(Notes to Schedule III) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus		2014	2013	2012
Real Estate
Real estate, beginning balance		$ 2,164,815	$ 997,323	$ 1,253,414
Additions during the period:
Cost of real property acquired		523,695	1,321,394	42,692
Improvements and other capitalized costs		109,959	86,376	49,559
Depreciation expense		0	0	0
Real estate additions, total	92,251	633,654	1,407,770
Deductions during the period:
Cost of real estate sold or foreclosed		178,981	240,278	334,552
Impairment loss		0	0	13,790
Write-off of fully depreciated assets		0	0	0
Real estate deductions, total		178,981	240,278	348,342
Real estate, ending balance	997,323	2,619,488	2,164,815	997,323
Accumulated Depreciation
Real estate accumulated depreciation, beginning balance		257,151	258,258	289,473
Additions during the period:
Acquisition		0	0	0
Improvements and other capitalized costs		0	0	0
Depreciation expense		86,824	56,234	48,607
Real estate accumulated depreciation additions, total	48,607	86,824	56,234
Deductions during the period:
Cost of real estate sold or foreclosed		19,432	57,341	79,822
Impairment loss	0	0	0
Write-off of fully depreciated assets		0	0	0
Real estate accumulated depreciation deductions, total		19,432	57,341	79,822
Real estate accumulated depreciation, ending balance	$ 258,258	$ 324,543	$ 257,151	$ 258,258
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		42 years