| 
           REAL ESTATE SECURITIES - Holdings in an Unrealized Loss Position (Details 1) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, unless otherwise specified  | 
        12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Integer 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Integer 
         | 
      |||||||||||||
| Outstanding Face Amount | $ 1,170,905 | [1] | $ 2,078,101 | [1] | ||||||||||
| Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis | 1,069,503 | 1,811,040 | ||||||||||||
| Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis | (167,648) | (202,253) | ||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost Basis | 901,855 | [2] | 1,608,787 | |||||||||||
| Gains - Gross Unrealized | 82,699 | 98,762 | ||||||||||||
| Losses - Gross Unrealized | (291) | (15,974) | ||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | 984,263 | [3] | 1,691,575 | [3] | ||||||||||
| Number of Investments | 165 | 229 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Rating | BBB | [1],[4] | BBB- | [4] | ||||||||||
| Weighted Average Coupon | 3.65% | 3.04% | ||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Yield | 5.44% | 4.69% | ||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Maturity (Years) | 2 years 10 months 24 days | [5] | 4 years | [5] | ||||||||||
| 
           Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position Less than Twelve Months 
         | 
        ||||||||||||||
| Outstanding Face Amount | 14,456 | |||||||||||||
| Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis | 17,024 | |||||||||||||
| Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis | (2,874) | |||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost Basis | 14,150 | |||||||||||||
| Gains - Gross Unrealized | ||||||||||||||
| Losses - Gross Unrealized | (115) | |||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | 14,035 | |||||||||||||
| Number of Investments | 6 | |||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Rating | BBB+ | |||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Coupon | 5.58% | |||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Yield | 6.34% | |||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Maturity (Years) | 0 years 10 months 24 days | |||||||||||||
| 
           Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position Greater than Twelve Months 
         | 
        ||||||||||||||
| Outstanding Face Amount | 11,157 | |||||||||||||
| Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis | 10,963 | |||||||||||||
| Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis | ||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost Basis | 10,963 | |||||||||||||
| Gains - Gross Unrealized | ||||||||||||||
| Losses - Gross Unrealized | (176) | |||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | 10,787 | |||||||||||||
| Number of Investments | 2 | |||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Rating | B | |||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Coupon | 5.38% | |||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Yield | 5.74% | |||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Maturity (Years) | 3 years 2 months 12 days | |||||||||||||
| 
           Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position 
         | 
        ||||||||||||||
| Outstanding Face Amount | 25,613 | |||||||||||||
| Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis | 27,987 | |||||||||||||
| Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis | (2,874) | |||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost Basis | 25,113 | |||||||||||||
| Gains - Gross Unrealized | ||||||||||||||
| Losses - Gross Unrealized | (291) | |||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | $ 24,822 | |||||||||||||
| Number of Investments | 8 | |||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Rating | BB+ | |||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Coupon | 5.49% | |||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Yield | 6.08% | |||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Maturity (Years) | 1 year 10 months 24 days | |||||||||||||
          
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