VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES (Schedule of Investments) (Details) (RSO [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 60,540		$ 60,540		$ 69,069
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	1,488	6,858	1,582	1,733
Varde Investment Partners, LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	7.50%		7.50%
Investments in unconsolidated entities	654		654		674
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	0	6	(19)	49
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	770	(521)	2,506	(735)
Investment in LCC Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	28.30%		28.30%
Investments in unconsolidated entities	40,157		40,157		41,016
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	13	(346)	(859)	(378)
Investment in CVC Global Opps Fund [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	29.57%		29.57%
Investments in unconsolidated entities	18,181		18,181		16,177
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	47	433	2,004	526
Investment in Life Care Funding, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.20%		50.20%
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0		0		1,530
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	0	(107)	(75)	(350)
Investment in School Lane House [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0		0		975
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	57	0	1,106	0
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	58,992		58,992		60,372
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	887	(535)	4,663	(888)
Investment in RCT I and RCT II [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	3.00%		3.00%
Investments in unconsolidated entities	1,548		1,548		1,548
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	601		1,785	1,800
Investment in Preferred Equity [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0		0		7,149
Income (loss) and interest expense from equity method investments	$ 0	$ 332	$ 410	$ 821
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%