MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS, LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND LOAN SALES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Movement in Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Principal Amount [Roll Forward]
Principal Outstanding, Beginning Balances	$ 124,048	$ 245,190
Principal Outstanding, Additions:
Principal Outstanding, Principal fundings - cash	738	1,483
Principal Outstanding, Principal fundings - asset sale financing	1,085	5,450
Principal Outstanding, Reductions:
Principal Outstanding, Principal repayments	(8,617)	(12,545)
Principal Outstanding, Foreclosures/transfers to Real Estate Owned	(87,032)	(115,319)
Principal Outstanding, Write-off of uncollectible mortgage loans		(211)
Principal Outstanding, Ending Balances	30,222	124,048
Movement in Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Interest Receivable [Roll Forward]
Interest Receivable, Beginning Balances	849	4,683
Additions, Interest Receivable:
Revenue Recognized in excess of cash received, Interest Receivable	734	232
Reductions, Interest Receivable:
Principal repayments, Interest Receivable	(1,056)	(840)
Foreclosures/transfers to Real Estate Owned, Interest Receivable		(3,226)
Interest Receivable, Ending Balances	527	849
Movement in Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowance, Begining Balances	(51,600)	(141,687)
Valuation Allowance, Reductions:
Valuation Allowance, Principal Repayments		983
Valuation Allowance, Recovery of allowance for credit losses	6,700	275
Valuation Allowance, Valuation adjustment	(215)	(23)
Valuation Allowance, Foreclosures/transfers to Real Estate Owned	26,907	88,630
Valuation Allowance, Write-off of uncollectible mortgage loans		222
Valuation Allowance, Ending Balances	(18,208)	(51,600)
Movement in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Mortgage Loans, Beginning Balances, Carrying Value	73,297	108,186
Net Carrying Value, Additions :
Principal fundings - cash, Carrying Value	738	1,483
Principal fundings - asset sale financing, Carrying Value	1,085	5,450
Revenue Recognized in excess of cash received, Carrying Value	734	232
Net Carrying Value, Reductions :
Principal repayments, Carrying Value	(9,673)	(12,402)
Recovery of allowance for credit losses, Carrying Value	6,700	275
Valuation adjustment, Carrying Value	(215)	(23)
Foreclosures/transfers to Real Estate Owned, Carrying Value	(60,125)	(29,915)
Carrying Value, Write-off of uncollectible mortgage loans		11
Mortgage Loans, Ending Balances, Carrying Value	$ 12,541	$ 73,297