INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES AND INVESTEES (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 1,009,081	$ 920,829	$ 1,009,081	$ 920,829	$ 979,870
Other assets	54,772		54,772		60,907
Notes payable	(915,183)		(915,183)		(892,149)
Shareholders' equity	(195,737)		(195,737)		$ (189,170)
Rents and interest and other income	31,607	31,302	62,689	62,837
Depreciation	(6,522)	(6,378)	(12,968)	(12,681)
Operating expenses	(26,966)	(25,460)	(52,860)	(51,797)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	7,246	(10,410)	7,013	(15,544)
Net income (loss)	7,372	(10,247)	7,271	(15,262)
Company's proportionate share of loss	(9)	(10)	2	(18)
American Realty Investors, Inc. [Member]
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation	5,193	14,452	5,193	14,452
Notes receivable	43,045	28,005	43,045	28,005
Other assets	59,510	67,847	59,510	67,847
Notes payable	(6,184)	(6,821)	(6,184)	(6,821)
Other liabilities	(30,927)	(38,623)	(30,927)	(38,623)
Shareholders' equity	$ (70,637)	$ (64,860)	(70,637)	(64,860)
Rents and interest and other income			3,388	3,282
Depreciation				(95)
Operating expenses			(1,459)	(2,460)
Interest expense			(3,362)	(3,170)
Income (loss) from continuing operations			(1,433)	(2,443)
Net income (loss)			(1,433)	(2,443)
Company's proportionate share of loss			$ (13)	$ (22)