Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Real Estate
Real estate, beginning balance	$ 1,363,320	$ 1,468,413	$ 1,458,001
Additions during the period:
Cost of real property acquired	116,229	0	0
Improvements and other capitalized costs	50,009	43,798	83,211
Depreciation expense	0	0	0
Real estate additions, total	166,238	43,798	83,211
Deductions during the period:
Cost of real estate sold or foreclosed	(162,989)	(143,497)	(31,908)
Impairment loss	(104,183)	(2,554)	(34,900)
Write-Off of fully depreciated assets	(8,972)	(2,840)	(5,991)
Real estate deductions, total	(276,144)	(148,891)	(72,799)
Real estate, ending balance	1,253,414	1,363,320	1,468,413
Accumulated Depreciation
Real estate accumulated depreciation, beginning balance	274,925	233,091	186,252
Additions during the period:
Acquisition	0	0	0
Improvements and other capitalized costs	0	0	0
Depreciation expense	52,630	58,585	52,926
Real estate accumulated depreciation additions, total	52,630	58,585	52,926
Deductions during the period:
Cost of real estate sold or foreclosed	(29,110)	(13,911)	(96)
Impairment loss	0	0	0
Write-Off of fully depreciated assets	(8,972)	(2,840)	(5,991)
Real estate accumulated depreciation deductions, total	(38,082)	(16,751)	(6,087)
Real estate accumulated depreciation, ending balance	$ 289,473	$ 274,925	$ 233,091