RSO FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets:
Investment securities, trading	$ 3,796	$ 5,365
Investment securities available-for-sale	6,025	5,211
Resource Capital Corp [Member]
Assets:
Investment securities, trading	32,892	24,843
Investment securities available-for-sale	242,282	231,590
Linked transactions, net at fair value	22,455	6,835
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | Recurring Basis [Member]
Assets:
Investment securities, trading	32,892	24,843
Investment securities available-for-sale	242,282	231,590
Linked transactions, net at fair value	22,455	6,835
Total assets at fair value	297,629	263,268
Borrowings:
Derivatives (net)	14,036	14,687
Total	14,036	14,687
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | Recurring Basis [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Investment securities, trading	0	0
Investment securities available-for-sale	11,397	9,757
Linked transactions, net at fair value	0	0
Total assets at fair value	11,397	9,757
Borrowings:
Derivatives (net)	0	0
Total	0	0
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | Recurring Basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Investment securities, trading	0	0
Investment securities available-for-sale	113,378	132,561
Linked transactions, net at fair value	10,808	4,802
Total assets at fair value	124,186	137,363
Borrowings:
Derivatives (net)	558	610
Total	558	610
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | Recurring Basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Investment securities, trading	32,892	24,843
Investment securities available-for-sale	117,507	89,272
Linked transactions, net at fair value	11,647	2,033
Total assets at fair value	162,046	116,148
Borrowings:
Derivatives (net)	13,478	14,077
Total	$ 13,478	$ 14,077