COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 item	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases
Outstanding mortgage loan commitments	$ 322,800,000	$ 182,600,000
Average rate (as a percent)	4.93%	5.10%
Estimated income tax payment if IRS prevails on every issue identified in audit	24,300,000
Number of auditors from whom notice has been received	2
Administrative and marketing office space
Operating leased assets
Number of cities in which the company leases properties	19
Rental expense	11,200,000	11,200,000	10,800,000
Aggregate annualized rent	7,000,000
Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases
2014	6,971,000
2015	5,845,000
2016	3,770,000
2017	1,391,000
2018	750,000
Thereafter	1,978,000
Administrative and marketing office space | Minimum
Operating leased assets
Lease period	3 years
Administrative and marketing office space | Maximum
Operating leased assets
Lease period	10 years
Administrative and Marketing Office Space Birmingham excluding Home Office
Operating leased assets
Area leased in Birmingham (in square feet)	24,090
Building contiguous to home office
Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases
2014	1,236,000
2015	1,236,000
2016	1,239,000
2017	1,236,000
2018	76,211,000
Approximate price for which the company may purchase building at the end of lease term	$ 75,000,000
Description rate	LIBOR