| 
           TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND AFFILIATED ENTITIES (Details Narrative) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified  | 
        1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Jan. 31, 2011 
         | 
        
           Apr. 30, 2010 
         | 
        
           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
 
          Subprime Portfolio I 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Subprime Portfolio II 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Manager 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Manager 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Blue Harbor 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Blue Harbor 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Holiday 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Affiliates 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Affiliates 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Affiliates 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Senior Living Assets - Tranche 1 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2013
 
          Senior Living Assets - Tranche 2 
         | 
      |||||||||||||
| Manager Advisory Fee | 1.50% | 1.50% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incentive compensation percentage | $ 0.025 | $ 0.025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simple interest rate in incentive calculation | 10.00% | 10.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Management fees paid, as a percentage of effective gross income | 5% of effective gross income | 6% of the property’s gross income for the first two years and 7% thereafter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Management Fees | $ 32,600 | [1] | $ 24,200 | [1] | $ 27,600 | $ 23,100 | $ 3,500 | $ 1,100 | $ 1,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reimbursements paid to Senior Housing Managers | 23,900 | 7,900 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares held by Fortress and affiliates in Newcastle | 6,400,000 | 6,400,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock Options outstanding | 30,542,553 | 13,409,275 | 30,542,553 | 13,409,275 | 27,492,983 | 9,685,338 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due to affiliates | 5,878 | 3,579 | 5,878 | 3,579 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Servicing fee percentage | 0.50% | 0.50% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total securitized loans (unpaid principal balance) | 879,281 | [2] | 879,281 | [2] | 372,661 | [2] | 506,620 | [2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash investments made in affiliates or related companies | 47,000 | 7,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected yield | 22.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origination fee | 2.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate securities | 984,263 | [3] | 1,691,575 | [3] | 984,263 | [3] | 1,691,575 | [3] | 185,600 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ 42,073 | $ 47,486 | $ 62,824 | $ 61,332 | $ 59,186 | $ 72,947 | $ 77,956 | $ 72,862 | $ 213,715 | $ 282,951 | $ 36,500 | $ 25,800 | $ 22,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
          
  | 
      ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||