Fair Value (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial assets:
Investment in CT Legacy Asset
CT Legacy REIT
Financial assets:
Investment in CT Legacy Asset	100,100
Securitization Vehicles
Financial assets:
Securities held-to-maturity	144,700	350,200
Carrying Amount
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	38,867	34,818
Loans receivable, net		19,282
Financial liabilities:
Secured notes	8,326	7,847
Participations sold		19,282
Carrying Amount | CT Legacy REIT
Financial assets:
Loans receivable, net		206,514
Restricted cash	16,145	12,985
Securities held-to-maturity		2,602
Investment in CT Legacy Asset	100,100
Financial liabilities:
Participations sold		97,465
Repurchase obligations		58,464
Mezzanine loan		55,111
Carrying Amount | Securitization Vehicles
Financial assets:
Loans receivable, net	214,457	612,598
Securities held-to-maturity	154,848	358,972
Financial liabilities:
Securitized debt obligations	497,423	1,211,407
Face Amount
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	38,867	34,818
Loans receivable, net		19,282
Financial liabilities:
Secured notes	8,326	7,847
Participations sold		19,282
Face Amount | CT Legacy REIT
Financial assets:
Loans receivable, net		435,973
Restricted cash	16,145	12,985
Securities held-to-maturity		29,251
Financial liabilities:
Participations sold		97,465
Repurchase obligations		58,464
Mezzanine loan		55,111
Face Amount | Securitization Vehicles
Financial assets:
Loans receivable, net	292,828	815,716
Securities held-to-maturity	236,390	490,940
Financial liabilities:
Securitized debt obligations	497,423	1,210,992
Fair Value
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	38,867	34,818
Loans receivable, net		17,354
Financial liabilities:
Secured notes	7,158	6,436
Participations sold		17,354
Fair Value | CT Legacy REIT
Financial assets:
Loans receivable, net		180,439
Restricted cash	16,145	12,985
Securities held-to-maturity		1,638
Investment in CT Legacy Asset	100,100
Financial liabilities:
Participations sold
Repurchase obligations		54,556
Mezzanine loan		71,475
Fair Value | Securitization Vehicles
Financial assets:
Loans receivable, net	200,028	570,936
Securities held-to-maturity	144,742	350,180
Financial liabilities:
Securitized debt obligations	$ 302,698	$ 767,619