VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES (Schedule of Investments) (Details) (RSO [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 60,480		$ 60,480		$ 69,069
Management Fees Related Party	3,314	2,915	6,394	5,893
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	1,334	(443)	2,843	(1,377)
Varde Investment Partners, LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	654		654		674
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	(19)	19	(20)	43
Ownership percentage	7.50%		7.50%
RRE VIP Borrower, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0		0		0
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	869	(101)	1,736	(214)
Investment in LEAF Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	40,144		40,144		41,016
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	(278)	304	(872)	(32)
Ownership percentage	28.20%		28.20%
Investment in RCT I and RCT II [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	1,548		1,548		1,548
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	(594)	(602)	(1,184)	(1,195)
Ownership percentage	3.00%		3.00%
Investment in Preferred Equity [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0		0		8,124
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	232	86	1,300	170
Investment in CVC Global Opps Fund [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	18,134		18,134		16,177
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	1,124	93	1,958	93
Ownership percentage	34.40%		34.40%
Investment in Life Care Funding, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0		0		1,530
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	0	(242)	(75)	(242)
Ownership percentage	30.00%		30.00%
Minimum [Member] | RRE VIP Borrower, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	3.00%		3.00%
Maximum [Member] | RRE VIP Borrower, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	5.00%		5.00%
Resource Real Estate Management, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Management Fees Related Party	$ 0	$ 10	$ 0	$ 26