v2.4.1.9

Financial Derivatives (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative [Line Items] |  |
Low Range Of Spread On Written Credit Derivatives | 0.15%efc_LowRangeOfSpreadOnWrittenCreditDerivatives | 0.25%efc_LowRangeOfSpreadOnWrittenCreditDerivatives
High Range Of Spread On Written Credit Derivatives | 5.00%efc_HighRangeOfSpreadOnWrittenCreditDerivatives | 5.00%efc_HighRangeOfSpreadOnWrittenCreditDerivatives
Credit Default Swap, Selling Protection [Member] |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |
Total net up-front payments received | $ 28.9 efc_UpFrontFeesReceivedOnCreditDerivatives / us-gaap_CreditDerivativesByContractTypeAxis = us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwapSellingProtectionMember | $ 2.5 efc_UpFrontFeesReceivedOnCreditDerivatives / us-gaap_CreditDerivativesByContractTypeAxis = us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwapSellingProtectionMember

X
- Definition High end of the range of credit spreads on written credit derivatives. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | efc_HighRangeOfSpreadOnWrittenCreditDerivatives
Namespace Prefix: | efc_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Low end of the range of credit spreads on written credit derivatives. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | efc_LowRangeOfSpreadOnWrittenCreditDerivatives
Namespace Prefix: | efc_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Total net upfront fees received on credit derivatives. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | efc_UpFrontFeesReceivedOnCreditDerivatives
Namespace Prefix: | efc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_CreditDerivativesByContractTypeAxis=us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwapSellingProtectionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |