MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS, LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND LOAN SALES (Details 1) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Loans Loan	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Loans Loan	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Outstanding Principal and Interest	$ 13,060	$ 24,039
Valuation Allowance	(12,682)	(12,892)	$ (15,562)
Net Carrying Value	$ 378	$ 11,147	$ 24,539
Percent (in percentage)	100.00%	100.00%
Number Of Loans | Loan	3	6
Arizona [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Outstanding Principal and Interest	$ 0	$ 3,811
Valuation Allowance	0	(67)
Net Carrying Value	$ 0	$ 3,744
Percent (in percentage)	0.00%	33.60%
Number Of Loans | Loan	0	2
California [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Outstanding Principal and Interest	$ 12,682	$ 19,882
Valuation Allowance	(12,682)	(12,825)
Net Carrying Value	$ 0	$ 7,057
Percent (in percentage)	0.00%	63.30%
Number Of Loans | Loan	2	3
New Mexico [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Outstanding Principal and Interest	$ 378	$ 346
Valuation Allowance	0	0
Net Carrying Value	$ 378	$ 346
Percent (in percentage)	100.00%	3.10%
Number Of Loans | Loans	1	1