VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES RSO Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 19,439	$ 11,899	$ 19,393	$ 12,803
Investment securities, trading	3,672	5,365
Total investment securities, at fair value	9,758	10,576
Total assets	2,443,511	2,636,764	2,488,458
Liabilities:
Liabilities	1,536,415	1,902,974
Stockholders' Equity	154,938	151,188
Assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs included
Total assets of consolidated VIE - RSO	2,271,468	2,476,557
Total liabilities of consolidated VIE - RSO	1,485,385	1,856,839
Resource Capital Corp [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	144,463	85,278	112,732	43,116
Restricted cash	59,195	94,112
Cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash)	203,658	179,390
Investment securities, trading	12,099	24,843	24,843
Investment securities available-for-sale, pledged as collateral, at fair value	173,994	195,200
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value	46,690	36,390
Total investment securities, at fair value	232,783	256,433
Loans	1,644,587	1,849,428
Investment in real estate	55,144	75,386
Investments in unconsolidated entities	72,955	45,413
Investments, at fair value	128,099	120,706
Linked transactions, net at fair value	29,978	6,835
Interest receivable	8,078	7,763
Deferred tax assets, net	3,268	2,766
Principal paydown receivable	7	25,570
Intangible assets	11,728	13,192
Prepaid expenses	4,961	10,396
Other assets	4,347	4,109
Other assets	62,341	70,600
Total assets	2,271,468	2,476,557
Liabilities:
Borrowings	1,422,430	1,785,600
Distribution payable	26,796	21,655
Accrued interest expense	2,708	2,918
Derivatives, at fair value	12,208	14,687
Accrued tax liability	4,989	13,641
Deferred tax liability	7,690	8,376
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	12,829	18,029
Other liabilities	62,955	71,239
Liabilities	1,485,385	1,856,839
Noncontrolling interests	751,940	582,323
Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Liabilities:
Stockholders' Equity	148,464
Assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs included
Total liabilities of consolidated VIE - RSO	1,489,650
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Resource Capital Corp [Member]
ASSETS
Loans held for sale	332,351	48,894
Loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $12.9 million and $17.7 million	1,305,739	1,793,780
Loans receivable–related party	8,067	8,324
Loans	1,646,157	1,850,998
Investments, at fair value	128,099	120,799
Other assets	62,367	70,631
Total assets	2,273,064	2,478,251
Liabilities:
Other liabilities	67,220	79,306
Liabilities	1,489,650	1,864,906
Stockholders' Equity	783,414	613,345
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Resource Capital Corp [Member]
ASSETS
Loans	(1,570)	(1,570)
Investments, at fair value	0	(93)
Other assets	(26)	(31)
Liabilities:
Other liabilities	(4,265)	(8,067)
Stockholders' Equity	(31,474)	(31,022)
VIE, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Resource Capital Corp [Member]
Assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs included
Restricted cash	53,752	90,108
Investment securities available-for-sale, pledged as collateral, at fair value	110,993	135,566
Loans held for sale	332,351	14,894
Loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $7.3 million and $15.2 million	981,513	1,678,719
Interest receivable	5,506	5,986
Prepaid assets	254	328
Principal receivable	7	25,570
Other assets	35	333
Total assets of consolidated VIE - RSO	1,484,411	1,951,504
Borrowings	1,166,209	1,614,882
Accrued interest expense	2,184	2,666
Derivatives, at fair value	11,766	14,078
Accounts payable and other liabilities	646	698
Total liabilities of consolidated VIE - RSO	$ 1,180,805	$ 1,632,324