Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates Contributions to equity affiliates Proceeds from (Repayments of) Restricted Cash, Financing Activities Change in restricted cash Proceeds from (Repayments of) Secured Debt Payoffs and paydowns of collateralized debt obligations Statement Statement [Line Items] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Operating activities: Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net (loss) income Net (loss) income Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities: Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt Gain on extinguishment of debt Gain on extinguishment of debt Gain (Loss) on Sale of Securities, Net Loss on sale of securities Loss on sale of securities, net Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments (Income) loss from equity affiliates Income (loss) from equity affiliates Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental cash flow information: Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities: Investment in Equity Affiliates Variable Interest Entities Distributions Management Agreement Due to Borrowers Distributions Disclosure [Text Block] Distributions Represents the entire disclosure in relation to dividends payable to common shareholders. Management Agreement Disclosure [Text Block] Management Agreement Represents the entire disclosure in relation to management agreement to provide us with certain services. We pay a base management fee and under certain circumstances an annual incentive fee. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative Financial Instruments Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Obligations Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Loans and Investments Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Description of Business/Form of Ownership CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Comprehensive (Loss) Income Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Total Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. Stockholders' Equity Non-controlling Interest Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Balance Total equity Balance Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock, at cost - 1,015,447 shares at June 30, 2011 and 980,597 shares at December 31, 2010 Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest in consolidated entity Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and equity Mortgage Notes Payable, Real Estate Owned Represents the liability for mortgage notes payable by the reporting entity in connection with the acquisition of real property in which the reporting entity had loan secured by the real estate property. Mortgage notes payable - real estate owned Mortgage Note Payable, Held For Sale Represents the liability for mortgage notes payable by the reporting entity in connection with the acquisition of real property in which the reporting entity had loan secured by the real estate property and held-for-sale. Mortgage note payable - held-for-sale Secured Debt, Repurchase Agreements Repurchase agreements Secured Debt Collateralized debt obligations Collateralized debt obligations (includes $1,038,328,166 and $1,070,852,555 from consolidated VIEs, respectively) Junior Subordinated Debenture Owed to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trust Junior subordinated notes to subsidiary trust issuing preferred securities Notes Payable Notes payable Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Assets [Abstract] Assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Restricted cash Restricted cash (includes $63,885,608 and $21,085,664 from consolidated VIEs, respectively) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Statement [Table] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Available-for-sale Securities. Available-for-sale securities, at fair value Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (includes $2,000,000 and $1,000,000 from consolidated VIEs, respectively) Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures Investment in equity affiliates Real Estate Investment Property, Net Real estate owned, net Real estate owned, net (includes $86,349,540 and $2,707,479 from consolidated VIEs, respectively) Inventory, Real Estate, Held-for-sale Real estate held-for-sale, net Due from Related Parties Due from related party Due from related party (includes $160,275 and $335,048 from consolidated VIEs, respectively) Prepaid Expense Prepaid management fee - related party Other Assets Other assets Other assets (includes $11,777,724 and $13,645,594 from consolidated VIEs, respectively) Assets Total assets Due to Related Parties Due to related party Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue Other Liabilities Other liabilities Other liabilities (includes $29,654,129 and $34,940,192 from consolidated VIEs, respectively) Liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and contingencies Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.01 par value: 500,000,000 shares authorized; 26,423,737 shares issued, 25,408,290 shares outstanding at June 30, 2011 and 25,756,810 shares issued, 24,776,213 shares outstanding at December 31, 2010 Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Interest Income, Operating Interest income Interest Expense Interest expense Interest Income (Expense), Net Net interest income Labor and Related Expense Employee compensation and benefits Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling and administrative Provision for Loan and Lease Losses Provision for loan losses (net of recoveries) Gains (Losses) on Restructuring of Debt Loss on restructured loans Loss on restructured loans Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Equity: Equity: Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity: Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Consolidated VIEs Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Treasury Stock, Shares Treasury stock, shares (in shares) Related Party Costs Management fee - related party Operating Expenses Total other expenses Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Distribution to non-controlling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net (loss) income attributable to Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share (Loss) income from continuing operations, net of noncontrolling interest (in dollars per share) Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Net (loss) income attributable to Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (in dollars per share) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share (Loss) income from continuing operations, net of noncontrolling interest (in dollars per share) Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Net (loss) income attributable to Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted (in shares) Other Income [Abstract] Other revenue: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Other expenses: Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Basic (loss) earnings per common share: Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Diluted (loss) earnings per common share: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other assets Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions Distributions of operations from equity affiliates Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue Deferred fees Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities Proceeds from Collection of Loans Held-for-sale Deposits received relating to loan held-for-sale Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Change in restricted cash Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash (used in) / provided by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Proceeds from Collection of Retained Interest in Securitized Receivables Principal collection on securities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Financing activities: Payments for Hedge, Financing Activities Payments on swaps to hedge counterparties Proceeds from Hedge, Financing Activities Receipts on swaps from hedge counterparties Payments to Noncontrolling Interests Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest Payments of Dividends, Preferred Stock and Preference Stock Distributions paid on preferred stock of private REIT Income Taxes Paid Cash used for taxes Notes Assumed Assumption of mortgage note payable - real estate owned Transfer of Investments Investments transferred to available-for-sale securities, at fair value Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Shares, Outstanding Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Issuance of common stock for management fee Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Issuance of common stock for management fee (in shares) Dividends, Preferred Stock Distributions - preferred stock of private REIT Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax Reclassification of net realized loss on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges into earnings Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Amendment Description Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document and Entity Information Marketable Securities [Text Block] Available-For-Sale Securities Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (Loss) income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Loss from discontinued operations Amortization and accretion of interest and fees Adjustment for Amortization and Accretion of Interest and Fees Represents the adjustment for amortization and accretion of interest and fees during the period by the reporting entity. Loans and investments funded, originated and purchased, net Payment for Loans and Investments Funded Originated and Purchased, Net Represents the cash outflow during the reporting period in respect of payments for loans and investments funded and purchased by the reporting entity. Payoffs and paydowns of loans and investments Proceeds from Payoffs and Paydowns of Loans and Investments Represents the cash inflow during the reporting period in respect of payoffs and paydowns of loans and investments by the reporting entity. Proceeds from investments in real estate owned, net Proceeds from Payments for Investments in Real Estate Owned, Net Represents the cash inflow (outflow) during the reporting period from the acquisition (disposition) of investments in real estate owned by the reporting entity. Distributions from equity affiliates Proceeds from Distributions from Equity Affiliates Represents the cash inflow during the reporting period in respect of proceeds from distributions by equity affiliates to the reporting entity. Payoff of junior subordinated notes to subsidiary trust issuing preferred securities Payment for Payoff of Junior Subordinated Notes to Subsidiary Trust Issuing Preferred Securities Represents the cash outflow during the period for payment by the reporting entity in respect of junior subordinated notes to a subsidiary trust issuing preferred securities. Interest Paid Cash used to pay interest Transfer of Other Real Estate Loans transferred to real estate owned, net Extinguishment of trust preferred securities Extinguishment of Trust Preferred Securities Represents the non cash investing and financing activities in relation to extinguishment of trust preferred securities of the reporting entity. Accrual of interest on reissued collateralized debt obligations Accrual of Interest on Reissued Collateralized Debt Obligations Represents the non cash investing and financing activities in relation to re-issuance of CDO debt of the reporting entity. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Debt Obligations Derivative Financial Instruments Variable Interest Entities Variable Interest Entities Disclosure [Text Block] Represents the entire disclosure of Variable Interest Entities and evaluation by entity of its loans and investments, mortgage related securities, investments in equity affiliates, junior subordinated notes and CDOs, in order to determine if they qualify as VIEs or as variable interests in VIEs. A VIE is defined as an entity in which equity investors (i) do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, and/or (ii) do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support from other parties. Three CDO subsidiaries, which qualify as VIEs, of which the company is the primary beneficiary. Fair Value Equity Related Party Transactions Due to Borrowers Due to Borrowers Disclosure [Text Block] Due to borrowers represents borrowers' funds held by the company to fund certain expenditures or to be released at the company's discretion upon the occurrence of certain pre-specified events, and to serve as an additional collateral for borrowers' loans. While retained, these balances earn interest in accordance with the specific loan terms they are associated with. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Disclosure [Text Block] Represents the entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity and disclosure of changes in accounting principles, including adoption of new accounting pronouncements that describes the new methods, amount and effects on financial statement line items. Common Stock Par Value Treasury Stock Loss from continuing operations before gain on extinguishment of debt, loss on sale of securities, net, income (loss) from equity affiliates and provision for income taxes Gain (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Gain on Extinguishment of Debt, Gain on Sale of Securities, Net and Income (Loss) from Equity Affiliates Represents the gain (loss) from continuing operations before gain on extinguishment of debt, gain on sale of securities, net, and income (loss) from equity affiliates of the reporting entity. Increase (Decrease) in Due from Related Parties, Current Due to/from related party Re-issuance of CDO debt Reissuance of Debt Represents the non cash investing and financing activities in relation to re-issuance of CDO debt of the reporting entity. Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease) Proceeds from Contributions from Affiliates Distributions from equity affiliates Description of Business/Form of Ownership Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Distribution to non-controlling interest Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net Loans and investments, net (includes $1,144,334,679 and $1,301,435,584 from consolidated VIEs, respectively) Loans and investments, net Cost of Real Estate Revenue Property operating expenses Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net Depreciation and amortization Increase (Decrease) in Fair Value of Derivative Instruments, Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Change in fair value of non-qualifying swaps Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Purchase of securities Repayments of Bank Debt Payoffs and paydowns of repurchase agreements and notes payable Stock Issued Issuance of common stock for management incentive fee Available-for-sale securities exchanged Represents the non cash financing activities in relation to the exchange of securites classified as available-for-sale. Securities Exchanged Available for Sale Cost and Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block] Investment in Equity Affiliates Real Estate Disclosure [Text Block] Real Estate Owned and Held-For-Sale Due to borrowers The obligation from funds furnished by a borrower to a lender to assure future payments. Escrow deposits may be received for a variety of purposes such as earnest money and contingent payments. Due to borrowers (includes $1,019,292 and $1,155,095 from consolidated VIEs, respectively) Due To Borrowers. Other Income Total other revenue Fees and Commissions, Other Other income Real Estate Revenue, Net Property operating income Due to borrowers and reserves Represents the adjustment in respect of borrowers' funds held by the company to fund certain expenditures or to be released at the company's discretion upon the occurrence of certain pre-specified events and to serve as additional collateral for borrowers' loans. While retained, these balances earn interest in accordance with the specific loan terms they are associated with. Due To Due from Borrowers and Reserves Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment Other-than-temporary impairment Impairment of Real Estate Impairment loss on real estate owned Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest (Loss) income before provision for income taxes Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation Real Estate Owned, Valuation Allowance, Component Impairment loss on real estate owned Proceeds from Sale of Loans Receivable Proceeds from sale of loans Proceeds from (Repayments of) Notes Payable Proceeds from loan participations and notes payable Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt Proceeds from collateralized debt obligations Treasury Stock, Restrictions Purchases of treasury stock Payments of Financing Costs Payment of deferred financing costs Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Purchase of treasury stock Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired, Cost Method Purchase of treasury stock (in shares) Represents the number of common and preferred stock shares that were repurchased during the period. Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Purchases of treasury stock Extinguishment of Debt, Amount Extinguishment of notes payable Proceeds from Collection of (Payments to Fund) Long-term Loans to Related Parties Loan payoffs and paydowns received by related party Loans and Investments Available-For-Sale Securities Real Estate Owned and Held-For-Sale Earnings Per Share Repayments of Notes Payable Paydowns of mortgage notes payable - real estate owned Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost Investment in real estate, net Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalent Change in restricted cash This element represents the net cash inflow or outflow for the increase (decrease) associated with funds that are not available for withdrawal or use, which includes restricted cash and cash equivalent net cash. Loans Held-for-sale, Mortgages Loan held-for-sale