 706 — — — Less: Preferred return to Series C preferred OP units 340 — 340 — — — Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests 2,021 (1,014 ) 1,007 2,122 (880 ) 1,242 Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. 39,436 (12,099 ) 27,337 26,232 (10,430 ) 15,802 Less: Preferred stock distributions 8,174 — 8,174 3,028 — 3,028 Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders $ 31,262 $ (12,099 ) $ 19,163 $ 23,204 $ (10,430 ) $ 12,774 June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Identifiable assets: Investment property, net $ 3,299,538 $ 416,603 $ 3,716,141 $ 2,207,526 $ 360,638 $ 2,568,164 Cash and cash equivalents 11,496 434 11,930 81,864 1,595 83,459 Inventory of manufactured homes — 10,246 10,246 — 8,860 8,860 Notes and other receivables, net 175,951 12,085 188,036 163,713 11,144 174,857 Other assets 101,161 5,335 106,496 97,485 4,867 102,352 Total assets $ 3,588,146 $ 444,703 $ 4,032,849 $ 2,550,588 $ 387,104 $ 2,937,692

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) pursuant to Section 856(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Code”), as amended. In order for us to qualify as a REIT, at least ninety-five percent (95%) of our gross income in any year must be derived from qualifying sources. In addition, a REIT must distribute at least ninety percent (90%) of its REIT ordinary taxable income to its stockholders. Qualification as a REIT involves the satisfaction of numerous requirements (i.e., some on an annual and quarterly basis) established under highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations, and involves the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. In addition, frequent changes occur in the area of REIT taxation which requires us to continually monitor our tax status. We analyzed the various REIT tests and confirmed that we continued to qualify as a REIT for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 . As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes at the corporate level on the ordinary taxable income we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, our taxable income could be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates (including any applicable alternative minimum tax). Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may be subject to certain state and local income taxes and to U.S. federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed income. SHS, our taxable REIT subsidiary, is subject to U.S. federal income taxes. Our deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the bases of such assets and liabilities as measured by tax laws. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance to the amount where realization is more likely than not assured after considering all available evidence. Our temporary differences primarily relate to net operating loss carryforwards and depreciation. A federal deferred tax asset of $ 1.0 million is included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . We had no unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2015 and 2014 . We expect no significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits due to changes in tax positions within one year of June 30, 2015 . We classify certain state taxes as income taxes for financial reporting purposes. We record Texas Margin Tax as income tax in our financial statements, and we recorded a provision for state income taxes of approximately $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 , and $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. SHS is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") for tax year 2013. To date, we have not received any formal notices of proposed adjustments from the IRS related to this or any other examination periods.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share We have outstanding stock options, unvested restricted shares and Series A-4 Preferred Stock, and our Operating Partnership has outstanding common OP units, convertible Series A-1 preferred OP units, Series A-3 preferred OP units, Series A-4 preferred OP units, Series C preferred OP units and Aspen preferred OP Units, which, if converted or exercised, may impact dilution. Computations of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Numerator 2015 2014 2015 2014 Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 12,294 $ 4,928 $ 19,163 $ 12,774 Allocation of income to restricted stock awards (146 ) (122 ) (180 ) (235 ) Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation 12,148 4,806 18,983 12,539 Allocation of income to restricted stock awards 146 122 180 235 Diluted earnings: net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation $ 12,294 $ 4,928 $ 19,163 $ 12,774 Denominator Weighted average common shares outstanding 52,846 40,331 52,672 38,413 Add: dilutive stock options 12 14 14 15 Add: dilutive restricted stock 379 201 374 203 Diluted weighted average common shares and securities 53,237 40,546 53,060 38,631 Earnings per share available to common stockholders: Basic $ 0.23 $ 0.12 $ 0.36 $ 0.33 Diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.12 $ 0.36 $ 0.33 We excluded certain securities from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of these securities would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented. The following table presents the outstanding securities that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as of June 30, 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands): As of June 30, 2015 2014 Common OP units 2,916 2,069 Series A-1 preferred OP units 391 438 Series A-3 preferred OP units 40 40 Series A-4 preferred OP units 869 — Series A-4 Preferred Stock 6,365 — Series C preferred OP units 340 — Aspen preferred OP units 1,284 1,325 Total securities 12,205 3,872

Derivative Instruments And Hedg

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Our objective in using interest rate derivatives is to manage exposure to interest rate movements thereby minimizing the effect of interest rate changes and the effect it could have on future cash flows. Interest rate caps are used to accomplish this objective. We do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes nor do we have any swaps in a hedging arrangement. The following table provides the terms of our interest rate derivative contracts that were in effect as of June 30, 2015 : Type Purpose Effective Date Maturity Date Notional (in millions) Based on Variable Rate Fixed Rate Spread Effective Fixed Rate Cap Cap Floating Rate 4/1/2015 4/1/2018 $ 150.1 3 Month LIBOR 0.2708% 9.0000% —% N/A Cap Cap Floating Rate 10/3/2011 10/3/2016 $ 10.0 3 Month LIBOR 0.2708% 11.0200% —% N/A In accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, derivative instruments are recorded at fair value within Other assets or Other liabilities on the balance sheet. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of the derivatives was zero .

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, derivative instruments, and debt. ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires the use of observable market data, when available, and prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value in the following categories: Level 1—Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all observable inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 3—Model derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable, including assumptions developed by us. We utilize fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value. Derivative Instruments The derivative instruments held by us are interest rate cap agreements for which quoted market prices are indirectly available. For those derivatives, we use model-derived valuations in which all observable inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets provided by brokers or dealers to determine the fair values of derivative instruments on a recurring basis (Level 2). See Note 15 for Derivative Instruments. Installment Notes on Manufactured Homes The net carrying value of the installment notes on manufactured homes estimates the fair value as the interest rates in the portfolio are comparable to current prevailing market rates (Level 2). See Note 5 for Installment Notes. Long Term Debt and Lines of Credit The fair value of long term debt (excluding the secured borrowing) is based on the estimates of management and on rates currently quoted and rates currently prevailing for comparable loans and instruments of comparable maturities (Level 2). See Note 9 for Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit. Collateralized Receivables and Secured Borrowing The fair value of these financial instruments offset each other as our collateralized receivables represent a transfer of financial assets and the cash proceeds received from these transactions have been classified as a secured borrowing in the consolidated balance sheets. The net carrying value of the collateralized receivables estimates the fair value as the interest rates in the portfolio are comparable to current prevailing market rates (Level 2). See Note 4 for Collateralized Receivables and Secured Borrowing. 16 . Fair Value of Financial Instruments, continued Other Financial Instruments The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their fair market values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The table below sets forth our financial assets and liabilities that require disclosure of their fair values on a recurring basis and presents the carrying values and fair values as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 that were measured using the valuation techniques described above. The table excludes other financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable because the carrying values associated with these instruments approximate fair value since their maturities are less than one year. June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Financial assets Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Installment notes on manufactured homes, net $ 24,023 $ 24,023 $ 25,884 $ 25,884 Collateralized receivables, net $ 133,133 $ 133,133 $ 122,962 $ 122,962 Financial liabilities Debt (excluding secured borrowing) $ 2,210,075 $ 2,201,985 $ 1,702,643 $ 1,752,939 Secured borrowing $ 133,746 $ 133,746 $ 123,650 $ 123,649 Lines of credit $ 37,742 $ 37,742 $ 5,794 $ 5,794 The derivative instruments are the only financial liabilities that were required to be carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets for the periods indicated, and we have no financial assets that are required to be carried at fair value.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs," ("ASU 2015-03"). ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact the new standard will have on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, "Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis," ("ASU 2015-02"). ASU 2015-02 eliminates the deferral of FAS 167, which has allowed entities with interests in certain investment funds to follow the previous consolidation guidance in FIN 46(R), and makes other changes to both the variable interest model and the voting model. While the guidance is aimed at asset managers, it will affect all reporting entities that have variable interests in other legal entities (e.g., limited partnerships, similar entities and certain corporations). In some cases, consolidation conclusions will change. In other cases, reporting entities will need to provide additional disclosures about entities that currently aren’t considered VIEs but will be considered VIEs under the new guidance provided they have a variable interest in those VIEs. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact the new standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Commitments And Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies We are involved in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. All such proceedings, taken together, are not expected to have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event On July 29, 2015, the Company entered into a repurchase agreement with certain holders of the Company’s 6.50% Series A-4 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock under which, at the holders’ election, the Company is obligated to repurchase up to 5,926,322 shares of the Series A-4 preferred stock from the holders of those shares. There are 6,364,770 Series A-4 preferred shares currently issued and outstanding, and 438,448 Series A-4 preferred shares are not subject to the repurchase agreement. Each holder of Series A-4 preferred shares subject to the repurchase agreement may elect to sell its Series A-4 preferred shares to the Company until August 10, 2015 . The purchase price is $31.08 per Series A-4 preferred share, which consists of a price per share of $30.90 plus $0.18 for accrued and unpaid distributions from and including June 30, 2015 to, but not including, August 10, 2015. Each Series A-4 Preferred Share has a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, and is convertible into approximately 0.4444 shares of the Company’s common stock.

Real Estate Acquisitions and 28

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the results of our operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 as if the properties were acquired on January 1, 2014. The unaudited pro forma results reflect certain adjustments for items that are not expected to have a continuing impact, such as adjustments for transaction costs incurred, management fees and purchase accounting. The information presented below has been prepared for comparative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of either future results of operations or the results of operations that would have actually occurred had the acquisitions been consummated on January 1, 2014 (in thousands, except per-share data). Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (unaudited) (unaudited) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Total revenues $ 166,451 $ 152,030 $ 328,155 $ 298,743 Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders $ 14,262 $ 10,693 $ 43,724 $ 20,559 Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic $ 0.27 $ 0.27 $ 0.83 $ 0.54 Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted $ 0.27 $ 0.26 $ 0.82 $ 0.51
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation	The following tables summarize the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date and the consideration paid for the acquisition completed in 2015 (in thousands): At Acquisition Date Meadowlands (1) Berger (1) Lakeside Crossing (1) La Hacienda (1) Total Investment in property $ 8,313 $ 268,026 $ 35,438 $ 25,895 $ 337,672 Inventory of manufactured homes 285 — — — 285 In-place leases and other intangible assets 270 5,040 520 1,380 7,210 Below market lease intangible — (7,840 ) (3,440 ) — (11,280 ) Assumed debt (6,318 ) (169,882 ) — — (176,200 ) Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed $ 2,550 $ 95,344 $ 32,518 $ 27,275 $ 157,687 Consideration Common OP units $ — $ 19,650 $ — $ — $ 19,650 Series C preferred OP units — 33,154 — — 33,154 Note payable 2,377 — — — 2,377 Cash consideration transferred 173 42,540 32,518 27,275 102,506 Total consideration transferred $ 2,550 $ 95,344 $ 32,518 $ 27,275 $ 157,687
Green Courte [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of Revenue and Net Income from Acquisitions [Table Text Block]	The amount of revenue and net income included in the consolidated statements of operations related to the Green Courte properties for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 is set forth in the following table (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue $ 34,436 $ 68,471 Net income $ 7,153 $ 9,266
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation	The following tables summarize the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition dates and the consideration paid (in thousands): At Acquisition Date First Phase (1) Second Phase (1) Total Investment in property $ 656,543 $ 818,109 $ 1,474,652 Notes receivable 5,189 850 6,039 Other (liabilities) assets (1,705 ) 7,405 5,700 In-place leases and other intangible assets 12,870 15,460 28,330 Below market lease intangible (10,820 ) (54,580 ) (65,400 ) Assumed debt (199,300 ) (201,466 ) (400,766 ) Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed $ 462,777 $ 585,778 $ 1,048,555 Consideration Common OP units (2) $ 24,064 $ — $ 24,064 Series A-4 preferred OP units (3) 18,852 1,000 19,852 Common stock 20,427 259,133 279,560 Series A-4 preferred stock (3) 13,697 175,527 189,224 Consideration from new mortgages 100,700 90,794 191,494 Cash consideration transferred 285,037 59,324 344,361 Total consideration transferred $ 462,777 $ 585,778 $ 1,048,555 (1) The purchase price allocations for the first and second closings are preliminary and may be adjusted as final costs and final valuations are determined. (2) To estimate the fair value of the common OP units at the valuation date, we utilized the market approach, observing public price of our common stock. (3) To estimate the fair value of the Series A-4 preferred OP units and the Series A-4 Preferred Stock at the valuation date, we utilized an income approach. Under this approach, we used the Binomial Lattice Method

Investment Property (Tables)

Investment Property (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Real Estate Investment Property, Net [Abstract]
Real estate, investment property [Table Text Block]	The following table sets forth certain information regarding investment property (in thousands): June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Land $ 438,675 $ 309,386 Land improvements and buildings 3,491,999 2,471,436 Rental homes and improvements 522,548 477,554 Furniture, fixtures, and equipment 96,366 81,586 Land held for future development 23,659 23,955 Investment property 4,573,247 3,363,917 Accumulated depreciation (857,106 ) (795,753 ) Investment property, net $ 3,716,141 $ 2,568,164

Transfers Of Financial Assets (

Transfers Of Financial Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Transfers and Servicing [Abstract]
Repurchase price percentage [Table Text Block]	In general, the repurchase price is determined as follows: Number of Payments Repurchase % Fewer than or equal to 15 100 % Greater than 15 but less than 64 90 % Equal to or greater than 64 but less than 120 65 % 120 or more 50 %
Schedule of collateralized loans [Table Text Block]	The change in the aggregate gross principal balance of the collateralized receivables is as follows (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Beginning balance $ 123,650 Financed sales of manufactured homes 18,175 Principal payments and payoffs from our customers (3,857 ) Principal reduction from repurchased homes (4,222 ) Total activity 10,096 Ending balance $ 133,746

Notes And Other Receivables (Ta

Notes And Other Receivables (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Long-term Notes and Loans, by Type, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]
Schedule of notes and other receivables [Table Text Block]	The following table sets forth certain information regarding notes and other receivables (in thousands): June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net $ 24,023 $ 25,884 Collateralized receivables, net (see Note 4) 133,133 122,962 Other receivables, net 30,880 26,011 Total notes and other receivables, net $ 188,036 $ 174,857
Schedule of Installment Notes Receivable [Table Text Block]	The change in the aggregate gross principal balance of the installment notes is as follows (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Beginning balance $ 26,024 Financed sales of manufactured homes 472 Acquired notes (see Note 2) 850 Principal payments and payoffs from our customers (2,278 ) Principal reduction from repossessed homes (894 ) Total activity (1,850 ) Ending balance $ 24,174
Allowance for collateralized and installment notes receivable [Table Text Block]	The following table sets forth the allowance for collateralized and installment notes receivable as of June 30, 2015 (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Beginning balance $ (828 ) Lower of cost or market write-downs 127 Increase to reserve balance (64 ) Total activity 63 Ending balance $ (765 )

Intangibles Schedule of Finite-

Intangibles Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	The accumulated amortization and gross carrying amounts are as follows (in thousands): June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Intangible Asset Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization In-place leases 7 years $ 63,101 $ (15,786 ) $ 41,511 $ (12,107 ) Franchise fees and other intangible assets 15 years 1,864 (364 ) 764 (106 ) Total $ 64,965 $ (16,150 ) $ 42,275 $ (12,213 )

Intangibles Schedule of Intangi

Intangibles Schedule of Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Schedule of Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	The aggregate net amortization expenses related to the intangible assets are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Intangible Asset 2015 2014 2015 2014 In-place leases $ 1,780 $ 891 $ 3,679 $ 1,782 Franchise fees 129 8 258 38 Total $ 1,909 $ 899 $ 3,937 $ 1,820

Consolidated Variable Interes34

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities included in our consolidated balance sheets after appropriate eliminations (in thousands): June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 ASSETS Investment property, net $ 92,687 $ 94,230 Other assets 4,296 4,400 Total Assets $ 96,983 $ 98,630 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Debt $ 64,968 $ 65,849 Other liabilities 17,043 10,442 Noncontrolling interests (985 ) (416 ) Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 81,026 $ 75,875

Debt And Lines Of Credit (Table

Debt And Lines Of Credit (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of debt and lines of credit [Table Text Block]	The following table sets forth certain information regarding debt (in thousands): Principal Outstanding Weighted Average Years to Maturity Weighted Average Interest Rates June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Collateralized term loans - FNMA $ 801,670 $ 492,800 6.3 7.1 4.6 % 4.0 % Collateralized term loans - FMCC 197,418 152,462 9.5 9.9 4.0 % 4.0 % Collateralized term loans - Life Companies 420,659 204,638 12.7 10.9 4.1 % 4.3 % Collateralized term loans - CMBS 744,425 806,840 5.3 5.4 5.3 % 5.3 % Preferred OP units 45,903 45,903 6.5 6.8 6.9 % 6.9 % Secured Borrowing 133,746 123,650 15.3 14.6 10.3 % 10.4 % Total debt $ 2,343,821 $ 1,826,293 7.9 7.5 5.1 % 5.1 %

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Identifiable assets: Investment property, net $ 3,299,538 $ 416,603 $ 3,716,141 $ 2,207,526 $ 360,638 $ 2,568,164 Cash and cash equivalents 11,496 434 11,930 81,864 1,595 83,459 Inventory of manufactured homes — 10,246 10,246 — 8,860 8,860 Notes and other receivables, net 175,951 12,085 188,036 163,713 11,144 174,857 Other assets 101,161 5,335 106,496 97,485 4,867 102,352 Total assets $ 3,588,146 $ 444,703 $ 4,032,849 $ 2,550,588 $ 387,104 $ 2,937,692
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	A presentation of segment financial information is summarized as follows (amounts in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Revenues $ 131,087 $ 30,229 $ 161,316 $ 90,359 $ 24,546 $ 114,905 Operating expenses/Cost of sales 47,449 19,184 66,633 34,411 16,313 50,724 Net operating income/Gross profit 83,638 11,045 94,683 55,948 8,233 64,181 Adjustments to arrive at net income (loss): Interest and other income, net 4,584 38 4,622 3,621 — 3,621 General and administrative (10,486 ) (3,957 ) (14,443 ) (8,393 ) (3,119 ) (11,512 ) Transaction costs (2,037 ) — (2,037 ) (1,104 ) — (1,104 ) Depreciation and amortization (28,142 ) (13,269 ) (41,411 ) (18,713 ) (11,332 ) (30,045 ) Extinguishment of debt (2,800 ) — — (2,800 ) — — — Interest (26,746 ) (5 ) (26,751 ) (17,933 ) (7 ) (17,940 ) Interest on mandatorily redeemable debt (787 ) — (787 ) (806 ) — (806 ) (Loss) gain on disposition of properties, net (2 ) (11 ) (13 ) (647 ) 1,532 885 Distributions from affiliate 7,500 — 7,500 400 — 400 Provision for state income taxes (52 ) (25 ) (77 ) (69 ) (1 ) (70 ) Net income (loss) 24,670 (6,184 ) 18,486 12,304 (4,694 ) 7,610 Less: Preferred return to A-1 preferred OP units 622 — 622 664 — 664 Less: Preferred return to A-3 preferred OP units 46 — 46 46 — 46 Less: Preferred return to A-4 preferred OP units 353 — 353 — — — Less: Preferred return to Series C preferred OP units 340 — 340 — — — Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,261 (518 ) 743 797 (339 ) 458 Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. 22,048 (5,666 ) 16,382 10,797 (4,355 ) 6,442 Less: Preferred stock distributions 4,088 — 4,088 1,514 — 1,514 Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders $ 17,960 $ (5,666 ) $ 12,294 $ 9,283 $ (4,355 ) $ 4,928 12 . Segment Reporting, continued Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Revenues $ 253,803 $ 58,192 $ 311,995 $ 180,292 $ 44,071 $ 224,363 Operating expenses/Cost of sales 87,924 37,346 125,270 65,527 29,412 94,939 Net operating income/Gross profit 165,879 20,846 186,725 114,765 14,659 129,424 Adjustments to arrive at net income (loss): Interest and other income, net 9,105 38 9,143 7,262 — 7,262 General and administrative (20,316 ) (7,445 ) (27,761 ) (16,206 ) (5,618 ) (21,824 ) Transaction costs (11,486 ) — (11,486 ) (1,856 ) (8 ) (1,864 ) Depreciation and amortization (59,639 ) (25,773 ) (85,412 ) (37,069 ) (21,865 ) (58,934 ) Extinguishment of debt (2,800 ) — (2,800 ) — — — Interest (52,133 ) (7 ) (52,140 ) (35,521 ) (9 ) (35,530 ) Interest on mandatorily redeemable debt (1,639 ) — (1,639 ) (1,609 ) — (1,609 ) Gain (loss) on disposition of properties, net 9,477 (721 ) 8,756 (647 ) 1,532 885 Distributions from affiliate 7,500 — 7,500 800 — 800 Provision for state income taxes (101 ) (51 ) (152 ) (138 ) (1 ) (139 ) Net income (loss) 43,847 (13,113 ) 30,734 29,781 (11,310 ) 18,471 Less: Preferred return to A-1 preferred OP units 1,253 — 1,253 1,336 — 1,336 Less: Preferred return to A-3 preferred OP units 91 — 91 91 — 91 Less: Preferred return to A-4 preferred OP units 706 — 706 — — — Less: Preferred return to Series C preferred OP units 340 — 340 — — — Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests 2,021 (1,014 ) 1,007 2,122 (880 ) 1,242 Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. 39,436 (12,099 ) 27,337 26,232 (10,430 ) 15,802 Less: Preferred stock distributions 8,174 — 8,174 3,028 — 3,028 Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders $ 31,262 $ (12,099 ) $ 19,163 $ 23,204 $ (10,430 ) $ 12,774

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	Computations of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Numerator 2015 2014 2015 2014 Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 12,294 $ 4,928 $ 19,163 $ 12,774 Allocation of income to restricted stock awards (146 ) (122 ) (180 ) (235 ) Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation 12,148 4,806 18,983 12,539 Allocation of income to restricted stock awards 146 122 180 235 Diluted earnings: net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation $ 12,294 $ 4,928 $ 19,163 $ 12,774 Denominator Weighted average common shares outstanding 52,846 40,331 52,672 38,413 Add: dilutive stock options 12 14 14 15 Add: dilutive restricted stock 379 201 374 203 Diluted weighted average common shares and securities 53,237 40,546 53,060 38,631 Earnings per share available to common stockholders: Basic $ 0.23 $ 0.12 $ 0.36 $ 0.33 Diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.12 $ 0.36 $ 0.33
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	as of June 30, 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands): As of June 30, 2015 2014 Common OP units 2,916 2,069 Series A-1 preferred OP units 391 438 Series A-3 preferred OP units 40 40 Series A-4 preferred OP units 869 — Series A-4 Preferred Stock 6,365 — Series C preferred OP units 340 — Aspen preferred OP units 1,284 1,325 Total securities 12,205 3,872

Derivative Instruments And He38

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]	The following table provides the terms of our interest rate derivative contracts that were in effect as of June 30, 2015 : Type Purpose Effective Date Maturity Date Notional (in millions) Based on Variable Rate Fixed Rate Spread Effective Fixed Rate Cap Cap Floating Rate 4/1/2015 4/1/2018 $ 150.1 3 Month LIBOR 0.2708% 9.0000% —% N/A Cap Cap Floating Rate 10/3/2011 10/3/2016 $ 10.0 3 Month LIBOR 0.2708% 11.0200% —% N/A

Fair Value of Financial Instr39

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	The table below sets forth our financial assets and liabilities that require disclosure of their fair values on a recurring basis and presents the carrying values and fair values as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 that were measured using the valuation techniques described above. The table excludes other financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable because the carrying values associated with these instruments approximate fair value since their maturities are less than one year. June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Financial assets Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Installment notes on manufactured homes, net $ 24,023 $ 24,023 $ 25,884 $ 25,884 Collateralized receivables, net $ 133,133 $ 133,133 $ 122,962 $ 122,962 Financial liabilities Debt (excluding secured borrowing) $ 2,210,075 $ 2,201,985 $ 1,702,643 $ 1,752,939 Secured borrowing $ 133,746 $ 133,746 $ 123,650 $ 123,649 Lines of credit $ 37,742 $ 37,742 $ 5,794 $ 5,794

Real Estate Acquisitions and 40

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions, Green Courte Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Jan. 06, 2015shares	Jan. 06, 2015shares	Nov. 26, 2014propertiesstatesshares	Jun. 30, 2015shares	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	May. 20, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Transaction costs | $					$ 2,037	$ 1,104	$ 11,486	$ 1,864
Green Courte - First Closing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of States in which Entity Operates | states			11
Number of Units in Real Estate Property			9,000
Green Courte - First Closing [Member] | Series A-4 preferred OP units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares			669,449
Green Courte - First Closing [Member] | Common OP Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares			501,130
Green Courte - First Closing [Member] | Common Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares			361,797
Green Courte - First Closing [Member] | Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares			483,317
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	10,000	10,000
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Common Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares	4,377,073	4,377,073
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares	5,847,234	5,847,234
Green Courte [Member] | Common Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares				25,664
Green Courte [Member] | Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares				34,219
La Hacienda [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property									241
Manufactured home community [Member] | Green Courte - First Closing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties			32
Manufactured home community [Member] | Green Courte - Second Closing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties	26	26

Real Estate Acquisitions and 41

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions, Green Courte Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 06, 2015	Nov. 26, 2014	May. 08, 2015	May. 20, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property					$ 337,672
In-place leases and other intangible assets					7,210
Below market leases					(11,280)
Assumed debt			$ 0	$ 0
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed					157,687
Cash consideration transferred			$ 32,518	$ 27,275	102,506
Total consideration transferred					$ 157,687
Green Courte - First Closing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property		$ 656,543
Notes receivable		5,189
Other assets and liabilities		(1,705)
In-place leases and other intangible assets		12,870
Below market leases		(10,820)
Assumed debt		(199,300)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed		462,777
Consideration from new mortgages		100,700
Cash consideration transferred		285,037
Total consideration transferred		462,777
Green Courte - First Closing [Member] | Common OP Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity and other securities issued		24,064
Green Courte - First Closing [Member] | Series A-4 preferred OP units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity and other securities issued		18,852
Green Courte - First Closing [Member] | Common Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity and other securities issued		20,427
Green Courte - First Closing [Member] | Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity and other securities issued		$ 13,697
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property	$ 818,109
Notes receivable	850
Other assets and liabilities	7,405
In-place leases and other intangible assets	15,460
Below market leases	(54,580)
Assumed debt	(201,466)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed	585,778
Consideration from new mortgages	90,794
Cash consideration transferred	59,324
Total consideration transferred	585,778
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Common OP Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity and other securities issued	0
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Series A-4 preferred OP units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity and other securities issued	1,000
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Common Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity and other securities issued	259,133
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity and other securities issued	175,527
Green Courte [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property	1,474,652
Notes receivable	6,039
Other assets and liabilities	5,700
In-place leases and other intangible assets	28,330
Below market leases	(65,400)
Assumed debt	(400,766)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed	1,048,555
Consideration from new mortgages	191,494
Cash consideration transferred	344,361
Total consideration transferred	1,048,555
Green Courte [Member] | Common OP Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity and other securities issued	24,064
Green Courte [Member] | Series A-4 preferred OP units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity and other securities issued	19,852
Green Courte [Member] | Common Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity and other securities issued	279,560
Green Courte [Member] | Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity and other securities issued	$ 189,224

Real Estate Acquisitions, Sched

Real Estate Acquisitions, Schedule of Other Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Details) $ in Thousands	May. 08, 2015USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2015USD ($)shares	Mar. 19, 2015USD ($)	May. 08, 2015USD ($)	May. 20, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, value, Series C preferred OP units				$ 0	$ 0	$ 33,154	$ 0
At acquistion date
Investment in property						337,672
Inventory of manufactured homes						285
In-place leases and other intangible assets						7,210
Below market leases						(11,280)
Assumed debt	$ 0			0	0
Business Acquistion, Purchase Price Allocation, Assumed Debt						(176,200)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed						157,687
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned						19,650
Consideration
Note payable	0			0	0	2,377
Cash consideration transferred				32,518	$ 27,275	102,506
Total consideration transferred						$ 157,687
La Hacienda [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property					241
At acquistion date
Investment in property					$ 25,895
Inventory of manufactured homes					0
In-place leases and other intangible assets					1,380
Below market leases					0
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed					27,275
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned					0
Consideration
Total consideration transferred					$ 27,275
Lakeside Crossing [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	35,438			35,438
Inventory of manufactured homes	0			0
In-place leases and other intangible assets	520			520
Below market leases	(3,440)			(3,440)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed	32,518			32,518
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	$ 0			0
Consideration
Total consideration transferred				$ 32,518
Number of units	419
Number of sites suitable for development	300			300
Berger [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, value, Series C preferred OP units		$ 33,154
At acquistion date
Investment in property		268,026
Inventory of manufactured homes		0
In-place leases and other intangible assets		5,040
Below market leases		(7,840)
Assumed debt		(169,882)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed		95,344
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned		19,650
Consideration
Note payable		0
Cash consideration transferred		42,540
Total consideration transferred		$ 95,344
Number of units		3,130
Number of sites suitable for development		380
Meadowlands [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, value, Series C preferred OP units			$ 0
Number of Units in Real Estate Property			321
At acquistion date
Investment in property			$ 8,313
Inventory of manufactured homes			285
In-place leases and other intangible assets			270
Below market leases			0
Assumed debt			(6,318)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed			2,550
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned			0
Consideration
Note payable			2,377
Cash consideration transferred			173
Total consideration transferred			$ 2,550
Common OP Units [Member] | Berger [Member]
Consideration
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares		371,808
Series C preferred OP units [Member] | Berger [Member]
Consideration
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares		340,206

Real Estate Acquisitions, Sch43

Real Estate Acquisitions, Schedule of Revenue and Net Income from acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Combination, Results of Operations [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 6,677		$ 6,712
Net Income	804		812
Transaction costs	2,037	$ 1,104	$ 11,486	$ 1,864
Green Courte [Member]
Business Combination, Results of Operations [Line Items]
Schedule of Revenue and Net Income from Acquisitions [Table Text Block]			The amount of revenue and net income included in the consolidated statements of operations related to the Green Courte properties for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 is set forth in the following table (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue $ 34,436 $ 68,471 Net income $ 7,153 $ 9,266
Revenue			$ 68,471
Net Income			$ 9,266
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Combination, Results of Operations [Line Items]
Revenue	34,436
Net Income	$ 7,153

Real Estate Acquisitions , Pro

Real Estate Acquisitions , Pro Forma Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues			$ 328,155	$ 298,743
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders			$ 43,724	$ 20,559
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic (in dollars per share)			$ 0.83	$ 0.54
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted (in dollars per share)			$ 0.82	$ 0.51
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 166,451	$ 152,030
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$ 14,262	$ 10,693
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.27
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.26

Real Estate Acquisitions and 45

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions Real Estate Dispositions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Gain on dispositions of properties, net	$ (13)	$ 885	$ 8,756	$ 885

Investment Property (Details)

Investment Property (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Real estate, investment property [Line Items]
Land	$ 438,675	$ 309,386
Land improvements and buildings	3,491,999	2,471,436
Rental homes and improvements	522,548	477,554
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	96,366	81,586
Land held for future development	23,659	23,955
Investment property	4,573,247	3,363,917
Accumulated depreciation	(857,106)	(795,753)
Investment property, net	$ 3,716,141	$ 2,568,164

Transfers Of Financial Assets ,

Transfers Of Financial Assets , Repurchase price percentage (Details) - Collateralized receivables [Member]	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Less than or equal to 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Repurchase Percentage	100.00%
Greater than 15 but less than 64 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Repurchase Percentage	90.00%
Equal to or greater than 64 but less than 120 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Repurchase Percentage	65.00%
120 or more [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Repurchase Percentage	50.00%

Transfers Of Financial Assets48

Transfers Of Financial Assets , Schedule of collateralized loans (Details) - Collateralized receivables [Member] $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 123,650
Financed sales of manufactured homes	18,175
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	3,857
Principal reduction from repurchased homes	4,222
Total activity	10,096
Ending balance	$ 133,746

Transfers Of Financial Assets49

Transfers Of Financial Assets , Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 188,036		$ 188,036		$ 174,857
Secured debt	2,343,821		2,343,821		1,826,293
Interest income and expense, net	3,300	$ 2,900
Collateralized receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	600		600		700
Secured Debt [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income and expense, net			6,300	$ 5,600
Carrying Value [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Secured debt	133,746		133,746		123,650
Carrying Value [Member] | Collateralized receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 133,133		$ 133,133		$ 122,962

Schedule of notes and other rec

Schedule of notes and other receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	$ 188,036	$ 174,857
Other receivables, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	30,880	26,011
Carrying Value [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	24,023	25,884
Carrying Value [Member] | Collateralized receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	$ 133,133	$ 122,962

Notes And Other Receivables Ins

Notes And Other Receivables Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	$ 188,036	$ 174,857
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ 100	$ 100
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate)	8.70%
Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term	10 years 2 months 12 days	10 years 5 months 1 day
Carrying Value [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	$ 24,023	$ 25,884

Schedule of installment notes r

Schedule of installment notes receivable (Details) - Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, gross [Member] $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 26,024
Financed sales of manufactured homes	472
Acquired Notes Receivable	850
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	2,278
Principal reduction from repossessed homes	894
Total activity	(1,850)
Ending balance	$ 24,174

Notes And Other Receivables Col

Notes And Other Receivables Collateralized notes receivable - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	$ 188,036	$ 174,857
Collateralized receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ 600	$ 700
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate)	10.30%	10.40%
Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term	15 years	14 years 7 months 2 days
Carrying Value [Member] | Collateralized receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	$ 133,133	$ 122,962

Allowance for collateralized an

Allowance for collateralized and installment notes receivable (Details) - Collateralized receivables, net and Installment Notes Receivables on Manufactured Homes [Member] $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 828
Lower of cost or market write-downs	127
Increase to reserve balance	(64)
Total activity	63
Ending balance	$ 765

Notes And Other Receivables Oth

Notes And Other Receivables Other receivables - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Apr. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Other receivables for rent, water, sewer usage		$ 5.3		$ 4.9
Allowance for rent, water, sewer usage receivables		(1.1)		(1)
Home sale proceeds		8.1		7.4
Insurance receivables		0.8		1
Insurance Settlements Receivable		4.5		3.7
Miscellaneous note receivable		2.2		2.2
Other Receivables		$ (10)		$ (6.8)
2014-2015 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Miscellaneous Note Receivable, Interest Rate		8.00%
2016 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Miscellaneous Note Receivable, Interest Rate		7.87%
Berger [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Note receivable related to acquistion			$ 40.2
Miscellaneous Note Receivable, Interest Rate	9.60%

Intangibles Schedule of Finit56

Intangibles Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
In-place leases and other intangible assets	$ 7,210
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	64,965	$ 42,275
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (16,150)	(12,213)
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	7 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 63,101	41,511
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (15,786)	(12,107)
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 1,864	764
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (364)	$ (106)
Acquisitions - 2015 [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	7 years
In-place leases and other intangible assets	$ 22,700

Intangibles Schedule of Intan57

Intangibles Schedule of Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 1,909	$ 899	$ 3,937	$ 1,820
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	1,780	891	3,679	1,782
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 129	$ 8	$ 258	$ 38

Investment In Affiliates , Narr

Investment In Affiliates , Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Distributions from affiliate	$ 7,500,000	$ 400,000	$ 7,500,000	$ 800,000
Origen Financial Services [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	22.90%		22.90%		22.90%
Investment carrying value	$ 0		$ 0
Origen Financial [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	19.00%		19.00%
Investment carrying value	$ 0		$ 0
Investment owned (in shares)	5,000,000		5,000,000
Distribution per share	$ 1.50		$ 1.50
Expected dissolution expenses of Equity Method Investee	$ 6,200,000		$ 6,200,000

Consolidated Variable Interes59

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment Property, net	$ 92,687	$ 94,230
Other Assets	4,296	4,400
Total Assets	96,983	98,630
Debt	64,968	65,849
Other Liabilities	17,043	10,442
Noncontrolling interests	(985)	(416)
Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity	$ 81,026	$ 75,875
VIE as a Percentage of Consolidated Assets	2.40%	3.40%
VIE as a Percentage of Consolidated Liabilities	3.00%	3.80%
VIE as a Percentage of Total Equity	1.00%	1.00%

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Tabl

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Table - Schedule of debt and lines of credit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 2,343,821	$ 1,826,293
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	7 years 10 months 24 days	7 years 6 months
Weighted average interest rate	5.10%	5.10%
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 3,200	$ 3,200
Collateralized term loans - CMBS [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	744,425	$ 806,840
Collateralized term loans - FNMA [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average to maturity, years		9 years 10 months 24 days
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	2,200,000
Preferred OP units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 45,903	$ 45,903
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	5 years 3 months 18 days	5 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate	5.30%	5.30%
Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	6 years 6 months	6 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted average interest rate	6.90%	6.90%
Mortgage notes, other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	15 years 3 months 18 days	14 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted average interest rate	10.30%	10.40%
Federal National Mortgage Association Certificates and Obligations (FNMA) [Member] | Collateralized term loans - CMBS [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	6 years 3 months 18 days	7 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average interest rate	4.60%	4.00%
Federal National Mortgage Association Certificates and Obligations (FNMA) [Member] | Collateralized term loans - FNMA [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 801,670	$ 492,800
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Certificates and Obligations (FHLMC) [Member] | Collateralized term loans - FNMA [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 197,418	$ 152,462
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	9 years 6 months
Weighted average interest rate	4.00%	4.00%
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	12 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted average interest rate	4.10%
Life Companies [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 420,659	$ 204,638
Debt weighted average to maturity, years		10 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate		4.30%
Carrying Value [Member] | Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 133,746	$ 123,650

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narr

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Collateralized Term Loans (Details) $ in Thousands	Apr. 01, 2015USD ($)Rate	Mar. 19, 2015USD ($)Rate	Jan. 06, 2015USD ($)Rate	Jan. 06, 2015USD ($)Rate	May. 31, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)propertiessitesRate	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)propertiessitesRate	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Acquisitions - debt assumed								$ 377,666	$ 0
Weighted average interest rate | Rate						5.10%		5.10%		5.10%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length								7 years 10 months 24 days		7 years 6 months
Repayments of Debt						$ (2,800)	$ 0	$ (2,800)	$ 0
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate | Rate						10.30%		10.30%		10.40%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length								15 years 3 months 18 days		14 years 7 months 6 days
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					5.32%
Number of properties securing a debt instument (in properties)					10
Net book value of properties securing collateralized term loans						$ 2,600,000		$ 2,600,000
Repayments of Debt					$ 70,600
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt					$ 2,800
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate | Rate						4.10%		4.10%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length								12 years 8 months 12 days
Properties securing debt [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of properties securing a debt instument (in properties) | properties						168		168
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | sites						59,451		59,451
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property			10,000	10,000
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 90,800	$ 90,800
Debt Instrument, Term			14 years 1 month 6 days
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | Rate			3.87%	3.87%
Number of properties securing a debt instument (in properties)			10	10
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt			$ 112,300
Acquisitions - debt assumed			$ 201,400
Weighted average interest rate | Rate			5.74%	5.74%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length				6 years 3 months 25 days
Meadowlands [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property		321
Note receivable related to acquistion						$ 2,400		$ 2,400
Meadowlands [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Acquisitions - debt assumed		$ 6,300
Meadowlands [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term		6 years 6 months
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | Rate		6.50%
Berger [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Note receivable related to acquistion	$ 40,200
Berger [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Acquisitions - debt assumed	$ 169,900
Weighted average interest rate | Rate	5.17%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length	6 years 3 months 18 days

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Na62

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Aspen Preferred OP Units and Series B-3 preferred OP units (Details) - Jun. 30, 2015 - Preferred OP units [Member] - Convertible debt - Aspen Preferred OP Units January 2024 [Member] $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	USD ($)shares$ / sharesRate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount | $	$ 34.7
Convertible units to shares (in shares) | shares	509,676
Conversion Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 68
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	6.50%

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Na63

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Mortgage Notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 2,343,821	$ 1,826,293

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Na64

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Line of Credit (Details) - Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Lines of credit	$ 37,742	$ 5,794
Weighted average interest rate	5.10%	5.10%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length	7 years 10 months 24 days	7 years 6 months
Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity	$ 350,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	May 15, 2017
Line of credit, additional borrowing capacity	$ 250,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	2.71%
Lines of credit	$ 33,100	$ 0
Letters of credit outstanding, amount	3,200	3,200
Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity	12,000
Lines of credit	$ 4,600	$ 5,800
Weighted average interest rate	7.00%
Eurodollar [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Effective interest rate, minimum	1.65%
Effective interest rate, maximum	2.90%
Line of credit variable interest rate	1.70%
Prime Rate [Member] | Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Effective interest rate, maximum	6.00%
Basis points	100.00%

Equity Transactions Narrative (

Equity Transactions Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2015	Jan. 06, 2015	Jan. 06, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jul. 15, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 17, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2004
Class of Stock [Line Items]
New shares issued (in shares)					26,200	342,011
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned				$ 19,650,000	$ 19,650,000			$ 19,650,000
Aggregate Value of Shares to be Issued in Accordance to Sales Agreement				$ 250,000,000
Commission, Maximum Percentage of Gross Sales Price Per Share According to Sales Agreement				2.00%
Shares Issued, Price Per Share				$ 65.15	$ 65.15	$ 63.94		$ 65.15
Value of stock issued during the period					$ 1,700,000	$ 21,500,000
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity								$ 36,858,000	$ 213,802,000
Temporary Equity, Redemption Price Per Share				$ 25	$ 25			$ 25
Series A-4 Preferred Stock				$ 190,079,000	$ 190,079,000			$ 190,079,000			$ 13,610,000
Series A-4 preferred OP units				$ 24,155,000	$ 24,155,000			24,155,000			$ 18,722,000
Temporary Equity, Net Income								100,000
Temporary Equity, Dividends, Adjustment								$ 700,000
Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity, preferred return rate				6.50%
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared								$ 0.4062
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash				$ 2,600,000
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends per common share:								0.65
Common Stock | Dividend Paid [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash										$ 36,900,000
Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared								$ 0.4453
Preferred Stock [Member] | Dividend Paid [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash							$ 1,500,000
Series C preferred OP units [Domain]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity, Preferred OP unit, conversion price	$ 1.11
Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity, preferred return rate			6.50%
Green Courte [Member] | Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Weighted average sale price (in dollars per share)			$ 25
Green Courte [Member] | Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Weighted average sale price (in dollars per share)			$ 50
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity		$ 12,500,000
Repurchase Agreements [Member] | Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Authorized to be repurchased (in shares)												1,000,000
Remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)				400,000	400,000			400,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares								0	0
Conversion of Common OP Units [Member] | Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)								17,500	0
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units [Member] | Series A-1 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)								37,885	17,075
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units [Member] | Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)								92,398	41,645
Green Courte [Member] | Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares				34,219
Weighted average sale price (in dollars per share)				$ 25
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned				$ 855,475	$ 855,475			$ 855,475
Equity, preferred return rate				6.50%
Green Courte [Member] | Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares				25,664
Weighted average sale price (in dollars per share)				$ 50
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned				$ 1,283,200	$ 1,283,200			$ 1,283,200
Berger [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	$ 19,650,000
Berger [Member] | Series C preferred OP units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares	340,206
Weighted average sale price (in dollars per share)	$ 100
Berger [Member] | Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares	371,808
Weighted average sale price (in dollars per share)	$ 61
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Series A-4 preferred OP units [Domain]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Units, Issued		200,000	200,000
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares		5,847,234	5,847,234
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares		4,377,073	4,377,073
New shares issued (in shares)		150,000
2015-2017 [Member] | Series C preferred OP units [Domain]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity, preferred return rate	4.00%
2018-2020 [Member] | Series C preferred OP units [Domain]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity, preferred return rate	4.50%
After 5 years [Member] | Series C preferred OP units [Domain]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity, preferred return rate	5.00%

Share-Based Compensation , Narr

Share-Based Compensation , Narrative (Details) - Award Type [Domain] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Proceeds from stock option exercise					$ 71	$ 127
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 62.94	$ 63.81		$ 65.48
Vested restricted stock (in shares)					50,040
Restricted Stock [Member] | 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)	25,000	145,000		1,000
Director [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Director Plans [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)			19,800
Weighted average grant date fair value			$ 65.87
Third Anniversary | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage	35.00%	20.00%		35.00%
Fourth Anniversary | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage	35.00%	30.00%		35.00%
Fifth Anniversary | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage	20.00%	35.00%		20.00%
Sixth Anniversary | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage	5.00%	10.00%		5.00%
Seventh Anniversary | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage	5.00%	5.00%		5.00%
Subject to Performance Conditions Over 5 years | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)		72,500

Segment Reporting Segment Repor

Segment Reporting Segment Reporting, Seasonality (Details) - Real Property Operations Segment [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Expected Annual Transient RV Revenue								$ 31.6
Transient RV Rental Revenue Recognized, Percentage			13.10%		43.30%	18.30%	25.30%
Scenario, Actual [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Transient RV Rental Revenue Recognized, Percentage				24.50%
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Expected Annual Transient RV Revenue	$ 35.8
Transient RV Rental Revenue Recognized, Percentage	13.70%	42.60%	19.20%

Segment Reporting Results of Op

Segment Reporting Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 161,316	$ 114,905	$ 311,995	$ 224,363
Operating Expenses/Cost of Sales	66,633	50,724	125,270	94,939
Net operating income/Gross Profit	94,683	64,181	186,725	129,424
Ancillary, interest and other income, net	4,622	3,621	9,143	7,262
General and Administrative Expense	(14,443)	(11,512)	(27,761)	(21,824)
Transaction costs	(2,037)	(1,104)	(11,486)	(1,864)
Depreciation and amortization	(41,411)	(30,045)	(85,412)	(58,934)
Repayments of Debt	2,800	0	2,800	0
Interest	(26,751)	(17,940)	(52,140)	(35,530)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable debt	(787)	(806)	(1,639)	(1,609)
Gain (loss) on dispositions of properties, net	(13)	885	8,756	885
Distributions from affiliate	7,500	400	7,500	800
Provision for state income taxes	(77)	(70)	(152)	(139)
Net income	18,486	7,610	30,734	18,471
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	622	664	1,253	1,336
Less: Preferred return to Series A-3 preferred OP units	46	46	91	91
Less: Preferred return to Series A-4 preferred OP units	353	0	706	0
Less: Preferred return to Series C preferred OP units	340	0	340	0
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	743	458	1,007	1,242
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	16,382	6,442	27,337	15,802
Less: Preferred stock distributions	4,088	1,514	8,174	3,028
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	12,294	4,928	19,163	12,774
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	131,087	90,359	253,803	180,292
Operating Expenses/Cost of Sales	47,449	34,411	87,924	65,527
Net operating income/Gross Profit	83,638	55,948	165,879	114,765
Ancillary, interest and other income, net	4,584	3,621	9,105	7,262
General and Administrative Expense	(10,486)	(8,393)	(20,316)	(16,206)
Transaction costs	(2,037)	(1,104)	(11,486)	(1,856)
Depreciation and amortization	(28,142)	(18,713)	(59,639)	(37,069)
Repayments of Debt	2,800	0	2,800	0
Interest	(26,746)	(17,933)	(52,133)	(35,521)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable debt	(787)	(806)	(1,639)	(1,609)
Gain (loss) on dispositions of properties, net	(2)	(647)	9,477	(647)
Distributions from affiliate	7,500	400	7,500	800
Provision for state income taxes	(52)	(69)	(101)	(138)
Net income	24,670	12,304	43,847	29,781
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	622	664	1,253	1,336
Less: Preferred return to Series A-3 preferred OP units	46	46	91	91
Less: Preferred return to Series A-4 preferred OP units	353	0	706	0
Less: Preferred return to Series C preferred OP units	340	0	340	0
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,261	797	2,021	2,122
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	22,048	10,797	39,436	26,232
Less: Preferred stock distributions	4,088	1,514	8,174	3,028
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	17,960	9,283	31,262	23,204
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	30,229	24,546	58,192	44,071
Operating Expenses/Cost of Sales	19,184	16,313	37,346	29,412
Net operating income/Gross Profit	11,045	8,233	20,846	14,659
Ancillary, interest and other income, net	38	0	38	0
General and Administrative Expense	(3,957)	(3,119)	(7,445)	(5,618)
Transaction costs	0	0	0	(8)
Depreciation and amortization	(13,269)	(11,332)	(25,773)	(21,865)
Repayments of Debt	0	0	0	0
Interest	(5)	(7)	(7)	(9)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable debt	0	0	0	0
Gain (loss) on dispositions of properties, net	(11)	1,532	(721)	1,532
Distributions from affiliate	0	0	0	0
Provision for state income taxes	(25)	(1)	(51)	(1)
Net income	(6,184)	(4,694)	(13,113)	(11,310)
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	0	0	0	0
Less: Preferred return to Series A-3 preferred OP units	0	0	0	0
Less: Preferred return to Series A-4 preferred OP units	0	0	0	0
Less: Preferred return to Series C preferred OP units	0	0	0	0
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	(518)	(339)	(1,014)	(880)
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	(5,666)	(4,355)	(12,099)	(10,430)
Less: Preferred stock distributions	0	0		0
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$ (5,666)	$ (4,355)	$ (12,099)	$ (10,430)

Segment Reporting Identifiable

Segment Reporting Identifiable Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	$ 3,716,141	$ 2,568,164
Cash and cash equivalents	11,930	83,459	$ 7,620	$ 4,753
Inventory of manufactured homes	10,246	8,860
Notes and other receivables, net	188,036	174,857
Other assets	106,496	102,352
TOTAL ASSETS	4,032,849	2,937,692
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	3,299,538	2,207,526
Cash and cash equivalents	11,496	81,864
Inventory of manufactured homes	0	0
Notes and other receivables, net	175,951	163,713
Other assets	101,161	97,485
TOTAL ASSETS	3,588,146	2,550,588
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	416,603	360,638
Cash and cash equivalents	434	1,595
Inventory of manufactured homes	10,246	8,860
Notes and other receivables, net	12,085	11,144
Other assets	5,335	4,867
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 444,703	$ 387,104

Income Taxes , Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes , Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Minimum Percent of Income From Qualifying Sources to Allow For Real Estate Investment Trust Classification			95.00%
Required Minimum Percent of Taxable Income Distributed to Stock Holders			90.00%
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$ 1		$ 1		$ 1
Provision for state income taxes	$ 0.1	$ 0.1	$ 0.2	$ 0.1

Earnings Per Share , Calculatio

Earnings Per Share , Calculation of Numerator and Denominator (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Numerator
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$ 12,294	$ 4,928	$ 19,163	$ 12,774
Income (loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders Allocable To Non Vested Restricted Shares	(146)	(122)	(180)	(235)
Net income attributable to common shareholders after restricted stock allocation	12,148	4,806	18,983	12,539
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Options and Restrictive Stock Units	146	122	180	235
Diluted earnings: net income available to common stockholders and unitholders	$ 12,294	$ 4,928	$ 19,163	$ 12,774
Denominator
Basic Weighted average common shares outstanding	52,846	40,331	52,672	38,413
Add: dilutive securities	12	14	14	15
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements	379	201	374	203
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Conversion of Preferred Stock	0	0	0	0
Diluted weighted average common shares	53,237	40,546	53,060	38,631
Basic	$ 0.23	$ 0.12	$ 0.36	$ 0.33
Diluted	$ 0.23	$ 0.12	$ 0.36	$ 0.33

Earnings Per Share , Antidiluti

Earnings Per Share , Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Loss Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	12,205	3,872
Common OP Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2,916	2,069
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	391	438
Series A-3 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	40	40
Series A-4 preferred OP units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	869	0
Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	6,365	0
Series C preferred OP units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	340	0
Aspen Preferred OP Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,284	1,325

Derivative Instruments And He73

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities , Derivative Contracts (Details) - Jun. 30, 2015 - Interest Rate Cap [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total
Derivative maturing 2018 [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Type	Cap
Derivative, Purpose	Cap Floating Rate
Derivative, Effective Date	Apr. 1, 2015
Derivative, Maturity Date	Apr. 1, 2018
Notional Amount of Derivatives	$ 150.1
Derivative, Variable Rate	0.2708%
Derivative, Fixed Rate	9.00%
Derivative, Spread on Variable Rate	0.00%
Derivative Maturing 2016 [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Type	Cap
Derivative, Purpose	Cap Floating Rate
Derivative, Effective Date	Oct. 3, 2011
Derivative, Maturity Date	Oct. 3, 2016
Notional Amount of Derivatives	$ 10
Derivative, Variable Rate	0.2708%
Derivative, Fixed Rate	11.02%
Derivative, Spread on Variable Rate	0.00%

Fair Value of Financial Instr74

Fair Value of Financial Instruments , By Balance Sheet Grouping (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 188,036	$ 174,857
Financial liabilities
Secured debt	2,343,821	1,826,293
Carrying Value [Member]
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)	2,210,075	1,702,643
Lines of credit	37,742	5,794
Carrying Value [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net	24,023	25,884
Carrying Value [Member] | Collateralized receivables [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net	133,133	122,962
Carrying Value [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Financial liabilities
Secured debt	133,746	123,650
Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)	2,201,985	1,752,939
Secured debt	133,746	123,649
Lines of credit	37,742	5,794
Fair Value [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Receivables	24,023	25,884
Fair Value [Member] | Collateralized receivables [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Receivables	$ 133,133	$ 122,962

Subsequent Event (Details)

Subsequent Event (Details) - $ / shares	1 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Series A-4 preferred stock, shares issued and outstanding		6,365,000	483,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Temporary Equity, Shares Subject To Repurchase Agreement	5,926,322
Series A-4 preferred stock, shares issued and outstanding	6,364,770
Temporary Equity, Shares Not Subject To Repurchase Agreement	438,448
Temporary Equity, Repurchase Agreement End Date	Aug. 10, 2015
Temporary Equity, Repurchase Price Per Share	$ 31.08
Temporary Equity, Repurchase Price Per Share, Base	30.90
Temporary Equity, Repurchase Price Per Share, Accrued And Unpaid Distributions	0.18
Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference Per Share	25
Temporary Equity, Conversion Into Common Stock	$ 0.4444
Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Equity, preferred return rate		6.50%

Uncategorized Items - sui-20150

Label	Element	Value
Employee Stock Option [Member] | 2004 non-employee plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	4,084
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	4,904
Stock Compensation Plan [Member] | 2004 non-employee plan [Member]
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised	$ 0.1
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised	$ 0.1