Note 7 - Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 7 - Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Details) [Line Items]
Collateralized Financings	$ 237,413,000	$ 237,413,000	$ 304,964,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	(3,397,000)	(3,397,000)
Available-for-sale Securities, Restricted	38,379,000	38,379,000	92,578,000
Unconsolidated VIE, Maximum Loss Exposure	120,300,000	120,300,000	120,800,000
CMBS Master Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Note 7 - Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Details) [Line Items]
Collateralized Financings	52,000,000	52,000,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt		(3,400,000)
Debt Issuance Cost		400,000
Multi-Family Loans Held in Securitization Trusts [Member]
Note 7 - Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Details) [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Restricted	$ 38,400,000	$ 38,400,000