CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash and cash equivalents, restrictions on distributions (in dollars)	$ 43,171	$ 41,634
Bonds available-for-sale, pledged as collateral (in dollars)	868,668	925,346
Real estate held-for-use, net, pledged as collateral (in dollars)	17,997	17,756
Other assets, pledged as collateral (in dollars)	12,457	14,691
Preferred stock, liquidation preference, value (in dollars)	121,000	159,000
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated funds and ventures, subscriptions receivable (in dollars)	$ 1,533	$ 1,533
Common shares, shares issued (in shares)	41,112,560	40,638,614
Common shares, shares outstanding (in shares)	41,112,560	40,638,614
Common shares, non-employee directors' and employee deferred shares (in shares)	1,234,153	1,873,348