| 
           REAL ESTATE RELATED LOANS, RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS, SUBPRIME MORTGAGE LOANS (Details Narrative) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, unless otherwise specified  | 
        3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Dec. 31, 2013 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2013 
         | 
        
           Jun. 30, 2013 
         | 
        
           Mar. 31, 2013 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2012 
         | 
        
           Jun. 30, 2012 
         | 
        
           Mar. 31, 2012 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Total Residential Mortgage Loans Held For Sale 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Total Residential Mortgage Loans Held For Investment 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Individual Bank Loan 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Others 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Total Real Estate Related and Other Loans Held for Sale 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Total Real Estate Related and Other Loans Held for Sale 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Total Real Estate Related and Other Loans Held for Sale 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Total Residential Mortgage Loans 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Total Residential Mortgage Loans 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Total Residential Mortgage Loans 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Subprime Portfolio I
 
          M 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Subprime Portfolio I
 
          Upper Range 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Subprime Portfolio II
 
          M 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Subprime Portfolio II
 
          Upper Range 
         | 
      |
| Federal Income Tax basis | $ 748,500 | $ 748,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest Receivable | 4,667 | 8,959 | 4,667 | 8,959 | 100 | 4,300 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Face Amount of Real Estate Related Loans on Non-Accrual Status | 76,500 | 137,700 | 76,500 | 137,700 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Large loan reporting, percentage threshold | 3.00% | 3.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large loan reporting, dollar threshold | 13,100 | 13,100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash received subsequent to period end | 83,300 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Face value subsequent to period end | 99,400 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large Loans reporting in the other category - Bank Loans Face Amount | 71,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large Loans reporting in the other category - Mezzanine Loans Face Amount | 44,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large Loans reporting in the other category - B-Notes Face Amount | 13,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large Loans reporting in the other category - Whole Loans Face Amount | 600 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Carrying Value | 761,700 | 843,400 | 795,300 | 282,700 | 312,500 | 354,900 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 42,073 | 47,486 | 62,824 | 61,332 | 59,186 | 72,947 | 77,956 | 72,862 | 213,715 | 282,951 | 81,500 | 81,500 | 65,700 | 27,300 | 31,600 | 34,100 | ||||||||
| Annual servicing fee, as a percentage of unpaid principal balances | 0.50% | 0.50% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of aggregate principal balance for redemption of option | 20.00% | 10.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average coupon rate | 9.24% | 8.68% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average loan seasoning | 101 | 83 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Yield of Retained Bonds | 24.53% | 24.53% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retained Notes excluded from face amount of debt in Subprime Portfolio I | $ 4,000 | $ 4,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||