Investments - Narrative (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
loan
borrower
Property
State
Dec. 31, 2013
loan
borrower
Property
Dec. 31, 2012
Property
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Abstract]      
Real Estate Investment Property At Cost Loan Premium Amortization And Other $ 2,840,000 $ 2,555,000  
Investment [Line Items]      
Real estate properties and loans, gross 8,044,363,000 7,235,732,000 3,654,925,000
Real estate assets held for sale 2,509 2,186 1,207
Properties dispersed geographically 49    
Minimum percentage of investment in real estate properties 10.00%    
Number of owned real estate properties 2,364 2,041  
Securing mortgage properties carrying amount 109,000,000 117,300,000  
Other loans receivable with aggregate carrying value amounts $ 400,000    
Number of first-priority mortgage loans 79 80  
Number of borrowers 8 9  
Properties Vacant [Member]      
Investment [Line Items]      
Number of properties 37 21  
Property Held for Sale [Member]      
Investment [Line Items]      
Number of properties 8 6  
Texas [Member]      
Investment [Line Items]      
Number of states exceeding disclosure threshold 1    
Percentage of investment in real estate properties 12.20%