v3.19.1
Valuation (Schedule of Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value- $ 1,503,273  
Securities, at fair value 1,529,485  
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value [1] 58,152  
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- [2] 15,356 $ 20,001
Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet(1) [2] 25,381 61,274
Investments sold short, at fair value- (26,212) (850,577)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- [2] (26,904) (20,806)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value (282,124) [1] (297,948)
Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 202,303  
CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 29,413  
CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 97,997  
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 24,108  
Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 5,737  
Investments sold short, at fair value- (4,441)  
U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 16,601  
Investments sold short, at fair value- (2,910)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 58,152  
Total investments, financial derivatives–assets, and repurchase agreements, at fair value 2,617,983 3,020,586
Other secured borrowings, at fair value (282,124)  
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value (335,240) (1,169,331)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   (850,577)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   (772,964)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (4,441)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (21,771)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   (54,151)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   (6,529)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Common stock    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   (16,933)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-   (20,806)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (822) (11,557)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (953) (3,246)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (11,907) (2,125)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (7,571) (3,397)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBAs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (3,075)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (2,454) (355)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (122) (120)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-   (6)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Other secured borrowings, at fair value    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Other secured borrowings, at fair value   (297,948)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Cash equivalents    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash and cash equivalents   12,460
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 1,144,215  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 206,170  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 33,192  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 97,997  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 24,108  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 5,737  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 1,465  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 16,601  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   2,939,311
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   1,450,217
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   302,639
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   33,908
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   123,893
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   22,392
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   43,793
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments | Secured notes    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   10,917
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   76
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   496,830
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   211,185
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments | Consumer loans and asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   206,761
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments | Real estate owned    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   34,500
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments | Common stock    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   2,200
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 583,252  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 239,623  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 192,115  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-   20,001
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 1,233 1,472
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 3,276 733
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 715 2,473
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 3,519 8,092
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 5,391 7,224
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBAs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 531  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 138  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 430 6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 123 1
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Repurchase Agreements    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet(1)   61,274
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 0  
Total investments, financial derivatives–assets, and repurchase agreements, at fair value 138 2,200
Other secured borrowings, at fair value 0  
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value (2,454) (17,288)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   (16,933)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Common stock    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   (16,933)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-   (355)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBAs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (2,454) (355)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Other secured borrowings, at fair value   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Cash equivalents    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash and cash equivalents   12,460
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   2,200
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments | Secured notes    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments | Consumer loans and asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments | Real estate owned    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments | Common stock    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   2,200
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBAs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 138  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Repurchase Agreements    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet(1)   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 0  
Total investments, financial derivatives–assets, and repurchase agreements, at fair value 1,384,526 1,892,308
Other secured borrowings, at fair value 0  
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value (50,662) (854,095)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   (833,644)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   (772,964)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (4,441)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (21,771)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   (54,151)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   (6,529)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Common stock    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-   (20,451)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (822) (11,557)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (953) (3,246)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (11,907) (2,125)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (7,571) (3,397)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBAs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (3,075)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (122) (120)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-   (6)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Other secured borrowings, at fair value   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Cash equivalents    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash and cash equivalents   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 1,137,826  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 111,500  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 28,055  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 76,559  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 16,601  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   1,812,505
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   1,442,924
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   211,348
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   33,105
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   108,978
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   16,074
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments | Secured notes    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   76
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments | Consumer loans and asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments | Real estate owned    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments | Common stock    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-   18,529
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 3,276 733
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 715 2,473
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 3,519 8,092
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 5,391 7,224
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBAs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 531  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 430 6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 123 1
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Repurchase Agreements    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet(1)   61,274
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 58,152  
Total investments, financial derivatives–assets, and repurchase agreements, at fair value 1,233,319 1,126,078
Other secured borrowings, at fair value (282,124)  
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value (282,124) (297,948)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Common stock    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBAs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Other secured borrowings, at fair value   (297,948)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Cash equivalents    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash and cash equivalents   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 6,389  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 94,670  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 5,137  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 21,438  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 24,108  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 5,737  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 1,465  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   1,124,606
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   7,293
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   91,291
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   803
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   14,915
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   6,318
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   43,793
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments | Secured notes    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   10,917
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   496,830
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   211,185
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments | Consumer loans and asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   206,761
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments | Real estate owned    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   34,500
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments | Common stock    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 583,252  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 239,623  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 192,115  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-   1,472
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 1,233 1,472
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBAs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- $ 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Repurchase Agreements    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet(1)   $ 0
[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2] In the Company's Consolidated Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Equity, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis.