CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues:
Rental and other property revenues (including $587 and $223 and $955 for 2012 and 2011 and 2010 respectively from affiliates and related parties)	$ 119,521	$ 108,480	$ 106,505
Expenses:
Property operating expenses (including $1,126 and $1,156 and $1,575 for 2012 and 2011 and 2010 respectively from affiliates and related parties)	59,397	58,904	58,768
Depreciation and amortization	21,617	18,703	20,400
General and administrative (including $3,539 and $4,264 and $4,517 for 2012 and 2011 and 2010 respectively from affiliates and related parties)	6,388	13,619	12,457
Provision on impairment of notes receivable and real estate assets	4,730	44,372	51,588
Advisory fee to related party	10,182	13,225	15,770
Total operating expenses	102,314	148,823	158,983
Operating income (loss)	17,207	(40,343)	(52,478)
Other income (expense):
Interest income (including $14,182 and $9,641 and $7,363 for 2012 and 2011 and 2010 respectively from affiliates and related parties)	14,612	10,948	8,425
Other income (including $6,000 and $0 and $0 for 2012 and 2011 and 2010 respectively from affiliates and related parties)	7,950	2,723	8,726
Mortgage and loan interest (including $3,692 and $1,709 and $3,374 for 2012 and 2011 and 2010 respectively from affiliates and related parties)	(59,034)	(59,248)	(65,049)
Gain (loss) on the sale of investments	(361)	91	673
Earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries and investees	372	79	(200)
Gain on foreign currency translation	0	0	222
Total other expenses	(36,461)	(45,407)	(47,203)
Loss before gain on land sales, non-controlling interest, and taxes	(19,254)	(85,750)	(99,681)
Gain (loss) on land sales	5,475	34,247	(10,103)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before tax	(13,779)	(51,503)	(109,784)
Income tax benefit (expense)	2,474	15,672	1,668
Net loss from continuing operations	(11,305)	(35,831)	(108,116)
Loss from discontinued operations	(1,817)	(12,131)	(16,351)
Gain on sale of real estate from discontinued operations	8,885	56,907	19,306
Income tax benefit (expense) from discontinued operations	(2,474)	(15,672)	(1,034)
Net income from discontinued operations	4,594	29,104	1,921
Net loss	(6,711)	(6,727)	(106,195)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	1,126	7,017	11,448
Net income (loss) attributable to American Realty Investors, Inc.	(5,585)	290	(94,747)
Preferred dividend requirement	(2,452)	(2,456)	(2,488)
Net loss applicable to common shares	(8,037)	(2,166)	(97,235)
Earnings per share - basic
Loss from continuing operations basic	$ (1.10)	$ (2.72)	$ (8.65)
Income from discontinued operations basic	$ 0.40	$ 2.53	$ 0.17
Net loss applicable to common shares - basic	$ (0.70)	$ (0.19)	$ (8.48)
Earnings per share - diluted
Loss from continuing operations diluted	$ (1.10)	$ (2.72)	$ (8.65)
Income from discontinued operations diluted	$ 0.40	$ 2.53	$ 0.17
Net loss applicable to common shares - diluted	$ (0.70)	$ (0.19)	$ (8.48)
Weighted average common share used in computing earnings per share	11,525,389	11,517,431	11,463,084
Weighted average common share used in computing diluted earnings per share	11,525,389	11,517,431	11,463,084
Amounts attributable to American Realty Investors, Inc.
Loss from continuing operations (ARI)	(10,179)	(28,814)	(96,668)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (ARI)	4,594	29,104	1,921
Net income (loss) (ARI)	$ (5,585)	$ 290	$ (94,747)