Line of credit facility maturity description.

No definition available.

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of credit threshold amount to incur interest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	hgbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of cash paid for interest during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4297-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the fee for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of when the fee for available but unused credit capacity is required to be paid (for example, annually, quarterly, or monthly).

+ References

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of the interest rate for the amounts borrowed under the credit facility, including the terms and the method for determining the interest rate (for example, fixed or variable, LIBOR plus a percentage, increasing rate, timing of interest rate resets, remarketing provisions).

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow from a long-term borrowing made from related parties where one party can exercise control or significant influence over another party; including affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, pension trusts, and so forth. Alternate caption: Proceeds from Advances from Affiliates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3255-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Identify the stated interest rate per the agreement, for example, leasing and debt arrangements between related parties.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of the terms and manner of settlement of the related party transaction.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for a borrowing having initial term of repayment within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3291-108585

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer), excluding current portion.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			4 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2003	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Third party debt, non-current		$ 0				$ 0	$ 2,500,000
Repayment of outstanding principal						$ 2,500,000	525,000
Street Capital Loan, Description						The Company’s related party debt (the “Street Capital Loan”) was originally entered into in 2003 and accrued interest at 10% per annum compounded quarterly from the date funds were advanced. The Street Capital Loan was originally secured by the assets of the Company. In 2014, following Street Capital’s distribution of its ownership interest in HGI to Street Capital shareholders as a dividend in kind, the unpaid balance of the Street Capital Loan began accruing interest at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of the Wall St. Journal (“WSJ”) prime rate + 2.0%, or the maximum rate allowable by law. As of December 31, 2015, the interest rate on the loan was 5.50%.
Proceeds from debt payable to related party						$ 1,099,000	775,000
Accrued interest paid						187,000	$ 178,000
Revolving Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit		0				0
Trust [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Related party loan, Interest rate				10.00%
Proceeds from debt payable to related party				$ 400,000
Related party loan, maturity period				90 days
Accrued interest paid				$ 8,000
Affiliated Entity and Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Related party loan, Interest rate			10.00%
Proceeds from debt payable to related party			$ 700,000
Related party loan, maturity period			180 days
Accrued interest paid						19,000
Affiliated Entity [Member] \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit aggregate borrowing capacity		1,500,000				$ 1,500,000
Interest rate description						Aggregate loans under the Line of Credit up to $1.0 million incur interest at a variable rate per annum based on the rate charged to the Entity by its bank, plus 2.0%. Amounts outstanding at any time in excess of $1.0 million incur interest at a rate of 8.0% per annum.
Line of credit, annual commitment fee		$ 15,000
Line of credit, commitment fee payment description						monthly basis
Maturity description						The Line of Credit matures at the earlier of (i) three years from the date of the Agreement, (ii) the termination of the Entity’s line of credit with its bank, or (iii) forty-five (45) days following the date the Company closes a new credit facility with a financial institution.
Street Capital Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Related party loan, Interest rate					10.00%	4.75%	5.50%
Wall St. Journal ("WSJ") prime rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate per annum			1.00%					2.00%
Bank Plus 2.0% [Member] \| Affiliated Entity [Member] \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate per annum		2.00%
Bank Plus 2.0% [Member] \| Affiliated Entity [Member] \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit		$ 1,000,000				$ 1,000,000
8.0% Interest Rate [Member] \| Affiliated Entity [Member] \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Related party loan, Interest rate		8.00%
8.0% Interest Rate [Member] \| Affiliated Entity [Member] \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit		$ 1,000,000				$ 1,000,000
Other Third Party Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Third party debt, non-current	$ 2,500,000							$ 2,500,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.00%			6.00%				6.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jan. 15, 2016			Jan. 15, 2017				Jan. 15, 2015
Repayment of outstanding principal			$ 2,500,000