CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Real estate, at cost	$ 1,031,632	$ 1,120,122
Real estate held for sale at cost, net of depreciation ($4,393 for 2012 and $1,752 for 2011)	17,040	15,015
Real estate subject to sales contracts at cost, net of depreciation ($15,948 for 2012 and $9,790 for 2011)	42,286	49,982
Less accumulated depreciation	(160,525)	(158,489)
Total real estate	930,433	1,026,630
Performing (including $114,275 in 2012 and $104,969 in 2011 from related parties)	120,998	110,136
Non-performing	4,175	4,787
Less allowance for estimated losses (including $18,962 and $8,962 in 2012 and 2011 from related parties)	(21,704)	(13,383)
Total notes and interest receivable	103,469	101,540
Cash and cash equivalents	17,141	20,312
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and investees	8,168	10,746
Other assets (including $0 in 2012 and $11 in 2011 from related parties)	76,134	76,243
Total assets	1,135,345	1,235,471
Liabilities:
Notes and interest payable	766,101	855,619
Notes related to assets held for sale	18,915	13,830
Notes related to subject to sales contracts	55,976	44,516
Stock-secured notes payable	28,865	26,898
Payable to related parties	10,922	10,294
Deferred revenue (including $71,303 in 2012 and $71,964 in 2011 from sales to related parties)	73,148	78,750
Accounts payable and other liabilities (including $15,746 in 2012 and $10,805 in 2011 to related parties)	96,314	110,307
Total Liabilities	1,050,241	1,140,214
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $2.00 par value, authorized 15,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding Series A, 3,353,954 shares in 2012 and 2011 (liquidation preference $10 per share), including 900,000 shares in 2012 and 2011 held by subsidiaries	4,908	4,908
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued 11,941,174 and outstanding 11,525,389 shares in 2012 and in 2011	115	115
Treasury stock at cost; 415,785 shares in 2012 and 2011 and 229,214 and 236,587 shares held by TCI (consolidated) as of 2012 and 2011	(6,395)	(6,395)
Paid-in capital	105,700	105,388
Retained earnings	(53,071)	(47,486)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(786)	(786)
Total American Realty Investors, Inc. shareholders' equity	50,471	55,744
Non-controlling interest	34,633	39,513
Total equity	85,104	95,257
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,135,345	$ 1,235,471