VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) RSO (RSO [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Non-cash investing activities include the following:
Acquisition of real estate investments	$ (21,661)	$ (33,073)
Conversion of loans to investment in real estate	21,661	34,550
Net purchase of loans on warehouse line	0	(52,735)
Acquisition of loans, pledged as collateral	(230,152)	0
Non-cash financing activities include the following:
Issuance of restricted stock	2,189	1,203
Subscription receivable	1,248	0
Assumption of collateralized debt obligations	206,408	0
Acquisition of loans on warehouse line	0	52,735
Common Stock [Member]
Non-cash financing activities include the following:
Distributions on common and preferred stock declared but not paid	21,024	19,979
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Non-cash financing activities include the following:
Distributions on common and preferred stock declared but not paid	$ 1,244	$ 0