VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES RSO Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 12,173	$ 11,899	$ 19,669	$ 12,803
Investment securities, trading	6,645	5,365
Total investment securities, at fair value	12,487	10,576
Total assets	2,563,941	2,636,764	2,417,036
Liabilities:
Liabilities	1,665,439	1,902,974
Stockholders' Equity	153,464	151,188
Assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs included
Total assets of consolidated VIE - RSO	2,400,757	2,476,557
Total liabilities of consolidated VIE - RSO	1,623,099	1,856,839
Resource Capital Corp [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	168,402	85,278	31,897	43,116
Restricted cash	100,961	94,112
Cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash)	269,363	179,390
Investment securities, trading	12,266	24,843
Investment securities available-for-sale, pledged as collateral, at fair value	194,649	195,200
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value	40,359	36,390
Total investment securities, at fair value	247,274	256,433
Loans	1,685,130	1,849,428
Investment in real estate	55,361	75,386
Property available-for-sale	19,620	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	63,405	45,413
Investments, at fair value	138,265	120,706
Linked transactions, net at fair value	25,281	6,835
Interest receivable	8,090	7,763
Deferred tax assets, net	3,120	2,766
Principal paydown receivable	3,133	25,570
Intangible assets	12,196	13,192
Prepaid expenses	6,118	10,396
Other assets	2,819	4,109
Other assets	60,725	70,600
Total assets	2,400,757	2,476,557
Liabilities:
Borrowings	1,558,910	1,785,600
Distribution payable	26,694	21,655
Accrued interest expense	3,276	2,918
Derivatives, at fair value	12,705	14,687
Accrued tax liability	3,817	13,641
Deferred tax liability	8,376	8,376
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	11,258	18,029
Other liabilities	64,189	71,239
Liabilities	1,623,099	1,856,839
Noncontrolling interests	743,487	582,323
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Resource Capital Corp [Member]
ASSETS
Loans held for sale	20,127	48,894
Loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $14.1 million and $17.7 million	1,658,611	1,793,780
Loans receivable–related party	7,962	8,324
Loans	1,686,700	1,850,998
Investments, at fair value	138,386	120,799
Other assets	60,757	70,631
Total assets	2,402,480	2,478,251
Liabilities:
Other liabilities	66,126	79,306
Liabilities	1,625,036	1,864,906
Stockholders' Equity	777,444	613,345
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Total assets	(29,831)		(27,769)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Resource Capital Corp [Member]
ASSETS
Loans	(1,570)	(1,570)
Investments, at fair value	(121)	(93)
Other assets	(32)	(31)
Liabilities:
Other liabilities	(1,937)	(8,067)
Stockholders' Equity	(33,957)	(31,022)
VIE, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Resource Capital Corp [Member]
Assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs included
Restricted cash	94,285	90,108
Investment securities available-for-sale, pledged as collateral, at fair value	136,249	135,566
Loans held for sale	20,127	14,894
Loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $9.5 million and $15.2 million	1,410,187	1,678,719
Interest receivable	5,654	5,986
Prepaid assets	220	328
Principal receivable	31	25,570
Other assets	35	333
Total assets of consolidated VIE - RSO	1,666,788	1,951,504
Borrowings	1,345,454	1,614,882
Accrued interest expense	2,429	2,666
Derivatives, at fair value	12,237	14,078
Accounts payable and other liabilities	683	698
Total liabilities of consolidated VIE - RSO	$ 1,360,803	$ 1,632,324