FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 65,405	$ 65,027	$ 40,811	$ 53,817
Restricted cash	7,750	7,130
Pledged securities	34,581	33,481
Derivative assets	8,306	21,258
Financial Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	3,936	867
Warehouse notes payable	476,221	1,084,539
Notes payable	78,850	80,925
Period of originated loans within which they are transferred or sold	60 days
Maximum term of interim loans	2 years
Maximum
Financial Liabilities:
Term of maturity of investments	90 days
Carrying Amount
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	65,405	65,027
Restricted cash	7,750	7,130
Pledged securities	34,581	33,481
Loans held for sale	479,779	1,101,561
Loans held for investment	9,487	9,468
Derivative assets	8,306	21,258
Total financial assets	605,308	1,237,925
Financial Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	3,936	867
Warehouse notes payable	476,221	1,084,539
Notes payable	78,850	80,925
Total financial liabilities	559,007	1,166,331
Fair Value
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	65,405	65,027
Restricted cash	7,750	7,130
Pledged securities	34,581	33,481
Loans held for sale	479,779	1,101,561
Loans held for investment	9,500	9,500
Derivative assets	8,306	21,258
Total financial assets	605,321	1,237,957
Financial Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	3,936	867
Warehouse notes payable	476,221	1,084,539
Notes payable	78,850	80,925
Total financial liabilities	$ 559,007	$ 1,166,331