CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 18,101,000	$ 12,767,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	494,000
Provision for credit losses	1,208,000	338,000
Unrealized losses (gains) on trading securities	71,000
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	(631,000)	(1,261,000)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	1,510,000
Other-than-temporary impairment on investments		(214,000)
Gain on sale of investment securities, net	(188,000)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	1,069,000
Equity-based compensation issued	404,000
Trading securities purchases and sales, net	(442,000)
Loss from discontinued operations	0	2,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(4,980,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	113,880,000	45,143,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(42,000)
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	(79,000)
Principal payments and proceeds from sales received by consolidated VIE - RSO	136,561,000
Decrease in restricted cash of consolidated VIE - RSO	(12,849,000)
Other investing activity of consolidated VIE	(25,013,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(119,801,000)	41,775,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on borrowings	(117,000)
Net borrowings (repayments) of debt by consolidated VIE - RSO	16,209,000
Dividends paid	(980,000)
Dividends paid on common stock by consolidated VIE - RSO	(24,964,000)
Other	(56,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	3,278,000	(82,950,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Operating activities	0	(495,000)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	0	(495,000)
(Decrease) increase in cash	(2,643,000)	3,473,000
Cash, beginning of year	19,853,000	11,899,000
Cash, end of period	17,210,000	15,372,000
RAI [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	494,000	456,000
Provision for credit losses	1,208,000	338,000
Unrealized losses (gains) on trading securities	71,000	(745,000)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	(631,000)	(1,261,000)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	1,510,000	716,000
Other-than-temporary impairment on investments	0	(214,000)
Gain on sale of investment securities, net	(188,000)	(517,000)
Gain on sale of assets	0	(1,606,000)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	1,069,000	(146,000)
Equity-based compensation issued	404,000	293,000
Trading securities purchases and sales, net	(442,000)	2,831,000
Loss from discontinued operations	0	2,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(4,980,000)	4,168,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(42,000)	(171,000)
Payments received on real estate loans and real estate	0	2,049,000
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	(79,000)	(509,000)
Purchase of loans and investments	(678,000)	(1,526,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in borrowings	0	2,000,000
Principal payments on borrowings	(117,000)	(2,111,000)
Dividends paid	(980,000)	(589,000)
Repurchase of common stock	0	(54,000)
Other	(56,000)	95,000
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Cash, beginning of year	19,853,000
Cash, end of period	17,210,000
RSO [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Change in cash attributable to operations of consolidated VIE - RSO	97,264,000	27,633,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	97,264,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of loans and investments	(217,701,000)	(209,991,000)
Principal payments and proceeds from sales received by consolidated VIE - RSO	136,561,000	275,199,000
Decrease in restricted cash of consolidated VIE - RSO	(12,849,000)	(19,241,000)
Other investing activity of consolidated VIE	(25,013,000)	(4,035,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings (repayments) of debt by consolidated VIE - RSO	16,209,000	(104,196,000)
Dividends paid on common stock by consolidated VIE - RSO	(24,964,000)	(20,422,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	15,660,000	44,862,000
Other	$ (2,474,000)	$ (2,535,000)