CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets {1}
Real estate, at cost	$ 717,575	$ 777,974
Real estate held for sale at cost, net of depreciation ($2,066 for 2014 and $2,390 for 2013)	44,289	16,427
Real estate subject to sales contracts at cost, net of depreciation ($2,212 for 2014 and $1,949 for 2013)	20,963	29,353
Less accumulated depreciation	(109,004)	(127,952)
Total real estate	673,823	695,802
Notes and interest receivable:
Performing (including $69,854 in 2014 and $66,431 in 2013 from related parties)	82,204	69,626
Non-performing	574	543
Less allowance for doubtful accounts (including $1,825 in 2014 and $2,098 in 2013 from related parties)	(1,990)	(2,262)
Total notes and interest receivable	80,788	67,907
Cash and cash equivalents	4,285	16,086
Restricted cash	27,811	31,799
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures and investees	1,503	1,697
Receivable from related party	71,066	52,380
Other assets	36,714	32,000
Total assets	895,990	897,671
Liabilities:
Notes and interest payable	545,338	562,734
Notes related to real estate held for sale	42,883	17,100
Notes related to real estate subject to sales contracts	18,769	23,011
Deferred gain (from sales to related parties)	53,096	53,096
Accounts payable and other liabilities (including $4,327 in 2014 and $4,697 in 2013 to related parties)	39,319	50,160
Total liabilities	699,405	706,101
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, Series C: $0.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding zero shares in 2014 and 30,000 shares in 2013 (liquidation preference $100 per share). Series D: $0.01 par value, authorized, issued and outstanding 100,000 shares in 2014 and 2013 (liquidation preference $100 per share)	1	1
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued 8,717,967 and 8,413,669 shares in 2014 and 2013, respectively; outstanding 8,717,767 and 8,413,469 shares in 2014 and 2013, respectively	87	84
Treasury stock at cost, 200 shares in 2014 and 2013	(2)	(2)
Paid-in capital	271,876	271,720
Retained earnings	(93,434)	(98,029)
Total Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. shareholders' equity	178,528	173,774
Non-controlling interest	18,057	17,796
Total shareholders' equity	196,585	191,570
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 895,990	$ 897,671