v2.4.1.9
Valuation (Schedule Of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Qualitative Information) (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Securitized debt 774,000efc_SecuritizedDebt 983,000efc_SecuritizedDebt
Level 3 [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 638,486,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member		 756,934,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage Backed Securities and Securitized Debt [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 201,373,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PrivateLabelResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesAndSecuritizedDebtMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [1]  
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage Backed Securities and Securitized Debt [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 1.83efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PrivateLabelResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesAndSecuritizedDebtMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [1]  
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage Backed Securities and Securitized Debt [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 119.58efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PrivateLabelResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesAndSecuritizedDebtMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [1]  
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage Backed Securities and Securitized Debt [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 73.58efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PrivateLabelResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesAndSecuritizedDebtMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [1]  
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage Backed Securities, Other Asset-backed securities And Securitized Debt [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value   550,701,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PrivateLabelResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesOtherAssetBackedSecuritiesAndSecuritizedDebtMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [2]
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage Backed Securities, Other Asset-backed securities And Securitized Debt [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation   1.80efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PrivateLabelResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesOtherAssetBackedSecuritiesAndSecuritizedDebtMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [2]
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage Backed Securities, Other Asset-backed securities And Securitized Debt [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation   110.35efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PrivateLabelResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesOtherAssetBackedSecuritiesAndSecuritizedDebtMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [2]
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage Backed Securities, Other Asset-backed securities And Securitized Debt [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation   78.09efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PrivateLabelResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesOtherAssetBackedSecuritiesAndSecuritizedDebtMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [2]
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities And Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value   34,489,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PrivateLabelCommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesAndCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities And Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation   14.25efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PrivateLabelCommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesAndCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities And Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation   102.89efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PrivateLabelCommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesAndCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities And Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation   74.24efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PrivateLabelCommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesAndCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 40,919,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 5.62efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 103.25efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 66.56efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Agency Interest Only Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 22,928,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 38,783,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Agency Interest Only Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 3.62efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 6.26efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Agency Interest Only Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 24.86efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 33.77efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Agency Interest Only Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 11.38efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 14.53efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 123,029,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 21.50efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 137.00efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 94.91efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Corporate debt, Non-exchange traded corporate equity, and warrants [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 45,668,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_CorporatedebtNonexchangetradedcorporateequityandwarrantsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Corporate debt, Non-exchange traded corporate equity, and warrants [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 73.00efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_CorporatedebtNonexchangetradedcorporateequityandwarrantsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Yield 7.50%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_CorporatedebtNonexchangetradedcorporateequityandwarrantsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Corporate debt, Non-exchange traded corporate equity, and warrants [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 108.00efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_CorporatedebtNonexchangetradedcorporateequityandwarrantsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Yield 24.30%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_CorporatedebtNonexchangetradedcorporateequityandwarrantsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Corporate debt, Non-exchange traded corporate equity, and warrants [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation 95.08efc_NonBindingThirdPartyValuation
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_CorporatedebtNonexchangetradedcorporateequityandwarrantsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Yield 13.30%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_CorporatedebtNonexchangetradedcorporateequityandwarrantsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 72,222,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 67,158,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 3.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 3.80%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Prepayments 6.70%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 6.90%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Losses 0.00%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 4.30%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Recoveries 0.00%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 0.30%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 0.00%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 14.10%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 13.60%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 20.50%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Prepayments 100.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 64.50%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Losses 44.50%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 35.20%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Recoveries 22.40%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 17.10%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 86.40%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 87.30%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 7.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 8.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Prepayments 45.60%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 29.70%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Losses 11.30%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 17.40%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Recoveries 8.00%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 9.10%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 35.10%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 43.80%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Total Outstanding Collateral 100.00%efc_TotalOutstandingCollateral
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 100.00%efc_TotalOutstandingCollateral
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 12,392,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 3,480,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 12.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 9.20%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Losses 0.10%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 0.20%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Recoveries 0.90%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 15.40%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 85.30%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 84.40%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 51.10%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 18.20%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Losses 2.50%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 0.20%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Recoveries 13.50%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 15.40%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 99.00%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 84.40%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Private Label Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 23.70%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 13.50%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Losses 0.70%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 0.20%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Recoveries 6.20%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 15.40%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 93.10%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 84.40%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Total Outstanding Collateral 100.00%efc_TotalOutstandingCollateral
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 100.00%efc_TotalOutstandingCollateral
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Performing Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 21,328,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PerformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 8,788,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PerformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Performing Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 9.20%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PerformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 12.70%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PerformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Performing Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 13.10%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PerformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 12.80%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PerformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Performing Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 10.30%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PerformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 12.70%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_PerformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Non-performing Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 6,981,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_NonperformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 10,123,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_NonperformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Non-performing Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 15.30%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_NonperformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 15.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_NonperformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Months to Resolution 0 months 15 days 5 months
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Non-performing Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 20.10%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_NonperformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 15.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_NonperformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Months to Resolution 10 months 15 days 7 months
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Non-performing Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 16.40%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_NonperformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 15.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_NonperformingCommercialMortgageLoansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Months to Resolution 8 months 6 days 6 months
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Agency Interest Only Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 8,457,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 1,721,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Agency Interest Only Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Projected Collateral Prepayments 50.20%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 49.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 0.00%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 41.90%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
LIBOR OAS 1.54%efc_FairValueInputsLiborOas
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [3] 3.49%efc_FairValueInputsLiborOas
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [3]
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Agency Interest Only Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Projected Collateral Prepayments 100.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 58.10%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 49.80%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 51.00%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
LIBOR OAS 17.96%efc_FairValueInputsLiborOas
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [3] 6.45%efc_FairValueInputsLiborOas
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [3]
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Agency Interest Only Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Projected Collateral Prepayments 75.50%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 51.20%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 24.50%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 48.80%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Total Outstanding Collateral 100.00%efc_TotalOutstandingCollateral
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 100.00%efc_TotalOutstandingCollateral
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
LIBOR OAS 3.59%efc_FairValueInputsLiborOas
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [3] 4.22%efc_FairValueInputsLiborOas
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AgencyInterestOnlyResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 [3]
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans and Real Estate Owned Properties [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 36,117,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_ResidentialMortgageLoansandRealEstateOwnedPropertiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans and Real Estate Owned Properties [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 6.10%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_ResidentialMortgageLoansandRealEstateOwnedPropertiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Months to Resolution 4 months 3 days  
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans and Real Estate Owned Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 12.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_ResidentialMortgageLoansandRealEstateOwnedPropertiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Months to Resolution 79 months 3 days  
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans and Real Estate Owned Properties [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 7.30%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_ResidentialMortgageLoansandRealEstateOwnedPropertiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Months to Resolution 24 months 18 days  
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value   24,062,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield   7.40%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Months to Resolution   16 months 9 days
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield   7.40%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Months to Resolution   16 months 9 days
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield   7.40%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Months to Resolution   16 months 9 days
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Other asset-backed securities and loans [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 23,259,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Other asset-backed securities and loans [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 0.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Projected Collateral Prepayments 62.70%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Projected Collateral Losses 4.00%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Projected Collateral Recoveries 1.70%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 31.60%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Other asset-backed securities and loans [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 14.40%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Projected Collateral Prepayments 62.70%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Projected Collateral Losses 4.00%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Projected Collateral Recoveries 1.70%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 31.60%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Other asset-backed securities and loans [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 9.10%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Projected Collateral Prepayments 62.70%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Projected Collateral Losses 4.00%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Projected Collateral Recoveries 1.70%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 31.60%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Total Outstanding Collateral 100.00%efc_TotalOutstandingCollateral
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= efc_AssetbackedsecuritiesandloansMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 11,148,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 16,296,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Projected Collateral Prepayments 17.80%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 19.30%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Losses 16.50%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 15.50%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Recoveries 7.70%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 8.20%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 15.90%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 15.70%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Projected Collateral Prepayments 55.80%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 59.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Losses 37.70%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 47.80%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Recoveries 18.50%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 15.20%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 43.40%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 41.20%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Credit Default Swaps On Asset Backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Projected Collateral Prepayments 32.50%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 29.90%us-gaap_FairValueInputsPrepaymentRate
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Losses 29.70%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 34.80%efc_FairValueInputsLosses
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Recoveries 12.80%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 13.10%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralRecoveries
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization 25.00%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 22.20%efc_FairValueInputsProjectedCollateralScheduledAmortization
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Total Outstanding Collateral 100.00%efc_TotalOutstandingCollateral
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		 100.00%efc_TotalOutstandingCollateral
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_CreditDefaultSwapsOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Private Corporate Investments [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Preferred Equity Investment in Commercial Mortgage-related Private Partnership | Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 6,241,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= efc_NonExchangeTradedPreferredEquityInvestmentinCommercialMortgagerelatedPrivatePartnershipMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Private Corporate Investments [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Preferred Equity Investment in Commercial Mortgage-related Private Partnership | Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 10.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= efc_NonExchangeTradedPreferredEquityInvestmentinCommercialMortgagerelatedPrivatePartnershipMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Expected Holding Period (Months) 17 months  
Private Corporate Investments [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Preferred Equity Investment in Commercial Mortgage-related Private Partnership | Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 10.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= efc_NonExchangeTradedPreferredEquityInvestmentinCommercialMortgagerelatedPrivatePartnershipMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Expected Holding Period (Months) 17 months  
Private Corporate Investments [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Preferred Equity Investment in Commercial Mortgage-related Private Partnership | Level 3 [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Yield 10.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= efc_NonExchangeTradedPreferredEquityInvestmentinCommercialMortgagerelatedPrivatePartnershipMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= us-gaap_IncomeApproachValuationTechniqueMember		  
Expected Holding Period (Months) 17 months  
Private Corporate Investments [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Preferred and Common Equity Investment in Mortgage-Related Entities [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recent Transactions [Member]    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Fair value 5,411,000us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= efc_NonExchangeTradedPreferredandCommonEquityInvestmentinMortgageRelatedEntitiesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= efc_RecentTransactionsMember		  
[1] Includes securitized debt with a fair value of $0.8 million as of December 31, 2014.
[2] Includes securitized debt with a fair value of $1.0 million as of December 31, 2013.
[3] Shown in basis points.