Acquisitions and Investments (Condensed Statement of Financial Condition and Condensed Statement of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and restricted cash	$ 43,138				$ 62,873				$ 43,138	$ 62,873
Inventory of real estate	9,155								9,155
Total assets	431,147				470,703				431,147	470,703
Notes payable	8,579				10,301				8,579	10,301
Total liabilities	127,581				230,379				127,581	230,379
Stockholders' equity attributable to parent	302,382				240,324				302,382	240,324		280,058
Noncontrolling interest	1,184								1,184
Total equity	303,566				240,324				303,566	240,324	(16,926)		14,743
Total liabilities and equity	431,147				470,703				431,147	470,703
Revenues	30,017	5,658	6,148	6,835	8,975	5,851	8,741	9,718	48,658	33,285	45,682
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest	49,346	7,715	(2,849)	(6,532)	(14,784)	(10,904)	(8,360)	(13,172)	47,680	(47,220)	(78,992)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest					(8,552)	1,608	(8,360)	(13,172)	47,660	(28,476)	(59,512)
Discontinued operations										285,243	49,953
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations					(6,233)	275,454	(3,947)	(1,036)		264,238	30,771
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	49,052	7,695	(2,849)	(6,532)	(14,785)	277,062	(12,307)	(14,208)	47,660	235,762	(28,741)
Woodbridge Holdings, LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and restricted cash	224,104								224,104
Notes receivable, net	467,319								467,319
Inventory of real estate	204,256								204,256
Intangible assets	64,142								64,142
Other assets	126,494								126,494
Total assets	1,086,315								1,086,315
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other	193,682								193,682
Notes payable	537,500								537,500
Junior subordinated debentures	147,431								147,431
Total liabilities	878,613								878,613
Stockholders' equity attributable to parent	169,981								169,981
Noncontrolling interest	37,721								37,721
Total equity	207,702								207,702
Total liabilities and equity	1,086,315								1,086,315
Revenues									399,708
Operating Expenses									341,938
Other Operating Income									209
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest									57,979
Other Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations									(18,409)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									39,570
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									(332)
Discontinued operations									39,238
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations									(9,974)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									$ 29,264