Note 6 - Real Estate Held for Investment (Detail) - Approximate Net Operating Income (loss) from Partnership Real Estate Properties (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Net operating income (loss)	$ 1,114,328	$ (5,146,824)	$ 242,600	$ (6,669,535)
Anacapa Villas, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			41,000	(128,000)
Dation, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			2,000	(43,000)
DarkHorse Golf Club, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			(151,000)	(347,000)
Lone Star Golf, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			(79,000)	(176,000)
Baldwin Ranch Subdivision, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			(76,000)	(66,000)
The Last Resort and Marina, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			(16,000)	(26,000)
33rd Street Terrace, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			80,000	15,000
54th Street Condos, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			(258,000)	(284,000)
Wolfe Central, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			320,000	361,000
AMFU, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			(15,000)	25,000
Phillips Road, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			71,000	75,000
550 Sandy Lane, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			150,000	133,000
1401 on Jackson, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			27,000	(6,000)
Broadway & Commerce, LLC [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			68,000
Light Industrial Building, Paso Robles, California [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			137,000	149,000
Undeveloped Land, San Jose, California [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			(113,000)	(105,000)
Office Condominium Complex, Roseville, California [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			(39,000)	(45,000)
Storage Facility, Stockton, California [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			205,000	177,000
Industrial Building, Chico, California [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			(186,000)	(319,000)
Undeveloped Land, Gypsum, Colorado [Member]
Net operating income (loss)			$ (257,000)