Sun Communities (SUI) 10-Q 27 Jul 17 2017 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jul. 20, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
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		78,998,639

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
ASSETS
Land	$ 1,066,792	$ 1,051,536
Land improvements and buildings	4,934,110	4,825,043
Rental homes and improvements	507,362	489,633
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	137,546	130,127
Investment property	6,645,810	6,496,339
Accumulated depreciation	(1,128,671)	(1,026,858)
Investment property, net (including $51,060 and $88,987 for consolidated variable interest entities at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; see Note 6)	5,517,139	5,469,481
Cash and cash equivalents	241,646	8,164
Inventory of manufactured homes	25,582	21,632
Notes and other receivables, net	110,499	81,179
Collateralized receivables, net	138,696	143,870
Other assets, net (including $2,067 and $3,054 for consolidated variable interest entities at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; see Note 6)	145,151	146,450
TOTAL ASSETS	6,178,713	5,870,776
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (including $42,375 and $62,111 for consolidated variable interest entities at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; see Note 6)	2,832,819	2,819,567
Secured borrowings on collateralized receivables		144,477
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	45,903	45,903
Lines of credit		100,095
Distributions payable	56,283	51,896
Other liabilities (including $1,629 and $1,998 for consolidated variable interest entities at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; see Note 6)	298,759	279,667
TOTAL LIABILITIES	3,373,695	3,441,605
Commitments and contingencies
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Series A preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Issued and outstanding: 3,400 shares at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016	34	34
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized: 180,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 78,987 shares at June 30, 2017 and 73,206 shares at December 31, 2016	790	732
Additional paid-in capital	3,780,599	3,321,441
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(981)	(3,181)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,089,428)	(1,023,415)
Total Sun Communities, Inc. stockholders' equity	2,691,014	2,295,611
Noncontrolling interests:
Common and preferred OP units	67,135	69,598
Consolidated variable interest entities	3,404	(2,982)
Total noncontrolling interests	70,539	66,616
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	2,761,553	2,362,227
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	6,178,713	5,870,776
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
LIABILITIES
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Preferred, Carrying Amount	32,414	50,227
Series A-4 preferred OP units
LIABILITIES
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Preferred, Carrying Amount	$ 11,051	$ 16,717

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investment property, net	$ 5,517,139	$ 5,469,481
Other assets	145,151	146,450
Secured debt	2,832,819	2,819,567
Other liabilities	$ 298,759	$ 279,667
Series A Preferred Stock, Par Value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Series A Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	3,400	3,400
Series A Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	3,400	3,400
Common Stock, Par Value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	180,000	180,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued	73,739	73,206
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	73,739	73,206
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Par Value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	1,637	1,681
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	1,637	1,681
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Investment property, net	$ 51,060	$ 88,987
Other assets	2,067	3,054
Secured debt	42,375	62,111
Other liabilities	$ 1,629	$ 1,998

Consolidated Statements Of Oper

Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
REVENUES
Income from real property	$ 179,461	$ 140,001	$ 362,515	$ 269,236
Revenue from home sales	30,859	26,039	58,122	50,776
Rental home revenue	12,678	11,957	25,017	23,665
Ancillary revenues	8,850	7,383	15,069	11,996
Interest	5,043	4,672	9,689	8,617
Brokerage commissions and other revenues, net	1,008	747	1,887	1,153
Total revenues	237,899	190,799	472,299	365,443
EXPENSES
Property operating and maintenance	53,446	37,067	100,612	68,268
Real estate taxes	13,126	10,153	26,269	19,738
Cost of home sales	22,022	18,684	42,905	36,868
Rental home operating and maintenance	4,944	5,411	10,046	11,287
Ancillary expenses	7,058	5,599	11,726	9,248
Home selling expenses	2,990	2,460	6,101	4,597
General and administrative	19,989	16,543	37,921	30,335
Transaction costs	2,437	20,979	4,823	23,700
Depreciation and amortization	62,721	49,670	125,487	98,082
Extinguishment of debt	293	0	759	0
Interest	32,358	28,428	63,680	54,722
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units	787	787	1,571	1,574
Total expenses	222,171	195,781	431,900	358,419
Income / (loss) before other items	15,728	(4,982)	40,399	7,024
Other income, net	875	0	1,627	0
Current tax benefit / (expense)	7	(56)	(171)	(284)
Deferred tax benefit	364	0	664	0
Net income / (loss)	16,974	(5,038)	42,519	6,740
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units	(1,196)	(1,263)	(2,370)	(2,536)
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,315)	695	(2,403)	419
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	14,463	(5,606)	37,746	4,623
Less: Preferred stock distributions	(2,099)	(2,197)	(4,278)	(4,551)
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$ 12,364	$ (7,803)	$ 33,468	$ 72
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	74,678	64,757	73,677	61,247
Diluted	75,154	64,757	74,272	61,673
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.16	$ (0.12)	$ 0.45	$ 0
Diluted	$ 0.16	$ (0.12)	$ 0.45	$ 0

Consolidated Statements Of Comp

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income / (loss)	$ 16,974	$ (5,038)	$ 42,519	$ 6,740
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,745	1	2,329	1
Total comprehensive income / (loss)	18,719	(5,037)	44,848	6,741
Less: Comprehensive income / (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,411	(695)	2,532	(419)
Comprehensive income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	$ 17,308	$ (4,342)	$ 42,316	$ 7,160

Consolidated Statement Of Stock

Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Equity - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2017 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Noncontrolling Interests	Series A Preferred Stock	Series A-4 Preferred Stock	Series A-4 Preferred StockAdditional Paid-in Capital	Series A-4 preferred OP units	Series A-4 preferred OP unitsAdditional Paid-in Capital
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 2,362,227	$ 732	$ 3,321,441	$ (1,023,415)	$ (3,181)	$ 66,616	$ 34
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock from exercise of options, net	45		45
Issuance of OP units and common stock, net	461,248	57	459,190			2,001
Conversion of Series A-4 preferred stock	4,720	1	4,719
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Redemption of Stock								$ (3,867)	$ (3,867)	$ (2,571)	$ (2,571)
Share-based compensation - amortization and forfeitures	6,917		6,769	148
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests	(100)		(6,201)			6,101
Foreign currency exchange	2,329				2,200	129
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest and Returns from Preferred Stock	42,390			40,116		2,274
Distributions	(111,915)			(106,277)		(5,638)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2017	$ 2,761,553	$ 790	$ 3,780,599	$ (1,089,428)	$ (981)	$ 70,539	$ 34

Consolidated Statements Of Cash

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$ 153,163	$ 129,048
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in properties	(131,137)	(97,435)
Acquisitions of properties, net of cash acquired	(39,887)	(1,461,663)
Proceeds from dispositions of assets and depreciated homes, net	3,458	4,729
Proceeds from disposition of properties	0	88,696
Issuance of notes and other receivables	(503)	(3,488)
Repayments of notes and other receivables	943	546
NET CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(167,126)	(1,468,615)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance and associated costs of common stock, OP units, and preferred OP units, net	459,247	418,764
Net proceeds from stock option exercise	45	149
Borrowings on lines of credit	572,109	398,913
Payments on lines of credit	(672,019)	(65,913)
Proceeds from issuance of other debt	83,848	755,913
Payments on other debt	(58,860)	(68,668)
Prepayment penalty on debt	(759)	0
Redemption of Series A-4 preferred stock and OP units	(24,698)		$ 0
Distributions to stockholders, OP unit holders, and preferred OP unit holders	(108,093)	(90,810)
Payments for deferred financing costs	(3,486)	(22,426)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	247,334	1,325,922
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	111	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	233,482	(13,645)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	8,164	45,086	45,086
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	241,646	31,441	$ 8,164
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest (net of capitalized interest of $1,266 and $185 respectively)	61,709	56,058
Cash paid for interest on mandatorily redeemable debt	1,571	1,574
Cash paid for income taxes	350	426
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Reduction in secured borrowing balance	11,830	9,285
Change in distributions declared and outstanding	4,320	6,659
Conversion of common and preferred OP units	1,074	990
Conversion of Series A-4 Preferred Stock	4,720	11,503
Noncash investing and financing activities at the date of acquisition:
Acquisitions - Common stock and OP units issued	2,000	225,000
Acquisitions - other assets	$ 0	$ 37,847

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation 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”) and Sun Home Services, Inc. (“SHS”) are referred to herein as the “Company,” “us,” “we,” and “our.” We follow accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). FASB sets generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which we follow to ensure that we consistently report our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information and in accordance with GAAP. Pursuant to the SEC rules and regulations we present interim disclosures and certain information and footnote disclosures as required. Accordingly, the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying unaudited 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. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period 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 unaudited 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, 2016 as filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017 (the “ 2016 Annual Report”). These statements have been prepared on a basis that is substantially consistent with the accounting principles applied in our 2016 Annual Report.

Real Estate Acquisitions

Real Estate Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Real Estate Acquisitions	Real Estate Acquisitions 2017 Acquisitions In June 2017, we acquired Arbor Woods (“Arbor Woods”), a manufactured home ("MH") community with 458 sites located in Superior Township, Michigan. In May 2017, we acquired Sunset Lakes RV Resort (“Sunset Lakes”), a recreational vehicle ("RV") resort with 489 sites located in Hillsdale, Illinois. In March 2017, we acquired Far Horizons 49er Village RV Resort Inc. (“49er Village”), a RV resort with 328 sites located in Plymouth, California. The following table summarizes the amounts of assets acquired net of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date and the consideration paid for the acquisitions completed in 2017 (in thousands): At Acquisition Date Arbor Woods (1) Sunset Lakes (1) 49er Village (1) Total Investment in property $ 15,725 $ 7,835 $ 12,890 $ 36,450 Notes receivable 23 — — 23 Inventory of manufactured homes 465 — — 465 In-place leases 730 210 110 1,050 Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed $ 16,943 $ 8,045 $ 13,000 $ 37,988 Consideration Cash $ 14,943 $ 8,045 $ 13,000 35,988 Equity 2,000 — — 2,000 Total cash and equity $ 16,943 $ 8,045 $ 13,000 $ 37,988 (1) The purchase price allocations for Arbor Woods, Sunset Lakes, and 49er Village are preliminary and may be adjusted as final costs and valuations are determined. The amount of total revenues and net income included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 related to the acquisitions completed in 2017 are set forth in the following table (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (unaudited) (unaudited) Total revenues $ 1,288 $ 1,315 Net income $ 500 $ 483 The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the results of our operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 , as if the properties had been acquired on January 1, 2016. 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, 2016 (in thousands, except per-share data): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (unaudited) (unaudited) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Total revenues $ 239,197 $ 193,022 $ 474,085 $ 368,260 Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders $ 12,642 $ (7,402 ) $ 33,839 $ 586 Net income / (loss) per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic $ 0.18 $ (0.14 ) $ 0.46 $ 0.01 Net income / (loss) per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted $ 0.18 $ (0.14 ) $ 0.46 $ 0.01 Additionally, during the three months ended June 30, 2017, we acquired an undeveloped parcel of land (“Bear Lake”), near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for $5.9 million. This land parcel has been entitled and zoned to build a 775 site RV resort. Transaction costs of $2.4 million and $21.0 million have been incurred for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 , transactions costs were $4.8 million and $23.7 million , respectively. These costs are presented as “Transaction costs” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. 2016 Acquisitions In June 2016, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Carefree Communities Inc. (“Carefree”) through the Operating Partnership for an aggregate purchase price of $1.68 billion . Carefree owned 103 MH and RV communities, comprising over 27,000 sites. At the closing, we issued 3,329,880 shares of common stock at $67.57 per share (or $225.0 million in common stock) to the seller and the Operating Partnership paid the balance of the purchase price in cash. Approximately $1.0 billion of the cash payment was applied simultaneously to repay debt on the properties owned by Carefree. The Operating Partnership funded the cash portion of the purchase price in part with proceeds from debt financings as described in Note 7, “Debt and Lines of Credit” and net proceeds of $385.4 million from an underwritten public offering of 6,037,500 shares of common stock at a price of $66.50 per share in March 2016. We have allocated the “investment in property" balances for Carefree to the respective balance sheet line items upon completion of a purchase price allocation in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 805 - Business Combinations, as set forth in the table below (in thousands): At Acquisition Date Carefree Investment in property $ 1,670,981 Ground leases 33,270 In-place leases 35,010 Deferred tax liability (23,637 ) Other liabilities (15,665 ) Inventory of manufactured homes 13,521 Below market lease (29,340 ) Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed $ 1,684,140 Consideration Cash and equity $ 1,684,140 Additionally, during 2016, we acquired seven RV resorts and one MH community for total consideration of $89.7 million . We added 1,677 sites in six states as a result of these acquisitions. The amount of revenue and net income included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 related to the Carefree acquisition and other acquisitions completed during 2016 is set forth in the following table (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue $ 47,321 $ 100,987 Net income $ 3,182 $ 13,026

Collateralized Receivables and

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 receivable. 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 a 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 receivable 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 receivable. The percentage used to determine the repurchase price of the outstanding principal balance on the installment note receivable is based on the number of payments made on the note. In general, the repurchase price is determined as follows: Number of Payments Repurchase Percentage Fewer than or equal to 15 100 % Greater than 15 but fewer than 64 90 % Equal to or greater than 64 but fewer than 120 65 % 120 or more 50 % The transferred assets have been classified as “Collateralized receivables, net” and the cash proceeds received from these transactions have been classified as “Secured borrowings on collateralized receivables” within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The balance of the collateralized receivables was $ 138.7 million (net of allowance of $ 0.8 million ) and $ 143.9 million (net of allowance of $ 0.6 million ) as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. The receivables have a weighted average interest rate and maturity of 10.0 percent and 15.6 years as of June 30, 2017 , and 10.0 percent and 15.7 years as of December 31, 2016 . The outstanding balance on the secured borrowing was $139.5 million and $144.5 million as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. 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 $3.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and $6.6 million and $6.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, 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, 2017 Beginning balance $ 144,477 Financed sales of manufactured homes 6,849 Principal payments and payoffs from our customers (5,799 ) Principal reduction from repurchased homes (6,031 ) Total activity (4,981 ) Ending balance $ 139,496 The following table sets forth the allowance for the collateralized receivables as of June 30, 2017 (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Beginning balance $ (607 ) Lower of cost or market write-downs 515 Increase to reserve balance (708 ) Total activity (193 ) Ending balance $ (800 )

Notes And Other Receivables

Notes And Other Receivables	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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, 2017 December 31, 2016 Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net $ 82,792 $ 59,320 Other receivables, net 27,707 21,859 Total notes and other receivables, net $ 110,499 $ 81,179 Installment Notes Receivable on Manufactured Homes The installment notes of $82.8 million (net of allowance of $0.2 million ) and $ 59.3 million (net of allowance of $ 0.2 million ) as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , 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 (net of servicing costs) and maturity of 8.2 percent and 16.7 years as of June 30, 2017 , and 8.3 percent and 16.0 years as of December 31, 2016 . The change in the aggregate gross principal balance of the installment notes receivable is as follows (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Beginning balance $ 59,524 Financed sales of manufactured homes 26,870 Acquired notes 23 Principal payments and payoffs from our customers (2,441 ) Principal reduction from repossessed homes (1,006 ) Total activity 23,446 Ending balance $ 82,970 Allowance for Losses for Installment Notes Receivable The following table sets forth the allowance change for the installment notes receivable as follows (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Beginning balance $ (205 ) Lower of cost or market write-downs 85 Increase to reserve balance (58 ) Total activity 27 Ending balance $ (178 ) Other Receivables As of June 30, 2017 , other receivables were comprised of amounts due from: residents for rent, and water and sewer usage of $8.0 million (net of allowance of $1.5 million ); home sale proceeds of $14.4 million ; insurance receivables of $3.7 million ; and other receivables of $1.6 million . As of December 31, 2016 , other receivables were comprised of amounts due from: residents for rent, and water and sewer usage of $6.0 million (net of allowance of $1.5 million ); home sale proceeds of $11.6 million ; insurance receivables of $2.3 million ; and other receivables of $2.0 million .

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	Intangible Assets Our intangible assets include ground leases, in-place leases, franchise fees and other intangible assets from acquisitions. These intangible assets are recorded in “Other assets, net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The gross carrying amounts, and accumulated amortization are as follows (in thousands): June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Intangible Asset Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Ground leases 8-57 years $ 33,270 $ (1,114 ) $ 33,270 $ (600 ) In-place leases 7 years 99,535 (38,663 ) 98,235 (31,796 ) Franchise fees and other intangible assets 15 years 1,880 (1,413 ) 1,880 (1,155 ) Total $ 134,685 $ (41,190 ) $ 133,385 $ (33,551 ) Total amortization expenses related to the intangible assets are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Intangible Asset 2017 2016 2017 2016 Ground leases $ 257 $ — $ 514 $ — In-place leases 3,428 2,165 6,844 4,318 Franchise fees and other intangible assets 129 129 258 258 Total $ 3,814 $ 2,294 $ 7,616 $ 4,576 We anticipate amortization expense for our intangible assets to be as follows for the next five years (in thousands): Year Remainder of 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Estimated expense $ 7,650 $ 14,482 $ 13,566 $ 11,838 $ 11,446

Consolidated Variable Interest

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract]
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities	Consolidated Variable Interest Entities We consolidate Rudgate Village SPE, LLC; Rudgate Clinton SPE, LLC; and Rudgate Clinton Estates SPE, LLC (collectively, “Rudgate”) as a variable interest entity ("VIE"). We evaluated our arrangement with this property under the guidance set forth in FASB ASC Topic 810 “ Consolidation. ” We concluded that Rudgate qualified as a VIE where we are the primary beneficiary, as we have power to direct the significant activities, absorb the significant losses and receive the significant benefits from the entity. During the three months ended June 30, 2017, we acquired the noncontrolling equity interests in Wildwood Mobile Home Park ("Wildwood") held by third parties for total consideration of $0.1 million . Prior to this acquisition, we consolidated Wildwood as a VIE. The acquisition resulted in the Company owning a 100.0 percent controlling interest in Wildwood, and was deemed a VIE reconsideration event. We concluded that Wildwood was no longer a VIE. The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets after eliminations (in thousands): June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 ASSETS Investment property, net $ 51,060 $ 88,987 Other assets 2,067 3,054 Total Assets $ 53,127 $ 92,041 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Debt $ 42,375 $ 62,111 Other liabilities 1,629 1,998 Noncontrolling interests 3,404 (2,982 ) Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 47,408 $ 61,127 Investment property, net and other assets related to the consolidated VIEs comprised approximately 0.9 percent and 1.6 percent of our consolidated total assets at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. Debt and other liabilities comprised approximately 1.3 percent and 1.9 percent of our consolidated total liabilities at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. Noncontrolling interests related to the consolidated VIEs comprised less than 1.0 percent of our consolidated total stockholder's equity at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 .

Debt And Lines Of Credit

Debt And Lines Of Credit	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Debt and Lines of Credit The following table sets forth certain information regarding debt including premiums, discounts and deferred financing costs (in thousands): Carrying Amount Weighted Average Years to Maturity Weighted Average Interest Rates June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Collateralized term loans - FNMA $ 1,034,261 $ 1,046,803 6.1 6.6 4.4 % 4.3 % Collateralized term loans - Life Companies 955,251 888,705 12.7 12.2 3.9 % 3.9 % Collateralized term loans - CMBS 454,231 492,294 5.5 5.6 5.1 % 5.2 % Collateralized term loans - FMCC 389,076 391,765 7.4 7.9 3.9 % 3.9 % Secured borrowings 139,496 144,477 15.6 15.7 10.0 % 10.0 % Lines of credit 435 100,095 1.0 3.6 — % 2.1 % Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable 45,903 45,903 5.0 5.4 6.9 % 6.9 % Total debt $ 3,018,653 $ 3,110,042 8.7 8.5 4.6 % 4.5 % Collateralized Term Loans In June 2017, we entered into a $77.0 million collateralized term loan which bears interest at a rate of 4.16 percent amortizing over a 25 term. We also repaid a $3.9 million collateralized term loan with an interest rate of 6.54 percent that was due to mature on August 31, 2017. As a result of the repayment transaction, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.3 million in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the first quarter of 2017, we defeased an $18.9 million collateralized term loan with an interest rate of 6.49 percent that was due to mature on August 1, 2017, releasing one encumbered community. As a result of the transaction, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.5 million in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, we repaid a $10.0 million collateralized term loan with an interest rate of 5.57 percent that was due to mature on May 1, 2017, releasing an additional encumbered community. During the fourth quarter of 2016, we repaid a total of $79.1 million aggregate principal of collateralized term loans that were due to mature during 2017, releasing 10 encumbered communities. Also in the fourth quarter of 2016, we entered into a promissory note for $58.5 million that bears interest at a rate of 3.33 percent and has a seven -year term. The repayment of the note is interest only for the entire term. In September 2016, 15 subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership each entered into a promissory note for total borrowings of $139.0 million with PNC Bank, as lender (the "Freddie Mac Financing"). Five of the notes totaling $70.2 million bear interest at a rate of 3.93 percent and have ten -year terms. The remaining ten notes totaling $68.8 million bear interest at a rate of 3.75 percent and have seven -year terms. The Freddie Mac Financing provides for principal and interest payments to be amortized over 30 years. Proceeds from the Freddie Mac Financing described above and the underwritten registered public equity offering in September 2016 described in Note 8, "Equity and Mezzanine Securities," were utilized to repay $62.1 million in mortgage loans and $300.0 million on our revolving loan under our senior revolving credit facility (refer to Lines of Credit below for additional information regarding the A&R Facility). In June 2016, 17 subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership entered into a Master Credit Facility Agreement with Regions Bank, as lender. Pursuant to credit agreement, Regions Bank loaned a total of $338.0 million under a senior secured credit facility, comprised of two ten -year term loans in the amount of $300.0 million and $38.0 million , respectively (collectively the "Fannie Mae Financing"). The $300.0 million term loan bears interest at 3.69 percent and the $38.0 million term loan bears interest at 3.67 percent for a blended rate of 3.69 percent. The Fannie Mae Financing provides for principal and interest payments to be amortized over 30 years. The Fannie Mae Financing is secured by mortgages encumbering 17 MH communities comprised of real and personal property owned by the borrowers. Additionally, the Company and the Operating Partnership have provided a guaranty of the non-recourse carve-out obligations of the borrowers under the Fannie Mae Financing. Additionally, in June 2016, three subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership entered into mortgage loan documents (the "NML Loan Documents") with The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company ("NML"). Pursuant to the NML Loan Documents, NML made three portfolio loans to the subsidiary borrowers in the aggregate amount of $405.0 million . NML loaned $162.0 million under a ten -year term loan to two of the subsidiary borrowers (the "Portfolio A Loan"). The Portfolio A Loan bears interest at 3.53 percent and is secured by deeds of trust encumbering seven MH communities and one RV community. NML also loaned $163.0 million under a 12 -year term loan (the "Portfolio B Loan") to one subsidiary which is also a borrower under the Portfolio A Loan. The Portfolio B Loan bears interest at 3.71 percent and is secured by deeds of trust and a ground lease encumbering eight MH communities. NML also loaned $80.0 million under a 12 -year term loan (the "Portfolio C Loan" and, collectively, with the Portfolio A Loan and the Portfolio B Loan, the "NML Financing") to one subsidiary borrower. The Portfolio C Loan bears interest at 3.71 percent and is secured by a mortgage encumbering one RV community. The MH and RV communities noted above that secure the NML Financing were acquired as part of the Carefree transaction (See Note 2, "Real Estate Acquisitions"). The NML Financing is generally non-recourse, however, the borrowers under the NML Financing and the Operating Partnership are responsible for certain customary non-recourse carveouts. In addition, the NML Financing will be fully recourse to the subsidiary borrowers and the Operating Partnership if: (a) the borrowers violate the prohibition on transfer covenants set forth in the loan documents; or (b) a voluntary bankruptcy proceedings is commenced by the borrowers or an involuntary bankruptcy, liquidation, receivership or similar proceeding has commenced against the borrowers and remains undismissed for a period of 90 days. Proceeds from the Fannie Mae Financing and NML Financing were primarily used to fund the cash portion of the Carefree acquisition (See Note 2, "Real Estate Acquisitions"). The collateralized term loans totaling $2.8 billion as of June 30, 2017 , are secured by 191 properties comprised of 75,962 sites representing approximately $3.4 billion of net book value. Secured Borrowing See Note 3 , “Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets,” for information regarding our collateralized receivables and secured borrowing transactions. Preferred OP Units Included in preferred OP units is $34.7 million of Aspen preferred OP units issued by the Operating Partnership which, as of June 30, 2017, are convertible indirectly into 464,552 shares of our common stock. Subject to certain limitations, at any time prior to January 1, 2024, the holder of each Aspen preferred OP unit at its option may convert such Aspen preferred OP unit into: (a) if the market price of our common stock is $68.00 per share or less, 0.397 common OP units; or (b) if the market price of our common stock is greater than $68.00 per share, the number of common OP units is determined by dividing (i) the sum of (A) $27.00 plus (B) 25 percent of the amount by which the market price of our common stock exceeds $68.00 per share, by (ii) the per-share market price of our common stock. The current preferred distribution rate is 6.5 percent. On January 2, 2024, we are required to redeem all Aspen preferred OP units that have not been converted to common OP units. Lines of Credit In April 2017, we amended and restated our credit agreement (the “A&R Credit Agreement”) with Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank") and certain other lenders. Pursuant to the A&R Credit Agreement, we have a senior revolving credit facility with Citibank and certain other lenders in the amount of $650.0 million , comprised of a $550.0 million revolving loan and a $100.0 million term loan (the “A&R Facility”). The A&R Credit Agreement has a four-year term ending April 25, 2021 , which can be extended for two additional six-month periods 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 $350.0 million . If additional borrowings are made pursuant to any such additional commitments, the aggregate borrowing limit under the Facility may be increased up to $1.0 billion . The A&R Facility 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 margin can range from 1.35 percent to 2.20 percent for the revolving loan and 1.30 percent to 2.15 percent for the term loan. As of June 30, 2017 , the margin on our leverage ratio was 1.35 percent and 1.30 percent on the revolving and term loans, respectively. We had no borrowings on the revolving loan or term loan as of June 30, 2017 , as total borrowings of $229.0 million were repaid with proceeds from our public equity offering during the quarter ended June 30, 2017. We may borrow up to $100.0 million on the term loan on or before September 30, 2017. Refer to Note 8, "Equity and Mezzanine Securities" for additional information. The A&R Facility replaced our $450.0 million credit facility (the "Previous Facility"), which was scheduled to mature on August 19, 2019. At the time of the closing of the A&R Facility, there were $220.8 million in borrowings under the Previous Facility. At December 31, 2016, under the Previous Facility, we had $42.3 million in borrowings on the revolving loan and $58.0 million in borrowings on the term loan totaling $100.3 million with a weighted average interest rate of 2.14 percent. The A&R Facility provides, and the Previous Facility provided, us with the ability to issue letters of credit. Our issuance of letters of credit does not increase our borrowings outstanding under our line of credit, but does reduce the borrowing amount available. At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , approximately $3.8 million and $4.6 million , respectively, of availability was used to back standby letters of credit. We have a $12.0 million manufactured home floor plan facility renewable indefinitely until our lender provides us at least 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 percent. At June 30, 2017 , the effective interest rate was 7.0 percent. The outstanding balance was $0.4 million and $2.8 million as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. Covenants Pursuant to the terms of the A&R Facility, we are subject to various financial and other 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, 2017 , we were in compliance with all covenants. In addition, certain of our subsidiary borrowers own properties that secure loans. These subsidiaries are consolidated within our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, however, each of these subsidiaries' assets and credit are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of the Company, any of its other subsidiaries or any other person or entity.

Equity and Mezzanine Securities

Equity and Mezzanine Securities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Equity and Mezzanine Securities	Equity and Mezzanine Securities Public Equity Offerings In May 2017, we closed an underwritten registered public offering of 4,830,000 shares of common stock at a gross price of $86.00 per share. Proceeds from the offering were $408.9 million after deducting expenses related to the offering. We utilized proceeds from the offering to fully repay borrowings outstanding on our senior revolving credit facility, redeem certain preferred securities, and fund an acquisition. We intend to utilize the remaining proceeds to fund possible future acquisitions and for working capital and general corporate purposes. In September 2016, we closed an underwritten registered public offering of 3,737,500 shares of common stock at a gross price of $76.50 per share. Proceeds from the offering were $283.6 million after deducting expenses related to the offering, which were used to repay borrowings outstanding on the revolving loan under our senior revolving credit facility. In June 2016, at the closing of the Carefree acquisition, we issued the seller 3,329,880 shares of our common stock at an issuance price of $67.57 per share or $225.0 million in common stock. In March 2016, we closed an underwritten registered public offering of 6,037,500 shares of common stock at a price of $66.50 per share. Net proceeds from the offering of $385.4 million after deducting discounts and expenses related to the offering, were used to fund a portion of the purchase price for Carefree. At-the-Market Offering Sales Agreement We maintain an agreement with BMO Capital Markets Corp., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (each, a "Sales Agent") whereby we may offer and sell shares of our common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $250.0 million , from time to time through the Sales Agents (the "Sales Agreement"). Each Sales Agent is entitled to compensation in an agreed amount not to exceed 2.0 percent of the gross price per share for any shares sold through it from time to time under the Sales Agreement. Sales of common stock under our At-the-Market sales program during 2017 were as follows: Quarter Ended Common Stock Issued Weighted Average Sales Price Net Proceeds ($ millions) June 30, 2017 400,000 $ 85.01 $ 33.6 March 31, 2017 280,502 $ 76.47 $ 21.2 Issuance of Common OP Units In June 2017, we issued a total of 23,311 common OP units for total consideration of $2.0 million in connection with acquisition activity during the three months ended June 30, 2017. Conversions Subject to certain limitations, holders can convert certain series of stock and OP units to shares of our common stock at any time. Conversions during the six month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were as follows: Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 Series Conversion Rate Units/Shares Common Stock Units/Shares Common Stock Common OP unit 1 11,979 11,979 — — Series A-1 preferred OP unit 2.439 5,825 14,205 9,730 23,729 Series A-4 preferred OP unit 0.4444 5,000 2,220 7,000 3,110 Series A-4 preferred stock 0.4444 158,036 70,238 — — Series C preferred OP unit 1.11 4,993 5,539 — — Dividends Dividend distributions for the three months ended June 30, 2017 were as follows: Dividend Record Date Payment Date Distribution per Share Total Distribution (millions) Common Stock, Common OP units and Restricted Stock 6/30/2017 7/17/2017 $ 0.67 $ 51.2 Series A Preferred Stock 6/30/2017 7/17/2017 $ 0.4453125 $ 1.5 Series A-4 Preferred Stock 6/16/2017 6/30/2017 $ 0.40625 $ 0.4 Redemptions 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. In June 2017, we redeemed 438,448 shares of Series A-4 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and 200,000 shares of Series A-4 preferred OP units from Green Courte Real Estate Partners III, LLC, GCP Fund III REIT LLC and GCP Fund III Ancillary Holding, LLC (collectively, the "Green Courte Entities") for total consideration of $24.7 million . Accrued dividends totaling $0.2 million were also paid in connection with the redemptions. The Green Courte Entities and other affiliates were the sellers of the American Land Lease portfolio which we acquired in 2014 and 2015. Repurchase Program 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 under this buyback program during the six months ended June 30, 2017 or 2016 . There is no expiration date specified for the buyback program.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation We have two share-based compensation plans; the Sun Communities, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (“2015 Equity Incentive Plan”) and the First Amended and Restated 2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan (“2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan”). During the three months ended June 30, 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2017, shares were granted as follows: Grant Period Type Plan Shares Granted Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Vesting Type Vesting Anniversary Percentage Q2 2017 Key Employees 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 2,500 $ 84.18 (1) Time Based April 24, 2019 35.0 % April 24, 2020 35.0 % April 24, 2021 20.0 % April 24, 2022 5.0 % April 24, 2023 5.0 % Q1 2017 Executive Officers 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 100,000 $ 79.30 (2) Time Based March 14, 2020 20.0 % March 14, 2021 30.0 % March 14, 2022 35.0 % March 14, 2023 10.0 % March 14, 2024 5.0 % Q1 2017 Executive Officers 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 100,000 $ 79.30 (2) Market & Performance Conditions Multiple tranches through March 2022 Q1 2017 Directors 2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan 15,600 $ 79.02 (1) Time Based February 8, 2020 100.0 % (1) The fair value of the grant was determined by using the closing price of our common stock on the date the shares were issued. (2) 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. During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, 1,500 and 9,349 shares of common stock, respectively, were issued in connection with the exercise of stock options, and the net proceeds received during both periods was $0.1 million . The vesting requirements for 175,746 restricted shares granted to our executives and employees were satisfied during the six months ended June 30, 2017 .

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 our 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, develops, or has an interest in a portfolio of MH and RV communities, and is in the business of acquiring, operating, and expanding MH and RV communities. The Home Sales and Rentals segment offers MH and RV park model 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 the Real Property Operations segment revenues and is expected to approximate $77.4 million annually. This transient RV revenue was recognized 27.3 percent and 20.3 percent in the first and second quarters, respectively, and is expected to be 36.6 percent and 15.8 percent in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. In 2016, transient revenue was $58.2 million . We recognized 17.5 percent in the first quarter, 18.7 percent in the second quarter, 45.2 percent in the third quarter, and 18.6 percent in the fourth quarter. A presentation of segment financial information is summarized as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Revenues $ 188,311 $ 43,537 $ 231,848 $ 147,384 $ 37,996 $ 185,380 Operating expenses/Cost of sales 73,630 26,966 100,596 52,819 24,095 76,914 Net operating income/Gross profit 114,681 16,571 131,252 94,565 13,901 108,466 Adjustments to arrive at net income / (loss): Interest and other revenues, net 6,051 — 6,051 5,419 — 5,419 Home selling expenses — (2,990 ) (2,990 ) — (2,460 ) (2,460 ) General and administrative (17,684 ) (2,305 ) (19,989 ) (14,217 ) (2,326 ) (16,543 ) Transaction costs (2,437 ) — (2,437 ) (21,098 ) 119 (20,979 ) Depreciation and amortization (48,189 ) (14,532 ) (62,721 ) (35,586 ) (14,084 ) (49,670 ) Extinguishment of debt (293 ) — (293 ) — — — Interest (32,353 ) (5 ) (32,358 ) (28,426 ) (2 ) (28,428 ) Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units (787 ) — (787 ) (787 ) — (787 ) Other income, net 1,095 (220 ) 875 — — — Current tax expense 58 (51 ) 7 (16 ) (40 ) (56 ) Deferred tax benefit 364 — 364 — — — Net income / (loss) 20,506 (3,532 ) 16,974 (146 ) (4,892 ) (5,038 ) Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units 1,196 — 1,196 1,263 — 1,263 Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,506 (191 ) 1,315 (374 ) (321 ) (695 ) Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. 17,804 (3,341 ) 14,463 (1,035 ) (4,571 ) (5,606 ) Less: Preferred stock distributions 2,099 — 2,099 2,197 — 2,197 Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders $ 15,705 $ (3,341 ) $ 12,364 $ (3,232 ) $ (4,571 ) $ (7,803 ) Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Revenues $ 377,584 $ 83,139 $ 460,723 $ 281,232 $ 74,441 $ 355,673 Operating expenses/Cost of sales 138,607 52,951 191,558 97,254 48,155 145,409 Net operating income/Gross profit 238,977 30,188 269,165 183,978 26,286 210,264 Adjustments to arrive at net income / (loss): Interest and other revenues, net 11,576 — 11,576 9,770 — 9,770 Home selling expenses — (6,101 ) (6,101 ) — (4,597 ) (4,597 ) General and administrative (33,405 ) (4,516 ) (37,921 ) (25,991 ) (4,344 ) (30,335 ) Transaction costs (4,848 ) 25 (4,823 ) (23,819 ) 119 (23,700 ) Depreciation and amortization (95,519 ) (29,968 ) (125,487 ) (70,973 ) (27,109 ) (98,082 ) Extinguishment of debt (759 ) — (759 ) — — — Interest (63,672 ) (8 ) (63,680 ) (54,715 ) (7 ) (54,722 ) Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units (1,571 ) — (1,571 ) (1,574 ) — (1,574 ) Other expenses, net 1,639 (12 ) 1,627 — — — Current tax expense (65 ) (106 ) (171 ) (203 ) (81 ) (284 ) Deferred tax expense 664 — 664 — — — Net income / (loss) 53,017 (10,498 ) 42,519 16,473 (9,733 ) 6,740 Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units 2,370 — 2,370 2,536 — 2,536 Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests 2,989 (586 ) 2,403 259 (678 ) (419 ) Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. 47,658 (9,912 ) 37,746 13,678 (9,055 ) 4,623 Less: Preferred stock distributions 4,278 — 4,278 4,551 — 4,551 Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders $ 43,380 $ (9,912 ) $ 33,468 $ 9,127 $ (9,055 ) $ 72 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Identifiable assets: Investment property, net $ 5,057,937 $ 459,202 $ 5,517,139 $ 5,019,165 $ 450,316 $ 5,469,481 Cash and cash equivalents 235,860 5,786 241,646 3,705 4,459 8,164 Inventory of manufactured homes — 25,582 25,582 — 21,632 21,632 Notes and other receivables, net 97,362 13,137 110,499 68,901 12,278 81,179 Collateralized receivables, net 138,696 — 138,696 143,870 — 143,870 Other assets, net 141,213 3,938 145,151 143,650 2,800 146,450 Total assets $ 5,671,068 $ 507,645 $ 6,178,713 $ 5,379,291 $ 491,485 $ 5,870,776

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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, as amended (“Code”). In order for us to qualify as a REIT, at least 95 percent of our gross income in any year must be derived from qualifying sources. In addition, a REIT must distribute annually at least 90 percent of its REIT taxable income (calculated without any deduction for dividends paid and excluding capital gain) to its stockholders and meet other tests. Qualification as a REIT involves the satisfaction of numerous requirements (on an annual and quarterly basis) established under highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there are 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, 2017 . As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to United States ("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 as well as U.S. federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed income. In addition, taxable income from non-REIT activities managed through taxable REIT subsidiaries is subject to federal, state, and local income taxes. The Company is also subject to local income taxes in Canada as a result of the acquisition of Carefree in 2016. We do not provide for withholding taxes on our undistributed earnings from our Canadian subsidiaries as they are reinvested and will continue to be reinvested indefinitely outside of the U.S. Our taxable REIT subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income taxes as well as state and local income and franchise taxes. In addition, our Canadian subsidiaries are subject to income tax in Canada. 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, depreciation and basis differences between tax and U.S. GAAP on our Canadian investments. Generally, full valuation allowances are recorded against all U.S. federal deferred tax assets. For Canadian purposes, a deferred tax liability of $21.7 million has been recorded in relation to a corporate entity and included in “Other liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2017. There are no U.S. federal deferred tax assets or liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. We had no unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2017 and 2016 . We do not expect significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits due to changes in tax positions within one year of June 30, 2017 . We recorded a current tax benefit for federal, state, and Canadian income taxes of $7 thousand , and current tax expense of $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We recorded $0.4 million and $0.7 million of deferred tax benefit in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. There was no deferred tax benefit or expense recorded for the three months or six months ended June 30, 2016. SHS is currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service for the tax year 2015.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share We have outstanding stock options, unvested restricted common shares, Series A Preferred Stock, and Series A-4 Preferred Stock, and our Operating Partnership has: outstanding common OP units; 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 / (loss) per share were as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Numerator 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 12,364 $ (7,803 ) $ 33,468 $ 72 Allocation to restricted stock awards (9 ) 242 (267 ) 179 Basic earnings: Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders after allocation 12,355 (7,561 ) 33,201 251 Allocation to restricted stock awards 9 (242 ) 267 (179 ) Diluted earnings: Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders after allocation $ 12,364 $ (7,803 ) $ 33,468 $ 72 Denominator Weighted average common shares outstanding 74,678 64,757 73,677 61,247 Add: dilutive stock options 2 — 2 9 Add: dilutive restricted stock 474 — 593 417 Diluted weighted average common shares and securities 75,154 64,757 74,272 61,673 Earnings / (loss) per share available to common stockholders after allocation: Basic $ 0.16 $ (0.12 ) $ 0.45 $ 0.00 Diluted $ 0.16 $ (0.12 ) $ 0.45 $ 0.00 We have 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, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): As of June 30, 2017 2016 Common OP units 2,770 2,863 Series A-1 preferred OP units 361 378 Series A-3 preferred OP units 40 40 Series A-4 preferred OP units 429 748 Series A-4 preferred stock 1,085 1,682 Series C preferred OP units 328 340 Aspen preferred OP units 1,284 1,284 Total securities 6,297 7,335

Derivative Instruments And Hedg

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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, 2017 : Type Purpose Effective Date Maturity Date Notional (in millions) Based on Variable Rate Cap Rate Spread Effective Fixed Rate Cap Cap Floating Rate 4/1/2015 4/1/2018 $ 150.1 3 Month LIBOR 3.0200% 9.0000% —% N/A Cap Cap Floating Rate 10/3/2016 5/1/2023 $ 9.6 3 Month LIBOR 3.8200% 11.0200% —% N/A In accordance with ASC Topic 815, “ Derivatives and Hedging, ” derivative instruments are recorded at fair value in “Other assets, net” or “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the fair value of our derivatives was zero .

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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, ” requires disclosure regarding determination of fair value for assets and liabilities and establishes a hierarchy under which these assets and liabilities must be grouped, based on significant levels of observable or unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company's market assumption. This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy: 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 significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. 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 in order 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 significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets provided by brokers or dealers to determine the fair value of derivative instruments on a recurring basis (Level 2). Refer to Note 13 , “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” Installment Notes Receivable on Manufactured Homes The net carrying value of the installment notes receivable on manufactured homes estimates the fair value as the interest rates in the portfolio are comparable to current prevailing market rates (Level 2). Refer to Note 4 , “Notes and Other Receivables.” 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, rates currently prevailing for comparable loans, and instruments of comparable maturities (Level 2). Refer to Note 7 , “Debt and Lines of Credit.” Collateralized Receivables and Secured Borrowings 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 on 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). Refer to Note 3 , “Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets.” Financial Liabilities We estimate the fair value of our contingent consideration liability based on discounting of future cash flows using market interest rates and adjusting for non-performance risk over the remaining term of the liability (Level 2). 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 required disclosure of fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2017 . The table presents the carrying values and fair values of our financial instruments as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , that were measured using the valuation techniques described above (in thousands). The table excludes other financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable as the carrying values associated with these instruments approximate fair value since their maturities are less than one year. June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Financial assets Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net $ 82,792 $ 82,792 $ 59,320 $ 59,320 Collateralized receivables, net 138,696 138,696 143,870 143,870 Financial liabilities Debt (excluding secured borrowings) $ 2,878,722 $ 2,849,648 $ 2,865,470 $ 2,820,680 Secured borrowings 139,496 139,496 144,477 144,477 Lines of credit 435 435 100,095 98,640 Other liabilities (contingent consideration) 10,966 10,966 10,011 10,011

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-09 "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting." This update provides clarity and reduces diversity in practice and cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, regarding a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that year. We will apply this guidance to modifications that occur on or after the effective date. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01 "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business." This update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that year, with early application allowed for certain transactions. Upon adoption of this guidance, we expect that a majority of future property acquisitions will be considered asset acquisitions. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash." This update requires inclusion of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that year. Upon adoption of this guidance, we will include restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents within the reconciliation of the net change in cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, which are included within Other assets, net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, were $20.6 million and $17.1 million at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16 "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory." This update requires that an entity recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that year. Upon adoption of this standard, there will be no material impact to our Consolidated Financial Statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments." This update addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing existing diversity in practice. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that year. Upon adoption of this standard, there will be no material impact to our Consolidated Financial Statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." This update replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We are in the initial phases of evaluating how this guidance will impact our accounting policies regarding assessment of, and allowance for, loan losses. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09 " Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. " The amendments in this update are intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payments. We adopted these amendments as of January 1, 2017. The main provisions of this update regarding excess tax benefits did not have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements due to our status as a REIT for taxation purposes. We have elected to continue estimating the number of shares expected to vest in order to determine compensation cost, and were previously classifying, as financing activity, cash paid by us for employee taxes when shares were withheld to cover minimum statutory requirements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 " Leases (Topic 842). " The core principle of this update is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases while the accounting by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Our income from real property and rental home revenue streams is derived from rental agreements where we are the lessor. As noted above, the lessor accounting model is largely unchanged by this update. We are the lessee in other arrangements, primarily for our executive offices, ground leases at five communities, and certain equipment. We are currently evaluating our inventory of such leases to determine which will require recognition of right of use assets and corresponding lease liabilities, and the related disclosure requirements thereto. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 " Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) " ("ASU 2014-09"). The objective of this amendment is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying this amendment, companies will perform a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. This amendment applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB ASC. An entity should apply the amendments using either the full retrospective approach or retrospectively with a cumulative effect of initially applying the amendments recognized at the date of initial application. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. We anticipate adopting ASU 2014-09 and the related updates subsequently issued by the FASB in January 2018, via the modified retrospective approach. Applicability of the standard updates to our revenue streams and other considerations are summarized below. Income from real property - is derived from rental agreements whereby we lease land to residents in our communities. We account for the lease components of these rental agreements pursuant to ASC 840 "Leases" and the non-lease components under ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition." Revenue from home sales - is recognized pursuant to ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition," as the manufactured homes are tangible personal property that can be located on any parcel of land. The manufactured homes are not permanent fixtures or improvements to the underlying real estate, and are therefore not considered by us to be subject to the guidance in ASC 360-20 "Real Estate Sales." Rental home revenue - is comprised of rental agreements whereby we lease homes to residents in our communities. We account for these revenues pursuant to ASC 840 "Leases." Ancillary revenues - are primarily comprised of restaurant, golf, merchandise and other activities at our RV communities. These revenues are recognized pursuant to ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition," at point of sale to customers as our performance obligations are then satisfied. Interest income - on our notes receivable will continue to be recognized as revenue, but presented separately from revenue from contracts with customers, as interest income is not in the scope of ASU 2014-09 and the related updates subsequently issued by the FASB. Broker commissions and other revenues, net - is primarily comprised of (i) brokerage commissions that we account for on a net basis pursuant to ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition," as our performance obligation is to arrange for a third party to transfer a home to a customer; and (ii) notes receivable loss reserves. As detailed above, our revenues from home sales, ancillary revenues, and broker commissions will be in the scope of the new guidance. While our evaluations are ongoing, we do not expect material changes to our accounting policies for these revenue streams. Upon adoption, we will present contract assets and liabilities, as applicable, when one party to a transaction has performed and the other has not. Further, we will expand our disclosures regarding these revenue streams, as applicable, to discuss our contract balances, performance obligations, significant judgments made, and contract costs.

Commitments And Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Subsequent Events We have evaluated our Consolidated Financial Statements for subsequent events through the date that this Form 10-Q was issued.

Real Estate Acquisitions (Table

Real Estate Acquisitions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation	allocated the “investment in property" balances for Carefree to the respective balance sheet line items upon completion of a purchase price allocation in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 805 - Business Combinations, as set forth in the table below (in thousands): At Acquisition Date Carefree Investment in property $ 1,670,981 Ground leases 33,270 In-place leases 35,010 Deferred tax liability (23,637 ) Other liabilities (15,665 ) Inventory of manufactured homes 13,521 Below market lease (29,340 ) Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed $ 1,684,140 Consideration Cash and equity $ 1,684,140 The following table summarizes the amounts of assets acquired net of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date and the consideration paid for the acquisitions completed in 2017 (in thousands): At Acquisition Date Arbor Woods (1) Sunset Lakes (1) 49er Village (1) Total Investment in property $ 15,725 $ 7,835 $ 12,890 $ 36,450 Notes receivable 23 — — 23 Inventory of manufactured homes 465 — — 465 In-place leases 730 210 110 1,050 Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed $ 16,943 $ 8,045 $ 13,000 $ 37,988 Consideration Cash $ 14,943 $ 8,045 $ 13,000 35,988 Equity 2,000 — — 2,000 Total cash and equity $ 16,943 $ 8,045 $ 13,000 $ 37,988 (1) The purchase price allocations for Arbor Woods, Sunset Lakes, and 49er Village are preliminary and may be adjusted as final costs and valuations are determined.
Schedule of Revenue and Net Income from Acquisitions	The amount of total revenues and net income included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 related to the acquisitions completed in 2017 are set forth in the following table (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (unaudited) (unaudited) Total revenues $ 1,288 $ 1,315 Net income $ 500 $ 483
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	The amount of revenue and net income included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 related to the Carefree acquisition and other acquisitions completed during 2016 is set forth in the following table (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue $ 47,321 $ 100,987 Net income $ 3,182 $ 13,026 The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the results of our operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 , as if the properties had been acquired on January 1, 2016. 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, 2016 (in thousands, except per-share data): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (unaudited) (unaudited) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Total revenues $ 239,197 $ 193,022 $ 474,085 $ 368,260 Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders $ 12,642 $ (7,402 ) $ 33,839 $ 586 Net income / (loss) per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic $ 0.18 $ (0.14 ) $ 0.46 $ 0.01 Net income / (loss) per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted $ 0.18 $ (0.14 ) $ 0.46 $ 0.01

Collateralized Receivables an26

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Repurchase price percentage	In general, the repurchase price is determined as follows: Number of Payments Repurchase Percentage Fewer than or equal to 15 100 % Greater than 15 but fewer than 64 90 % Equal to or greater than 64 but fewer than 120 65 % 120 or more 50 %
Schedule of collateralized loans	The change in the aggregate gross principal balance of the collateralized receivables is as follows (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Beginning balance $ 144,477 Financed sales of manufactured homes 6,849 Principal payments and payoffs from our customers (5,799 ) Principal reduction from repurchased homes (6,031 ) Total activity (4,981 ) Ending balance $ 139,496
Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for collateralized and installment notes receivable	The following table sets forth the allowance for the collateralized receivables as of June 30, 2017 (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Beginning balance $ (607 ) Lower of cost or market write-downs 515 Increase to reserve balance (708 ) Total activity (193 ) Ending balance $ (800 )

Notes And Other Receivables (Ta

Notes And Other Receivables (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Schedule of notes and other receivables	The following table sets forth certain information regarding notes and other receivables (in thousands): June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net $ 82,792 $ 59,320 Other receivables, net 27,707 21,859 Total notes and other receivables, net $ 110,499 $ 81,179
Schedule of Installment Notes Receivable	The change in the aggregate gross principal balance of the installment notes receivable is as follows (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Beginning balance $ 59,524 Financed sales of manufactured homes 26,870 Acquired notes 23 Principal payments and payoffs from our customers (2,441 ) Principal reduction from repossessed homes (1,006 ) Total activity 23,446 Ending balance $ 82,970
Installment Notes Receivable [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for collateralized and installment notes receivable	The following table sets forth the allowance change for the installment notes receivable as follows (in thousands): Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Beginning balance $ (205 ) Lower of cost or market write-downs 85 Increase to reserve balance (58 ) Total activity 27 Ending balance $ (178 )

Intangible Assets Intangible As

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	The gross carrying amounts, and accumulated amortization are as follows (in thousands): June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Intangible Asset Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Ground leases 8-57 years $ 33,270 $ (1,114 ) $ 33,270 $ (600 ) In-place leases 7 years 99,535 (38,663 ) 98,235 (31,796 ) Franchise fees and other intangible assets 15 years 1,880 (1,413 ) 1,880 (1,155 ) Total $ 134,685 $ (41,190 ) $ 133,385 $ (33,551 )
Schedule of Intangible Assets Amortization Expense	Total amortization expenses related to the intangible assets are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Intangible Asset 2017 2016 2017 2016 Ground leases $ 257 $ — $ 514 $ — In-place leases 3,428 2,165 6,844 4,318 Franchise fees and other intangible assets 129 129 258 258 Total $ 3,814 $ 2,294 $ 7,616 $ 4,576
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	We anticipate amortization expense for our intangible assets to be as follows for the next five years (in thousands): Year Remainder of 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Estimated expense $ 7,650 $ 14,482 $ 13,566 $ 11,838 $ 11,446

Consolidated Variable Interes29

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities	The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets after eliminations (in thousands): June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 ASSETS Investment property, net $ 51,060 $ 88,987 Other assets 2,067 3,054 Total Assets $ 53,127 $ 92,041 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Debt $ 42,375 $ 62,111 Other liabilities 1,629 1,998 Noncontrolling interests 3,404 (2,982 ) Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 47,408 $ 61,127

Debt And Lines Of Credit (Table

Debt And Lines Of Credit (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of debt and lines of credit [Table Text Block]	The following table sets forth certain information regarding debt including premiums, discounts and deferred financing costs (in thousands): Carrying Amount Weighted Average Years to Maturity Weighted Average Interest Rates June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Collateralized term loans - FNMA $ 1,034,261 $ 1,046,803 6.1 6.6 4.4 % 4.3 % Collateralized term loans - Life Companies 955,251 888,705 12.7 12.2 3.9 % 3.9 % Collateralized term loans - CMBS 454,231 492,294 5.5 5.6 5.1 % 5.2 % Collateralized term loans - FMCC 389,076 391,765 7.4 7.9 3.9 % 3.9 % Secured borrowings 139,496 144,477 15.6 15.7 10.0 % 10.0 % Lines of credit 435 100,095 1.0 3.6 — % 2.1 % Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable 45,903 45,903 5.0 5.4 6.9 % 6.9 % Total debt $ 3,018,653 $ 3,110,042 8.7 8.5 4.6 % 4.5 %

Equity and Mezzanine Securiti31

Equity and Mezzanine Securities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Sale of Common Stock	Sales of common stock under our At-the-Market sales program during 2017 were as follows: Quarter Ended Common Stock Issued Weighted Average Sales Price Net Proceeds ($ millions) June 30, 2017 400,000 $ 85.01 $ 33.6 March 31, 2017 280,502 $ 76.47 $ 21.2
Activity of Conversions	and 2016 were as follows: Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 Series Conversion Rate Units/Shares Common Stock Units/Shares Common Stock Common OP unit 1 11,979 11,979 — — Series A-1 preferred OP unit 2.439 5,825 14,205 9,730 23,729 Series A-4 preferred OP unit 0.4444 5,000 2,220 7,000 3,110 Series A-4 preferred stock 0.4444 158,036 70,238 — — Series C preferred OP unit 1.11 4,993 5,539 — —
Schedule of Dividends Payable	Dividend Record Date Payment Date Distribution per Share Total Distribution (millions) Common Stock, Common OP units and Restricted Stock 6/30/2017 7/17/2017 $ 0.67 $ 51.2 Series A Preferred Stock 6/30/2017 7/17/2017 $ 0.4453125 $ 1.5 Series A-4 Preferred Stock 6/16/2017 6/30/2017 $ 0.40625 $ 0.4

Share-Based Compensation (Table

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Schedule of Restricted Stock Granted	During the three months ended June 30, 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2017, shares were granted as follows: Grant Period Type Plan Shares Granted Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Vesting Type Vesting Anniversary Percentage Q2 2017 Key Employees 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 2,500 $ 84.18 (1) Time Based April 24, 2019 35.0 % April 24, 2020 35.0 % April 24, 2021 20.0 % April 24, 2022 5.0 % April 24, 2023 5.0 % Q1 2017 Executive Officers 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 100,000 $ 79.30 (2) Time Based March 14, 2020 20.0 % March 14, 2021 30.0 % March 14, 2022 35.0 % March 14, 2023 10.0 % March 14, 2024 5.0 % Q1 2017 Executive Officers 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 100,000 $ 79.30 (2) Market & Performance Conditions Multiple tranches through March 2022 Q1 2017 Directors 2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan 15,600 $ 79.02 (1) Time Based February 8, 2020 100.0 % (1) The fair value of the grant was determined by using the closing price of our common stock on the date the shares were issued. (2) 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.

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	A presentation of segment financial information is summarized as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Revenues $ 188,311 $ 43,537 $ 231,848 $ 147,384 $ 37,996 $ 185,380 Operating expenses/Cost of sales 73,630 26,966 100,596 52,819 24,095 76,914 Net operating income/Gross profit 114,681 16,571 131,252 94,565 13,901 108,466 Adjustments to arrive at net income / (loss): Interest and other revenues, net 6,051 — 6,051 5,419 — 5,419 Home selling expenses — (2,990 ) (2,990 ) — (2,460 ) (2,460 ) General and administrative (17,684 ) (2,305 ) (19,989 ) (14,217 ) (2,326 ) (16,543 ) Transaction costs (2,437 ) — (2,437 ) (21,098 ) 119 (20,979 ) Depreciation and amortization (48,189 ) (14,532 ) (62,721 ) (35,586 ) (14,084 ) (49,670 ) Extinguishment of debt (293 ) — (293 ) — — — Interest (32,353 ) (5 ) (32,358 ) (28,426 ) (2 ) (28,428 ) Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units (787 ) — (787 ) (787 ) — (787 ) Other income, net 1,095 (220 ) 875 — — — Current tax expense 58 (51 ) 7 (16 ) (40 ) (56 ) Deferred tax benefit 364 — 364 — — — Net income / (loss) 20,506 (3,532 ) 16,974 (146 ) (4,892 ) (5,038 ) Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units 1,196 — 1,196 1,263 — 1,263 Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,506 (191 ) 1,315 (374 ) (321 ) (695 ) Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. 17,804 (3,341 ) 14,463 (1,035 ) (4,571 ) (5,606 ) Less: Preferred stock distributions 2,099 — 2,099 2,197 — 2,197 Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders $ 15,705 $ (3,341 ) $ 12,364 $ (3,232 ) $ (4,571 ) $ (7,803 )
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated	June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Identifiable assets: Investment property, net $ 5,057,937 $ 459,202 $ 5,517,139 $ 5,019,165 $ 450,316 $ 5,469,481 Cash and cash equivalents 235,860 5,786 241,646 3,705 4,459 8,164 Inventory of manufactured homes — 25,582 25,582 — 21,632 21,632 Notes and other receivables, net 97,362 13,137 110,499 68,901 12,278 81,179 Collateralized receivables, net 138,696 — 138,696 143,870 — 143,870 Other assets, net 141,213 3,938 145,151 143,650 2,800 146,450 Total assets $ 5,671,068 $ 507,645 $ 6,178,713 $ 5,379,291 $ 491,485 $ 5,870,776

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	Computations of basic and diluted earnings / (loss) per share were as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Numerator 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 12,364 $ (7,803 ) $ 33,468 $ 72 Allocation to restricted stock awards (9 ) 242 (267 ) 179 Basic earnings: Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders after allocation 12,355 (7,561 ) 33,201 251 Allocation to restricted stock awards 9 (242 ) 267 (179 ) Diluted earnings: Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders after allocation $ 12,364 $ (7,803 ) $ 33,468 $ 72 Denominator Weighted average common shares outstanding 74,678 64,757 73,677 61,247 Add: dilutive stock options 2 — 2 9 Add: dilutive restricted stock 474 — 593 417 Diluted weighted average common shares and securities 75,154 64,757 74,272 61,673 Earnings / (loss) per share available to common stockholders after allocation: Basic $ 0.16 $ (0.12 ) $ 0.45 $ 0.00 Diluted $ 0.16 $ (0.12 ) $ 0.45 $ 0.00
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the outstanding securities that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as of June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): As of June 30, 2017 2016 Common OP units 2,770 2,863 Series A-1 preferred OP units 361 378 Series A-3 preferred OP units 40 40 Series A-4 preferred OP units 429 748 Series A-4 preferred stock 1,085 1,682 Series C preferred OP units 328 340 Aspen preferred OP units 1,284 1,284 Total securities 6,297 7,335

Derivative Instruments And He35

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments	The following table provides the terms of our interest rate derivative contracts that were in effect as of June 30, 2017 : Type Purpose Effective Date Maturity Date Notional (in millions) Based on Variable Rate Cap Rate Spread Effective Fixed Rate Cap Cap Floating Rate 4/1/2015 4/1/2018 $ 150.1 3 Month LIBOR 3.0200% 9.0000% —% N/A Cap Cap Floating Rate 10/3/2016 5/1/2023 $ 9.6 3 Month LIBOR 3.8200% 11.0200% —% N/A

Fair Value of Financial Instr36

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	The table below sets forth our financial assets and liabilities that required disclosure of fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2017 . The table presents the carrying values and fair values of our financial instruments as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , that were measured using the valuation techniques described above (in thousands). The table excludes other financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable as the carrying values associated with these instruments approximate fair value since their maturities are less than one year. June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Financial assets Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net $ 82,792 $ 82,792 $ 59,320 $ 59,320 Collateralized receivables, net 138,696 138,696 143,870 143,870 Financial liabilities Debt (excluding secured borrowings) $ 2,878,722 $ 2,849,648 $ 2,865,470 $ 2,820,680 Secured borrowings 139,496 139,496 144,477 144,477 Lines of credit 435 435 100,095 98,640 Other liabilities (contingent consideration) 10,966 10,966 10,011 10,011

Real Estate Acquisitions Real E

Real Estate Acquisitions Real Estate Acquisitions, Narrative (Details)	Jun. 09, 2016USD ($)sites$ / sharesshares	Mar. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	May 31, 2017USD ($)sitesshares	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)shares	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)sitesshares	Mar. 31, 2017sitesshares	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)sites	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)sitesmanufactured_homestates	Apr. 20, 2017sites	Mar. 22, 2016manufactured_home
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | sites											1,677
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock		$ 385,400,000	$ 408,900,000	$ 283,600,000				$ 385,400,000
New shares issued (in shares) | shares		6,037,500	4,830,000	3,737,500	400,000,000	280,502,000		6,037,500
Share Price | $ / shares		$ 66.50						$ 66.50
Transaction costs					$ 2,437,000		$ 20,979,000		$ 4,823,000	$ 23,700,000
Total consideration transferred					$ 0				$ 37,988,000		$ 89,700,000
Number of States in which Entity Operates | states											6
Arbor Woods [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | sites					458				458
Total consideration transferred									$ 16,943,000
Sunset Lakes [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | sites			489
Total consideration transferred									8,045,000
Subsequent Land Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | sites												775
Far Horizons 49er Village [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | sites						328
Total consideration transferred									$ 13,000,000
Bear Lake [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total consideration transferred							$ 5.9
Carefree Communities
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | sites	27,000
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares	3,329,880
Business Acquisition, Share Price | $ / shares	$ 67.57
Cash, proceeds from prior dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability	$ 225,000,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Pay Off of Debt	1,000,000,000
Total consideration transferred	$ 1,684,140,000
Manufactured Home And Rv Community [Member] | Carefree Communities
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | manufactured_home													103
RV community [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | manufactured_home											7
MH Community [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | manufactured_home											1

Real Estate Acquisitions, Sched

Real Estate Acquisitions, Schedule of Other Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 09, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
At acquistion date
Investment in property		$ 36,450	$ 36,450
Notes receivable		23	23
Inventory of manufactured homes		465	465
In-place leases		1,050	1,050
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		37,988	37,988
Consideration
Cash			35,988
Equity			2,000
Total consideration transferred		0	37,988	$ 89,700
Arbor Woods [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		15,725	15,725
Notes receivable		23	23
Inventory of manufactured homes		465	465
In-place leases		730	730
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		16,943	16,943
Consideration
Cash			14,943
Equity			2,000
Total consideration transferred			16,943
Sunset Lakes [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		7,835	7,835
Notes receivable		0	0
Inventory of manufactured homes		0	0
In-place leases		210	210
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		8,045	8,045
Consideration
Cash			8,045
Equity			0
Total consideration transferred			8,045
Far Horizons 49er Village [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		12,890	12,890
Notes receivable		0	0
Inventory of manufactured homes		0	0
In-place leases		110	110
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		$ 13,000	13,000
Consideration
Cash			13,000
Equity			0
Total consideration transferred			$ 13,000
Carefree Communities
At acquistion date
Investment in property	$ 1,670,981
Ground leases	33,270
Inventory of manufactured homes	13,521
In-place leases	35,010
Deferred tax liability	23,637
Other liabilities	15,665
Below market lease	29,340
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	1,684,140
Consideration
Total consideration transferred	$ 1,684,140

Real Estate Acquisitions, Sch39

Real Estate Acquisitions, Schedule of Revenue and Net Income from acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017
Business Combination, Results of Operations [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 47,321	$ 100,987
Net income	3,182	13,026
Far Horizons 49er Village [Member]
Business Combination, Results of Operations [Line Items]
Revenue	1,288	1,315
Net income	$ 500	$ 483

Real Estate Acquisitions , Pro

Real Estate Acquisitions , Pro Forma Information (Details) - Far Horizons 49er Village [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 239,197	$ 193,022	$ 474,085	$ 368,260
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders (4)	$ 12,642	$ (7,402)	$ 33,839	$ 586
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic	$ 0.18	$ (0.14)	$ 0.46	$ 0.01
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted	$ 0.18	$ (0.14)	$ 0.46	$ 0.01

Real Estate Acquisitions Real41

Real Estate Acquisitions Real Estate Acquisitions, Schedule of Disposed Properties (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016sites
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	1,677

Collateralized Receivables an42

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Repurchase price percentage (Details) - Collateralized Receivables [Member]	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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%

Collateralized Receivables an43

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Schedule of collateralized loans (Details) - Collateralized Receivables [Member] $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 144,477
Financed sales of manufactured homes	6,849
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(5,799)
Principal reduction from repurchased homes	(6,031)
Total activity	(4,981)
Ending balance	$ 139,496

Collateralized Receivables an44

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Allowance for Collateralized Receivables (Details) - Collateralized Receivables [Member] $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (607)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	515
Increase to reserve balance	(708)
Total activity	(193)
Ending balance	$ (800)

Collateralized Receivables an45

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 110,499		$ 81,179
Secured debt	2,832,819		2,819,567
Interest income and expense, net	3,300	$ 3,400
Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ 800		$ 607
Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term	15 years 7 months 6 days		15 years 8 months 12 days
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate)	10.00%		1000.00%
Carrying Value [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 139,496		$ 144,477
Carrying Value [Member] | Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 138,700		$ 143,870

Notes and Other Receivables, Sc

Notes and Other Receivables, Schedule of notes and other receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	$ 110,499	$ 81,179
Other receivables, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	$ 27,707	21,859
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		$ 59,320

Notes And Other Receivables Not

Notes And Other Receivables Notes and Other Receivables, Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	$ 110,499	$ 81,179
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ 200
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate)	8.20%	8.30%
Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term	16 years 8 months 12 days	16 years
Carrying Value [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net		$ 59,320

Notes and Other Receivables, 48

Notes and Other Receivables, Schedule of installment notes receivable (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Collateralized receivables, net and Installment Notes Receivables on Manufactured Homes [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Increase to reserve balance	$ 58
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, gross [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	59,524
Financed sales of manufactured homes	26,870
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(2,441)
Principal reduction from repossessed homes	(1,006)
Total activity	23,446
Ending balance	$ 82,970

Notes and Other Receivables, Al

Notes and Other Receivables, Allowance for installment notes receivable (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, gross [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Acquired Notes Receivable	$ 23
Collateralized receivables, net and Installment Notes Receivables on Manufactured Homes [Member]
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(205)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	85
Increase to reserve balance	58
Total activity	27
Ending balance	$ (178)

Notes And Other Receivables N50

Notes And Other Receivables Notes and Other Receivables, Other receivables - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Other receivables for rent, water, sewer usage	$ 8	$ 6
Allowance for rent, water, sewer usage receivables	(1.5)	(1.5)
Home sale proceeds	14.4	11.6
Insurance receivables	3.7	2.3
Premiums and Other Receivables, Net	$ 1.6	$ 2

Intangible Assets Intangible 51

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 134,685	$ 133,385
Accumulated Amortization	(41,190)	(33,551)
Ground Leases [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	33,270	33,270
Accumulated Amortization	$ (1,114)	$ (600)
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	7 years	7 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 99,535	$ 98,235
Accumulated Amortization	$ (38,663)	$ (31,796)
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years	15 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 1,880	$ 1,880
Accumulated Amortization	$ (1,413)	$ (1,155)
Minimum [Member] | Ground Leases [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	8 years	8 years
Maximum [Member] | Ground Leases [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	57 years	57 years

Intangible Assets Intangible 52

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Schedule of Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 3,814	$ 2,294	$ 7,616	$ 4,576
Ground Leases [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	257	0	514	0
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	3,428	2,165	6,844	4,318
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 129	$ 129	$ 258	$ 258

Intangible Assets, Intangibles

Intangible Assets, Intangibles Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of 2017	$ 7,650
2,018	14,482
2,019	13,566
2,020	11,838
2,021	$ 11,446

Consolidated Variable Interes54

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities, Schedule of Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries	$ 100
Investment property, net	5,517,139	$ 5,469,481
Other assets, net (including $2,067 and $3,054 for consolidated variable interest entities at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; see Note 6)	145,151	146,450
Mortgage loans payable (including $42,375 and $62,111 for consolidated variable interest entities at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; see Note 6)	2,832,819	2,819,567
Other liabilities (including $1,629 and $1,998 for consolidated variable interest entities at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; see Note 6)	298,759	279,667
Consolidated variable interest entities	$ 3,404	$ (2,982)
VIE as a Percentage of Consolidated Assets	0.90%	1.60%
VIE as a Percentage of Consolidated Liabilities	1.30%	1.90%
VIE as a Percentage of Total Equity	1.00%	1.00%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	100.00%
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment property, net	$ 51,060	$ 88,987
Other assets, net (including $2,067 and $3,054 for consolidated variable interest entities at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; see Note 6)	2,067	3,054
Total Assets	53,127	92,041
Mortgage loans payable (including $42,375 and $62,111 for consolidated variable interest entities at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; see Note 6)	42,375	62,111
Other liabilities (including $1,629 and $1,998 for consolidated variable interest entities at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; see Note 6)	1,629	1,998
Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity	$ 47,408	$ 61,127

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Sche

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Schedule of debt and lines of credit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 2,832,819	$ 2,819,567
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	8 years 8 months 12 days	8 years 6 months
Weighted average interest rate	4.60%	4.50%
Lines of credit		$ 100,095
Total debt	$ 3,018,653	3,110,042
Collateralized term loans - CMBS [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 1,034,261	$ 492,294
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	6 years 1 month 6 days	5 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted average interest rate	4.40%	5.20%
Preferred OP units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 45,903	$ 45,903
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	15 years 7 months 6 days	5 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate	10.00%	6.90%
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Lines of credit		$ 100,300
Federal National Mortgage Association Certificates and Obligations (FNMA) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 389,076	$ 1,046,803
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	7 years 4 months 24 days	6 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted average interest rate	3.90%	4.30%
Life Companies [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 955,251	$ 888,705
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	12 years 8 months 12 days	12 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted average interest rate	3.90%	3.90%
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Certificates and Obligations (FHLMC) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 454,231	$ 391,765
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	5 years 6 months	7 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate	5.10%	3.90%
Carrying Value [Member] | Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 139,496	$ 144,477
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	5 years	15 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted average interest rate	6.90%	10.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Lines of credit	$ 435	$ 100,095
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	1 year	3 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted average interest rate	0.00%	2.10%

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narr

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Collateralized Term Loans (Details)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)sitesmanufactured_home	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)subsidiarypromissory_note	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)loanssubsidiaryRV_communitymanufactured_home	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)sitesmanufactured_home	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)community	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)communitysitesmanufactured_homeRate	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)RV_communitymanufactured_home	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)sitesmanufactured_home	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)RV_communitymanufactured_home	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)sitesmanufactured_homeRate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt				$ (293,000)	$ (500,000)		$ 0	$ (759,000)	$ 0
Reduction in secured borrowing balance						$ 79,100,000		$ 11,830,000	9,285,000
Number of Real Estate Units Released | community					1	10
Weighted average interest rate	4.60%			4.60%		4.50%		4.60%		4.50%
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | sites						1,677				1,677
Debt weighted average to maturity, length								8 years 8 months 12 days		8 years 6 months
Total debt	$ 2,832,819,000			$ 2,832,819,000		$ 2,819,567,000		$ 2,832,819,000		$ 2,819,567,000
Repayments of Debt		$ 62,100,000		229,000,000
Repayments of Lines of Credit		$ 300,000,000						672,019,000	$ 65,913,000
Notes Payable to Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount						$ 58,500,000				$ 58,500,000
Interest rate						3.33%				3.33%
Debt instrument term						7 years
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 77,000,000			$ 77,000,000				$ 77,000,000
Interest rate	4.16%			4.16%				4.16%
Debt instrument term	25 years
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	4.40%			4.40%		5.20%		4.40%		5.20%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length								6 years 1 month 6 days		5 years 7 months 6 days
Total debt	$ 1,034,261,000			$ 1,034,261,000		$ 492,294,000		$ 1,034,261,000		$ 492,294,000
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net book value of properties securing collateralized term loans	$ 3,400,000,000			$ 3,400,000,000				$ 3,400,000,000
RV community [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | manufactured_home						7				7
Properties securing debt [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | sites	75,962			75,962				75,962
Collateralized Term Loan Due August 31, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduction in secured borrowing balance	$ 3,900,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.54%			6.54%				6.54%
Collateralized Term Loan Due August 1, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Defeased					$ 18,900,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					6.49%
Collateralized Term Loan Due May 1, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduction in secured borrowing balance					$ 10,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					5.57%
Operating Partnership [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate			3.69%				3.69%		3.69%
Amortization term			30 years
Operating Partnership [Member] | Freddie Mac Financing [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries | subsidiary		15
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 139,000,000
Amortization term		30 years
Operating Partnership [Member] | Freddie Mac Financing - Loan 1 [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 70,200,000
Number of loans | promissory_note		5
Interest rate		3.93%
Debt instrument term		10 years
Operating Partnership [Member] | Freddie Mac Financing - Loan 2 [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 68,800,000
Number of loans | promissory_note		10
Interest rate		3.75%
Debt instrument term		7 years
Operating Partnership [Member] | Fannie Mae Financing [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries | subsidiary			17
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 338,000,000				$ 338,000,000		$ 338,000,000
Number of loans | loans			2
Debt instrument term			10 years
Operating Partnership [Member] | Fannie Mae Financing [Member] | Manufactured home community [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | manufactured_home	17			17				17
Operating Partnership [Member] | Fannie Mae Financing - Term Loan One [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 300,000,000				$ 300,000,000		$ 300,000,000
Interest rate			3.69%				3.69%		3.69%
Operating Partnership [Member] | Fannie Mae Financing - Term Loan Two [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 38,000,000				$ 38,000,000		$ 38,000,000
Interest rate			3.67%				3.67%		3.67%
Operating Partnership [Member] | NML Loan Documents [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries | subsidiary			3
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 405,000,000				$ 405,000,000		$ 405,000,000
Number of loans | loans			3
Operating Partnership [Member] | NML Loan Documents - Portfolio A Loan [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries | subsidiary			2
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 162,000,000				$ 162,000,000		$ 162,000,000
Interest rate			3.53%				3.53%		3.53%
Debt instrument term			10 years
Operating Partnership [Member] | NML Loan Documents - Portfolio A Loan [Member] | Manufactured home community [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | manufactured_home			7				7		7
Operating Partnership [Member] | NML Loan Documents - Portfolio A Loan [Member] | RV community [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | RV_community			1				1		1
Operating Partnership [Member] | NML Loan Documents - Portfolio B Loan [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries | subsidiary			1
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 163,000,000				$ 163,000,000		$ 163,000,000
Interest rate			3.71%				3.71%		3.71%
Debt instrument term			12 years
Operating Partnership [Member] | NML Loan Documents - Portfolio B Loan [Member] | Manufactured home community [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | manufactured_home			8				8		8
Operating Partnership [Member] | NML Loan Documents - Portfolio C Loan [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 80,000,000				$ 80,000,000		$ 80,000,000
Interest rate			3.71%				3.71%		3.71%
Debt instrument term			12 years
Operating Partnership [Member] | NML Loan Documents - Portfolio C Loan [Member] | RV community [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | manufactured_home			1				1		1

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Na57

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Aspen Preferred OP Units and Series B-3 preferred OP units (Details) - Preferred OP units [Member] - Convertible debt - Aspen Preferred OP Units January 2024 [Member] $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)sharesRate	Dec. 31, 2014$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2016$ / shares
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount | $	$ 34.7
Convertible units to shares (in shares)	464,552
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period | Rate	6.50%
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price | $ / shares		$ 68	$ 27
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted		0.397

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Na58

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Line of Credit (Details)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)propertiesRate	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)propertiesRate	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Rate	Apr. 25, 2017USD ($)Rate
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties			191	191
Long-term Debt			$ 0	$ 0
Repayments of Debt		$ 62,100,000	$ 229,000,000
Lines of credit					$ 100,095,000
Weighted average interest rate			4.60%	4.60%	4.50%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length				8 years 8 months 12 days	8 years 6 months
Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity						$ 650,000,000
Line of credit, borrowing capacity						1,000,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Apr. 25, 2021
Line of credit, additional borrowing capacity						350,000,000
Interest rate					2.14%
Lines of credit					$ 100,300,000
Letters of credit outstanding, amount			$ 3,800,000	$ 3,800,000	4,600,000
Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity			12,000,000	12,000,000
Lines of credit			$ 400,000	$ 400,000	2,800,000
Weighted average interest rate | Rate			7.00%	7.00%
Prime Rate [Member] | Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis points | Rate				100.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity						550,000,000
Debt instrument, face amount					42,300,000
Lines of credit			$ 435,000	$ 435,000	$ 100,095,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate			0.00%	0.00%	2.10%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length				1 year	3 years 7 months 6 days
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit variable interest rate | Rate			1.35%	1.35%
Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity						$ 100,000,000
Term Loan [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Lines of credit					$ 58,000,000
Term Loan [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit variable interest rate | Rate			1.30%	1.30%
Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate | Rate						1.35%
Minimum [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate | Rate						1.30%
Maximum [Member] | Prime Rate [Member] | Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate | Rate			6.00%	6.00%
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate | Rate						2.20%
Maximum [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate | Rate						2.15%

Equity and Mezzanine Securiti59

Equity and Mezzanine Securities, Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Jul. 17, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 09, 2016	Mar. 30, 2016	May 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Nov. 30, 2004
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares Issued, Weighted Average Price Per Share		$ 85.01						$ 85.01	$ 76,470		$ 85.01
Aggregate Value of Shares to be Issued in Accordance to Sales Agreement							$ 225,000,000				$ 250,000,000
Commission, Maximum Percentage of Gross Sales Price Per Share According to Sales Agreement											2.00%
New shares issued (in shares)				6,037,500	4,830,000	3,737,500		400,000,000	280,502,000	6,037,500
Shares Issued, Price Per Share					$ 86	$ 76.50
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock				$ 385,400,000	$ 408,900,000	$ 283,600,000				$ 385,400,000
Temporary Equity, Redemption Price Per Share		$ 25						$ 25			$ 25
Share Price				$ 66.50						$ 66.50
Total consideration transferred								$ 0			$ 37,988,000		$ 89,700,000
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared								$ 0.40625
Payments of dividends		$ 0
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares								438,448
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends per common share								$ 0.67
Common Stock | Subsequent Event
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Payments of dividends	$ 0
Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares								23,311
Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared								$ 0.4453125
Preferred Stock [Member] | Subsequent Event
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Payments of dividends	$ 0
Series A-4 preferred OP units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares								200,000
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
Series A-4 preferred OP units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											5,000,000	7,000,000
Series A-4 preferred OP units | Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											2,220,000	3,110,000
Conversion of Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											11,979	0
Conversion of Common OP Units | Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											11,979
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											5,825,000	9,730,000
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units | Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											14,205,000	23,729,000
Carefree Communities
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares			3,329,880
Business Acquisition, Share Price			$ 67.57
Total consideration transferred			$ 1,684,140,000
Green Courte [Member] | Series A-4 Preferred Stock and OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value								$ 24,700,000

Equity and Mezzanine Securiti60

Equity and Mezzanine Securities, Conversion of Stock (Details) - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Conversion of Common OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of units	11,979	0
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of units	5,825,000	9,730,000
Series A-4 preferred OP units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of units	5,000,000	7,000,000
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of units	158,036,000	0
Series C preferred OP unit
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of units	4,993,000	0
Common OP Units | Conversion of Common OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion Rate	1,000
Conversion of units	11,979
Common OP Units | Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion Rate	2,439
Conversion of units	14,205,000	23,729,000
Common OP Units | Series A-4 preferred OP units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion Rate	444.4000
Conversion of units	2,220,000	3,110,000
Common OP Units | Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion Rate	444.4000
Conversion of units	70,238,000	0
Common OP Units | Series C preferred OP unit
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion Rate	1,110
Conversion of units	5,539,000	0

Equity and Mezzanine Securiti61

Equity and Mezzanine Securities Equity and Mezzanine Securities, Dividends Payable Table (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Jul. 17, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 16, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017
Common Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date of Record		Jun. 30, 2017
Dividends per common share				$ 0.67
Preferred Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date of Record		Jun. 30, 2017
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared				0.4453125
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date of Record			Jun. 16, 2017
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid		Jun. 30, 2017
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared				$ 0.40625
Payments of dividends		$ 0
Subsequent Event | Common Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	Jul. 17, 2017
Payments of dividends	$ 0
Subsequent Event | Preferred Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	Jul. 17, 2017
Payments of dividends	$ 0

Equity and Mezzanine Securiti62

Equity and Mezzanine Securities Equity and Mezzanine Securities, Schedule of Sale of Common Stock (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2016	May 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017
Aggregate Value of Shares to be Issued in Accordance to Sales Agreement				$ 225,000,000				$ 250,000,000
Share Price	$ 66.50						$ 66.50
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	$ 385,400,000	$ 408,900,000	$ 283,600,000				$ 385,400,000
New shares issued (in shares)	6,037,500	4,830,000	3,737,500		400,000,000	280,502,000	6,037,500
Shares Issued, Price Per Share		$ 86	$ 76.50
Shares Issued, Weighted Average Price Per Share					$ 85.01	$ 76,470		$ 85.01
Issuance of OP units and common stock, net					$ 0	$ 21,200		$ 461,248,000

Share-Based Compensation (Detai

Share-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Proceeds from stock option exercise			$ 45	$ 149
2004 Non-employee Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercises in period			1,500	9,349
Proceeds from stock option exercise			$ 100
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vested restricted stock (in shares)			175,746
Restricted Stock [Member] | 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)	2,500	100,000
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 84.18	$ 79.30
Director [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2004 Non-employee Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)		15,600
Weighted average grant date fair value		$ 79.02
Award vesting percentage		100.00%
Third Anniversary | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage	35.00%	20.00%
Fourth Anniversary | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage	35.00%	30.00%
Fifth Anniversary | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage	20.00%	35.00%
Sixth Anniversary | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage	5.00%	10.00%
Seventh Anniversary | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage	5.00%	5.00%
Subject to Performance Conditions Over 5 years | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)		100,000
Weighted average grant date fair value		$ 79.30

Segment Reporting Segment Repor

Segment Reporting Segment Reporting, Seasonality (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								6 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | segment									2
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Expected annual transient RV revenue | $			$ 77.4		$ 58.2				$ 77.4
Transient RV rental revenue recognized as a percentage			20.30%	27.30%	18.60%	45.20%	18.70%	17.50%
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Transient RV rental revenue recognized as a percentage	15.80%	36.60%

Segment Reporting Results of Op

Segment Reporting Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 231,848		$ 185,380	$ 460,723	$ 355,673
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	100,596		76,914	191,558	145,409
Net operating income/Gross profit	131,252		108,466	269,165	210,264
Interest and other revenues, net	6,051		5,419	11,576	9,770
Home selling expenses	(2,990)		(2,460)	(6,101)	(4,597)
General and administrative	(19,989)		(16,543)	(37,921)	(30,335)
Transaction costs	(2,437)		(20,979)	(4,823)	(23,700)
Depreciation and amortization	(62,721)		(49,670)	(125,487)	(98,082)
Extinguishment of debt	293	$ 500	0	759	0
Interest	(32,358)		(28,428)	(63,680)	(54,722)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units	(787)		(787)	(1,571)	(1,574)
Other income, net	875		0	1,627	0
Current tax expense	7		(56)	(171)	(284)
Deferred tax benefit	364		0	664	0
Net income / (loss)	16,974		(5,038)	42,519	6,740
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	1,196		1,263	2,370	2,536
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,315		(695)	2,403	(419)
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	14,463		(5,606)	37,746	4,623
Less: Preferred stock distributions	2,099		2,197	4,278	4,551
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	12,364		(7,803)	33,468	72	$ 72
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	188,311		147,384	377,584	281,232
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	73,630		52,819	138,607	97,254
Net operating income/Gross profit	114,681		94,565	238,977	183,978
Interest and other revenues, net	6,051		5,419	11,576	9,770
Home selling expenses	0		0	0	0
General and administrative	(17,684)		14,217	(33,405)	(25,991)
Transaction costs	(2,437)		21,098	(4,848)	(23,819)
Depreciation and amortization	(48,189)		35,586	(95,519)	(70,973)
Extinguishment of debt	293		0	759	0
Interest	(32,353)		28,426	(63,672)	(54,715)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units	(787)		787	(1,571)	(1,574)
Other income, net	1,095		0	1,639	0
Current tax expense	58		16	(65)	(203)
Deferred tax benefit	364		0	664	0
Net income / (loss)	20,506		(146)	53,017	16,473
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	1,196		1,263	2,370	2,536
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,506		(374)	2,989	259
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	17,804		(1,035)	47,658	13,678
Less: Preferred stock distributions	2,099		2,197	4,278	4,551
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	15,705		(3,232)	43,380	9,127
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	43,537		37,996	83,139	74,441
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	26,966		24,095	52,951	48,155
Net operating income/Gross profit	16,571		13,901	30,188	26,286
Interest and other revenues, net	0		0	0	0
Home selling expenses	(2,990)		2,460	(6,101)	(4,597)
General and administrative	(2,305)		2,326	(4,516)	(4,344)
Transaction costs	0		(119)	25	119
Depreciation and amortization	(14,532)		14,084	(29,968)	(27,109)
Extinguishment of debt	0		0	0	0
Interest	(5)		2	(8)	(7)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units	0		0	0	0
Other income, net	(220)		0	(12)	0
Current tax expense	(51)		40	(106)	(81)
Deferred tax benefit	0		0		0
Net income / (loss)	(3,532)		(4,892)	(10,498)	(9,733)
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	0		0	0	0
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	(191)		(321)	(586)	(678)
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	(3,341)		(4,571)	(9,912)	(9,055)
Less: Preferred stock distributions	0		0	0	0
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$ (3,341)		$ (4,571)	$ (9,912)	$ (9,055)

Segment Reporting Identifiable

Segment Reporting Identifiable Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	$ 5,517,139	$ 5,469,481
Cash and cash equivalents	241,646	8,164	$ 31,441	$ 45,086
Inventory of manufactured homes	25,582	21,632
Notes and other receivables, net	110,499	81,179
Collateralized receivables, net	138,696	143,870
Other assets	145,151	146,450
TOTAL ASSETS	6,178,713	5,870,776
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	5,057,937	5,019,165
Cash and cash equivalents	235,860	3,705
Inventory of manufactured homes	0	0
Notes and other receivables, net	97,362	68,901
Collateralized receivables, net	138,696	143,870
Other assets	141,213	143,650
TOTAL ASSETS	5,671,068	5,379,291
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	459,202	450,316
Cash and cash equivalents	5,786	4,459
Inventory of manufactured homes	25,582	21,632
Notes and other receivables, net	13,137	12,278
Collateralized receivables, net	0	0
Other assets	3,938	2,800
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 507,645	$ 491,485

Income Taxes , Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes , Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
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 Liabilities, Gross	$ 21,700		$ 21,700
Provision for state income taxes	7	$ 100	200	$ 300
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (364)	$ 0	$ (664)	$ 0

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		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Numerator
Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$ 12,364	$ (7,803)	$ 33,468	$ 72	$ 72
Allocation to restricted stock awards	(9)	242	(267)		179
Basic earnings: Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders after allocation	12,355	(7,561)	33,201		251
Allocation to restricted stock awards	9	(242)	267		(179)
Diluted earnings: Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders after allocation	$ 12,364	$ (7,803)	$ 33,468		$ 72
Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding	74,678	64,757	73,677	61,247	61,247
Add: dilutive stock options	2	0	2		9
Add: dilutive restricted stock	474	0	593		417
Diluted weighted average common shares and securities	75,154	64,757	74,272	61,673	61,673
Basic	$ 0.16	$ (0.12)	$ 0.45	$ 0	$ 0
Diluted	$ 0.16	$ (0.12)	$ 0.45	$ 0	$ 0

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, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	6,297	7,335
Common OP Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	2,770	2,863
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	361	378
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	40	40
Series A-4 preferred OP units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	429	748
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	1,085	1,682
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	328	340
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	1,284	1,284

Derivative Instruments And He70

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities , Derivative Contracts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Fair Value	$ 0	$ 0
Interest Rate Cap [Member] | 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	$ 150,100
Derivative, Variable Rate	3.02%
Derivative, Fixed Rate	9.00%
Derivative, Spread on Variable Rate	0.00%
Interest Rate Cap [Member] | Derivative Maturing 2023 [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Type	Cap
Derivative, Purpose	Cap Floating Rate
Derivative, Effective Date	Oct. 3, 2016
Derivative, Maturity Date	May 1, 2023
Notional Amount of Derivatives	$ 9,600
Derivative, Variable Rate	3.82%
Derivative, Fixed Rate	11.02%
Derivative, Spread on Variable Rate	0.00%

Fair Value of Financial Instr71

Fair Value of Financial Instruments , By Balance Sheet Grouping (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 110,499	$ 81,179
Collateralized receivables, net	138,696	143,870
Financial liabilities
Secured borrowings on collateralized receivables		144,477
Secured debt	2,832,819	2,819,567
Lines of credit		100,095
Carrying Value [Member]
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)	2,878,722	2,865,470
Lines of credit		100,095
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)	10,966	10,011
Carrying Value [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net		59,320
Carrying Value [Member] | Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net	138,700	143,870
Carrying Value [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Financial liabilities
Secured debt	139,496	144,477
Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)	2,849,648	2,820,680
Secured borrowings on collateralized receivables	139,496
Secured debt		144,477
Lines of credit	435
Lines of credit		98,640
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)	10,966	10,011
Fair Value [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net	82,792
Receivables		59,320
Fair Value [Member] | Collateralized Receivables [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Receivables		$ 143,870
Collateralized receivables, net	$ 138,696

Subsequent Event (Details)

Subsequent Event (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)Rate	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)Rate	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)sites	Apr. 25, 2017USD ($)	Apr. 20, 2017sites
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Total consideration transferred	$ 0	$ 37,988	$ 89,700
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | sites			1,677
Lines of credit			$ 100,095
Line of Credit [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity				$ 1,000,000
Line of credit, additional borrowing capacity				350,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity				650,000
Lines of credit			100,300
Subsequent Land Acquisition [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | sites					775
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity				550,000
Lines of credit	$ 435	$ 435	100,095
Term Loan [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity				$ 100,000
Term Loan [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Lines of credit			$ 58,000
Eurodollar [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit variable interest rate | Rate	1.35%	1.35%
Eurodollar [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit variable interest rate | Rate	1.30%	1.30%