Impac Mortgage (IMPM) 10-Q 14 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	5-May-15
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	IMPAC MORTGAGE HOLDINGS INC
Entity Central Index Key	1000298
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		10,189,293
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$5,635	$10,073
Restricted cash	4,932	2,420
Mortgage loans held-for-sale	531,586	239,391
Finance receivables	53,340	8,358
Mortgage servicing rights	26,656	24,418
Securitized mortgage trust assets	5,130,193	5,268,531
Goodwill	104,938	352
Intangibles assets, net	33,122
Deferred tax asset	24,420
Other assets	41,846	25,029
Total assets	5,956,668	5,578,572
LIABILITIES
Warehouse borrowings	552,493	226,718
Short-terms structured debt	4,156	6,000
Convertible notes.	20,000	20,000
Contingent consideration	124,592
Long-term debt	29,646	22,122
Securitized mortgage trust liabilities	5,113,632	5,251,307
Other liabilities	52,906	27,469
Total liabilities	5,897,425	5,553,616
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 15)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 9,690,415 and 9,588,532 shares issued and outstanding as on March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	97	96
Additional paid-in capital	1,089,888	1,089,574
Net accumulated deficit:
Cumulative dividends declared	-822,520	-822,520
Retained deficit	-208,243	-242,215
Net accumulated deficit	-1,030,763	-1,064,735
Total stockholders' equity	59,243	24,956
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	5,956,668	5,578,572
Series A-1 junior participating preferred stock
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock
Series B 9.375% redeemable preferred stock
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock	7	7
Series C 9.125% redeemable preferred stock
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock	$14	$14

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	9,690,415	9,588,532
Common stock, shares outstanding	9,690,415	9,588,532
Series A-1 junior participating preferred stock
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,500,000	2,500,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Series B 9.375% redeemable preferred stock
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, dividend rate (as a percent)	9.38%	9.38%
Preferred stock, liquidation value (in dollars)	$16,640	$16,640
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	665,592	665,592
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	665,592	665,592
Series C 9.125% redeemable preferred stock
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, dividend rate (as a percent)	9.13%	9.13%
Preferred stock, liquidation value (in dollars)	$35,127	$35,127
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,500,000	5,500,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	1,405,086	1,405,086
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	1,405,086	1,405,086

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Gain on sale of loans, net	$37,398	$4,573
Real estate services fees, net	2,742	3,679
Servicing income, net	635	1,569
Loss on mortgage servicing rights	-6,568	-977
Other	136	1,385
Total revenues	34,343	10,229
Expenses:
Personnel expense	11,490	9,460
General, administrative and other	5,651	5,468
Total expenses	17,141	14,928
Operating income (loss):	17,202	-4,699
Other income (expense):
Interest income	72,608	72,021
Interest expense	-71,550	-72,334
Change in fair value of long-term debt	-7,116	-650
Change in fair value of net trust assets, including trust REO (losses) gains	-876	3,038
Total other (expense) income	-6,934	2,075
Net earnings (loss) before income taxes	10,268	-2,624
Income tax benefit	-23,704	342
Net earnings (loss)	$33,972	($2,966)
Reconciliation of Earnings Per Share
Basic	$3.54	($0.33)
Diluted	$2.94	($0.33)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings (loss)	$33,972	($2,966)
Loss on sale of mortgage servicing rights	3,474	16
Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights	3,094	961
Gain on sale of AmeriHome		-1,208
Gain on sale of mortgage loans	-19,192	-4,433
Change in fair value of mortgage loans held-for-sale	-10,911	-539
Change in fair value of derivatives lending, net	-7,868	338
Provision for repurchases	871	259
Origination of mortgage loans held-for-sale	-2,412,206	-348,623
Sale and principal reduction on mortgage loans held-for-sale	2,127,743	379,189
Losses (gains) from REO	2,670	-6,081
Change in fair value of net trust assets, excluding REO	-2,932	1,852
Change in fair value of long-term debt	7,116	650
Accretion of interest income and expense	39,051	49,066
Change in REO impairment reserve	565	3,849
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount on note payable	80	12
Stock-based compensation	244	390
Impairment of deferred charge	309
Change in deferred tax assets	-24,420
Net change in restricted cash	-2,512	9
Net change in other assets and liabilities	7,315	-2,774
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-253,537	69,967
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net change in securitized mortgage collateral	144,792	144,312
Proceeds from the sale of mortgage servicing rights	13,565	5,783
Finance receivable advances to customers	-124,206	-2,148
Repayments of finance receivables	79,224	1,300
Net change in mortgages held-for-investment	43	2
Purchase of premises and equipment		-22
Net principal change on investment securities available-for-sale	41	11
Acquisition of CashCall Mortgage	-5,000
Proceeds from the sale of REO	6,173	9,011
Proceeds from the sale of AmeriHome		10,200
Net cash provided by investing activities	114,632	168,449
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of warehouse borrowings	-2,021,096	-358,079
Borrowings under warehouse agreement	2,346,871	330,179
Repayment of line of credit	-7,000	-6,000
Borrowings under line of credit	7,000	7,000
Repayment of short-term borrowing	-5,000
Short-term borrowing	5,000
Repayment of securitized mortgage borrowings	-189,288	-202,294
Principal payments on short-term debt	-1,844
Principal payments on capital lease	-197	-188
Capitalized debt issuance costs	-50
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	71	18
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	134,467	-229,364
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-4,438	9,052
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	10,073	9,969
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	5,635	19,021
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS (Continuing and Discontinued Operations):
Transfer of securitized mortgage collateral to real estate owned	9,729	9,025
Mortgage servicing rights retained from loan sales and issuance of mortgage backed securities	22,371	3,763
Common stock issued upon legal settlement		1,012
Acquisition of equipment purchased through capital leases	$413

Summary_of_Business_and_Financ

Summary of Business and Financial Statement Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of Business and Financial Statement Presentation
Summary of Business and Financial Statement Presentation	Note 1.—Summary of Business and Financial Statement Presentation
	Business Summary
	Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. (the Company or IMH) is a Maryland corporation incorporated in August 1995 and has the following wholly-owned subsidiaries: Integrated Real Estate Service Corporation (IRES), Impac Mortgage Corp. (IMC), IMH Assets Corp. (IMH Assets) and Impac Funding Corporation (IFC).
	In the first quarter of 2015, the Company settled its repurchase liability with Fannie Mae (FNMA) related to its legacy non-conforming mortgage operations.  As a result of this settlement and previous resolution of other legal matters pertaining to the legacy non-conforming mortgage operations, the Company determined the legacy non-conforming mortgage operations previously reported as discontinued operations is no longer significant for reporting purposes.
	The Company’s operations include the mortgage lending operations and real estate services conducted by IRES and IMC and the long-term mortgage portfolio (residual interests in securitizations reflected as net trust assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets) conducted by IMH.  Beginning in the first quarter of 2015, the mortgage lending operations include the activities of the CashCall Mortgage operations (CCM).
	Financial Statement Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of IMH and its subsidiaries (as defined above) have been prepared in accordance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015. These interim period condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
	All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In addition, certain amounts in the prior periods’ consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
	Management has made a number of material estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Material estimates subject to change include the fair value estimates of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition of the residential mortgage operations of CashCall, Inc. (CashCall) as discussed in Note 2. — Acquisition of CashCall Mortgage.  Additionally, other items affected by such estimates and assumptions include the valuation of trust assets and trust liabilities, contingencies, the estimated obligation of repurchase liabilities related to sold loans, the valuation of long-term debt, mortgage servicing rights, mortgage loans held-for-sale and interest rate lock commitments. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In January 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-01, Income Statement-Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20). ASU 2015-01 addresses the elimination from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. Presently, an event or transaction is presumed to be an ordinary and usual activity of the reporting entity unless evidence clearly supports its classification as an extraordinary item. If an event or transaction meets the criteria for extraordinary classification, an entity is required to segregate the extraordinary item from the results of ordinary operations and show the item separately in the income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations. This amended guidance will prohibit separate disclosure of extraordinary items in the income statement. This amendment is effective for years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Entities may apply the amendment prospectively or retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the year of adoption. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. For public business entities, the ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Entities should apply the new guidance on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. Upon transition, entities are required to comply with the applicable disclosures for a change in an accounting principle. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Acquisition_of_CashCall_Mortga

Acquisition of CashCall Mortgage	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Acquisition of CashCall Mortgage
Acquisition of CashCall Mortgage	Note 2.—Acquisition of CashCall Mortgage
	On January 6, 2015, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the Asset Purchase Agreement) with CashCall pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase certain assets of CashCall’s residential mortgage operations. Upon closing, which occurred on March, 31, 2015, CashCall’s mortgage operations began to operate as a separate division of IMC under the name CashCall Mortgage (CCM).
	Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, the purchase price consists of a fixed component and a contingent component. The fixed component includes (i) the aggregate payment of $10 million in cash, payable in installments through January 2016 and (ii) 494,017 newly issued unregistered shares of the Company. The contingent component consists of a three year earn-out provision beginning on the effective date (January 2, 2015) of 100% of pre-tax net earnings of CCM for January and February of 2015, 65% of the pre-tax net earnings for the next 10 months of 2015, 55% of pre-tax net earnings for the second year and 45% of pre-tax net earnings for the third year.
	If, during the four years following January 2, 2015, the Company sells all or substantially all of its assets or the assets of CCM, the division of IMC, or a person acquires 50% or more of the securities of the Company or IMC, then the Company will pay, subject to adjustment, CashCall 15% of the enterprise value (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) in excess of $200 million plus an additional 5% of the enterprise value in excess of $500 million (Business Appreciation Rights).
	During the first quarter of 2015, consideration paid to CashCall, Inc. included $5.0 million cash and 494,017 shares of common stock of the Company valued at $6.2 million, pursuant to the fixed component of the Asset Purchase Agreement.  The transaction closed on March 31, 2015 upon meeting all closing conditions.  The shares were issued April 1, 2015.
	The table below presents the preliminary purchase price allocation of the estimated acquisition date fair values of assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of March 31, 2015.
	Consideration paid:
	Cash		$	5,000
	IMH common stock		6,150
	Deferred payments		5,000
	Contingent consideration (1)		124,592
			$	140,742
	Assets acquired:
	Trademark		$	17,251
	Customer list		10,170
	Non-compete agreement		5,701
	Fixed assets and software		3,034
	Total assets acquired		36,156
	Liabilities assumed:
	Total liabilities assumed		—
	Total assets		$	36,156
	Goodwill		$	104,586
		-1		Included within the contingent consideration is $1.4 million of Business Appreciation Rights, as defined above.
	The CCM acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 805, Business Combinations.  The assets and liabilities, both tangible and intangible, were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date.  The Company made significant estimates and exercised significant judgment in estimating fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities.  The fair value of all assets acquired and liabilities assumed are preliminary and based on information that was available as of the acquisition date.  The Company is currently completing the final determination of any required purchase price accounting adjustments which will be made upon the completion of all fair value assessments.  Any adjustments to the purchase price allocations are made as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.  The application of the acquisition method of accounting resulted in tax deductible goodwill of $104.6 million.  The acquisition closed on March 31, 2015, however, the effective date of the transaction was January 2, 2015.  From the effective date to the date of the close, IMC was entitled to and recognized the net earnings of the loans originated by CCM.  Acquisition related costs of $0.3 million were expensed as incurred.  The expenses were comprised primarily of legal and professional fees.
	Unaudited Pro Forma Results of Operations
	The following table presents unaudited pro forma results of operations for the periods presented as if the CCM acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2014.  The unaudited pro forma results of operations include the historical accounts of the Company and CCM and pro forma adjustments, including the amortization of intangibles with definite lives, depreciation of fixed assets, accretion of discount on contingent consideration and elimination of commissions and loan due diligence costs of IMC.  The unaudited pro forma information is intended for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the future operating results or operating results that would have occurred had the CCM acquisition been completed at the beginning of 2014.  No assumptions have been applied to the pro forma results of operations regarding possible revenue enhancements, expense efficiencies or asset dispositions.
			For the Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Revenues		$	52,743	$	19,412
	Other (expense) income		-6,724		2,360
	Expenses		-40,831		-32,607
	Pretax net earnings (loss)		$	5,188	$	(10,835	)
	Revenues of $45.7 million, other income (expense) of $210 thousand and expenses from operations of $18.6 million related to CCM’s acquisition in the first quarter of 2015 were included in gain on sale of loans, net in the consolidated statements of operations.

Mortgage_Loans_HeldforSale

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale
Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale	Note 3.—Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale
	A summary of the unpaid principal balance (UPB) of mortgage loans held-for-sale by type is presented below:
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Government (1)		$	179,619	$	156,385
	Conventional (2)		320,188		72,553
	Other (3)		10,415		—
	Fair value adjustment		21,364		10,453
	Total mortgage loans held-for-sale		$	531,586	$	239,391
		-1		Includes all government-insured loans including Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Veterans Affairs (VA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
		-2		Includes loans eligible for sale to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
		-3		Includes ALT-QM and Jumbo loans.
	Gain on mortgage loans held-for-sale (LHFS) is comprised of the following for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
			For the Three Months
			Ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Gain on sale of mortgage loans		$	54,992	$	13,798
	Premium from servicing retained loan sales		22,371		3,763
	Unrealized gains (losses) from derivative financial instruments		7,868		-338
	Realized losses from derivative financial instruments		-3,162		-2,171
	Mark to market gain on LHFS		10,911		539
	Direct origination expenses, net		-54,711		-10,759
	Provision for repurchases		-871		-259
	Total gain on sale of loans, net		$	37,398	$	4,573

Mortgage_Servicing_Rights

Mortgage Servicing Rights	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Mortgage Servicing Rights
Mortgage Servicing Rights	Note 4.—Mortgage Servicing Rights
	The Company retains mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) from its sales of certain mortgage loans. MSRs are reported at fair value based on the income derived from the net positive cash flows associated with the servicing contracts. The Company receives servicing fees, less subservicing costs, on the UPB of the loans. The servicing fees are collected from the monthly payments made by the mortgagors or when the underlying real estate is foreclosed upon and liquidated. The Company may receive other remuneration from rights to various mortgagor-contracted fees such as late charges, collateral reconveyance charges, nonsufficient fund fees and the Company is generally entitled to retain the interest earned on funds held pending remittance (or float) related to its collection of mortgagor principal, interest, tax and insurance payments.
	The following table summarizes the activity of MSRs for the periods presented:
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Balance at beginning of period		$	24,418	$	35,981
	Additions from servicing retained loan sales		22,371		29,388
	Reductions from bulk sales		-17,039		-27,276
	Reduction from sale of AmeriHome		—		-7,446
	Changes in fair value (1)		-3,094		-6,229
	Fair value of MSRs at end of period		$	26,656	$	24,418
		-1		Changes in fair value are included within loss on mortgage servicing rights in the consolidated statements of operations.
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the outstanding principal balance of the mortgage servicing portfolio was comprised of the following:
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Government insured		$	276,041	$	926,502
	Conventional		2,287,649		1,333,853
	Alt-QM		13,425		6,731
	Total loans serviced		$	2,577,115	$	2,267,086
	The table below illustrates hypothetical changes in fair values of MSRs, caused by assumed immediate changes to key assumptions that are used to determine fair value.  See Note 11.—Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for a description of the key assumptions used to determine the fair value of MSRs.
	Mortgage Servicing Rights Sensitivity Analysis		March 31,
			2015
	Fair value of MSRs		$	26,656
	Prepayment Speed:
	Decrease in fair value from 100 basis point (bp) adverse change		-981
	Decrease in fair value from 200 bp adverse change		-1,928
	Discount Rate:
	Decrease in fair value from 100 bp adverse change		-992
	Decrease in fair value from 200 bp adverse change		-1,915
	Sensitivities are hypothetical changes in fair value and cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of changes in assumptions to changes in fair value may not be linear.  Also, the effect of a variation in a particular assumption is calculated without changing any other assumption, whereas a change in one factor may result in changes to another.  Accordingly, no assurance can be given that actual results would be consistent with the results of these estimates.  As a result, actual future changes in MSR values may differ significantly from those displayed above.
	Loss on mortgage servicing rights is comprised of the following for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
			For the Three Months
			Ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Loss on sale of mortgage servicing rights		$	-3,474	$	-16
	Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights		-3,094		-961
	Loss on mortgage servicing rights		$	-6,568	$	-977
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company sold $1.6 billion in UPB of servicing at a loss of $3.5 million.  The Company also recorded a loss of $3.1 million for the change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights retained during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_assets

Goodwill and Intangible assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible assets.
Goodwill and Intangible assets.	Note 5.—Goodwill and Intangible assets
	Goodwill arises from the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets and other identifiable intangible assets acquired.  Other intangible assets with definite lives include trademarks, customer relationships, and non-compete agreements. In the first quarter of 2015, the Company acquired CCM and recorded $104.6 million of goodwill and intangible assets including a $17.3 million trademark, $10.2 million customer relationships and $5.7 million non-compete agreement.
	Goodwill, trademarks and other intangible assets are tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The carrying value of these intangible assets could be impaired if a significant adverse change in the use, life, or brand strategy of the asset is determined, or if a significant adverse change in the legal and regulatory environment, business or competitive climate occurs that would adversely impact the asset.
	Goodwill and other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives generated from purchase business combinations are not subject to amortization but are instead tested for impairment no less than annually.  Impairment exists when the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.  An impairment loss, if any, is measured as the excess of carrying value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill and would be recorded in other expense in the consolidated statements of operations, except if the impairment occurs during the first year after the completion of the acquisition, in which event the impairment of goodwill would be an adjustment to the purchase price.  Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated lives using an amortization method that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the asset are consumed.
	For goodwill, the determination of fair value of a reporting unit involves, among other things, application of the income approach, which includes developing forecasts of future cash flows and determining an appropriate discount rate. Goodwill is considered a level 3 nonrecurring fair value measurement.
	The methodology used to determine the fair value of trademarks includes assumptions with inherent uncertainty, including projected sales volumes and related projected revenues, long-term growth rates, royalty rates that a market participant might assume and judgments regarding the factors to develop an applied discount rate. The carrying value of intangible assets is at risk of impairment if future projected revenues or long-term growth rates are lower than those currently projected, or if factors used in the development of a discount rate result in the application of a higher discount rate.  The intangible assets are considered level 3 nonrecurring fair value measurements.
	The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the period indicated:
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	352
	Addition from CCM acquisition	104,586
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	104,938
	As part of the acquisition of CCM, the preliminary purchase price of the intangible assets the Company acquired are listed below:
		Net Carrying		Weighted Avg.
		Amount		Remaining Life
	Intangible assets:
	Trademark	$	17,251	15
	Customer relationships	10,170		7
	Non-compete agreement	5,701		4
	Total intangible assets acquired	$	33,122

Warehouse_Borrowings

Warehouse Borrowings (Warehouse Borrowings)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Warehouse Borrowings
Warehouse Borrowings	Note 6.—Warehouse Borrowings
	The Company, through its subsidiaries, enters into Master Repurchase Agreements with lenders providing warehouse facilities. The warehouse facilities are used to fund, and are secured by, residential mortgage loans that are held for sale. In accordance with the terms of the Master Repurchase Agreements, the Company is required to maintain cash balances with the lender as additional collateral for the borrowings which are included in restricted cash in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	At March 31, 2015, the Company was not in compliance with certain financial covenants and received waivers.
	The following table presents certain information on warehouse borrowings and related accrued interest for the periods indicated:
			Maximum		Balance Outstanding At
			Borrowing		March 31,		December 31,
			Capacity		2015		2014
	Short-term borrowings:
	Repurchase agreement 1		$	125,000	$	98,897	$	64,907
	Repurchase agreement 2		50,000		48,566		30,523
	Repurchase agreement 3 (1)		75,000		73,515		24,012
	Repurchase agreement 4 (2)		225,000		179,925		107,276
	Repurchase agreement 5		150,000		78,725		—
	Total repurchase agreements		625,000		479,628		226,718
	Other warehouse borrowings (3)		—		72,865		—
	Total warehouse borrowings		$	625,000	$	552,493	$	226,718
		-1		This line expired in April, 2015 and the Company replaced it with a $100.0 million facility, see Note. 19 - Subsequent Events.
		-2		As of March 31, 2015, $53.3 million is attributable to re-warehousing.
		-3		Other warehouse borrowings are borrowings from CashCall as a result of loans funded on CashCall’s warehouse lines, but not yet transferred to the Company’s lines as of March 31, 2015.

Convertible_Notes

Convertible Notes (Convertible Notes.)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Convertible Notes.
Convertible Notes
Convertible Notes	Note 7.—Convertible Notes
	In April 2013, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with the purchasers named therein (Noteholders), whereby the Company issued $20.0 million in original aggregate principal amount of Convertible Promissory Notes Due 2018 (Convertible Notes). The Convertible Notes mature on or before April 30, 2018 and accrue interest at a rate of 7.5% per annum, to be paid quarterly.

Line_of_Credit_Agreement

Line of Credit Agreement (Working capital line of credit agreement)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Working capital line of credit agreement
Line of Credit Agreement
Line of Credit Agreement	Note 8.—Line of Credit Agreement
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had a $4.0 million working capital line of credit agreement with a national bank that bears interest at a variable rate of one-month LIBOR plus 3.50%. The line of credit is unsecured and expires June 2015. Under the terms of the agreement the Company and its subsidiaries are required to maintain various financial and other covenants. The working capital line of credit is included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the outstanding balance under the line of credit was $4.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively, and is included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. At March 31, 2015, the Company was not in compliance with certain covenants and received a waiver.

ShortTerm_Structured_Debt

Short-Term Structured Debt (Structured debt agreement)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Structured debt agreement
Line of credit agreement
Short-Term Structured Debt	Note 9.—Short-Term Structured Debt
	In December 2014, the Company entered into a $6.0 million short-term structured debt agreement using eight of the Company’s residual interests (net trust assets) as collateral. The Company received proceeds of $6.0 million and had transaction costs of approximately $60 thousand. The agreement bears interest at LIBOR + 5.75% per annum, has a final repurchase date of June 29, 2015 and the Company has the right to repurchase the securities without penalty prior to the final repurchase date.  The balance as of March 31, 2015 was $4.2 million.
	The holder receives monthly principal and interest payments which are equal to the distributions from the residual interest underlying collateral with a minimum payment of $500,000. If the cash flows received from the collateralized residual interests are less than $500,000, the Company would be required to pay the difference to avoid the transfer of the residual interests and the rights to the associated future cash flows to the note holder.

Securitized_Mortgage_Trusts

Securitized Mortgage Trusts	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Securitized Mortgage Trusts
Securitized Mortgage Trusts	Note 10.—Securitized Mortgage Trusts
	Trust Assets
	Trust assets, which are recorded at fair value, are comprised of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Securitized mortgage collateral	$	5,110,983	$	5,249,639
	Real estate owned	19,122		18,800
	Investment securities available-for-sale	88		92
	Total securitized mortgage trust assets	$	5,130,193	$	5,268,531
	Trust Liabilities
	Trust liabilities, which are recorded at fair value, are comprised of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Securitized mortgage borrowings	$	5,109,133	$	5,245,860
	Derivative liabilities	4,499		5,447
	Total securitized mortgage trust liabilities	$	5,113,632	$	5,251,307
	Changes in fair value of net trust assets, including trust REO gains (losses) are comprised of the following for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		For the Three Months
		Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Change in fair value of net trust assets, excluding REO	$	1,794	$	-3,043
	(Losses) gains from REO	-2,670		6,081
	Change in fair value of net trust assets, including trust REO (losses) gains	$	-876	$	3,038

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Note 11.—Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The use of fair value to measure the Company’s financial instruments is fundamental to its consolidated financial statements and is a critical accounting estimate because a substantial portion of its assets and liabilities are recorded at estimated fair value.
	The following table presents the estimated fair value of financial instruments included in the consolidated financial statements as of the dates indicated:
			March 31, 2015										December 31, 2014
			Carrying		Estimated Fair Value								Carrying		Estimated Fair Value
			Amount		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	5,635	$	5,635		$	—		$	—	$	10,073	$	10,073	$	—	$	—
	Restricted cash		4,932		4,932			—			—		2,420		2,420		—		—
	Mortgage loans held-for-sale		531,586		—			531,586			—		239,391		—		239,391		—
	Finance receivables		53,340		—			53,340			—		8,358		—		8,358		—
	Mortgage servicing rights		26,656		—			—			26,656		24,418		—		—		24,418
	Derivative assets, lending, net		12,769		—			—			12,769		2,884		—		—		2,884
	Investment securities available-for-sale		88		—			—			88		92		—		—		92
	Securitized mortgage collateral		5,110,983		—			—			5,110,983		5,249,639		—		—		5,249,639
	Warrant		91		—			—			91		84		—		—		84
	Liabilities
	Warehouse borrowings		$	552,493	$	—		$	552,493		$	—	$	226,718	$	—	$	226,718	$	—
	Short-term structured debt		4,156		—			—			4,156		6,000		—		—		6,000
	Line of credit		4,000		—			4,000			—		4,000		—		4,000		—
	Contingent consideration		124,592		—			—			124,592		—		—		—		—
	Convertible notes		20,000		—			—			20,000		20,000		—		—		20,000
	Long-term debt		29,646		—			—			29,646		22,122		—		—		22,122
	Securitized mortgage borrowings		5,109,133		—			—			5,109,133		5,245,860		—		—		5,245,860
	Derivative liabilities, securitized trusts		4,499		—			—			4,499		5,447		—		—		5,447
	Derivative liabilities, lending, net		2,948		—			2,948			—		930		—		930		—
	The fair value amounts above have been estimated by management using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop the estimates of fair value in both inactive and orderly markets. Accordingly, the estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
	For securitized mortgage collateral and securitized mortgage borrowings, the underlying Alt-A residential and commercial loans and mortgage-backed securities market have experienced significant declines in market activity, along with a lack of orderly transactions. The Company’s methodology to estimate fair value of these assets and liabilities include the use of internal pricing techniques such as the net present value of future expected cash flows (with observable market participant assumptions, where available) discounted at a rate of return based on the Company’s estimates of market participant requirements. The significant assumptions utilized in these internal pricing techniques, which are based on the characteristics of the underlying collateral, include estimated credit losses, estimated prepayment speeds and appropriate discount rates.
	Refer to Recurring Fair Value Measurements below for a description of the valuation methods used to determine the fair value of investment securities available-for-sale, warrant, securitized mortgage collateral and borrowings, derivative assets and liabilities, contingent consideration, long-term debt, mortgage servicing rights and mortgage loans held-for-sale.
	The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash approximates fair value.
	Finance receivables carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of the assets and do not present unanticipated interest rate or credit concerns.
	Warehouse borrowings carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of the liabilities and do not present unanticipated interest rate or credit concerns.
	Convertible notes are recorded at amortized cost. The estimated fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow model using estimated market rates.
	Line of credit carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the liability and does not present unanticipated interest rate or credit concerns.
	Fair Value Hierarchy
	The application of fair value measurements may be on a recurring or nonrecurring basis depending on the accounting principles applicable to the specific asset or liability or whether management has elected to carry the item at its estimated fair value.
	FASB ASC 820-10-35 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
		·		Level 1—Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical instruments or liabilities that an entity has the ability to assess at measurement date.
		·		Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for an asset or liability, including interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates; and market-corroborated inputs.
		·		Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers is unobservable.
	This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when estimating fair value.
	As a result of the lack of observable market data resulting from inactive markets, the Company has classified its investment securities available-for-sale, securitized mortgage collateral and borrowings, net derivative liabilities, securitized trusts, long-term debt, interest rate lock commitments (IRLCs), mortgage servicing rights, warrant and contingent consideration as Level 3 fair value measurements. Level 3 assets and liabilities were 91% and 99% and 96% and 99%, respectively, of total assets and total liabilities measured at estimated fair value at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The Company assesses the financial instruments on a quarterly basis to determine the appropriate classification within the fair value hierarchy, as defined by ASC Topic 810. Transfers between fair value classifications occur when there are changes in pricing observability levels. Transfers of financial instruments among the levels occur at the beginning of the reporting period. There were no material transfers between our Level 1 and Level 2 classified instruments during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	The following tables present the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis, including financial instruments for which the Company has elected the fair value option at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, based on the fair value hierarchy:
			Recurring Fair Value Measurements
			March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Investment securities available-for-sale		$	—	$	—		$	88		$	—	$	—	$	92
	Mortgage loans held-for-sale		—		531,586			—			—		239,391		—
	Derivative assets, lending, net (1)		—		—			12,769			—		—		2,884
	Mortgage servicing rights		—		—			26,656			—		—		24,418
	Warrant (2)		—		—			91			—		—		84
	Securitized mortgage collateral		—		—			5,110,983			—		—		5,249,639
	Total assets at fair value		$	—	$	531,586		$	5,150,587		$	—	$	239,391	$	5,277,117
	Liabilities
	Securitized mortgage borrowings		$	—	$	—		$	5,109,133		$	—	$	—	$	5,245,860
	Derivative liabilities, securitized trusts (3)		—		—			4,499			—		—		5,447
	Long-term debt		—		—			29,646			—		—		22,122
	Contingent consideration		—		—			124,592			—		—		—
	Derivative liabilities, lending, net (4)		—		2,948			—			—		930		—
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	—	$	2,948		$	5,267,870		$	—	$	930	$	5,273,429
		-1		At March 31, 2015, derivative assets, lending, net included $12.8 million in IRLCs associated with the Company’s mortgage lending operations, and is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2014, derivative assets, lending, net included $3.0 million in IRLCs associated with the Company’s mortgage lending operations, and is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	-2		Included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	-3		At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, derivative liabilities, securitized trusts, are included within trust liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	-4		At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, derivative liabilities, lending, net are included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
The following tables present reconciliations for all assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Level 3 Recurring Fair Value Measurements
		For the three months ended March 31, 2015
		Investment		Securitized			Securitized			Derivative		Mortgage		Interest rate lock		Long-term		Contingent		Warrant
		securities		mortgage			mortgage			liabilities, net,		servicing		commitments,		debt		consideration
		available-for-sale		collateral			borrowings			securitized		rights		net
										trusts
Fair value, December 31, 2014		$	92	$	5,249,639		$	(5,245,860		$	(5,447	$	24,418	$	2,884	$	-22,122	$	—	$	84
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Interest income (1)		4		17,718			—			—		—		—		—		—		—
Interest expense (1)		—		—			(56,366			—		—		—		-408		—		—
Change in fair value		34		-1,854			3,855			(241		(3,094		9,885		-7,116		—		7
Total gains (losses) included in earnings		38		15,864			(52,511			(241		(3,094		9,885		-7,524		—		7
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		—		—			—			—		—		—		—		—		—
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Purchases		—		—			—			—		—		—		—		—		—
Issuances		—		—			—			—		22,371		—		—		-124,592		—
Settlements		-42		-154,520			189,238			1,189		-17,039		—		—		—		—
Fair value, March 31, 2015		$	88	$	5,110,983		$	-5,109,133		$	-4,499	$	26,656	$	12,769	$	-29,646	$	-124,592	$	91
Unrealized gains (losses) still held (2)		$	88	$	-1,261,569		$	3,399,502		$	(4,164	$	26,656	$	12,769	$	41,117	$	-124,592	$	91
(1)Amounts primarily represent accretion to recognize interest income and interest expense using effective yields based on estimated fair values for trust assets and trust liabilities. The net interest income, including cash received and paid, was $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  The difference between accretion of interest income and expense and the amounts of interest income and expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations is primarily from contractual interest on the securitized mortgage collateral and borrowings.
(2)Represents the amount of unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 that are still held and reflected in the fair values at March 31, 2015.
		Level 3 Recurring Fair Value Measurements
		For the three months ended March 31, 2014
		Investment		Securitized			Securitized			Derivative		Mortgage		Interest rate lock		Long-term
		securities		mortgage			mortgage			liabilities, net,		servicing		commitments,		debt
		available-for-sale		collateral			borrowings			securitized		rights		net
										trusts
Fair value, December 31, 2013		$	108	$	5,494,152		$	-5,492,371		$	-10,214	$	35,981	$	913	$	-15,871
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Interest income (1)		7		9,815			—			—		—		—		—
Interest expense (1)		—		—			-58,174			—		—		—		-714
Change in fair value		—		109,886			(112,768		)	-161		-961		513		-650
Total gains (losses) included in earnings		7		119,701			-170,942			-161		-961		513		-1,364
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		—		—			—			—		—				—
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Purchases		—		—			—			—						—
Issuances		—		—			—			—		3,763		—		—
Settlements		-11		-153,337			202,255			1,230		-13,704		-11		—
Fair value, March 31, 2014		$	104	$	5,460,516		$	-5,461,058		$	-9,145	$	25,079	$	1,415	$	-17,235
Unrealized gains (losses) still held (2)		$	72	$	-1,726,236		$	3,879,070		$	-8,610	$	25,079	$	1,415	$	53,528
	-1		Amounts primarily represent accretion to recognize interest income and interest expense using effective yields based on estimated fair values for trust assets and trust liabilities. The net interest income, including cash received and paid, was $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  The difference between accretion of interest income and expense and the amounts of interest income and expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations is primarily from contractual interest on the securitized mortgage collateral and borrowings.
	-2		Represents the amount of unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 that are still held and reflected in the fair values at March 31, 2014.
The following table presents quantitative information about the valuation techniques and unobservable inputs applied to Level 3 fair value measurements for financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis at March 31, 2015:
Financial Instrument		Estimated Fair		Valuation		Unobservable Input		Range of		Weighted
		Value		Technique				Inputs		Average
Assets and liabilities backed by real estate
Investment securities available-for-sale,		$	88	DCF		Discount rates		3.2 - 25.0%		4.9	%
Securitized mortgage collateral, and		5,110,983				Prepayment rates		1.1 - 35.1%		5.5	%
Securitized mortgage borrowings		-5,109,133				Default rates		0.7 - 11.8%		2.9	%
						Loss severities		1.5 - 62.0%		38.4	%
Other assets and liabilities
Mortgage servicing rights		$	26,656	DCF		Discount rate		9.1 - 11.9%		9.2	%
						Prepayment rates		10.4 - 44.4%		10.7	%
Derivative liabilities, net, securitized trusts		-4,499		DCF		1M forward LIBOR		0.2 - 2.7%		N/A
Derivative assets - IRLCs, net		12,769		Market pricing		Pull -through rate		42.0 - 99.0%		80.0	%
Long-term debt		-29,646		DCF		Discount rate		15.0%		15.0	%
Lease liability		-1,413		DCF		Discount rate		12.0%		12.0	%
Contingent consideration		-124,592		DCF		Discount rate		15.0%		15.0	%
						Probability of outcomes (1)		10.0 - 45.0%		30.4	%
DCF =iscounted Cash Flow
1M = Month
	-1		Probability of outcomes is the probability of projected CCM earnings over the earn-out period based upon three scenarios (base, low and high).
For assets and liabilities backed by real estate, a significant increase in discount rates, default rates or loss severities would result in a significantly lower estimated fair value.  The effect of changes in prepayment speeds would have differing effects depending on the seniority or other characteristics of the instrument.  For other assets and liabilities, a significant increase in discount rates would result in a significantly lower estimated fair value.  A significant increase in one-month LIBOR would result in a significantly higher estimated fair value for derivative liabilities, net, securitized trusts.  The Company believes that the imprecision of an estimate could be significant.
The following tables present the changes in recurring fair value measurements included in net earnings (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Recurring Fair Value Measurements
		Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings
		For the three months ended March 31, 2015
							Change in Fair Value of
		Interest		Interest			Net Trust			Long-term		Other		Gain on sale		Total
		Income (1)		Expense (1)			Assets			Debt		Revenue		of loans, net
Investment securities available-for-sale		$	4	$	—		$	34		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	38
Securitized mortgage collateral		17,718		—			-1,854			—		—		—		15,864
Securitized mortgage borrowings		—		-56,366			3,855			—		—		—		-52,511
Derivative liabilities, net, securitized trusts		—		—			-241		-2	—		—		—		-241
Long-term debt		—		-408			—			-7,116		—		—		-7,524
Mortgage servicing rights (3)		—		—			—			—		-3,094		—		-3,094
Warrant		—		—			—			—		7		—		7
Contingent consideration		—		—			—			—		—		—		—
Mortgage loans held-for-sale		—		—			—			—		—		10,911		10,911
Derivative assets - IRLCs		—		—			—			—		—		9,885		9,885
Derivative liabilities - Hedging Instruments		—		—			—			—		—		-2,017		-2,017
Total		$	17,722	$	-56,774		$	1,794		$	-7,116	$	-3,087	$	18,779	$	-28,682
	-1		Amounts primarily represent accretion to recognize interest income and interest expense using effective yields based on estimated fair values for trust assets and trust liabilities.
	-2		Included in this amount is $898 thousand in changes in the fair value of derivative instruments, offset by $1.1 million in cash payments from the securitization trusts for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	-3		Included in loss on mortgage servicing rights in the consolidated statements of operations.
		Recurring Fair Value Measurements
		Change in Fair Value Included in Net Loss
		For the three months ended March 31, 2014
							Change in Fair Value of
		Interest		Interest			Net Trust			Long-term		Other		Gain on sale		Total
		Income (1)		Expense (1)			Assets			Debt		Revenue		of loans, net
Investment securities available-for-sale		$	7	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	7
Securitized mortgage collateral		9,815		—			109,886			—		—		—		119,701
Securitized mortgage borrowings		—		-58,174			-112,768			—		—		—		-170,942
Derivative liabilities, net, securitized trusts		—		—			-161		-2	—		—		—		(161
Long-term debt		—		-714			—			-650		—		—		-1,364
Mortgage servicing rights (3)		—		—			—			—		-961		—		(961
Mortgage loans held-for-sale		—		—			—			—		—		539		539
Derivative assets - IRLCs		—		—			—			—		—		513		513
Derivative liabilities - Hedging Instruments		—		—			—			—		—		-851		-851
Total		$	9,822	$	-58,888		$	-3,043		$	-650	$	-961	$	201	$	-53,519
	-1		Amounts primarily represent accretion to recognize interest income and interest expense using effective yields based on estimated fair values for trust assets and trust liabilities.
	-2		Included in this amount is $1.0 million in change in the fair value of derivative instruments, offset by $1.2 million in cash payments from the securitization trusts for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	-3		Included in loss on mortgage servicing rights in the consolidated statements of operations.
The following is a description of the measurement techniques for items recorded at estimated fair value on a recurring basis.
Investment securities available-for-sale—Investment securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value. The investment securities consist primarily of non-investment grade mortgage-backed securities. The fair value of the investment securities is measured based upon the Company’s expectation of inputs that other market participants would use. Such assumptions include judgments about the underlying collateral, prepayment speeds, future credit losses, forward interest rates and certain other factors. Given the lack of observable market data as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 relating to these securities, the estimated fair value of the investment securities available-for-sale was measured using significant internal expectations of market participants’ assumptions. Investment securities available-for-sale is considered a Level 3 measurement at March 31, 2015.
Mortgage servicing rights—The Company elected to carry its entire mortgage servicing rights arising from its mortgage loan origination operation at estimated fair value. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is based upon market prices for similar instruments and a discounted cash flow model. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating the fair value of servicing. These assumptions include estimates of prepayment speeds, discount rate, cost to service, escrow account earnings, contractual servicing fee income, prepayment and late fees, among other considerations. Mortgage servicing rights are considered a Level 3 measurement at March 31, 2015.
Mortgage loans held-for-sale—The Company elected to carry its mortgage loans held-for-sale originated or acquired at estimated fair value. Fair value is based on quoted market prices, where available, prices for other traded mortgage loans with similar characteristics, and purchase commitments and bid information received from market participants. Given the meaningful level of secondary market activity for mortgage loans, active pricing is available for similar assets and accordingly, the Company classifies its mortgage loans held-for-sale as a Level 2 measurement at March 31, 2015.
Securitized mortgage collateral—The Company elected to carry all of its securitized mortgage collateral at fair value. These assets consist primarily of non-conforming mortgage loans securitized between 2002 and 2007. Fair value measurements are based on the Company’s internal models used to compute the net present value of future expected cash flows with observable market participant assumptions, where available. The Company’s assumptions include its expectations of inputs that other market participants would use in pricing these assets. These assumptions include judgments about the underlying collateral, prepayment speeds, estimated future credit losses, forward interest rates, investor yield requirements and certain other factors. As of March 31, 2015, securitized mortgage collateral had UPB of $6.4 billion, compared to an estimated fair value on the Company’s balance sheet of $5.1 billion. The aggregate UPB exceeds the fair value by $1.3 billion at March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the UPB of loans 90 days or more past due was $1.0 billion compared to an estimated fair value of $0.4 billion. The aggregate UPB of loans 90 days or more past due exceed the fair value by $0.6 billion at March 31, 2015. Securitized mortgage collateral is considered a Level 3 measurement at March 31, 2015.
Securitized mortgage borrowings—The Company elected to carry all of its securitized mortgage borrowings at fair value. These borrowings consist of individual tranches of bonds issued by securitization trusts and are primarily backed by non-conforming mortgage loans. Fair value measurements include the Company’s judgments about the underlying collateral and assumptions such as prepayment speeds, estimated future credit losses, forward interest rates, investor yield requirements and certain other factors. As of March 31, 2015, securitized mortgage borrowings had an outstanding principal balance of $6.3 billion, net of $2.2 billion in bond losses, compared to an estimated fair value of $5.1 billion. The aggregate outstanding principal balance exceeds the fair value by $1.2 billion at March 31, 2015. Securitized mortgage borrowings are considered a Level 3 measurement at March 31, 2015.
Contingent consideration—Contingent consideration is estimated and recorded at fair value at the acquisition date as part of purchase price consideration.  Additionally, each reporting period, the Company estimates the change in fair value of the contingent consideration and any change in fair value is recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations if it’s determined to not be a measurement period adjustment.  The estimate of the fair value of contingent consideration requires significant judgment and assumptions to be made about future operating results, discount rates and probabilities of various projected operating result scenarios. Future revisions to these assumptions could materially change the estimated fair value of contingent consideration and materially affect the Company’s financial results. Contingent consideration is considered a Level 3 measurement at March 31, 2015.
Long-term debt—The Company elected to carry all of its long-term debt (consisting of trust preferred securities and junior subordinated notes) at fair value. These securities are measured based upon an analysis prepared by management, which considered the Company’s own credit risk, including settlements with trust preferred debt holders and discounted cash flow analysis. As of March 31, 2015, long-term debt had UPB of $70.5 million compared to an estimated fair value of $29.6 million. The aggregate UPB exceeds the fair value by $40.9 million at March 31, 2015. The long-term debt is considered a Level 3 measurement at March 31, 2015.
Derivative assets and liabilities, Securitized trusts—For non-exchange traded contracts, fair value is based on the amounts that would be required to settle the positions with the related counterparties as of the valuation date. Valuations of derivative assets and liabilities are based on observable market inputs, if available. To the extent observable market inputs are not available, fair values measurements include the Company’s judgments about future cash flows, forward interest rates and certain other factors, including counterparty risk. Additionally, these values also take into account the Company’s own credit standing, to the extent applicable; thus, the valuation of the derivative instrument includes the estimated value of the net credit differential between the counterparties to the derivative contract. As of March 31, 2015, the notional balance of derivative assets and liabilities, securitized trusts was $88.3 million. These derivatives are included in the consolidated securitization trusts, which are nonrecourse to the Company, and thus the economic risk from these derivatives is limited to the Company’s residual interests in the securitization trusts. Derivative assets and liabilities, securitized trusts are considered a Level 3 measurement at March 31, 2015.
Derivative assets and liabilities, Lending—The Company’s derivative assets and liabilities are carried at fair value as required by GAAP and are accounted for as free standing derivatives. IRLCs and hedging instruments can be either assets or liabilities depending on interest rate fluctuations subsequent to entering into the commitments.  IRLCs are entered into with prospective
residential mortgage borrowers whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding and the borrowers have locked in that interest rate. These commitments are determined to be derivative instruments in accordance with GAAP. Hedging instruments (typically TBA MBS) are used to hedge the fair value changes associated with changes in interest rates relating to its mortgage lending operations. The Company hedges the period from the interest rate lock (assuming a fall-out factor) to the date the loan is committed for sale. The estimated fair value of IRLCs are based on underlying loan types with similar characteristics using the TBA MBS market, which is actively quoted and easily validated through external sources. The data inputs used in this valuation include, but are not limited to, loan type, underlying loan amount, note rate, loan program, and expected sale date of the loan, adjusted for current market conditions. These valuations are adjusted at the loan level to consider the servicing release premium and loan pricing adjustments specific to each loan. For all IRLCs, the base value is then adjusted for the anticipated Pull-through Rate. The anticipated Pull-through Rate is an unobservable input based on historical experience, which results in classification of IRLCs as a Level 3 measurement at March 31, 2015.
The fair value of the hedging instruments is based on the actively quoted TBA MBS market using observable inputs related to characteristics of the underlying MBS stratified by product, coupon and settlement date. Therefore, the hedging instruments are classified as a Level 2 measurement at March 31, 2015.
The following table includes information for the derivative assets and liabilities, lending for the periods presented:
		Notional Amount					Total Gains (Losses) (1)
		March 31,		March 31,			For the three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014			2015			2014
Derivative - IRLC’s		$	805,743	$	136,887		$	9,885		$	513
Derivative - TBA MBS		759,306		186,721			-5,179			-3,022
	-1		Amounts included in gain on sale of loans, net within the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Warrant— Upon entering an arrangement to facilitate the Company’s ability to offer Non-QM mortgage products, a warrant to purchase up to 9.9% of Impac Mortgage Corp. was issued.  The warrant can only be exercised if the Company chooses not to continue with the agreement to facilitate Non-QM mortgage products and has a 60 day expiration window after the termination of the agreement.  The exercise price of the warrant is an agreed upon multiple times the book value of the subsidiary Impac Mortgage Corp. at the time of exercise plus up to an additional 0.2 times the book value at the exercise date based off of the net income of Impac Mortgage Corp. for the following 12 months.  Additionally, if upon exercise of the warrant, the Company does not receive regulatory approval for the sale of the 9.9% as a result of actions of the Company, the Company will have to pay the holder of the warrant a redemption price, equal to the value of the warrant, in cash within 30 days.  The estimated fair value of the warrant was based on a model incorporating various assumptions including expected future book value of Impac Mortgage Corp., the probability of the warrant being exercised, volatility, expected term and certain other factors. Warrant is considered a Level 3 measurement at March 31, 2015.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company is required to measure certain assets and liabilities at estimated fair value from time to time. These fair value measurements typically result from the application of specific accounting pronouncements under GAAP. The fair value measurements are considered nonrecurring fair value measurements under FASB ASC 820-10.
The following tables present financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured using nonrecurring fair value measurements at March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively:
		Nonrecurring Fair Value								Total Gains (Losses) (1)
		Measurements
		March 31, 2015								For the Three Months Ended
		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3			March 31, 2015
REO (2)		$	—	$	14,884		$	—		$	-2,670
Lease liability (3)		—		—			-1,413			-23
Deferred charge (4)		—		—			11,212			-309
	-1		Total gains (losses) reflect gains and losses from all nonrecurring measurements during the period.
	-2		Balance represents REO at March 31, 2015 which has been impaired subsequent to foreclosure. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the $2.7 million loss represents additional impairment write-downs attributable to higher expected loss severities on properties held during the period which resulted in a decrease to the net realizable value (NRV).
	-3		For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded a $23 thousand expense, resulting from changes in lease liabilities as a result of changes in our expected minimum future lease payments.
	-4		For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded $309 thousand in income tax expense resulting from impairment write-downs based on changes in estimated cash flows and lives of the related mortgages retained in the securitized mortgage collateral.
		Non-recurring Fair Value								Total Gains (Losses) (1)
		Measurements
		March 31, 2014								For the Three Months Ended
		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3			March 31, 2014
REO (2)		$	—	$	4,209		$	—		$	6,081
Lease liability (3)		—		—			-2,048			-569
	-1		Total gains (losses) reflect gains and losses from all nonrecurring measurements during the period.
	-2		Balance represents REO at March 31, 2014 which has been impaired subsequent to foreclosure. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the $6.1 million gain represents recovery of the net realizable value (NRV) attributable to an improvement in state specific loss severities on properties held during the period which resulted in an increase to NRV.
	-3		For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded $569 thousand in impairment, resulting from changes in lease liabilities as a result of changes in our expected minimum future lease payments.
Real estate owned—REO consists of residential real estate acquired in satisfaction of loans. Upon foreclosure, REO is adjusted to the estimated fair value of the residential real estate less estimated selling and holding costs, offset by expected contractual mortgage insurance proceeds to be received, if any. Subsequently, REO is recorded at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value less costs to sell. REO balance representing REOs which have been impaired subsequent to foreclosure are subject to nonrecurring fair value measurement and included in the nonrecurring fair value measurements tables. Fair values of REO are generally based on observable market inputs, and considered Level 2 measurements at March 31, 2015.
Lease liability—In connection with the discontinuation of our non-conforming lending and commercial operations in 2007, a significant amount of office space that was previously occupied is no longer being used by the Company. The Company has subleased a significant amount of this office space. Additionally, the Company has office space that is no longer occupied by the Company and we intend to sublease it.  The Company has recorded a liability representing the present value of the minimum lease payments over the remaining life of the lease, offset by the expected proceeds from sublet revenue related to this office space. This liability is based on present value techniques that incorporate the Company’s judgments about estimated sublet revenue and discount rates. Therefore, this liability is considered a Level 3 measurement at March 31, 2015.
Deferred charge— Deferred charge represents the deferral of income tax expense on inter-company profits that resulted from the sale of mortgages from taxable subsidiaries to IMH in prior years. The Company evaluates the deferred charge for impairment quarterly using internal estimates of estimated cash flows and lives of the related mortgages retained in the securitized mortgage collateral. If the deferred charge is determined to be impaired, it is recognized as a component of income tax expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded $309 thousand in income tax expense resulting from deferred charge impairment write-downs based on changes in estimated fair value of securitized mortgage collateral. There was no impairment of the deferred charge in the three months ended March 31, 2014. Deferred charge is considered a Level 3 measurement at March 31, 2015.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	Note 12.—Income Taxes
	The Company calculates its quarterly tax provision pursuant to the guidelines in ASC 740 Income Taxes.  ASC 740 requires companies to estimate the annual effective tax rate for current year ordinary income. In calculating the effective tax rate, permanent differences between financial reporting and taxable income are factored into the calculation, but temporary differences are not. The estimated annual effective tax rate represents the best estimate of the tax provision in relation to the best estimate of pre-tax ordinary income or loss. The estimated annual effective tax rate is then applied to year-to-date ordinary income or loss to calculate the year-to-date interim tax provision.
	The following is a reconciliation of income taxes to the statutory federal corporate income tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		2015			2014
		Amount		%	Amount		%
	Federal rate	$	3,594	35.0	$	-918	35.0
	State tax, net of federal benefit	515		5.0	-142		5.4
	Change in valuation allowance - current period	-3,702		-36.1	1,398		-53.2
	Change in valuation allowance - future years	-24,420		-237.8	—		—
	Deferred charge	309		3.0	—		—
	Other permanent items	—		—	4		-0.2
	Total tax (benefit) expense	$	-23,704	-230.9	$	342	-13
	The Company recorded income tax (benefit) expense of ($23.7) million and $342 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded a benefit of $24.4 million primarily the result of a reversal of valuation allowance partially offset by federal alternative minimum tax (AMT), amortization of the deferred charge and state income taxes from states where the Company does not have net operating loss carryforwards or state minimum taxes, including AMT. The deferred charge represents the deferral of income tax expense on inter-company profits that resulted from the sale of mortgages from taxable subsidiaries to IMH prior to 2008. The deferred charge is amortized and/or impaired, which does not result in any tax liability to be paid. The deferred charge is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and is amortized as a component of income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded an expense of $0.3 million primarily related to federal and state AMT associated with taxable income generated from the sale of AmeriHome and mortgage servicing rights.
	Deferred tax assets are recognized subject to management’s judgment that realization is “more likely than not”. A valuation allowance is recognized for a deferred tax asset if, based on the weight of the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified.  As of each reporting date, the Company considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could impact management’s view with regard to future realization of deferred tax assets.  Significant judgment is required in assessing future earnings trends and the timing of reversals of temporary differences.  The Company’s evaluation is based on current tax laws as well as management’s expectation of future performance.
	The Company’s deferred tax assets are primarily the result of net operating losses and other fair value write downs of financial assets and liabilities.  As of December 31, 2014, the Company had net deferred tax assets of approximately $163.2 million which the Company recorded a full valuation allowance against.  During the first quarter of 2015, with the aforementioned acquisition of CCM, the Company significantly expanded its mortgage lending operations and profitability.  As of March 31, 2015, in part because of the earnings of CCM during the first quarter of 2015, current year projected earnings, future projected earnings as well as the historical earnings of CCM, management determined that sufficient positive evidence exists to conclude that it is more likely than not that deferred taxes of $24.4 million are realizable in future years, and therefore, reduced the valuation allowance accordingly.
	The Company has recorded a valuation allowance against its remaining net deferred tax assets at March 31, 2015 as it is more likely than not that not all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The valuation allowance is based on the management’s assessment that it is more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets, primarily net operating loss carryforwards, may not be realized in the foreseeable future due to objective negative evidence that the Company would not generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets.

Reconciliation_of_Earnings_Per

Reconciliation of Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reconciliation of Earnings Per Share
Reconciliation of Earnings Per Share	Note 13.—Reconciliation of Earnings Per Share
	Basic net earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings available to common stockholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of vested, common shares outstanding during the period (denominator). Diluted net earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the if-converted method. Dilutive potential common shares include shares issuable upon conversion of Convertible Notes, dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and deferred stock units (DSUs).
			For the Three Months
			Ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to IMH common stockholders		$	33,972	$	-2,966
	Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to IMH common stockholders		$	33,972	$	-2,966
	Interest expense attributable to convertible notes		375		—
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to IMH common stockholders plus interest expense attributable to convertible notes		$	34,347	$	-2,966
	Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share (1):
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding during the year		9,609		9,061
	Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share (1):
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding during the year		9,609		9,061
	Net effect of dilutive convertible notes		1,839		—
	Net effect of dilutive stock options and DSU’s		241		—
	Diluted weighted average common shares		11,689		9,061
	Net earnings (loss) per common share:
	Basic		$	3.54	$	-0.33
	Diluted		$	2.94	$	-0.33
		-1		Number of shares presented in thousands.
	The anti-dilutive stock options outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were 193 thousand shares. The anti-dilutive stock options outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were 2.6 million shares. Included in the anti-dilutive shares for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was 1.8 million shares attributable to the Convertible Notes.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting
Segment Reporting	Note 14.—Segment Reporting
	The Company has three primary reporting segments which include mortgage lending, real estate services and long-term mortgage portfolio. Unallocated corporate and other administrative costs, including the costs associated with being a public company, are presented in Corporate and other.
	Statement of Operations Items for the		Mortgage		Real Estate		Long-term		Corporate
	three months ended March 31, 2015:		Lending		Services		Portfolio		and other		Consolidated
	Gain on sale of loans, net		$	37,398	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	37,398
	Real estate services fees, net		—		2,742		—		—		2,742
	Servicing income, net		635		—		—		—		635
	Loss on mortgage servicing rights		-6,568		—		—		—		-6,568
	Other revenue		17		—		61		58		136
	Other income (expense)		368		—		-6,791		-511		-6,934
	Total expense		-13,315		-1,655		-111		-2,060		-17,141
	Net earnings (loss) before income taxes		$	18,535	$	1,087	$	-6,841	$	-2,513	10,268
	Income tax benefit										-23,704
	Net earnings										33,972
	Statement of Operations Items for the		Mortgage		Real Estate		Long-term		Corporate
	three months ended March 31, 2014:		Lending		Services		Portfolio		and other		Consolidated
	Gain on sale of loans, net		$	4,573	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	4,573
	Real estate services fees, net		—		3,679		—		—		3,679
	Servicing income, net		1,569		—		—		—		1,569
	Loss on mortgage servicing rights		-977		—		—		—		-977
	Other revenue		1,216		—		169		—		1,385
	Other income (expense)		156		1		2,319		-401		2,075
	Total expense		-9,062		-1,522		-241		-4,103		-14,928
	Net (loss) earnings before income taxes		$	-2,525	$	2,158	$	2,247	$	-4,504	-2,624
	Income tax expense										342
	Net loss										-2,966
			Mortgage		Real Estate		Long-term		Corporate
							Mortgage
	Balance Sheet Items as of:		Lending		Services		Portfolio		and other		Consolidated
	Total Assets at March 31, 2015 (1)		$	783,924	$	2,821	$	5,141,474	$	28,449	$	5,956,668
	Total Assets at December 31, 2014 (1)		$	291,829	$	2,672	$	5,280,274	$	3,797	$	5,578,572
		-1		All segment asset balances exclude intercompany balances.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies	Note 15.—Commitments and Contingencies
	Legal Proceedings
	The Company is a defendant in or a party to a number of legal actions or proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. In some of these actions and proceedings, claims for monetary damages are asserted against the Company. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such legal actions and proceedings, the Company generally cannot predict what the eventual outcome of the pending matters will be, what the timing of the ultimate resolution of these matters will be, or what the eventual loss related to each pending matter may be, if any.
	In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrued liability for litigation when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. In any cases, there may be an exposure to losses in excess of any such amounts whether accrued or not. Any estimated loss is subject to significant judgment and is based upon currently available information, a variety of assumptions, and known and unknown uncertainties. The matters underlying the estimated loss will change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. Therefore, an estimate of possible loss represents what the Company believes to be an estimate of possible loss only for certain matters meeting these criteria. It does not represent the Company’s maximum loss exposure.
	Based on the Company’s current understanding of these pending legal actions and proceedings, management does not believe that judgments or settlements arising from pending or threatened legal matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, operating results or cash flows of the Company. However, in light of the inherent uncertainties involved in these matters, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, and the very large or indeterminate damages sought in some of these matters, an adverse outcome in one or more of these matters could be material to the Company’s results of operations or cash flows for any particular reporting period.
	The legal matters summarized below are ongoing and may have an effect on the Company’s business and future financial condition and results of operations:
	On December 14, 2013, a matter was filed in the US District Court, District of Minnesota, entitled Residential Funding Company, LLC v. Impac Funding Corp. alleging the defendant is responsible for unspecific debts of Pinnacle Direct Funding Corp., as its successor in interest. On April 3, 2014, the plaintiff filed a First Amended Complaint alleging the defendant is responsible for breaches of representations and warranties in connection with certain loan sales from Pinnacle to plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks declaratory relief and unspecified damages. On April 17, 2014, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the First Amended Complaint, which the court denied. The Company answered the First Amended Complaint on September 24, 2014, and filed a motion for summary judgment on January 6, 2015, which remains pending.
	The Company is a party to other litigation and claims which are normal in the course of our operations. While the results of such other litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the final outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the above claims and intends to defend these claims vigorously and as such the Company believes the final outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations. Nevertheless, litigation is uncertain and the Company may not prevail in the lawsuits and can express no opinion as to their ultimate resolution. An adverse judgment in any of these matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
	Please refer to IMH’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a description of litigation and claims.
	Repurchase Reserve
	When the Company sells mortgage loans, it makes customary representations and warranties to the purchasers about various characteristics of each loan such as the origination and underwriting guidelines, including but not limited to the validity of the lien securing the loan, property eligibility, borrower credit, income and asset requirements, and compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. The Company’s whole loan sale agreements generally require it to repurchase loans if the Company breached a representation or warranty given to the loan purchaser.
	In the first quarter of 2015, the Company settled its repurchase liability with FNMA related to its legacy non-conforming mortgage operations.  As part of the agreement, the Company paid FNMA $1.0 million during the first quarter with a final payment of $228 thousand paid in April 2015.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded an additional $871 thousand in repurchase provision. The Company had approximately $5.5 million at March 31, 2015 and $5.7 million at December 31, 2014, in repurchase reserves related to the loans sold since early 2011 by the mortgage lending operation.
	Short-Term Loan Commitments
	The Company uses a portion of its warehouse borrowing capacity to provide secured short-term revolving financing to small and medium-size mortgage originators to finance mortgage loans from the closing of the mortgage loans until sold to investors (Finance Receivables). As of March 31, 2015, the warehouse lending operations had warehouse lines to non-affiliated customers totaling $94 million, of which there was an outstanding balance of $53.3 million in finance receivables compared to $8.4 million as of December 31, 2014. The finance receivables are secured by residential mortgage loans as well as personal guarantees.

Share_Based_Payments

Share Based Payments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share Based Payments
Share Based Payments	Note 16.—Share Based Payments
	The fair value of options granted, which is amortized to expense over the option vesting period, is estimated on the date of grant with the following weighted average assumptions:
			March 31,
			2015
	Risk-free interest rate		1.54		%
	Expected lives (in years)		5.73
	Expected volatility (1)		79.56		%
	Expected dividend yield		0.00		%
	Fair value per share		$	6.74
		-1		Expected volatilities are based on the volatility of the Company’s stock over the expected option term, adjusted for expected mean reversion.
	The following table summarizes activity, pricing and other information for the Company’s stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
					Weighted-
					Average
			Number of		Exercise
			Shares		Price
	Options outstanding at beginning of period		1,078,230		$	6.88
	Options granted		35,000		10.00
	Options exercised		-102,110		0.70
	Options forfeited/cancelled		-48,666		7.84
	Options outstanding at end of period		962,454		$	7.60
	Options exercisable at end of period		433,880		$	8.13
	As of March 31, 2015, there was approximately $1.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option compensation arrangements granted under the plan, net of estimated forfeitures. That cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted average period of 1.9 years.
	There were 35,000 and 5,000 options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the aggregate grant-date fair value of stock options granted was approximately $236 thousand and $22 thousand, respectively.
	The following table summarizes activity, pricing and other information for the Company’s DSU’s, also referred to as deferred stock units as the issuance of the stock is deferred until termination of service, for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
					Weighted-
					Average
			Number of		Grant Date
			Shares		Fair Value
	DSU’s outstanding at beginning of period		75,750		$	8.63
	DSU’s granted		—		—
	DSU’s exercised		—		—
	DSU’s forfeited/cancelled		—		—
	DSU’s outstanding at end of period		75,750		$	8.63
	As of March 31, 2015, there was approximately $146 thousand of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the DSU compensation arrangements granted under the plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions	Note 17.—Related Party Transactions
	In January 2015, the Company entered into a $5.0 million short-term borrowing secured by Ginnie Mae servicing rights with an interest rate of 15%, transaction costs of $50 thousand, and was provided by a related party of the Company. The balance was repaid in March 2015.

Sale_of_AmeriHome

Sale of AmeriHome	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Sale of AmeriHome
Sale of AmeriHome	Note 18.—Sale of AmeriHome
	In March 2014, the Company sold AmeriHome for $10.2 million in cash, recording a gain of approximately $1.2 million, net of a deferred tax adjustment. In conjunction with the transaction, as required by Fannie Mae, the Company used $3.0 million of the proceeds to reduce the legacy repurchase liability with Fannie Mae.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events	Note 19.—Subsequent Events
	On April 1, 2015, the Company issued 494,017 shares of common stock pursuant to the fixed component of the Asset Purchase Agreement for CCM.  As of April 1, 2015, total shares of common stock outstanding were 10,184,432.
	On April 27, 2015, the Company issued a $10.0 million short-term Promissory Note with an interest rate of 15%. The balance was repaid in May 2015.
	In April 2015, the Company, through IRES and its subsidiaries, entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement with a lender providing a $100 million warehouse facility. The interest rate relating to this agreement is the note rate of the mortgage loan collateral securing the line and expires March 2016. Under the terms of this warehouse facility, IRES and its subsidiaries are required to maintain various financial and other covenants.
	On May 8, 2015, the Company issued $25 million Convertible Promissory Notes (Convertible Notes). The Convertible Notes mature on or before May 9, 2020 and accrue interest at a rate of 7.5% per annum, to be paid quarterly.  Note holders may convert all or a portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Notes to shares of IMH common stock at a rate of $21.50 per share, subject to adjustment for stock splits and dividends.  The Company has the right to force a conversion if the stock price of IMH common stock reaches $30.10 for 20 trading days in a 30 day consecutive period.
	Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date of this filing.

Acquisition_of_CashCall_Mortga1

Acquisition of CashCall Mortgage (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Acquisition of CashCall Mortgage
Schedule of preliminary purchase price allocation	The table below presents the preliminary purchase price allocation of the estimated acquisition date fair values of assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of March 31, 2015.
	Consideration paid:
	Cash		$	5,000
	IMH common stock		6,150
	Deferred payments		5,000
	Contingent consideration (1)		124,592
			$	140,742
	Assets acquired:
	Trademark		$	17,251
	Customer list		10,170
	Non-compete agreement		5,701
	Fixed assets and software		3,034
	Total assets acquired		36,156
	Liabilities assumed:
	Total liabilities assumed		—
	Total assets		$	36,156
	Goodwill		$	104,586
		-1		Included within the contingent consideration is $1.4 million of Business Appreciation Rights, as defined above.
Schedule of pro forma results of operations
			For the Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Revenues		$	52,743	$	19,412
	Other (expense) income		-6,724		2,360
	Expenses		-40,831		-32,607
	Pretax net earnings (loss)		$	5,188	$	-10,835

Mortgage_Loans_HeldforSale_Tab

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale
Summary of the unpaid principal balance (UPB ) of mortgage loans held-for-sale by type
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Government (1)		$	179,619	$	156,385
	Conventional (2)		320,188		72,553
	Other (3)		10,415		—
	Fair value adjustment		21,364		10,453
	Total mortgage loans held-for-sale		$	531,586	$	239,391
		-1		Includes all government-insured loans including Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Veterans Affairs (VA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
		-2		Includes loans eligible for sale to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
		-3		Includes ALT-QM and Jumbo loans.
Schedule of gain on loans held-for-sale (LHFS)
			For the Three Months
			Ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Gain on sale of mortgage loans		$	54,992	$	13,798
	Premium from servicing retained loan sales		22,371		3,763
	Unrealized gains (losses) from derivative financial instruments		7,868		-338
	Realized losses from derivative financial instruments		-3,162		-2,171
	Mark to market gain on LHFS		10,911		539
	Direct origination expenses, net		-54,711		-10,759
	Provision for repurchases		-871		-259
	Total gain on sale of loans, net		$	37,398	$	4,573

Mortgage_Servicing_Rights_Tabl

Mortgage Servicing Rights (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Mortgage Servicing Rights
Schedule of hypothetical changes in the fair values of MSRs, caused by assumed immediate changes to key assumptions that are used to determine fair value.
	Mortgage Servicing Rights Sensitivity Analysis		March 31,
			2015
	Fair value of MSRs		$	26,656
	Prepayment Speed:
	Decrease in fair value from 100 basis point (bp) adverse change		-981
	Decrease in fair value from 200 bp adverse change		-1,928
	Discount Rate:
	Decrease in fair value from 100 bp adverse change		-992
	Decrease in fair value from 200 bp adverse change		-1,915
Schedule of Loss on mortgage servicing rights
			For the Three Months
			Ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Loss on sale of mortgage servicing rights		$	-3,474	$	-16
	Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights		-3,094		-961
	Loss on mortgage servicing rights		$	-6,568	$	-977
Mortgage servicing rights
Mortgage Servicing Rights
Schedule of changes in the fair value of MSRs
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Balance at beginning of period		$	24,418	$	35,981
	Additions from servicing retained loan sales		22,371		29,388
	Reductions from bulk sales		-17,039		-27,276
	Reduction from sale of AmeriHome		—		-7,446
	Changes in fair value (1)		-3,094		-6,229
	Fair value of MSRs at end of period		$	26,656	$	24,418
		-1		Changes in fair value are included within loss on mortgage servicing rights in the consolidated statements of operations.
Schedule of the outstanding loans serviced by entity
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Government insured		$	276,041	$	926,502
	Conventional		2,287,649		1,333,853
	Alt-QM		13,425		6,731
	Total loans serviced		$	2,577,115	$	2,267,086

Goodwill_and_Intangible_assets1

Goodwill and Intangible assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible assets.
Summary of changes in carrying amount of goodwill
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	352
	Addition from CCM acquisition	104,586
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	104,938
Summary of preliminary purchase price of intangible assets
		Net Carrying		Weighted Avg.
		Amount		Remaining Life
	Intangible assets:
	Trademark	$	17,251	15
	Customer relationships	10,170		7
	Non-compete agreement	5,701		4
	Total intangible assets acquired	$	33,122

Warehouse_Borrowings_Tables

Warehouse Borrowings (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Warehouse Borrowings.
Schedule of information on warehouse borrowings
			Maximum		Balance Outstanding At
			Borrowing		March 31,		December 31,
			Capacity		2015		2014
	Short-term borrowings:
	Repurchase agreement 1		$	125,000	$	98,897	$	64,907
	Repurchase agreement 2		50,000		48,566		30,523
	Repurchase agreement 3 (1)		75,000		73,515		24,012
	Repurchase agreement 4 (2)		225,000		179,925		107,276
	Repurchase agreement 5		150,000		78,725		—
	Total repurchase agreements		625,000		479,628		226,718
	Other warehouse borrowings (3)		—		72,865		—
	Total warehouse borrowings		$	625,000	$	552,493	$	226,718
		-1		This line expired in April, 2015 and the Company replaced it with a $100.0 million facility, see Note. 19 - Subsequent Events.
		-2		As of March 31, 2015, $53.3 million is attributable to re-warehousing.
		-3		Other warehouse borrowings are borrowings from CashCall as a result of loans funded on CashCall’s warehouse lines, but not yet transferred to the Company’s lines as of March 31, 2015.

Securitized_Mortgage_Trusts_Ta

Securitized Mortgage Trusts (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Securitized Mortgage Trusts
Schedule of trust assets
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Securitized mortgage collateral	$	5,110,983	$	5,249,639
	Real estate owned	19,122		18,800
	Investment securities available-for-sale	88		92
	Total securitized mortgage trust assets	$	5,130,193	$	5,268,531
Schedule of trust liabilities
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Securitized mortgage borrowings	$	5,109,133	$	5,245,860
	Derivative liabilities	4,499		5,447
	Total securitized mortgage trust liabilities	$	5,113,632	$	5,251,307
Schedule of changes in fair value of net trust assets, including trust REO gains (losses)
		For the Three Months
		Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Change in fair value of net trust assets, excluding REO	$	1,794	$	-3,043
	(Losses) gains from REO	-2,670		6,081
	Change in fair value of net trust assets, including trust REO (losses) gains	$	-876	$	3,038

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Schedule of estimated fair value of financial instruments included in consolidated financial statements
			March 31, 2015										December 31, 2014
			Carrying		Estimated Fair Value								Carrying		Estimated Fair Value
			Amount		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	5,635	$	5,635		$	—		$	—	$	10,073	$	10,073	$	—	$	—
	Restricted cash		4,932		4,932			—			—		2,420		2,420		—		—
	Mortgage loans held-for-sale		531,586		—			531,586			—		239,391		—		239,391		—
	Finance receivables		53,340		—			53,340			—		8,358		—		8,358		—
	Mortgage servicing rights		26,656		—			—			26,656		24,418		—		—		24,418
	Derivative assets, lending, net		12,769		—			—			12,769		2,884		—		—		2,884
	Investment securities available-for-sale		88		—			—			88		92		—		—		92
	Securitized mortgage collateral		5,110,983		—			—			5,110,983		5,249,639		—		—		5,249,639
	Warrant		91		—			—			91		84		—		—		84
	Liabilities
	Warehouse borrowings		$	552,493	$	—		$	552,493		$	—	$	226,718	$	—	$	226,718	$	—
	Short-term structured debt		4,156		—			—			4,156		6,000		—		—		6,000
	Line of credit		4,000		—			4,000			—		4,000		—		4,000		—
	Contingent consideration		124,592		—			—			124,592		—		—		—		—
	Convertible notes		20,000		—			—			20,000		20,000		—		—		20,000
	Long-term debt		29,646		—			—			29,646		22,122		—		—		22,122
	Securitized mortgage borrowings		5,109,133		—			—			5,109,133		5,245,860		—		—		5,245,860
	Derivative liabilities, securitized trusts		4,499		—			—			4,499		5,447		—		—		5,447
	Derivative liabilities, lending, net		2,948		—			2,948			—		930		—		930		—
Schedule of assets and liabilities that are measured at estimated fair value on recurring basis
			Recurring Fair Value Measurements
			March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Investment securities available-for-sale		$	—	$	—		$	88		$	—	$	—	$	92
	Mortgage loans held-for-sale		—		531,586			—			—		239,391		—
	Derivative assets, lending, net (1)		—		—			12,769			—		—		2,884
	Mortgage servicing rights		—		—			26,656			—		—		24,418
	Warrant (2)		—		—			91			—		—		84
	Securitized mortgage collateral		—		—			5,110,983			—		—		5,249,639
	Total assets at fair value		$	—	$	531,586		$	5,150,587		$	—	$	239,391	$	5,277,117
	Liabilities
	Securitized mortgage borrowings		$	—	$	—		$	5,109,133		$	—	$	—	$	5,245,860
	Derivative liabilities, securitized trusts (3)		—		—			4,499			—		—		5,447
	Long-term debt		—		—			29,646			—		—		22,122
	Contingent consideration		—		—			124,592			—		—		—
	Derivative liabilities, lending, net (4)		—		2,948			—			—		930		—
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	—	$	2,948		$	5,267,870		$	—	$	930	$	5,273,429
		-1		At March 31, 2015, derivative assets, lending, net included $12.8 million in IRLCs associated with the Company’s mortgage lending operations, and is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2014, derivative assets, lending, net included $3.0 million in IRLCs associated with the Company’s mortgage lending operations, and is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
		-2		Included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
		-3		At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, derivative liabilities, securitized trusts, are included within trust liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
		-4		At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, derivative liabilities, lending, net are included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Schedule of reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
			Level 3 Recurring Fair Value Measurements
			For the three months ended March 31, 2015
			Investment		Securitized			Securitized			Derivative		Mortgage		Interest rate lock		Long-term		Contingent		Warrant
			securities		mortgage			mortgage			liabilities, net,		servicing		commitments,		debt		consideration
			available-for-sale		collateral			borrowings			securitized		rights		net
											trusts
	Fair value, December 31, 2014		$	92	$	5,249,639		$	(5,245,860	)	$	-5,447	$	24,418	$	2,884	$	-22,122	$	—	$	84
	Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
	Interest income (1)		4		17,718			—			—		—		—		—		—		—
	Interest expense (1)		—		—			-56,366			—		—		—		-408		—		—
	Change in fair value		34		-1,854			3,855			-241		-3,094		9,885		-7,116		—		7
	Total gains (losses) included in earnings		38		15,864			-52,511			-241		-3,094		9,885		-7,524		—		7
	Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		—		—			—			—		—		—		—		—		—
	Purchases, issuances and settlements
	Purchases		—		—			—			—		—		—		—		—		—
	Issuances		—		—			—			—		22,371		—		—		-124,592		—
	Settlements		-42		-154,520			189,238			1,189		-17,039		—		—		—		—
	Fair value, March 31, 2015		$	88	$	5,110,983		$	-5,109,133		$	-4,499	$	26,656	$	12,769	$	-29,646	$	-124,592	$	91
	Unrealized gains (losses) still held (2)		$	88	$	-1,261,569		$	3,399,502		$	-4,164	$	26,656	$	12,769	$	41,117	$	-124,592	$	91
	(1)Amounts primarily represent accretion to recognize interest income and interest expense using effective yields based on estimated fair values for trust assets and trust liabilities. The net interest income, including cash received and paid, was $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  The difference between accretion of interest income and expense and the amounts of interest income and expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations is primarily from contractual interest on the securitized mortgage collateral and borrowings.
	(2)Represents the amount of unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 that are still held and reflected in the fair values at March 31, 2015.
			Level 3 Recurring Fair Value Measurements
			For the three months ended March 31, 2014
			Investment		Securitized			Securitized			Derivative		Mortgage		Interest rate lock		Long-term
			securities		mortgage			mortgage			liabilities, net,		servicing		commitments,		debt
			available-for-sale		collateral			borrowings			securitized		rights		net
											trusts
	Fair value, December 31, 2013		$	108	$	5,494,152		$	-5,492,371		$	-10,214	$	35,981	$	913	$	-15,871
	Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
	Interest income (1)		7		9,815			—			—		—		—		—
	Interest expense (1)		—		—			-58,174			—		—		—		-714
	Change in fair value		—		109,886			-112,768			-161		-961		513		-650
	Total gains (losses) included in earnings		7		119,701			-170,942			-161		-961		513		-1,364
	Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		—		—			—			—		—				—
	Purchases, issuances and settlements
	Purchases		—		—			—			—						—
	Issuances		—		—			—			—		3,763		—		—
	Settlements		-11		-153,337			202,255			1,230		-13,704		-11		—
	Fair value, March 31, 2014		$	104	$	5,460,516		$	-5,461,058		$	-9,145	$	25,079	$	1,415	$	-17,235
	Unrealized gains (losses) still held (2)		$	72	$	-1,726,236		$	3,879,070		$	-8,610	$	25,079	$	1,415	$	53,528
		-1		Amounts primarily represent accretion to recognize interest income and interest expense using effective yields based on estimated fair values for trust assets and trust liabilities. The net interest income, including cash received and paid, was $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  The difference between accretion of interest income and expense and the amounts of interest income and expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations is primarily from contractual interest on the securitized mortgage collateral and borrowings.
		-2		Represents the amount of unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 that are still held and reflected in the fair values at March 31, 2014.
Schedule of quantitative information about the valuation techniques and unobservable inputs applied to Level 3 fair value measurements for financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis
	The following table presents quantitative information about the valuation techniques and unobservable inputs applied to Level 3 fair value measurements for financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis at March 31, 2015:
	Financial Instrument		Estimated Fair		Valuation		Unobservable Input		Range of		Weighted
			Value		Technique				Inputs		Average
	Assets and liabilities backed by real estate
	Investment securities available-for-sale,		$	88	DCF		Discount rates		3.2 - 25.0%		4.9	%
	Securitized mortgage collateral, and		5,110,983				Prepayment rates		1.1 - 35.1%		5.5	%
	Securitized mortgage borrowings		-5,109,133				Default rates		0.7 - 11.8%		2.9	%
							Loss severities		1.5 - 62.0%		38.4	%
	Other assets and liabilities
	Mortgage servicing rights		$	26,656	DCF		Discount rate		9.1 - 11.9%		9.2	%
							Prepayment rates		10.4 - 44.4%		10.7	%
	Derivative liabilities, net, securitized trusts		-4,499		DCF		1M forward LIBOR		0.2 - 2.7%		N/A
	Derivative assets - IRLCs, net		12,769		Market pricing		Pull -through rate		42.0 - 99.0%		80.0	%
	Long-term debt		-29,646		DCF		Discount rate		15.0%		15.0	%
	Lease liability		-1,413		DCF		Discount rate		12.0%		12.0	%
	Contingent consideration		-124,592		DCF		Discount rate		15.0%		15.0	%
							Probability of outcomes (1)		10.0 - 45.0%		30.4	%
	DCF =iscounted Cash Flow
	1M = Month
		-1		Probability of outcomes is the probability of projected CCM earnings over the earn-out period based upon three scenarios (base, low and high).
Schedule of changes in recurring fair value measurements included in net earnings (loss)
			Recurring Fair Value Measurements
			Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings
			For the three months ended March 31, 2015
								Change in Fair Value of
			Interest		Interest			Net Trust			Long-term		Other		Gain on sale		Total
			Income (1)		Expense (1)			Assets			Debt		Revenue		of loans, net
	Investment securities available-for-sale		$	4	$	—		$	34		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	38
	Securitized mortgage collateral		17,718		—			-1,854			—		—		—		15,864
	Securitized mortgage borrowings		—		-56,366			3,855			—		—		—		-52,511
	Derivative liabilities, net, securitized trusts		—		—			-241		-2	—		—		—		-241
	Long-term debt		—		-408			—			-7,116		—		—		-7,524
	Mortgage servicing rights (3)		—		—			—			—		-3,094		—		-3,094
	Warrant		—		—			—			—		7		—		7
	Contingent consideration		—		—			—			—		—		—		—
	Mortgage loans held-for-sale		—		—			—			—		—		10,911		10,911
	Derivative assets - IRLCs		—		—			—			—		—		9,885		9,885
	Derivative liabilities - Hedging Instruments		—		—			—			—		—		-2,017		-2,017
	Total		$	17,722	$	-56,774		$	1,794		$	-7,116	$	-3,087	$	18,779	$	-28,682
		-1		Amounts primarily represent accretion to recognize interest income and interest expense using effective yields based on estimated fair values for trust assets and trust liabilities.
		-2		Included in this amount is $898 thousand in changes in the fair value of derivative instruments, offset by $1.1 million in cash payments from the securitization trusts for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
		-3		Included in loss on mortgage servicing rights in the consolidated statements of operations.
			Recurring Fair Value Measurements
			Change in Fair Value Included in Net Loss
			For the three months ended March 31, 2014
								Change in Fair Value of
			Interest		Interest			Net Trust			Long-term		Other		Gain on sale		Total
			Income (1)		Expense (1)			Assets			Debt		Revenue		of loans, net
	Investment securities available-for-sale		$	7	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	7
	Securitized mortgage collateral		9,815		—			109,886			—		—		—		119,701
	Securitized mortgage borrowings		—		-58,174			-112,768			—		—		—		-170,942
	Derivative liabilities, net, securitized trusts		—		—			-161		-2	—		—		—		-161
	Long-term debt		—		-714			—			-650		—		—		-1,364
	Mortgage servicing rights (3)		—		—			—			—		-961		—		-961
	Mortgage loans held-for-sale		—		—			—			—		—		539		539
	Derivative assets - IRLCs		—		—			—			—		—		513		513
	Derivative liabilities - Hedging Instruments		—		—			—			—		—		-851		-851
	Total		$	9,822	$	-58,888		$	-3,043		$	-650	$	-961	$	201	$	-53,519
		-1		Amounts primarily represent accretion to recognize interest income and interest expense using effective yields based on estimated fair values for trust assets and trust liabilities.
		-2		Included in this amount is $1.0 million in change in the fair value of derivative instruments, offset by $1.2 million in cash payments from the securitization trusts for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
		-3		Included in loss on mortgage servicing rights in the consolidated statements of operations.
Schedule of information for derivative assets and liabilities - lending
			Notional Amount					Total Gains (Losses) (1)
			March 31,		March 31,			For the three months ended March 31,
			2015		2014			2015			2014
	Derivative - IRLC’s		$	805,743	$	136,887		$	9,885		$	513
	Derivative - TBA MBS		759,306		186,721			-5,179			-3,022
		-1		Amounts included in gain on sale of loans, net within the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Schedule of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured using nonrecurring fair value measurements
			Nonrecurring Fair Value								Total Gains (Losses) (1)
			Measurements
			March 31, 2015								For the Three Months Ended
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3			March 31, 2015
	REO (2)		$	—	$	14,884		$	—		$	-2,670
	Lease liability (3)		—		—			-1,413			-23
	Deferred charge (4)		—		—			11,212			-309
		-1		Total gains (losses) reflect gains and losses from all nonrecurring measurements during the period.
		-2		Balance represents REO at March 31, 2015 which has been impaired subsequent to foreclosure. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the $2.7 million loss represents additional impairment write-downs attributable to higher expected loss severities on properties held during the period which resulted in a decrease to the net realizable value (NRV).
		-3		For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded a $23 thousand expense, resulting from changes in lease liabilities as a result of changes in our expected minimum future lease payments.
		-4		For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded $309 thousand in income tax expense resulting from impairment write-downs based on changes in estimated cash flows and lives of the related mortgages retained in the securitized mortgage collateral.
			Non-recurring Fair Value								Total Gains (Losses) (1)
			Measurements
			March 31, 2014								For the Three Months Ended
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3			March 31, 2014
	REO (2)		$	—	$	4,209		$	—		$	6,081
	Lease liability (3)		—		—			-2,048			-569
		-1		Total gains (losses) reflect gains and losses from all nonrecurring measurements during the period.
		-2		Balance represents REO at March 31, 2014 which has been impaired subsequent to foreclosure. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the $6.1 million gain represents recovery of the net realizable value (NRV) attributable to an improvement in state specific loss severities on properties held during the period which resulted in an increase to NRV.
		-3		For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded $569 thousand in impairment, resulting from changes in lease liabilities as a result of changes in our expected minimum future lease payments.

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes
Schedule of a reconciliation of income taxes to the statutory federal corporate income tax rates
		2015			2014
		Amount		%	Amount		%
	Federal rate	$	3,594	35.0	$	-918	35.0
	State tax, net of federal benefit	515		5.0	-142		5.4
	Change in valuation allowance - current period	-3,702		-36.1	1,398		-53.2
	Change in valuation allowance - future years	-24,420		-237.8	—		—
	Deferred charge	309		3.0	—		—
	Other permanent items	—		—	4		-0.2
	Total tax (benefit) expense	$	-23,704	-230.9	$	342	-13

Reconciliation_of_Earnings_Per1

Reconciliation of Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reconciliation of Earnings Per Share
Schedule of computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share
			For the Three Months
			Ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to IMH common stockholders		$	33,972	$	-2,966
	Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to IMH common stockholders		$	33,972	$	-2,966
	Interest expense attributable to convertible notes		375		—
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to IMH common stockholders plus interest expense attributable to convertible notes		$	34,347	$	-2,966
	Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share (1):
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding during the year		9,609		9,061
	Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share (1):
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding during the year		9,609		9,061
	Net effect of dilutive convertible notes		1,839		—
	Net effect of dilutive stock options and DSU’s		241		—
	Diluted weighted average common shares		11,689		9,061
	Net earnings (loss) per common share:
	Basic		$	3.54	$	-0.33
	Diluted		$	2.94	$	-0.33
		-1		Number of shares presented in thousands.

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting
Schedule of the selected statement of operations information by reporting segment
	Statement of Operations Items for the		Mortgage		Real Estate		Long-term		Corporate
	three months ended March 31, 2015:		Lending		Services		Portfolio		and other		Consolidated
	Gain on sale of loans, net		$	37,398	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	37,398
	Real estate services fees, net		—		2,742		—		—		2,742
	Servicing income, net		635		—		—		—		635
	Loss on mortgage servicing rights		-6,568		—		—		—		-6,568
	Other revenue		17		—		61		58		136
	Other income (expense)		368		—		-6,791		-511		-6,934
	Total expense		-13,315		-1,655		-111		-2,060		-17,141
	Net earnings (loss) before income taxes		$	18,535	$	1,087	$	-6,841	$	-2,513	10,268
	Income tax benefit										-23,704
	Net earnings										33,972
	Statement of Operations Items for the		Mortgage		Real Estate		Long-term		Corporate
	three months ended March 31, 2014:		Lending		Services		Portfolio		and other		Consolidated
	Gain on sale of loans, net		$	4,573	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	4,573
	Real estate services fees, net		—		3,679		—		—		3,679
	Servicing income, net		1,569		—		—		—		1,569
	Loss on mortgage servicing rights		-977		—		—		—		-977
	Other revenue		1,216		—		169		—		1,385
	Other income (expense)		156		1		2,319		-401		2,075
	Total expense		-9,062		-1,522		-241		-4,103		-14,928
	Net (loss) earnings before income taxes		$	-2,525	$	2,158	$	2,247	$	-4,504	-2,624
	Income tax expense										342
	Net loss										-2,966
			Mortgage		Real Estate		Long-term		Corporate
							Mortgage
	Balance Sheet Items as of:		Lending		Services		Portfolio		and other		Consolidated
	Total Assets at March 31, 2015 (1)		$	783,924	$	2,821	$	5,141,474	$	28,449	$	5,956,668
	Total Assets at December 31, 2014 (1)		$	291,829	$	2,672	$	5,280,274	$	3,797	$	5,578,572
		-1		All segment asset balances exclude intercompany balances.

Share_Based_Payments_Tables

Share Based Payments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share Based Payments
Schedule of weighted average assumptions used in estimation of the fair value of options granted
			March 31,
			2015
	Risk-free interest rate		1.54		%
	Expected lives (in years)		5.73
	Expected volatility (1)		79.56		%
	Expected dividend yield		0.00		%
	Fair value per share		$	6.74
		-1		Expected volatilities are based on the volatility of the Company’s stock over the expected option term, adjusted for expected mean reversion.
Summary of activity, pricing and other information for the Company's stock options
	The following table summarizes activity, pricing and other information for the Company’s stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
					Weighted-
					Average
			Number of		Exercise
			Shares		Price
	Options outstanding at beginning of period		1,078,230		$	6.88
	Options granted		35,000		10.00
	Options exercised		-102,110		0.70
	Options forfeited/cancelled		-48,666		7.84
	Options outstanding at end of period		962,454		$	7.60
	Options exercisable at end of period		433,880		$	8.13
Summary of activity, pricing and other information for the Company's (DSU's)
	The following table summarizes activity, pricing and other information for the Company’s DSU’s, also referred to as deferred stock units as the issuance of the stock is deferred until termination of service, for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
					Weighted-
					Average
			Number of		Grant Date
			Shares		Fair Value
	DSU’s outstanding at beginning of period		75,750		$	8.63
	DSU’s granted		—		—
	DSU’s exercised		—		—
	DSU’s forfeited/cancelled		—		—
	DSU’s outstanding at end of period		75,750		$	8.63

Acquisition_of_CashCall_Mortga2

Acquisition of CashCall Mortgage (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 06, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets acquired:
Goodwill	$104,938,000			$352,000
Unaudited Pro Forma Results of Operations
Revenues	52,743,000	19,412,000
Other (expense) income	-6,724,000	2,360,000
Expenses	-40,831,000	-32,607,000
Pretax net earnings (loss)	5,188,000	-10,835,000
Revenues	34,343,000	10,229,000
Other income (expense)	-6,934,000	2,075,000
Expenses	17,141,000	14,928,000
Cash Call Inc
Business combinations
Period of contingent earn-out based on percentage of pre-tax profits			3 years
Average percentage of pre-tax profits expected for contingent earn-out			100.00%
Percentage of pre-tax profits expected for contingent earn-out for the month of January and February of 2015			65.00%
Newly issued unregistered shares			494,017
Period for newly issued unregistered shares			10 months
Percentage of pre-tax profits expected for contingent earn-out in second year			55.00%
Percentage of pre-tax profits expected for contingent earn-out in third year			45.00%
Threshold percentage of ownership transfer considered			50.00%
Percentage of payment on enterprise value			15.00%
Amount of enterprise value considered for payment			200,000,000
Additional percentage of payment on enterprise value			5.00%
Additional percentage of payment on enterprise value			500,000,000
Consideration paid:
Cash	5,000,000		10,000,000
IMH common stock	6,150,000
Deferred payments	5,000,000
Contingent consideration	124,592,000
Consideration paid, total	140,742,000
Assets acquired:
Fixed assets and software	3,034,000
Total assets acquired	36,156,000
Total assets	36,156,000
Goodwill	104,586,000
Contingent consideration of business appreciation rights	1,400,000
Acquisition related costs	300,000
Unaudited Pro Forma Results of Operations
Revenues	45,700,000
Other income (expense)	210,000
Expenses	18,600,000
Trademark | Cash Call Inc
Assets acquired:
Identifiable intangible assets	17,251,000
Customer list | Cash Call Inc
Assets acquired:
Identifiable intangible assets	10,170,000
Non-compete agreement | Cash Call Inc
Assets acquired:
Identifiable intangible assets	$5,701,000

Mortgage_Loans_HeldforSale_Det

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Mortgage Loans held-for-Sale
Total mortgage loans held-for-sale	$531,586		$239,391
Gain on LHFS
Premium from servicing retained loan sales	635	1,569
Provision for repurchases	-871	-259
Total gain on sale of loans, net	19,192	4,433
Government
Mortgage Loans held-for-Sale
Total mortgage loans held-for-sale	179,619		156,385
Conventional
Mortgage Loans held-for-Sale
Total mortgage loans held-for-sale	320,188		72,553
Other
Mortgage Loans held-for-Sale
Total mortgage loans held-for-sale	10,415
Mortgage loans, held-for-sale
Mortgage Loans held-for-Sale
Fair value adjustment	21,364		10,453
Gain on LHFS
Gain on sale of mortgage loans	54,992	13,798
Premium from servicing retained loan sales	22,371	3,763
Unrealized gains (losses) from derivative financial instruments	7,868	-338
Realized losses from derivative financial instruments	-3,162	-2,171
Mark to market gain on LHFS	10,911	539
Direct origination expenses, net	-54,711	-10,759
Provision for repurchases	-871	-259
Total gain on sale of loans, net	$37,398	$4,573

Mortgage_Servicing_Rights_Deta

Mortgage Servicing Rights (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Changes in the fair value of MSRs
Balance at beginning of period	$24,418
Fair value of MSRs at end of period	26,656
Total loans serviced	2,577,115		2,267,086
Mortgage Servicing Rights Sensitivity Analysis
Loss on sale of mortgage servicing rights	-3,474	-16
Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights	-3,094	-961
Loss on mortgage servicing rights	-6,568	-977
Alt-QM
Changes in the fair value of MSRs
Total loans serviced	13,425		6,731
Government
Changes in the fair value of MSRs
Total loans serviced	276,041		926,502
Conventional
Changes in the fair value of MSRs
Total loans serviced	2,287,649		1,333,853
Mortgage servicing rights
Changes in the fair value of MSRs
Balance at beginning of period	24,418	35,981
Additions from servicing retained loan sales	22,371	29,388
Reduction from sales	-17,039	-27,276
Changes in fair value	-3,094	-6,229
Fair value of MSRs at end of period	26,656	24,418
Mortgage Servicing Rights Sensitivity Analysis
Fair value of MSRs	26,656
Prepayment Speed, Decrease in fair value from 100 basis point (bp) adverse change	-981
Prepayment Speed, Decrease in fair value from 200 bps adverse change	-1,928
Discount Rate, Decrease in fair value from 100 bps adverse change	-992
Discount Rate, Decrease in fair value from 200 bps adverse change	-1,915
Mortgage servicing rights | AmeriHome
Changes in the fair value of MSRs
Reduction from sales		($7,446)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_assets2

Goodwill and Intangible assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$352
Addition from CCM acquisition	104,586
Goodwill, Ending Balance	104,938
Purchase price of intangible assets
Total intangible assets acquired	33,122
Trademark
Purchase price of intangible assets
Total intangible assets acquired	17,251
Weighted Avg. Remaining Life	15 years
Customer Relationships
Purchase price of intangible assets
Total intangible assets acquired	10,170
Weighted Avg. Remaining Life	7 years
Non-compete agreement
Purchase price of intangible assets
Total intangible assets acquired	$5,701
Weighted Avg. Remaining Life	4 years

Warehouse_Borrowings_Details

Warehouse Borrowings (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015
Warehouse Borrowings
Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$625,000,000
Warehouse borrowings	552,493,000	226,718,000
Warehouse Borrowings
Warehouse Borrowings
Maximum Borrowing Capacity	625,000,000
Warehouse borrowings	479,628,000	226,718,000
Repurchase agreement 1
Warehouse Borrowings
Maximum Borrowing Capacity	125,000,000
Warehouse borrowings	98,897,000	64,907,000
Repurchase agreement 2
Warehouse Borrowings
Maximum Borrowing Capacity	50,000,000
Warehouse borrowings	48,566,000	30,523,000
Repurchase agreement 3
Warehouse Borrowings
Maximum Borrowing Capacity	75,000,000
Warehouse borrowings	73,515,000	24,012,000
Repurchase agreement 4
Warehouse Borrowings
Maximum Borrowing Capacity	225,000,000
Warehouse borrowings	179,925,000	107,276,000
Amount outstanding for re-warehousing	53,300,000
Repurchase agreement 5
Warehouse Borrowings
Maximum Borrowing Capacity	150,000,000
Warehouse borrowings	78,725,000
Other warehouse borrowings
Warehouse Borrowings
Warehouse borrowings	72,865,000
Replaced warehouse facility | Subsequent Event
Warehouse Borrowings
Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$100,000,000

Convertible_Notes_Details

Convertible Notes (Details) (Convertible Notes., USD $)	Apr. 30, 2013
Convertible Notes.
Convertible Notes
Amount of debt issued	$20,000,000
Accrued interest rate of debt (as a percent)	7.50%

Line_of_Credit_Agreement_Detai

Line of Credit Agreement (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
Line of Credit Agreement
Maximum borrowing capacity		$625,000,000
Variable interest rate base	LIBOR
Interest margin over base rate (as a percent)	5.75%
Working capital line of credit agreement
Line of Credit Agreement
Maximum borrowing capacity	4,000,000	4,000,000
Variable interest rate base		one-month LIBOR
Interest margin over base rate (as a percent)		3.50%
Outstanding balance	4,000,000	$4,000,000

ShortTerm_Structured_Debt_Deta

Short-Term Structured Debt (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
	item
Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	5.75%
Minimum distributions from collateral to be received by holder	$500,000,000
Structured debt agreement
Convertible Notes
Debt issued	6,000,000	4,200,000
Number of residual interests used as collateral for structured debt facility	8
Repayment of the previous debt by using proceeds of new debt	6,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of payoff and transaction costs	$60,000

Securitized_Mortgage_Trusts_De

Securitized Mortgage Trusts (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Trust Assets
Securitized mortgage collateral	$5,110,983		$5,249,639
Real estate owned	19,122		18,800
Investment securities available-for-sale	88		92
Total securitized mortgage trust assets	5,130,193		5,268,531
Trust Liabilities
Securitized mortgage borrowings	5,109,133		5,245,860
Derivative liabilities	4,499		5,447
Total trust liabilities	5,113,632		5,251,307
Change in fair value of net trust assets, including trust REO gains (losses)
Change in fair value of net trust assets, excluding REO	1,794	-3,043
(Losses) gains from REO	-2,670	6,081
Change in fair value of net trust assets, including trust REO (losses) gains	($876)	$3,038

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Level 2 | Derivative liabilities, lending
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	$2,948	$930
Level 3 | Contingent consideration
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	124,592
Level 3 | Investment securities available-for-sale | Contingent consideration
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	124,592
Level 3 | Warrant
Assets
Assets fair value	91	84
Carrying Amount | Warehouse Borrowings
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	552,493	226,718
Carrying Amount | Short-term structured debt
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	4,156	6,000
Carrying Amount | Working capital line of credit agreement
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	4,000	4,000
Carrying Amount | Contingent consideration
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	124,592
Carrying Amount | Convertible Notes.
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	20,000	20,000
Carrying Amount | Long-term debt.
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	29,646	22,122
Carrying Amount | Securitized mortgage borrowings
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	5,109,133	5,245,860
Carrying Amount | Derivative liabilities, securitized trusts
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	4,499	5,447
Carrying Amount | Derivative liabilities, lending
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	2,948	930
Carrying Amount | Cash and cash equivalents
Assets
Assets fair value	5,635	10,073
Carrying Amount | Restricted cash
Assets
Assets fair value	4,932	2,420
Carrying Amount | Mortgage loans held-for-sale
Assets
Assets fair value	531,586	239,391
Carrying Amount | Financing receivable
Assets
Assets fair value	53,340	8,358
Carrying Amount | Mortgage servicing rights
Assets
Assets fair value	26,656	24,418
Carrying Amount | Derivative assets, lending, net
Assets
Assets fair value	12,769	2,884
Carrying Amount | Investment securities available-for-sale
Assets
Assets fair value	88	92
Carrying Amount | Securitized mortgage collateral
Assets
Assets fair value	5,110,983	5,249,639
Carrying Amount | Warrant
Assets
Assets fair value	91	84
Estimated Fair Value | Level 1 | Cash and cash equivalents
Assets
Assets fair value	5,635	10,073
Estimated Fair Value | Level 1 | Restricted cash
Assets
Assets fair value	4,932	2,420
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | Warehouse Borrowings
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	552,493	226,718
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | Working capital line of credit agreement
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	4,000	4,000
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | Derivative liabilities, lending
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	2,948	930
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | Mortgage loans held-for-sale
Assets
Assets fair value	531,586	239,391
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | Financing receivable
Assets
Assets fair value	53,340	8,358
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | Short-term structured debt
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	4,156	6,000
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | Contingent consideration
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	124,592
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | Convertible Notes.
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	20,000	20,000
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | Long-term debt.
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	29,646	22,122
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | Securitized mortgage borrowings
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	5,109,133	5,245,860
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | Derivative liabilities, securitized trusts
Liabilities
Liabilities fair value	4,499	5,447
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | Mortgage servicing rights
Assets
Assets fair value	26,656	24,418
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | Derivative assets, lending, net
Assets
Assets fair value	12,769	2,884
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | Investment securities available-for-sale
Assets
Assets fair value	88	92
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | Securitized mortgage collateral
Assets
Assets fair value	5,110,983	5,249,639
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | Warrant
Assets
Assets fair value	$91	$84

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Level 3
Fair Value Measurements
Percentage of level three assets to total assets measured at fair value	91.00%	96.00%
Percentage of level three Liabilities to total Liabilities measured at fair value	99.00%	99.00%
Contingent consideration | Level 3
Liabilities
Total liabilities at fair value	124,592
Investment securities available-for-sale | Contingent consideration | Level 3
Liabilities
Total liabilities at fair value	124,592
Warrant | Level 3
Assets
Total assets at fair value	91	84
Recurring basis | Level 2
Assets
Total assets at fair value	531,586	239,391
Liabilities
Total liabilities at fair value	2,948	930
Recurring basis | Level 3
Assets
Total assets at fair value	5,150,587	5,277,117
Liabilities
Total liabilities at fair value	5,267,870	5,273,429
Recurring basis | Securitized mortgage borrowings | Level 3
Liabilities
Total liabilities at fair value	5,109,133	5,245,860
Recurring basis | Derivative liabilities, securitized trusts | Level 3
Liabilities
Total liabilities at fair value	4,499	5,447
Recurring basis | Long-term debt. | Level 3
Liabilities
Total liabilities at fair value	29,646	22,122
Recurring basis | Investment securities available-for-sale | Level 3
Assets
Total assets at fair value	88	92
Recurring basis | Mortgage loans held-for-sale | Level 2
Assets
Total assets at fair value	531,586	239,391
Recurring basis | Derivative assets, lending | Level 3
Assets
Total assets at fair value	12,769	2,884
Recurring basis | Derivative assets, lending | Interest rate lock commitments (IRLCs) | Level 3
Assets
Total assets at fair value		3,000
Recurring basis | Mortgage servicing rights | Level 3
Assets
Total assets at fair value	26,656	24,418
Recurring basis | Securitized mortgage collateral | Level 3
Assets
Total assets at fair value	5,110,983	5,249,639

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru4

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in fair value of liabilities during the period
Fair value in the beginning of the period	($84,000)
Total gains (losses) included in earnings	7,000
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Fair value at the end of the period	-91,000
Unrealized gains (losses) still held	91,000
Level 3
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Net interest income including cash received and paid	2,200,000	1,000,000
Change in fair value
Changes in fair value of liabilities during the period
Total gains (losses) included in earnings	7,000
Securitized mortgage borrowings
Changes in fair value of liabilities during the period
Fair value in the beginning of the period	-5,245,860,000	-5,492,371,000
Total gains (losses) included in earnings	-52,511,000	-170,942,000
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Settlements	189,238,000	202,255,000
Fair value at the end of the period	-5,109,133,000	-5,461,058,000
Unrealized gains (losses) still held	3,399,502,000	3,879,070,000
Securitized mortgage borrowings | Interest expense.
Changes in fair value of liabilities during the period
Total gains (losses) included in earnings	-56,366,000	-58,174,000
Securitized mortgage borrowings | Change in fair value
Changes in fair value of liabilities during the period
Total gains (losses) included in earnings	3,855,000	-112,768,000
Derivative liabilities, securitized trusts
Changes in fair value of liabilities during the period
Fair value in the beginning of the period	-5,447,000	-10,214,000
Total gains (losses) included in earnings	241,000	-161,000
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Settlements	1,189,000	1,230,000
Fair value at the end of the period	-4,499,000	-9,145,000
Unrealized gains (losses) still held	-4,164,000	-8,610,000
Derivative liabilities, securitized trusts | Change in fair value
Changes in fair value of liabilities during the period
Total gains (losses) included in earnings	-241,000	-161,000
Long-term debt.
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Total (losses) gains included in earnings	-7,524,000
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Unrealized gains (losses) still held	41,117,000
Changes in fair value of liabilities during the period
Fair value in the beginning of the period	-22,122,000	-15,871,000
Total gains (losses) included in earnings		-1,364,000
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Fair value at the end of the period	-29,646,000	-17,235,000
Unrealized gains (losses) still held		53,528,000
Long-term debt. | Interest expense.
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Total (losses) gains included in earnings	-408,000
Changes in fair value of liabilities during the period
Total gains (losses) included in earnings		-714,000
Long-term debt. | Change in fair value
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Total (losses) gains included in earnings	-7,116,000
Changes in fair value of liabilities during the period
Total gains (losses) included in earnings		-650,000
Contingent consideration
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Issuances	-124,592,000
Unrealized gains (losses) still held	-124,592,000
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Fair value at the end of the period	-124,592,000
Investment securities available-for-sale
Changes in fair value of assets during the period
Fair value at the beginning of the period	92,000	108,000
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Total (losses) gains included in earnings	38,000	7,000
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Settlements	-42,000	-11,000
Fair value at the end of the period	88,000	104,000
Unrealized gains (losses) still held	88,000	72,000
Investment securities available-for-sale | Interest income
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Total (losses) gains included in earnings	4,000	7,000
Investment securities available-for-sale | Change in fair value
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Total (losses) gains included in earnings	34,000
Securitized mortgage collateral
Changes in fair value of assets during the period
Fair value at the beginning of the period	5,249,639,000	5,494,152,000
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Total (losses) gains included in earnings	15,864,000	119,701,000
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Settlements	-154,520,000	-153,337,000
Fair value at the end of the period	5,110,983,000	5,460,516,000
Unrealized gains (losses) still held	-1,261,569,000	-1,726,236,000
Securitized mortgage collateral | Interest income
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Total (losses) gains included in earnings	17,718,000	9,815,000
Securitized mortgage collateral | Change in fair value
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Total (losses) gains included in earnings	-1,854,000	109,886,000
Mortgage servicing rights
Changes in fair value of assets during the period
Fair value at the beginning of the period	24,418,000	35,981,000
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Total (losses) gains included in earnings	-3,094,000	-961,000
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Issuances	22,371,000	3,763,000
Settlements	-17,039,000	-13,704,000
Fair value at the end of the period	26,656,000	25,079,000
Unrealized gains (losses) still held	26,656,000	25,079,000
Mortgage servicing rights | Change in fair value
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Total (losses) gains included in earnings	-3,094,000	-961,000
Interest rate lock commitments (IRLCs)
Changes in fair value of assets during the period
Fair value at the beginning of the period	2,884,000	913,000
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Total (losses) gains included in earnings	9,885,000	513,000
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Settlements		-11,000
Fair value at the end of the period	12,769,000	1,415,000
Unrealized gains (losses) still held	12,769,000	1,415,000
Interest rate lock commitments (IRLCs) | Change in fair value
Total gains (losses) included in earnings:
Total (losses) gains included in earnings	$9,885,000	$513,000

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru5

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 4) (Level 3, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Securitized mortgage borrowings | DCF
Valuation techniques
Estimated fair value of liabilities	($5,109,133)
Unobservable input
Loss severities (as a percent)	38.40%
Securitized mortgage borrowings | DCF | Minimum
Unobservable input
Default rates (as a percent)	0.70%
Loss severities (as a percent)	1.50%
Securitized mortgage borrowings | DCF | Maximum
Unobservable input
Default rates (as a percent)	11.80%
Loss severities (as a percent)	62.00%
Derivative liabilities, securitized trusts | DCF
Valuation techniques
Estimated fair value of liabilities	-4,499
Unobservable input
Variable rate basis	1M forward LIBOR
Derivative liabilities, securitized trusts | DCF | Minimum
Unobservable input
Variable rate (as a percent)	0.20%
Derivative liabilities, securitized trusts | DCF | Maximum
Unobservable input
Variable rate (as a percent)	2.70%
Long-term debt. | DCF
Valuation techniques
Estimated fair value of liabilities	-29,646
Unobservable input
Discount rates (as a percent)	15.00%
Lease Liability | DCF
Valuation techniques
Estimated fair value of liabilities	-1,413
Unobservable input
Discount rates (as a percent)	12.00%
Contingent consideration
Valuation techniques
Estimated fair value of liabilities	-124,592
Contingent consideration | DCF
Unobservable input
Discount rates (as a percent)	15.00%
Contingent consideration | DCF | Minimum
Unobservable input
Probability of outcomes	10.00%
Contingent consideration | DCF | Maximum
Unobservable input
Probability of outcomes	45.00%
Contingent consideration | DCF | weighted Average
Unobservable input
Probability of outcomes	30.40%
Investment securities available-for-sale | DCF
Valuation techniques
Estimated fair value of assets	88
Unobservable input
Discount rates (as a percent)	4.90%
Investment securities available-for-sale | DCF | Minimum
Unobservable input
Discount rates (as a percent)	3.20%
Investment securities available-for-sale | DCF | Maximum
Unobservable input
Discount rates (as a percent)	25.00%
Investment securities available-for-sale | Contingent consideration
Valuation techniques
Estimated fair value of liabilities	-124,592
Securitized mortgage collateral | DCF
Valuation techniques
Estimated fair value of assets	5,110,983
Unobservable input
Prepayment rates (as a percent)	5.50%
Securitized mortgage collateral | DCF | Minimum
Unobservable input
Prepayment rates (as a percent)	1.10%
Securitized mortgage collateral | DCF | Maximum
Unobservable input
Prepayment rates (as a percent)	35.10%
Mortgage servicing rights | DCF
Valuation techniques
Estimated fair value of assets	26,656
Unobservable input
Discount rates (as a percent)	9.20%
Prepayment rates (as a percent)	10.70%
Default rates (as a percent)	2.90%
Mortgage servicing rights | DCF | Minimum
Unobservable input
Discount rates (as a percent)	9.10%
Prepayment rates (as a percent)	10.40%
Mortgage servicing rights | DCF | Maximum
Unobservable input
Discount rates (as a percent)	11.90%
Prepayment rates (as a percent)	44.40%
Derivative assets, lending, net | DCF
Unobservable input
Pull-through rate (as a percent)	80.00%
Derivative assets, lending, net | Market pricing
Valuation techniques
Estimated fair value of assets	$12,769
Derivative assets, lending, net | Market pricing | Minimum
Unobservable input
Pull-through rate (as a percent)	42.00%
Derivative assets, lending, net | Market pricing | Maximum
Unobservable input
Pull-through rate (as a percent)	99.00%

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru6

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in the fair value of trust assets, excluding REO	$1,794,000	($3,043,000)
Change in fair value of net trust assets, excluding REO	2,932,000	-1,852,000
Securitized Mortgage Borrowings
Outstanding principal balance of securitized mortgage borrowings	2,577,115,000		2,267,086,000
Recurring basis
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Total	-28,682,000	-53,519,000
Recurring basis | Interest income
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Total	17,722,000	9,822,000
Recurring basis | Interest expense.
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Total	-56,774,000	-58,888,000
Recurring basis | Change in Fair Value of Net Trust Assets
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Total	1,794,000	-3,043,000
Recurring basis | Change in Fair Value of Long-term Debt
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Total	-7,116,000	-650,000
Recurring basis | Other revenue
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Total	-3,087,000	-961,000
Recurring basis | Gain on sale of loans, net
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Total	18,779,000	201,000
Recurring basis | Warrant
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of liabilities	7,000
Recurring basis | Warrant | Other revenue
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of liabilities	7,000
Recurring basis | Securitized mortgage borrowings
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	52,511,000
Change in fair value of liabilities		-170,942,000
Recurring basis | Securitized mortgage borrowings | Interest expense.
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	56,366,000
Change in fair value of liabilities		-58,174,000
Recurring basis | Securitized mortgage borrowings | Change in Fair Value of Net Trust Assets
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	-3,855,000
Change in fair value of liabilities		-112,768,000
Recurring basis | Long-term debt.
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	7,524,000
Change in fair value of liabilities		-1,364,000
Recurring basis | Long-term debt. | Interest expense.
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	408,000
Change in fair value of liabilities		-714,000
Recurring basis | Long-term debt. | Change in Fair Value of Long-term Debt
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	7,116,000
Change in fair value of liabilities		-650,000
Recurring basis | Derivative liabilities, net, securitized trusts
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of liabilities	-241,000	-161,000
Recurring basis | Derivative liabilities, net, securitized trusts | Change in Fair Value of Net Trust Assets
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of liabilities	-241,000	-161,000
Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments	898,000,000	1,000,000
Cash payments from the securitization trusts	1,100,000	1,200,000
Recurring basis | Derivative liabilities, net, securitized trusts | Hedging Instruments
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of liabilities	-2,017,000	-851,000
Recurring basis | Derivative liabilities, net, securitized trusts | Hedging Instruments | Gain on sale of loans, net
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of liabilities	-2,017,000	-851,000
Recurring basis | Investment securities available-for-sale
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	38,000	7,000
Recurring basis | Investment securities available-for-sale | Interest income
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	4,000	7,000
Recurring basis | Investment securities available-for-sale | Change in Fair Value of Net Trust Assets
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	34,000
Recurring basis | Securitized mortgage collateral
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	15,864,000	119,701,000
Recurring basis | Securitized mortgage collateral | Interest income
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	17,718,000	9,815,000
Recurring basis | Securitized mortgage collateral | Change in Fair Value of Net Trust Assets
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	-1,854,000	109,886,000
Recurring basis | Mortgage servicing rights
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	-3,094,000	-961,000
Recurring basis | Mortgage servicing rights | Other revenue
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	-3,094,000	-961,000
Recurring basis | Mortgage loans held-for-sale
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	10,911,000	539,000
Recurring basis | Mortgage loans held-for-sale | Gain on sale of loans, net
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	10,911,000	539,000
Recurring basis | Derivative assets-IRLCs
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets		513,000
Recurring basis | Derivative assets-IRLCs | Gain on sale of loans, net
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets		513,000
Recurring basis | Derivative assets-IRLCs | Interest rate lock commitments (IRLCs)
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	9,885,000
Recurring basis | Derivative assets-IRLCs | Interest rate lock commitments (IRLCs) | Gain on sale of loans, net
Change in Fair Value Included in Net Earnings (Loss)
Change in fair value of assets	9,885,000
Recurring basis | Level 3
Derivative assets and liabilities
Notional balance of derivative assets and liabilities, securitized trusts	88,300,000
Recurring basis | Level 3 | Long-term debt.
Long-term debt
Long-term debt unpaid principal balance	70,500,000
Estimated fair value of long-term debt	29,600,000
Difference between aggregate unpaid principal balances and fair value of long-term debt	40,900,000
Recurring basis | Level 3 | Securitized mortgage collateral
Securitized mortgage collateral
Unpaid principal balance of securitized mortgage collateral	6,400,000,000
Estimated fair value of securitized mortgage collateral	5,100,000,000
Difference between aggregate unpaid principal balance and fair value of securitized mortgage collateral	1,300,000,000
Unpaid principal balance of loans 90 days or more past due	1,000,000,000
Estimated fair value of loans 90 days or more past due	400,000,000
Difference between aggregate unpaid principal balances and fair value of mortgage loans	600,000,000
Securitized Mortgage Borrowings
Outstanding principal balance of securitized mortgage borrowings	6,300,000,000
Estimated fair value of securitized mortgage borrowings	5,100,000,000
Bond losses	2,200,000,000
Difference between aggregate unpaid principal balances and fair value of securitized mortgage borrowings	$1,200,000,000

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru7

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 6 (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative liabilities, net, securitized trusts | TBA's
Derivative assets and liabilities - lending
Derivative liabilities, Notional Balance	$759,306		$186,721
Total Gains (Losses)	-5,179	-3,022
Impac Mortgage Corp.
Derivative assets and liabilities - lending
Maximum percentage of ownership interest in acquiree for which warrants were issued	9.90%
Expiration term of warrants after the termination of the	60 days
Maximum book value at exercise date based off of the net income multiplier of acquiree for the following 12 months which is added to determine exercise price of the warrant	0.2
Percentage to receive regulatory approval for sale of warrant	9.90%
Period within which holder of the warrant is to be paid redemption price in cash	30 days
Derivative assets-IRLCs | Interest rate lock commitments (IRLCs)
Derivative assets and liabilities - lending
Derivative liabilities, Notional Balance	805,743		136,887
Total Gains (Losses)	$9,885	$513

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru8

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 7) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Total Gains (Losses)
Deferred charge, tax expense on impairment write-downs	($309,000)
Impairment of deferred charge	309,000	0
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
Total Gains (Losses)
Additional impairment write-downs attributable to higher expected loss severities on properties held	-2,670,000	6,081,000
Losses from changes in lease liabilities as a result of changes in expected minimum future lease payments	-23,000	-569,000
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements | Discontinued Operations
Total Gains (Losses)
Losses from changes in lease liabilities as a result of changes in expected minimum future lease payments	23,000	569,000
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements | Continuing operations
Total Gains (Losses)
Gains (losses) resulting from recovery (impairment write-downs) of the net realizable value	2,700,000	6,100,000
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements | Level 2
Fair Value Measurements
REO	14,884,000	4,209,000
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements | Level 3
Fair Value Measurements
Lease liability	-1,413,000	-2,048,000
Deferred charge	$11,212,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax [Line Items]
Income tax (benefit) expense from continuing operations	($23,704,000)	$342,000
Deferred taxes realizable in future years	24,400,000
Net deferred tax asset			163,200,000
Reconciliation of income taxes to the expected statutory federal corporate income tax rates
Federal Rate	3,594,000	-918,000
State tax, net of federal benefit	515,000	-142,000
Change in valuation allowance - current period	-3,702,000	1,398,000
Change in valuation allowance - future years	-24,420,000
Deferred charge	309,000
Other permanent items		4,000
Total tax (benefit) expense	-23,704,000	342,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract]
Federal rate (as a percent)	35.00%	35.00%
State tax, net of federal benefit ( as a percent)	5.00%	5.40%
Change in valuation allowance - current period (as a percent)	-36.10%	-53.20%
Change in valuation allowance - future years (as a percent)	-237.80%
Deferred charge (as a percent)	3.00%
Other permanent items (as a percent)		-0.20%
Total income tax (benefit) expense (as a percent)	-230.90%	-13.00%
AmeriHome
Income Tax [Line Items]
Income tax (benefit) expense from continuing operations		300,000
Reconciliation of income taxes to the expected statutory federal corporate income tax rates
Total tax (benefit) expense		$300,000

Reconciliation_of_Earnings_Per2

Reconciliation of Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator for basic earnings ( loss) per share:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to IMH common stockholders	$33,972	($2,966)
Numerator for diluted loss per share:
Net earnings (loss)	33,972	-2,966
Interest expense attributable to convertible notes	375
Net earnings (loss) attributable to IMH common stockholders plus interest expense attributable to convertible notes	$34,347	($2,966)
Denominator for basic earnings ( loss) per share:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding during the year	9,609	9,061
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding during the year	9,609	9,061
Net effect of dilutive convertible notes	1,839
Net effect of dilutive stock options and DSU's	241
Diluted weighted average common shares	11,689	9,061
Basic	$3.54	($0.33)
Diluted	$2.94	($0.33)
Stock options
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Antidilutive stock options excluded from weighted average share calculations (in shares)	193	2,600
Convertible Debt Notes
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Antidilutive stock options excluded from weighted average share calculations (in shares)		1,800

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
		item
Segment Reporting
Number of reportable segments		3
Segment Reporting
Gain on sale of loans, net	$37,398	$4,573
Real estate services fees, net	2,742	3,679
Servicing income, net	635	1,569
Loss on mortgage servicing rights	-6,568	-977
Other revenue	136	1,385
Other income (expense)	-6,934	2,075
Total expenses	-17,141	-14,928
Net earnings (loss) before income taxes	10,268	-2,624
Income tax benefit	-23,704	342
Net earnings (loss)	33,972	-2,966
Total assets	5,956,668		5,578,572
Corporate and Other.
Segment Reporting
Other revenue	58
Other income (expense)	-511	-401
Total expenses	-2,060	-4,103
Net earnings (loss) before income taxes	-2,513	-4,504
Total assets	28,449		3,797
Mortgage Lending | Operating segments
Segment Reporting
Gain on sale of loans, net	37,398	4,573
Servicing income, net	635	1,569
Loss on mortgage servicing rights	-6,568	-977
Other revenue	17	1,216
Other income (expense)	368	156
Total expenses	-13,315	-9,062
Net earnings (loss) before income taxes	18,535	-2,525
Total assets	783,924		291,829
Real Estate Services | Operating segments
Segment Reporting
Real estate services fees, net	2,742	3,679
Other income (expense)		1
Total expenses	-1,655	-1,522
Net earnings (loss) before income taxes	1,087	2,158
Total assets	2,821		2,672
Long-term Mortgage Portfolio | Operating segments
Segment Reporting
Other revenue	61	169
Other income (expense)	-6,791	2,319
Total expenses	-111	-241
Net earnings (loss) before income taxes	-6,841	2,247
Total assets	$5,141,474		$5,280,274

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies
Provision for repurchases	$871,000
Settlement amount	1,000,000
Approved warehouse lines	625,000,000
Outstanding balance of finance receivables	53,300,000			8,400,000
Repurchase reserve
Repurchase reserve within continuing operations	5,500,000	5,700,000
Warehouse Borrowings
Commitments and Contingencies
Approved warehouse lines	625,000,000
Warehouse Borrowings | Non-affiliated customers
Commitments and Contingencies
Approved warehouse lines	94,000,000
Series B 9.375% redeemable preferred stock
Commitments and Contingencies
Preferred stock, dividend rate (as a percent)	9.38%	9.38%
Series C 9.125% redeemable preferred stock
Commitments and Contingencies
Preferred stock, dividend rate (as a percent)	9.13%	9.13%
AIG | Residential Mortgage backed Securities
Commitments and Contingencies
Number of securities included in litigation	12
Plaintiff's demand	800,000,000
Subsequent Event
Commitments and Contingencies
Settlement amount			$228,000

Share_Based_Payments_Details

Share Based Payments (Details) (Stock options, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock options
Weighted average assumptions used in estimating fair value of options granted
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	1.54%
Expected lives (in years)	5 years 8 months 23 days
Expected volatility (as a percent)	79.56%
Expected dividend yield (as a percent)	0.00%
Fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$6.74
Number of Shares
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	1,078,230
Options granted (in shares)	35,000	5,000
Options exercised (in shares)	-102,110
Options forfeited / cancelled (in shares)	-48,666
Options outstanding at end of period (in shares)	962,454
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares)	433,880
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$6.88
Options granted (in dollars per share)	$10
Options exercised (in dollars per share)	$0.70
Options forfeited / cancelled (in dollars per share)	$7.84
Options outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share)	$7.60
Options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share)	$8.13
Additional disclosure related to options
Unrecognized compensation cost	$1,700,000
Weighted-average period over which compensation cost is expected to be recognized	1 year 10 months 24 days
Aggregate grant-date fair value of stock options granted	$236,000	$22,000

Share_Based_Payments_Details_2

Share Based Payments (Details 2) (RSU, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
RSU
Number of Shares
DSU's outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	75,750
DSU's outstanding at end of period (in shares)	75,750
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
DSU's outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$8.63
DSU's outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share)	$8.63
Additional information regarding DSUs
Unrecognized compensation cost	$146
Weighted-average period over which compensation cost is expected to be recognized	1 year 3 months 18 days

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (Short-term borrowing, USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Short-term borrowing
Related Party Transactions
Amount of debt issued	$5,000,000
Interest rate (as percent)	15.00%
Expenses for services received from related party	$50,000

Sale_of_AmeriHome_Details

Sale of AmeriHome (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Sale of AmeriHome
Cash consideration received on sale of business	$10,200,000
Gain on sale of business	1,208,000
AmeriHome
Sale of AmeriHome
Cash consideration received on sale of business		10,200,000
Gain on sale of business		1,200,000
Proceeds on sale of business used to reduce legacy repurchase liability		$3,000,000

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 01, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	8-May-15	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2015	Apr. 27, 2015
				item
Subsequent events
Common stock, shares outstanding	9,690,415				9,588,532
Settlement amount	$1,000,000
Approved warehouse lines	625,000,000
Convertible Notes.
Subsequent events
Accrued interest rate of debt (as a percent)						7.50%
Amount of debt issued						20,000,000
Repurchase agreement 4
Subsequent events
Approved warehouse lines	225,000,000
Repurchase agreement 5
Subsequent events
Approved warehouse lines	150,000,000
Short-term borrowing
Subsequent events
Amount of debt issued							5,000,000
Interest rate (as percent)							15.00%
Warehouse Borrowings
Subsequent events
Approved warehouse lines	625,000,000
Subsequent Event
Subsequent events
Shares issued for settlement		494,017
Common stock, shares outstanding		10,184,432
Settlement amount			228,000
Subsequent Event | Convertible Notes.
Subsequent events
Accrued interest rate of debt (as a percent)				7.50%
Amount of debt issued				25
Subsequent Event | AmeriHome | Convertible Notes.
Subsequent events
Conversion price (in dollars per share)				$21.50
Conditional conversion price (in dollars per share)				$30.10
Number of trading days for which average volume-weighted closing stock price must exceed specified price				20
Number of consecutive trading days during which average volume-weighted closing stock price must exceed specified price				30 days
Subsequent Event | Short-term borrowing
Subsequent events
Amount of debt issued								10,000,000
Interest rate (as percent)								15.00%
Subsequent Event | Replaced warehouse facility
Subsequent events
Approved warehouse lines			$100,000,000