Schedule IV-Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Movement of loans held for investment
Beginning Balance	$ 1,425,243	$ 214,521
Acquisitions/Origination	1,782,964	1,352,253	215,048
Additional funding	45,792		305
Capitalized interest	7,485	3,323
Loans sold	(331,312)	(28,911)
Loan maturities	(305,316)	(114,717)
Transfer out - loan converted to a security	(176,635)
Principal repayments	(26,933)	(13,642)	(1,150)
Discount/premium amortization	26,966	6,339	318
Unrealized foreign currency remeasurement gain (loss)	(6,506)	6,077
Unrealized gains on loans held for sale at fair value	5,760
Balance at the end of the period	$ 2,447,508	$ 1,425,243	$ 214,521