MORTGAGE LOANS RECEIVABLE	12 Months Ended
MORTGAGE LOANS RECEIVABLE	Dec. 31, 2012
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net, (Investment Based Operations Presentation) [Abstract]
MORTGAGE LOANS RECEIVABLE	MORTGAGE LOANS RECEIVABLE During 2012, EastGroup advanced $5,223,000 in two mortgage loans. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had three mortgage loans receivable, all of which are classified as first mortgage loans. The mortgage loans have effective interest rates ranging from 5.25% to 6.4% and maturity dates ranging from August 2016 to October 2017. Mortgage loans receivable, net of discount, are included in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 5 for a summary of Other Assets.

The entire disclosure for claims held for amounts due a entity, excluding financing receivables. Examples include, but are not limited to, trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables. Includes disclosure for allowance for credit losses.

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