v2.4.1.9

Valuation (Schedule Of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | $ 80,029,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets | [1] | $ 59,664,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets | [1]
Fair value repurchase agreements | 172,001,000 us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements | [1] | 27,962,000 us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements | [1]
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (1,291,370,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue |  | (845,614,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (66,116,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities | [1] | (44,791,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities | [1]
Securitized Debt [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Security Owned and Pledged as Collateral, Fair Value | 2,200,000 us-gaap_SecurityOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_SecuritizedDebtMember |  | 2,300,000 us-gaap_SecurityOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_SecuritizedDebtMember |
Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | 114,140,000 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 183,489,000 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Total investments and financial derivatives–assets, at fair value and repurchase agreements | 261,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and securitized debt, at fair value | (26,597,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | (8,742,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (26,516,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |  | (6,369,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Government debt sold short [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember |  | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Common Stock Sold Short [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (26,516,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |  | (6,369,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (81,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (2,373,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bonds [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  |  |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Swaption [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_SwaptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  |  |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Options [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Futures [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (81,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_FutureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (2,373,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_FutureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Forwards [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Securitized debt(1) | 0 efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = efc_SecuritizedDebtMember | [2] | 0 efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = efc_SecuritizedDebtMember | [3]
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember |  |  |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember |  | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember |  | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- |  |  | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other asset-backed securities and loans [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember |  |  |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CorporateDebtMember |  |  |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Real Estate Owned [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_WhollyOwnedPropertiesMember |  |  |
Level 1 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Corporate Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember |  |  |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 261,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Swaption [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_SwaptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  |  |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Options [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Futures [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 261,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_FutureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  |  |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Forwards [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  |  |
Level 1 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Warrant [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_WarrantMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  |  |
Level 1 [Member] | Repurchase Agreements [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value repurchase agreements | 0 us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | 0 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Total investments and financial derivatives–assets, at fair value and repurchase agreements | 1,785,365,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 1,060,822,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and securitized debt, at fair value | (1,330,650,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | (881,313,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (1,264,854,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |  | (839,245,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (1,209,539,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |  | (811,957,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Government debt sold short [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (55,315,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember |  | (27,288,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Common Stock Sold Short [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |  | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (65,796,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (42,068,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (4,410,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (11,866,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (28,588,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (24,949,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bonds [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (2,953,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  |  |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (29,405,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (5,064,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (21,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (67,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Swaption [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (137,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_SwaptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  |  |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Options [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (146,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (84,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Futures [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_FutureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_FutureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Forwards [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (136,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (38,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Securitized debt(1) | 0 efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = efc_SecuritizedDebtMember | [2] | 0 efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = efc_SecuritizedDebtMember | [3]
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 1,545,083,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 989,842,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 1,258,699,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |  | 989,842,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 1,636,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember |  |  |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 284,748,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember |  | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember |  | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- |  |  | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other asset-backed securities and loans [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember |  |  |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CorporateDebtMember |  |  |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Real Estate Owned [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_WhollyOwnedPropertiesMember |  |  |
Level 2 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Corporate Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember |  |  |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 68,281,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 43,018,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 1,881,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 4,937,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 35,865,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 14,273,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 28,654,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 23,553,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 8,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 4,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Swaption [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 344,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_SwaptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |  |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Options [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 645,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 251,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Futures [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_FutureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |  |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Forwards [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 884,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |  |
Level 2 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Warrant [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_WarrantMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |  |
Level 2 [Member] | Repurchase Agreements [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value repurchase agreements | 172,001,000 us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 27,962,000 us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | 0 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Total investments and financial derivatives–assets, at fair value and repurchase agreements | 638,486,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 756,934,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and securitized debt, at fair value | (1,013,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | (1,333,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |  | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Government debt sold short [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember |  | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Common Stock Sold Short [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |  | 0 us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (239,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (350,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (239,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (350,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bonds [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  |  |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Swaption [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_SwaptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  |  |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Options [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Futures [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_FutureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_FutureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Forwards [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Securitized debt(1) | (774,000)efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = efc_SecuritizedDebtMember | [2] | (983,000)efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = efc_SecuritizedDebtMember | [3]
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 626,999,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 740,288,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 31,385,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |  | 40,504,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember |  |  |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 274,369,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |  | 580,772,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 53,311,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |  | 32,994,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 28,309,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember |  | 23,887,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 27,482,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember |  | 24,062,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- |  |  | 38,069,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other asset-backed securities and loans [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 146,288,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember |  |  |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 42,708,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CorporateDebtMember |  |  |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Real Estate Owned [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 8,635,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_WhollyOwnedPropertiesMember |  |  |
Level 3 [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Corporate Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 14,512,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember |  |  |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 11,487,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 16,646,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 11,387,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 16,646,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Swaption [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_SwaptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  |  |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Options [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Futures [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_FutureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  |  |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Forwards [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  |  |
Level 3 [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Warrant [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 100,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_WarrantMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  |  |
Level 3 [Member] | Repurchase Agreements [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value repurchase agreements | 0 us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | 114,140,000 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 183,489,000 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Total investments and financial derivatives–assets, at fair value and repurchase agreements | 2,424,112,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 1,817,756,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and securitized debt, at fair value | (1,358,260,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | (891,388,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (1,291,370,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |  | (845,614,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (1,209,539,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |  | (811,957,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Government debt sold short [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (55,315,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember |  | (27,288,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments Sold Short [Member] | Common Stock Sold Short [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (26,516,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |  | (6,369,000)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (66,116,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (44,791,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (4,410,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (11,866,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (239,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (350,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (28,588,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (24,949,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bonds [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (2,953,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  |  |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (29,405,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (5,064,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (21,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (67,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Swaption [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (137,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_SwaptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  |  |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Options [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (146,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (84,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Futures [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (81,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_FutureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (2,373,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_FutureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Forwards [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- | (136,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |  | (38,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Securitized debt(1) | (774,000)efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = efc_SecuritizedDebtMember | [2] | (983,000)efc_SecuritizedDebtFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis = efc_SecuritizedDebtMember | [3]
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 2,172,082,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 1,730,130,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 1,290,084,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |  | 1,030,346,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 1,636,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember |  |  |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 559,117,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |  | 580,772,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 53,311,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |  | 32,994,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 28,309,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember |  | 23,887,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CommercialMortgageLoansMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 27,482,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember |  | 24,062,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- |  |  | 38,069,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Other asset-backed securities and loans [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 146,288,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember |  |  |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 42,708,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = efc_CorporateDebtMember |  |  |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Real Estate Owned [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 8,635,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_WhollyOwnedPropertiesMember |  |  |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Investments [Member] | Private Corporate Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments, at fair value- | 14,512,000 us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember |  |  |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 80,029,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 59,664,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 1,881,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 4,937,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 11,387,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 16,646,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 35,865,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 14,273,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 28,654,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 23,553,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Total Return Swaps [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 8,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 4,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_TotalReturnSwapMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Swaption [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 344,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_SwaptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  |  |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Options [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 645,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 251,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_PutOptionMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Futures [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 261,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_FutureMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  |  |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Forwards [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 884,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  |  |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Warrant [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- | 100,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = us-gaap_WarrantMember / us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis = us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  |  |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Repurchase Agreements [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
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Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
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[1] | In the Company's Consolidated Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Equity, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis.
[2] | The asset subject to the resecuritization had a fair value of $2.2 million as of December 31, 2014, which is included on the Consolidated Schedule of Investments under Principal and Interest – Private Label Securities.
[3] | The asset subject to the resecuritization had a fair value of $2.3 million as of December 31, 2013, which is included on the Consolidated Schedule of Investments under Principal and Interest – Private Label Securities.

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