Note 7 - Borrowings (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 East West Bank [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 East West Bank [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 East West Bank [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Chase [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 GMAC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 GMAC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Bank Loan [Member]
Secured Debt		$ 16,789,000		$ 13,681,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum									5.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.50%
REO Sold, Net Proceeds Paid to Banks, Percent	70.00%
REO Sold, Net Proceeds Paid to Banks, In Excess of	5,000,000
Cash Balances in Excess of	12,000,000
Limit on Expenditures	1,000,000
Maximum Distributions to Limited Partners, Percent	2.10%
Amortization Period	30 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				7.50%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						5,160,000
Secured Debt, Other	$ 47,293,000	$ 43,681,000	$ 13,578,000		$ 13,735,000		$ 0	$ 107,000