Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 252,319	$ (185,344)	$ (576,437)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net impairments recognized in earnings	49,121	72,366	114,106
(Recovery of) provision for loan losses	(19,326)	146,478	482,352
Valuation allowance on loans held-for-sale	1,456	2,119
Gain on extinguishment of debt	(271,031)	(3,134)
Loss on sale of investments			10,363
(Income) loss from equity investments	(3,649)	(3,608)	3,736
Distributions of income from unconsolidated subsidiaries	1,085	60
Employee stock-based compensation	505	138	293
Incentive awards plan expense	3,054
Deferred directors' compensation	206	197	525
Amortization of premiums/discounts on loans and securities and deferred interest on loans	(1,872)	(4,842)	(6,172)
Amortization of deferred gains and losses on settlement of swaps	(109)	(98)	(95)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and premiums/discounts on debt obligations	11,984	7,414	7,121
Deferred interest on senior credit facility		3,935	2,938
Loss on interest rate swaps not designated as cash flow hedges	6,336
Changes in assets and liabilities, net:
Accrued interest receivable	2,475	782	1,587
Deferred income taxes	(611)	1,374	(326)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(1,813)	(74)	1,264
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(2,059)	(1,326)	(1,502)
Net cash provided by operating activities	28,071	36,437	39,753
Cash flows from investing activities:
Principal collections and proceeds from securities	94,407	55,864	17,533
Add-on fundings under existing loan commitments		(1,642)	(7,698)
Distributions from equity investments	4,345
Principal collections of loans receivable	2,001,604	252,379	96,453
Proceeds from disposition of loans	5,750	25,298	12,000
Proceeds from operation/disposition of real estate held-for-sale			7,665
Contributions to unconsolidated subsidiaries	(3,413)	(5,232)	(3,704)
Return of capital distributions from unconsolidated subsidiaries	4,510	2,200
Increase in restricted cash	(12,985)
Net cash provided by investing activities	2,094,218	328,867	122,249
Cash flows from financing activities:
Decrease in restricted cash			18,666
Repayments under repurchase obligations	(314,215)	(78,025)	(135,523)
Repayments under senior credit facility	(22,932)	(5,000)	(3,750)
Repayment of junior subordinated notes	(4,640)
Borrowing under mezzanine loan	83,000
Repayments under mezzanine loan	(20,000)
Repayment of securitized debt obligations	(1,821,498)	(285,784)	(58,816)
Payment of financing expenses	(11,126)		(7)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	125
Purchase of and distributions to noncontrolling interests	(144)
Purchase of secured notes	(405)
Vesting of restricted class A common stock	(85)
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,111,920)	(368,809)	(179,430)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	10,369	(3,505)	(17,428)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	24,449	27,954	45,382
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 34,818	$ 24,449	$ 27,954