v2.4.1.9

Consolidated Condensed Schedule Of Investments (Investments Sold Short) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | $ (1,291,370)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue |  | $ (845,614)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue |
Proceeds from investments sold short | (1,290,091)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds |  | (847,602)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Percent of Equity | (153.39%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[2],[3],[4] | (129.69%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[2],[5],[6]
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (1,135,218)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember |  | (784,888)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (1,209,539)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] | (811,957)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Proceeds from investments sold short | (1,205,876)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] | (813,757)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 Year) 4.00% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (213,928)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year4Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 4.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year4Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (228,376)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year4Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 Year) 3.50% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (205,082)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year3Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 3.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year3Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (213,870)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year3Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 Year) 3.50% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (146,580)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15Year3Point50PercentMemberMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 3.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15Year3Point50PercentMemberMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (154,837)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15Year3Point50PercentMemberMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 Year) 4.00% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (123,117)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30Year4Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 4.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30Year4Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (131,254)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30Year4Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 Year) 4.50% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (92,080)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year4Point50Percent201501Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 4.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year4Point50Percent201501Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (99,968)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year4Point50Percent201501Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 Year) 5.00% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (54,100)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year5Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 5.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year5Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-02 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (59,698)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year5Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 Year) 5.00% 2015-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (48,150)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year5Percent201501Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 5.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year5Percent201501Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (53,193)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year5Percent201501Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 Year) 4.50% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (48,800)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year4Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 4.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year4Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-02 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (52,889)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year4Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 Year) 3.00% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (38,360)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15Year3PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 3.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15Year3PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (39,870)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15Year3PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 Year) 4.50% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (36,081)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30Year4Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 4.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30Year4Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (39,111)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30Year4Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 Year) 4.00% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (26,400)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30Year4Point00Percent201502Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 4.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30Year4Point00Percent201502Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-02 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (28,071)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30Year4Point00Percent201502Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 Year) 4.00% 2015-02 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (21,840)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year4Point00Percent201502Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 4.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year4Point00Percent201502Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-02 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (23,255)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year4Point00Percent201502Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (15 Year) 3.50% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (20,300)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15Year3Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (15 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 3.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15Year3Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (21,429)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15Year3Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 Year) 2.50% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (15,850)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15Year2Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 2.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15Year2Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (16,140)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15Year2Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 Year) 3.50% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (14,020)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30Year3Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 3.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30Year3Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (14,579)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30Year3Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 Year) 4.00% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (7,900)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15Year4PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 4.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15Year4PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-02 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (8,365)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15Year4PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 Year) 5.50% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (6,860)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year5Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 5.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year5Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (7,673)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30Year5Point50PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) 5.00% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (6,000)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year5Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] | (23,200)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year5Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) | [1],[3],[4] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate | 5.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year5Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] | 5.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year5Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] | 2014-02 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (6,622)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year5Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] | (24,996)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year5Point00PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (15 Year) 3.00% [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (4,100)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15Year3PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (15 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 3.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15Year3PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (4,256)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15Year3PercentMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Other Federal National Mortgage Association (15 Year) [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (3,270)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalNationalMortgageAssociation15YearMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Other Federal National Mortgage Association (15 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 4.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalNationalMortgageAssociation15YearMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (3,465)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalNationalMortgageAssociation15YearMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Other Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 Year) [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (1,300)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30YearMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Other Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) |  |  |
Rate | 5.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30YearMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (1,453)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30YearMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Other Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (15 Year) [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (1,100)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15YearMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Description | Other Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (15 year) | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Rate | 4.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15YearMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2015-01 | [1],[3],[4] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (1,165)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15YearMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[3],[4] |  |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) 4.00% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (156,890)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year4Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 4.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year4Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (161,689)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year4Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) 3.50% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (136,182)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year3Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 3.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year3Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (135,427)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year3Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) 4.50% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (96,700)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year4Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 4.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year4Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (102,559)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year4Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 year) 3.50% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (89,600)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15year3Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 3.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15year3Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (93,716)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15year3Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) 5.00% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (57,600)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year5Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 5.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year5Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (62,617)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year5Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 year) 3.00% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (58,960)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15year3Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 3.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15year3Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (60,158)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15year3Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) 4.00% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (57,837)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year4Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 4.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year4Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (59,409)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year4Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 year) 2.50% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (31,150)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15year2Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 2.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15year2Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (30,816)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15year2Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) 4.50% 2014-02 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (24,400)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year4Point50Percent201402Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 4.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year4Point50Percent201402Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-02 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (25,798)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year4Point50Percent201402Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 year) 4.00% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (16,604)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15year4Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal National Mortgage Association (15 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 4.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15year4Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (17,589)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation15year4Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (15 year) 3.50% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (8,200)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15year3Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (15 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 3.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15year3Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (8,550)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15year3Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) 5.50% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (6,700)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year5Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 5.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year5Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (7,373)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year5Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) 3.50% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (6,550)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year3Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 3.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year3Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (6,495)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year3Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (15 year) 3.00% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (4,100)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15year3Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (15 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 3.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15year3Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (4,175)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation15year3Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) 4.50% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (3,900)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year4Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 4.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year4Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (4,129)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year4Point50Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Other Federal National Mortgage Association (30 year) 6.00% 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (2,500)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year6Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Other Federal National Mortgage Association (30 Year) | [1],[5],[6]
Rate |  |  | 6.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year6Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (2,776)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalNationalMortgageAssociation30year6Point00Percent201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Other Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (3,815)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
Description |  |  | Other Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 Year) | [1],[5],[6]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2014-01 | [1],[5],[6]
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (3,685)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal National Mortgage Association [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Percent of Equity | (121.95%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociationMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember |  | (111.89%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalNationalMortgageAssociationMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Percent of Equity | (31.44%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporationMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember |  | (17.80%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporationMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember |
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Other Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Rate |  |  | 2.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember | [1],[5],[6]
TBA - Fixed Rate Agency Securities Sold Short [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Other Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (30 year) 2014-01 [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Rate |  |  | 5.50%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = efc_OtherFederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation30year201401Member / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember | [1],[5],[6]
Government debt sold short [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Percent of Equity | (7.02%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[2],[3] | (4.36%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[2],[5]
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (55,315)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[3] | (27,288)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[5]
Proceeds from investments sold short | (56,610)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[3] | (27,532)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[5]
Government debt sold short [Member] | Sovereign Debt Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (28,118)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[3] | (7,337)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[5]
Description | European Sovereign Bonds | [1],[3] | European Sovereign Bond | [1],[5]
Rate |  |  | 3.75%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[5]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2018-10 | [1],[5]
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (30,606)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[3] | (7,681)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[5]
Government debt sold short [Member] | US Treasury Notes Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (22,485)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryNotesSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[3] | (20,000)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryNotesSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[5]
Description | U.S. Treasury Note | [1],[3] | U.S. Treasury Note | [1],[5]
Rate |  |  | 1.25%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryNotesSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[5]
Investments maturity date |  |  | 2018-10 | [1],[5]
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (22,560)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryNotesSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[3] | (19,607)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryNotesSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[5]
Government debt sold short [Member] | US Treasury Bond [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (2,000)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryBondSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[3] |  |
Description | U.S. Treasury Bond | [1],[3] |  |
Rate | 3.13%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryBondSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[3] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2044-08 | [1],[3] |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (2,149)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryBondSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember | [1],[3] |  |
Government debt sold short [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Sovereign Debt Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Rate | 2.75%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember | [1],[3] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2016-09 | [1],[3] |  |
Government debt sold short [Member] | Minimum [Member] | US Treasury Notes Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Rate | 1.25%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryNotesSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember | [1],[3] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2018-10 | [1],[3] |  |
Government debt sold short [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Sovereign Debt Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Rate | 4.00%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember | [1],[3] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2019-04 | [1],[3] |  |
Government debt sold short [Member] | Maximum [Member] | US Treasury Notes Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Rate | 2.25%invest_InvestmentInterestRate / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryNotesSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember | [1],[3] |  |
Investments maturity date | 2024-11 | [1],[3] |  |
Common Stock Sold Short [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Percent of Equity | (3.36%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember | [1],[2],[3] | (1.02%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember | [1],[2],[5]
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (26,516)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember | [1],[3] | (6,369)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember | [1],[5]
Proceeds from investments sold short | (27,605)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember | [1],[3] | (6,313)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember | [1],[5]
Common Stock Sold Short [Member] | Publicly Traded Real Estate Investment Trusts [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Description | Publicly Traded Real Estate Investment Trusts | [1],[3] | Publicly Traded Real Estate Investment Trusts | [1],[5]
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (26,516)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = sic_Z6798 / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember | [1],[3] | (6,369)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentAxis = sic_Z6798 / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember | [1],[5]
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Balance, Shares | (2,986)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalanceShares / invest_InvestmentAxis = sic_Z6798 / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember | [1],[3] | (763)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalanceShares / invest_InvestmentAxis = sic_Z6798 / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember | [1],[5]
Securities Sold Short - Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Percent of Equity | (163.77%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember | [1],[2],[3] | (135.07%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember | [1],[2],[5]
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (1,291,370)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember | [1],[3] | (845,614)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember | [1],[5]
Proceeds from investments sold short | (1,290,091)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember | [1],[3] | (847,602)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember | [1],[5]
Europe [Member] | Securities Sold Short - Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Percent of Equity |  |  | (1.23%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (7,337)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (7,681)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |
Proceeds from investments sold short |  |  | (7,633)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |
Europe [Member] | Sovereign Debt Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Percent of Equity | (3.88%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (28,118)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (30,606)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember |  |  |
Proceeds from investments sold short | (32,008)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_EuropeMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember |  |  |
North America [Member] | Common Stock Sold Short [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Percent of Equity | (3.36%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |  | (1.02%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (26,516)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |  | (6,369)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Balance, Shares | (2,986)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalanceShares / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |  | (763)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalanceShares / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |
Proceeds from investments sold short | (27,605)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |  | (6,313)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember |
North America [Member] | Securities Sold Short - Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Percent of Equity |  |  | (132.82%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |
Current Principal/Notional Amount |  |  | (804,888)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |
Investments sold short, at fair value- |  |  | (831,564)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |
Proceeds from investments sold short |  |  | (833,656)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember |
North America [Member] | Securities Sold Short Securities Sold Not Yet Purchased TBAs and Government Debt [Member] |  |  |  |
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Percent of Equity | (156.53%)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedTBAsandGovernmentDebtMember |  |  |
Current Principal/Notional Amount | (1,159,703)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedBalancePrincipalAmount / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedTBAsandGovernmentDebtMember |  |  |
Investments sold short, at fair value- | (1,234,248)us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedTBAsandGovernmentDebtMember |  |  |
Proceeds from investments sold short | $ (1,230,478)us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds / invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis = us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedTBAsandGovernmentDebtMember |  |  |
[1] | See Note 2 and Note 3 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
[2] | Classification percentages are based on Total Equity.
[3] | The following table details the breakout by geographical region of long investments, investments sold short, repurchase agreements, financial derivatives–assets, and financial derivatives–liabilities.Region Current Principal/Notional Value/Number of Properties/Number of Shares Cost/(Proceeds) Fair Value Percent ofEquityLong Investments: (In thousands, Expressed in U.S. Dollars) North America 2,863,057 $2,038,249 $2,092,959 264.46 %Europe 69,724 69,360 64,611 9.16 %North America (Private Corporate Investments) n/a 14,717 14,512 1.84 %Total $2,122,326 $2,172,082 275.46 %Investments Sold Short: North America (TBAs and Government Debt) (1,159,703) $(1,230,478) $(1,234,248) (156.53)%Europe (Government Debt) (28,118) (32,008) (30,606) (3.88)%North America (Common Stock) (2,986) (27,605) (26,516) (3.36)%Total $(1,290,091) $(1,291,370) (163.77)%Repurchase Agreements: North America 140,248 $140,248 $140,248 17.78 %Europe 31,753 31,753 31,753 4.03 %Total 172,001 $172,001 $172,001 21.81 %Financial Derivatives–Assets: North America 1,401,261 $61,560 $80,029 10.15 %Europe — — — — %Total 1,401,261 $61,560 $80,029 10.15 %Financial Derivatives–Liabilities: North America (936,799) $(30,598) $(63,084) (8.00)%Europe (37,199) (2,957) (3,032) (0.39)%Total (973,998) $(33,555) $(66,116) (8.39)%
[4] | At December 31, 2014, the Company's short investments guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, represented 121.95% and 31.44% of equity, respectively.
[5] | The following table details the breakout by geographical region of long investments, investments sold short, and repurchase agreements. All financial derivatives were concentrated in North America.Region Current Principal/Notional Value/Number of Shares Cost/(Proceeds) Fair Value Percent ofEquityLong Investments: (In thousands, Expressed in U.S. Dollars) North America 2,470,650 $1,682,533 $1,724,370 275.44 %Europe 7,641 5,724 5,760 0.92 %Total 2,478,291 $1,688,257 $1,730,130 276.36 %Investments Sold Short: North America (TBAs and Government Debt) (804,888) $(833,656) $(831,564) (132.82)%Europe (Government Debt) (7,337) (7,633) (7,681) (1.23)%North America (Common Stock) (763) (6,313) (6,369) (1.02)%Total $(847,602) $(845,614) (135.07)%Repurchase Agreements: North America 19,675 $19,675 $19,675 3.15 %Europe 8,287 8,268 8,287 1.32 %Total 27,962 $27,943 $27,962 4.47 %
[6] | At December 31, 2013, the Company's short investments guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation represented 111.89% and 17.80% of equity, respectively.

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- Definition For schedules of investments sold, not yet purchased (short sales) that are categorized, each category would be expected to have a percent of net assets for the aggregated value of the investments sold short in the category. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedPercentOfNetAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The amount of proceeds received resulting from the short sale of a security. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentSoldNotYetPurchasedSaleProceeds
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentsSoldNotYetPurchasedLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis=us-gaap_EuropeMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis=us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=efc_CommonStockSoldShortbyindustryMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=efc_GovernmentdebtsoldshortMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=efc_SecuritiesSoldShortSecuritiesSoldNotYetPurchasedMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=efc_ToBeAnnouncedFixedRateAgencySecuritiesSoldShortMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |