MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS, LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND LOAN SALES (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Outstanding Principal	$ 30,222	$ 124,048	$ 245,190
Valuation Allowance	(18,208)	(51,600)	(141,687)
Net Carrying Value	12,541	73,297	108,186
Arizona [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance	(1,077)	(34,490)
Net Carrying Value	29	60,209
California [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance	(17,131)	(17,110)
Net Carrying Value	6,142	5,972
Utah [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance	0	0
Net Carrying Value	6,370	7,116
Loans In Default [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Percent of Outstanding Principal (in percentage)	100.00%	100.00%
Number of Loans (in loans)	5	7	18
Outstanding Principal	24,636	119,015	237,971
Accrued Interest	401	401	4,806
Valuation Allowance	(18,208)	(51,600)	(141,687)
Net Carrying Value	6,829	67,816	101,090
Loans In Default [Member] | Arizona [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Percent of Outstanding Principal (in percentage)	4.30%	79.50%
Number of Loans (in loans)	1	3
Outstanding Principal	1,064	94,657
Accrued Interest	42	42
Valuation Allowance	(1,077)	(34,490)
Net Carrying Value	29	60,209
Loans In Default [Member] | California [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Percent of Outstanding Principal (in percentage)	69.80%	14.50%
Number of Loans (in loans)	3	3
Outstanding Principal	17,203	17,242
Accrued Interest	359	359
Valuation Allowance	(17,131)	(17,110)
Net Carrying Value	431	491
Loans In Default [Member] | Utah [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Percent of Outstanding Principal (in percentage)	25.90%	6.00%
Number of Loans (in loans)	1	1
Outstanding Principal	6,369	7,116
Accrued Interest	0	0
Valuation Allowance	0	0
Net Carrying Value	$ 6,369	$ 7,116