(Notes to Schedule III) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Real Estate
Real estate, beginning balance	$ 1,253,414	$ 1,363,320	$ 1,468,413
Additions during the period:
Cost of real property acquired	42,692	116,229	0
Improvements and other capitalized costs	49,559	50,009	43,798
Depreciation expense	0	0	0
Real estate additions, total	92,251	166,238	43,798
Deductions during the period:
Cost of real estate sold or foreclosed	(334,552)	(162,989)	(143,497)
Impairment loss	(13,790)	(104,183)	(2,554)
Write-off of fully depreciated assets	0	(8,972)	(2,840)
Real estate deductions, total	(348,342)	(276,144)	(148,891)
Real estate, ending balance	997,323	1,253,414	1,363,320
Accumulated Depreciation
Real estate accumulated depreciation, beginning balance	289,473	274,925	233,091
Additions during the period:
Acquisition	0	0	0
Improvements and other capitalized costs	0	0	0
Depreciation expense	48,607	52,630	58,585
Real estate accumulated depreciation additions, total	48,607	52,630	58,585
Deductions during the period:
Cost of real estate sold or foreclosed	(79,822)	(29,110)	(13,911)
Impairment loss	0	0	0
Write-off of fully depreciated assets	0	(8,972)	(2,840)
Real estate accumulated depreciation deductions, total	(79,822)	(38,082)	(16,751)
Real estate accumulated depreciation, ending balance	$ 258,258	$ 289,473	$ 274,925
Minimum [Member] | Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Deductions during the period:
Useful life	24 years
Maximum [Member] | Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Deductions during the period:
Useful life	40 years