Long-Term Incentive Plan Units (Roll-Forward Of Company's LTIP Units Outstanding) (Details)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Exercised	(1,822)efc_LtipUnitsConverted	(1,782)efc_LtipUnitsConverted	(1,250)efc_LtipUnitsConverted
Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
LTIP Units Outstanding	411,052	397,096	390,500
Granted	20,084	15,738	7,846
Exercised	(1,822)	(1,782)	(1,250)
LTIP Units Outstanding	429,314	411,052	397,096
LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding	404,859	395,314	389,250
Manager [Member] \| Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
LTIP Units Outstanding	375,000	375,000	375,000
Granted	0	0	0
Exercised	0	0	0
LTIP Units Outstanding	375,000	375,000	375,000
LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding	375,000	375,000	375,000
Non-Manager [Member] \| Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
LTIP Units Outstanding	36,052	22,096	15,500
Granted	20,084	15,738	7,846
Exercised	(1,822)	(1,782)	(1,250)
LTIP Units Outstanding	54,314	36,052	22,096
LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding	29,859	20,314	14,250

The number of LTIP units converted to common shares during the period.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the number of shares into which fully vested LTIPs outstanding can be converted into common stock.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	efc_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)-(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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