VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT (Weighted Average Life of Commercial Real Estate Loans, at Amortized Cost) (Details) RSO (RSO [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
B Notes [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
2014	$ 0
2015	0
2016 and Thereafter	16,205
Loans held for investment, amortized cost	16,205
Mezzanine Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
2014	5,711
2015	0
2016 and Thereafter	58,606
Loans held for investment, amortized cost	64,317
Whole Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
2014	0
2015	17,949
2016 and Thereafter	727,840
Loans held for investment, amortized cost	745,789
Commercial Real Estate Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
2014	5,711
2015	17,949
2016 and Thereafter	802,651
Loans held for investment, amortized cost	$ 826,311	$ 667,051